Enhancing Accessibility
with iPad at Ajman Academy
Executive Summary
Ajman Academy launched an initiative to strengthen inclusive education by ensuring every learner can access and participate fully in the digital classroom. In partnership with All Prints, the Apple Premium Education Partner, the school introduced the All-Access Learning program, leveraging the accessibility features of iPad to create a more equitable learning environment.
This case study highlights how, through a structured program of professional development and classroom implementation, Learning Support Assistants integrated built-in accessibility tools into everyday teaching. Early results show increased staff confidence, stronger student engagement, greater learning independence and improved access to curriculum content, demonstrating the power of Appe to support inclusive learning for all.
Ajman Academy Background
Ajman Academy has established itself as a progressive educational institution committed to innovation, inclusive education and the integration of technology to enhance learning outcomes. The school serves a diverse student community with 65% Emirati students and 97% second-language learners, reflecting a rich multicultural learning environment.
The academy delivers a broad and internationally recognised curriculum that combines the British National Curriculum with elements of the International Baccalaureate framework, including the Primary Years Program (PYP) and the Middle Years Program (MYP). In the secondary phase, students pursue globally recognised qualifications such as IGCSE, A Levels, and BTEC, providing both academic and vocational pathways that support diverse learner strengths and future aspirations.
At Ajman Academy, inclusion is brought to life by investing in the people who support students every day. The school has placed a strong focus on its Learning Support Assistants, equipping them with iPad and supporting them through the All-Access Learning Program. Designed with them in mind, the program helps Learning Support Assistants work closely alongside teachers, strengthening collaboration and allowing them to play a more impactful role in each student’s learning journey.
The Journey with All Prints
As an inclusive school, Ajman Academy places strong emphasis on Quality First Teaching, where classroom teachers, and Learning Support Assistants work collaboratively to support students with diverse learning needs through differentiated instruction and inclusive classroom strategies.
While iPad and digital tools were already available within the school, Learning Support Assistants recognized a key challenge: staff needed structured training and practical guidance to fully utilize the built-in accessibility features that could support students facing barriers to learning such as reading difficulties, writing challenges, language barriers, or additional learning needs.
To address this opportunity, All Prints, the Apple Premium Education Partner, introduced the All-Access Learning program, providing a focused framework that combined professional development with practical classroom application.
Through this initiative, Learning Support Assistants were equipped with the skills and strategies needed to leverage iPad accessibility tools to create more inclusive, engaging and supportive learning environments.
Staff Confidence in Using iPad (Pre-Program)
38.1%
of respondents reported a mid-level confidence.
Daily Use of iPad to Support Students
52.4%
of respondents reported using iPad daily
To address this opportunity, All Prints, the Apple Premium Education Partner, introduced the All-Access Learning program, providing a focused framework that combined professional development with practical classroom application. Through this initiative, Learning Support Assistants were equipped with the skills and strategies needed to leverage iPad accessibility tools to create more inclusive, engaging and supportive learning environments. With this partnership, Ajman Academy embarked on a new journey toward deeper inclusion, unlocking the full potential of Apple technology to empower learners.
Reshaping Accessibility with iPad
The use of iPad at Ajman Academy supports inclusive learning by aligning with the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), a framework that encourages teachers to design learning environments that are accessible to all students from the start. UDL emphasizes the importance of providing multiple ways for students to engage with learning, access information, and demonstrate their understanding, helping reduce barriers in the classroom.Through the integration of iPad accessibility features, educators are able to create more flexible and engaging learning experiences that support diverse learning needs.
For example, technology enables students to engage with learning in ways that suit their individual preferences and strengths, including:
Learning Support Assistants observed that students who previously struggled with traditional learning formats demonstrated higher levels of participation and focus when accessibility tools were introduced
Interactive activities using multimedia tools
Greater motivation through digital engagement
Opportunities for students to take ownership of their learning
Increased confidence and independence when completing tasks
All Access Learning Support Program
The aim of All Prints was to introduce a program designed to strengthen inclusive teaching practices and empower educators to better support diverse learners. The All-Access Learning Support Program had it all, providing a structured approach that combined professional development, practical classroom strategies, and the effective use of Apple technology.
At the heart of the program was the goal of equipping Learning Support Assistants with the knowledge and confidence to utilize Apple’s built-in accessibility features to help students demonstrate their learning in ways that suit their individual needs.
A key component of the program was the integration of Apple’s native applications into classroom practice to enhance both pedagogy and accessibility. These tools support differentiated instruction while giving students multiple ways to access and express their learning:
Pages
Supports structured writing, allowing students to organize ideas, add multimedia elements and respond to learning in flexible formats.
Keynote
Enables teachers to create visually engaging presentations and differentiated instructional materials that support varied learning styles.
Freeform
Encourages collaborative brainstorming and visual thinking, helping students map ideas and work together in an interactive digital space.
Safari
Reader and Accessibility Tools: Simplify reading by reducing visual distractions and supporting comprehen-sion through built in accessibility features.
iMovie
Allows students to demonstrate understanding through creative storytelling and project-based learning using video.
By integrating these applications into everyday teaching practices, educators can create more interactive, flexible, and accessible learning experiences that support a wide range of learning styles and abilities.
Implementation of the Program at Ajman Academy
The implementation of the All-Access Learning Support Program at Ajman Academy followed a structured journey designed to move from guidance to practical classroom application. From the All Prints side, Sabe Gnanam, EdTech Consultant, developed a dedicated guide that outlined the structure of the sessions delivered throughout the program.
This framework ensured that each stage of the training built progressively on the previous one, creating a clear pathway for educators to confidently integrate accessibility tools into their teaching practices.
The journey began with hands-on training sessions focused on practical classroom application. Teaching assistants and educators were introduced to Apple accessibility features and native applications, learning how these tools could support students with diverse learning needs during everyday classroom activities.
The program then progressed into scenario-based learning, where staff explored real classroom situations and practiced applying accessibility tools directly within lesson contexts. This approach ensured that the strategies introduced during training could be implemented immediately and effectively in teaching and learning activities.
As the program evolved, teachers and Learning Support Assistants worked collaboratively to identify opportunities to integrate accessibility tools into lesson plans, learning materials, and student activities. This collaborative approach encouraged shared responsibility for inclusive teaching and strengthened co-teaching practices within the classroom.
Through ongoing training and collaboration, accessibility strategies began taking root across classrooms, laying the foundation for measurable improvements in teaching practices and student learning.
Results & Insights
Early feedback from staff highlights the positive impact of the All-Access Learning Support Program, demonstrating how the integration of Apple technology is beginning to strengthen inclusive classroom practices.
Educators report several key outcomes:
Staff Confidence in Using iPad (Post-Program)
100%
of teachers reported a higher level of confidence
Staff Confidence in Using Accessibility Tools
90.5%
of teachers reported higher confidence
Greater use of assistive tools has been reported:
76.2%
Usage of Speech to Text
61.9%
Usage of VoiceOver
57.1%
Usage of Translation Tools
57.1%
Usage of Zoom / Magnifier
The percentages below reflect testimonials shared by teachers.
19%
Improved Task Understanding
23.8%
Greater Independence
28.6%
Increased Engagement
Students are also benefiting from greater access to learning through built-in accessibility features, including:
• Text-to-speech to support reading and comprehension.
• Speech-to-text to assist with writing and idea expression.
• Translation tools to support language understanding.
• Multimedia tools that allow students to demonstrate learning creatively.
“My students were able to use the iPad more independently, using speech-to-text to record their answers and text-to-speech to listen to and better understand the questions.” -Teacher
Together, these tools highlight why Apple technology plays a powerful role in accessibility
Future Outlook
Ajman Academy is committed to ensuring the long-term sustainability and growth of the All-Access Learning Support Program, continuing to strengthen inclusive teaching practices across the school.
Ongoing professional development will play a key role in this journey, ensuring that educators and teaching assistants remain confident in using accessibility tools while exploring new applications that support diverse learning needs.
Looking ahead, the school’s long-term vision is to embed up accessibility practices across all classrooms, making assistive technology a natural and seamless part of everyday teaching and learning.
Future developments may also include expanding the program through additional staff training, creating student leadership opportunities, and further integrating technology across different subject areas.
Through these efforts, Ajman Academy aims to continue building a learning environment where every student can access and participate fully in the digital classroom experience.
Acknowledgments
All Prints would like to thank the leadership and educators at Ajman Academy for their collaboration and commitment to advancing inclusive digital learning practices through the implementation of the All-Access Learning Support Program.
Special recognition is extended to the following contributors for their support and leadership throughout the initiative:
Mrs. Kerry-Lee Schroeter
Assistant Principal – Inclusion and Wellbeing (ISENCO) Ajman Academy
Sabe Ghanam
EdTech Consultant All Prints
All Prints also acknowledges the continued engagement of the teachers and Learning Support Assistants at Ajman Academy, whose participation in training sessions and commitment to integrating accessibility tools into classroom practice have been key to the program’s implementation and ongoing impact.