;
Lorem Ipsum Dolor Spring 2016
3
accessibility policies so that the general ELPA21 assessment could
be as universally designed as possible.
Test developers recognized that some items would not be
accessible to students who are blind or have low vision. These item
types were identified at the item development phase. In considering
the needs of students who are blind or have low vision, all test items
were categorized as three different types: 1) items that are
accessible to all students; 2) items that could be brailed; 3) items
that were not accessible nor could be brailed. These items were
identified as needing a "twin," an accessible item that was aligned
with the same standards and measured the same construct as the
original item. These twinned items were developed using
manipulatives, braille tiles, and assistive technology familiar to
students who are blind or have low vision.
The twinned items were reviewed by a panel of experts which
included teachers of ELs who are blind, an expert in braille literacy
32