Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology - The rainbow bridge metaphor as a tool for developing accessible e learning practices in higher education

Oct 15, 2026

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This paper examines how existing accessibility metaphors can shape conceptualizations of accessible e-learning practice in higher education. It proposes extending understanding through a new rainbow bridge metaphor, identifying why change is needed, who should drive it, and what outcomes may follow. Stakeholders may map rainbow colours to key groups, varied perspectives to related access views, and crossing the bridge to awareness required to develop accessible practice.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages18

Reading Time45 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Existing metaphors as conceptual tools for exploring the future of accessible e learning

Equality and the "level playing field" metaphor

Access and the "divide" or "gap" metaphor

Accessibility and the "bridge" metaphor

Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology Volume 32(2) Spring / printemps 2006 The rainbow bridge metaphor as a tool for developing accessible e learning practices in higher education Jane K . Seale Authors Dr Jane K Seale is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom. Correspondance regarding this article can be addressed [to ](to J.K.Seale@soton.ac.uk)[J.K.Seale@soton.ac.uk](to J.K.Seale@soton.ac.uk) Abstract Abstract: This paper explores the extent to which existing accessibility metaphors can help to develop our conceptualizations of accessible e learning practice in higher education and outlines a proposal for a new rainbow bridge metaphor for accessible e learning practice . The need for a metaphor that reflects in more depth what we are beginning to understand about how to how to bring about that change, who should bring about that change, and what the result of such a change might be is identified. One such metaphor that could help us do this is the metaphor of a rainbow bridge . The stakeholders of accessible e learning within higher education may understand the rainbow bridge as a useful metaphor in that the colours of the rainbow can represent all the main stakeholders in accessibility; the different views that different people can have of the same rainbow can represent different but related views of accessibility; and crossing the rainbow bridge to higher awareness can represent the awareness that is required in order to develop accessible e learning practice . Ré sumé : Le pré sent article examine dans quelle mesure des métaphores d’accessibilit é existantes peuvent contribuer au perfectionnement de nos conceptualisations de la pratique d’apprentissage en ligne accessible dans le milieu de l’éducation supé rieure et il souligne une proposition portant sur une nouvelle métaphore de pont de l’arc en ciel pour la pratique del’apprentissage en ligne accessible . Les intervenants de l’apprentissage en ligne accessible du milieu de l’éducation supé rieure peuvent comprendre que le pont de l’arc en ciel est une métaphore utile puisque les couleurs de l’arc en ciel peuvent repré senter tous les principaux intervenants de l’accessibilit é ; les différentes opinions que chaque personne peut avoir du mê me arc en cielpeuvent repré senter des opinions différentes mais connexes de l’accessibilit é ; le concept du pot d’or au bout de l’arc en ciel peut être utilis é pour lancer des discussions importantes sur les objectifs qui sont ré alisables ou non; et la traversé e du pont de l’arc en ciel vers une « sensibilisation accrue » peut repré senter la « sensibilisation » né cessaire pour élaborer une pratique d’apprentissage en ligne accessible . Introduction Several powerful drivers for making e learning accessible in higher education have emerged over the last five to six years including disability discrimination legislation, accessibility guidelines and accessibility standards . Despite these drivers, it is still possible to read areport that condemns the perceived inaccessibility of e learning experiences that we are offering our students with disabilities (Alexander, 2003; Spindler, 2004; Witt & McDermott, 2004) . A prime reason for this is that whilst practitioners know that they should be making e learning material and resources accessible to students with disabilities, they often do not know how to make e learning accessible ( Pulichino, 2005; Sams & Yates Mercer, 2000) Seale (2006) argues that there are two main reasons for the current lack of knowledge about making e learning accessible . Firstly, the research and practice literature has predominantly recorded arguments about why e learning should be made accessible and failed to record detailed rich descriptions of how practitioners have interpreted and implemented accessibility legislation, guidelines, standards and tools in order to develop an accessible e learning practice . Secondly,

FAQs

What problem does the paper address about accessible e-learning in higher education?

It addresses the gap between strong drivers for accessibility and the lack of detailed, practical knowledge on how to implement accessibility in e-learning materials for students with disabilities.

What is the proposed metaphor in the paper?

The paper proposes a rainbow bridge metaphor to deepen conceptualizations of accessible e-learning practice.

How does the paper suggest using the rainbow bridge metaphor to understand accessibility stakeholders and change?

It suggests mapping rainbow colours to key stakeholders, using different views of the same rainbow to represent related access perspectives, and crossing the bridge to the awareness needed to develop accessible practice.

Oct 15, 2026

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