What Should Be Ready Before an Emergency Happens?
Keep an updated contact list, a copy of each student's support plan, and a low-tech alternative (phone, printed packet, SMS) for a student without reliable internet or a suitable device.
Identify which parts of each student's support genuinely depend on physical presence - like certain therapies or physical assistance - so the plan can address them explicitly rather than dropping them silently.
How Do You Keep Learning Accessible at a Distance?
Offer material in more than one format (video, audio, text) and keep sessions or tasks short with clear, single-step instructions. A recorded lesson helps a student who needs repetition more than a live one does.
Maintain a regular, predictable communication channel with the family, since they become the main support bridge during distance learning, and check in on their capacity to fill that role.
How Do You Support the Family Without Overburdening Them?
Break tasks into short, guided steps a parent can supervise without needing teaching expertise, and prioritize a small number of goals instead of the full curriculum.
Watch for signs of fatigue or stress in the family and adjust the pace, and keep a return-to-school transition plan ready so the shift back doesn't undo what was gained.