In class, we brainstormed different ways that a computer lab can be made accessible. To start with, an “accessible computer lab” is one that can be used by everyone without any difficulty. I plan to incorporate computer usage into my curriculum, so I would like to make the school computer lab as accessible as possible. The following is a list of features that would make a computer lab accessible to everyone.

1.It is ideal for the computers to be arranged so that everyone can move around easily. The “pod” arrangement seems to work well. This also enables the power strips and wires to be placed in the center of the table. The pod arrangement also allows the CPU to be accessible.

2. There should also be a computer that is placed in the center of the room. This computer is for the use of the teacher.

3. The computers should be the styles that have towers for the CPU. These towers should be strapped off of the floor, so that it would be easier to vacuum underneath. The towers should also be placed in a way that it would be accessible to someone that is in a wheelchair. It would also be ideal to have covers for the CPU, so that someone is less likely to hit the power button with their leg.

4. There should be at least one computer monitor in the room that is larger than the others (probably 21 inches), so that people with vision problems will still be able to use the computer. On that same line, there should also be headphones available to those that have hearing problems.

5. To make the space around the computer more organized for the students, it would be nice to have keyboard trays that pull out, so that students can use the desk space around them for their other materials. Also, each desk should have a bookstand, so that the students can prop their books on when typing.

6. There should be a place in the room for students to put their book bags and things that they are not using. This will make the environment of the lab less cluttered.

7. The lab should have a material center, which should include: software, stapler, hole puncher, recycling bin, trashcan, scanner, and digital camera. Students would know to go to this center if they needed to find any materials.

8. The computers should have the most advanced software and include a direct Internet connection.

9. The room should have at least one laser printer and one color printer.

10. There should be an overhead projector on the ceiling with a large screen and speakers. The screen should be placed high enough on the wall so that it can be seen by all of the students.

11. In order to ensure comfort for the students, wrist pads should be provided for each computer.

12. The room should have good lighting. The lights should be controllable so that the teacher can dim one light at a time. Each monitor should have non-glare screens.

13. The room should have dry erase boards, and they should be placed at a height that is viewable by all.

14. There should be windows in the computer lab, but it would be best that they are higher up, so that outside will not distract the students. There should also be blinds on the windows so the teacher can control the amount of light that comes in the room.

15. There should be a clock in the room.

16. The room should have central air conditioning and heat, so that the teacher can provide a comfortable working temperature.

17. Each computer should have a rolling chair with it, and it would be best to have carpeted floors to minimize the amount of    noise that the chairs make.

18. There should be a box in the room designated for “Lost Disks.”

19. There should be a sign up sheet at the entrance to the computer lab to keep track of the computer lab usage.

20. There should be a trained lab assistant to help with any problems!