Distance Education

A mode of education in which learners and instructors are physically separated, with teaching and learning mediated through communication technologies rather than face-to-face contact. Distance education predates the internet, historically using mail, radio, and television, but has been transformed by digital technologies that enable real-time interaction and multimedia content delivery. Accessibility in distance education is critical because learners cannot rely on in-person accommodations; all materials, platforms, and communication channels must be designed to be inclusive from the outset, following universal design principles.