A game-based classroom tool is only as good as its ability to include every student. Wayground (formerly Quizizz) ships with a set of accommodations and accessibility settings — read-aloud support, timer adjustments, translation, and more — that let students with IEPs, 504 plans, or language needs play the same game as everyone else without being singled out. This guide explains what is available, how to turn each feature on, and how to pair settings for common student needs.
Why In-Platform Accommodations Matter
The old way of accommodating a quiz game was painful: a separate paper version, a pulled-aside student, or simply opting them out. Wayground's approach is quieter — accommodations are applied to individual students, invisibly to classmates. The student joins with the same game code, sees the same questions, and appears on the same leaderboard. Fair does not have to look different.
The Core Accommodations
Read-aloud / text-to-speech
Questions and answer options can be read aloud to the student. This supports students with dyslexia and other reading differences, younger readers, and audio-preference learners. Encourage headphones so the audio does not distract neighbors — it works well alongside the mobile app on individual devices.
Extended time and disabled timers
The per-question timer can be extended — or turned off entirely — for selected students. This is the accommodation to reach for first: timers are the single biggest source of unfair pressure for students with processing-speed differences, and removing one changes nothing about what the quiz measures. Speed bonuses stop mattering; accuracy still counts (see how scoring appears in reports).
Translation support
Question text can be translated for multilingual learners, letting a newcomer EL student participate in a science review in their stronger language while hearing the academic English alongside. Translation is machine-generated, so for high-stakes assessments have a human check key vocabulary.
Reduced distraction options
Memes, music, and leaderboard visibility can be adjusted at the game level. For students with attention or anxiety profiles, a calmer version of the same game — or Test mode, which strips out power-ups and the leaderboard for everyone — often works better.
How to Set Accommodations for a Student
- Add your students to a class in Wayground (accommodations attach to student accounts, so class rosters are required — a quick setup covered in our teacher guide).
- Open the class, select the student, and choose Accommodations.
- Toggle the supports they need — read-aloud, extended/disabled timer, translation.
- Settings persist: every future live game and homework assignment automatically applies them.
Pairing Settings with Common Needs
- Dyslexia / reading support (IEP or 504): read-aloud ON + extended timer. Consider shuffle OFF if question order supports a read-along.
- Processing speed differences: timer OFF; reassure the student that points lost to speed do not affect their grade.
- English learners: translation ON + extended timer; keep memes on — humor crosses languages and keeps the game fun.
- Test anxiety: Test mode for assessments, or leaderboard off; frame games explicitly as practice.
- Motor difficulties: extended timers help; larger touch targets come free with tablet play rather than phone screens.
Accessibility Beyond Individual Accommodations
Some good practices help every student: project questions in a large font and read them aloud yourself on the first play-through; prefer Team mode when the class includes students sensitive to individual rankings; and keep activities under 20 questions so attention — not stamina — is what you measure. Accessibility features exist on the free plan; larger-scale admin controls arrive with school plans (see plans and pricing).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can other students tell when a classmate has accommodations?
No. Accommodations apply to the individual student's device only; nothing looks different on the shared screen or leaderboard.
Do accommodations work in homework mode?
Yes — once set on the student's profile in your class, they apply to live games and assigned activities alike.
Is read-aloud available in every language?
Text-to-speech and translation coverage varies by language; test with your student's language before relying on it for an assessment.
Do I need a paid plan for accommodations?
Core accommodations are available on the free plan with class rosters set up.
TheQuizizz.com is an independent guide and is not affiliated with Wayground (formerly Quizizz).