Breaking the Barriers to English Reading: A Multimodal Perspective for Young Learners with Physical Disabilities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63822/v2bjk249Keywords:
multimodality, English reading, physical disabilities, young learners, inclusive education.Abstract
English reading can be challenging for young learners with physical disabilities because conventional reading materials may create barriers to access and participation. This systematic literature review (SLR) examines how multimodal approaches can support English reading for these learners. The study reviewed 30 relevant studies identified through Google Scholar and Crossref, focusing on research published between 2016 and 2025. The findings were analyzed thematically based on accessibility, learner engagement, learner autonomy, and English reading development. The results indicate that digital texts, audio-supported materials, multimedia, interactive e-books, and assistive technologies can provide alternative ways for learners to access and interact with English reading materials. Accessibility was the most frequently reported benefit, followed by learner engagement, reading comprehension, and learner autonomy. The findings suggest that multimodality can help reduce physical and instructional barriers while creating more flexible and inclusive English reading experiences. However, its effectiveness depends on appropriate material design, accessible technology, teacher support, and learners' individual needs. This review highlights the potential of multimodal approaches as a practical strategy for making English reading more accessible and inclusive for young learners with physical disabilities.
Downloads
References
Abed, M. G. (2020). Educational Support for Saudi Students with Learning Disabilities in Higher Education. Learning Disabilities Research and Practice, 35(1), 36–44. https://doi.org/10.1111/ldrp.12214
Acar, S. (2021). Parental involvement in developmental disabilities across three cultures: A systematic review. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2021.103861
Adi, A. B. P. K., & Ambarini, R. (2025). Open Unlocking teaching potential : Dataset on the impact of the STAR technique in junior high microteaching for writing instruction. Social Sciences & Humanities, 11(February). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.101372
Ahram, R. (2021). Understanding Disability: High-Quality Evidence in Research on Special Education Disproportionality. Review of Research in Education, 45(1), 311–345. https://doi.org/10.3102/0091732X20985069
Aktan, O. (2020). Investigation of the relationship between burnout, life satisfaction and quality of life in parents of children with disabilities. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 35(5), 679–695. https://doi.org/10.1080/08856257.2020.1748429
Al-Hassan, O. M. (2024). Inclusion of children with disabilities in primary schools and kindergartens in Jordan. Education 3 13, 52(8), 1089–1102. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004279.2022.2133547
Albusays, K. (2021). The diversity crisis in software development. In IEEE Software (Vol. 38, Issue 2, pp. 19–25). https://doi.org/10.1109/MS.2020.3045817
Alfianto, C. N., Ambarini, R., & Alfianto, C. N. (2020). The implementation of Word Cookies apps to improve vocabulary mastery of students at Semarang 2: Literature review. Edelweiss : Journal Of Innovation In Educational Research, 1(3), 1–8. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.62462/edelweiss.v1i3.9
Amalia, D. R., Ambarini, R., & Wahyuni, S. (2026). The effect of video clips and role play on students ’ listening and speaking skills. English Learning Innovation, 7(2), 533–548. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.22219/englie.v7i2.44960
Ambarini, R. (2012). Strategies for enhancing kindergarten students’ English skills through learning in real-life contexts. Eternal: English Teaching Journal, 3(2), 57–70. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.26877/eternal.v3i2.2244
Ambarini, R. (2017). Character building and creativity in early childhood through Total Physical Response warm-up game. 1(1). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.21831/jk.v1i1.9740
Ambarini, R. (2026a). Beyond Speech : Exploring Visual-Gestural Learning in English Speaking Instruction for Young Learners with Hearing Impairment. Jejak Digital: Jurnal Ilmiah Multidisiplin, 2(5), 9730–9746. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.63822/d1g6dr88
Ambarini, R. (2026b). From Concrete Objects to English Words : Rethinking Vocabulary Learning for Young Learners with Intellectual Disability. Jurnal Ilmiah Literasi Indonesia, 2(2), 915–929. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.63822/f3639369
Ambarini, R., Ardiana, E., & Zahraini, D. A. (2019). Pembelajaran Bilingual English for Health Berbasis Bahasa Ibu Bagi Guru PAUD Kota Semarang. Journal of Dedicators Community, 3(2), 111–132. https://doi.org/10.34001/jdc.v3i2.835
Ambarini, R., Faridi, A., Sukarno, S., & Yuliasri, I. (2021). The Effectiveness of TMLM on Student Teachers ’ Personality and Social Competence measured with Teacher Competency Assessment in the COVID-19 Pandemic Era. Educational Studies: Conference Series, Vol. 1 No. 1, 2021 The, 51–59. https://doi.org/https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/117513993/652-libre.pdf?1723947414=&response-content-disposition=inline%3B+filename%3DThe_effectiveness_of_TMLM_on_Student_Tea.pdf&Expires=1764410163&Signature=KyqfeGvl9090UPQLi6sizcvwHg15Us1Y5kDyabQ1K0XhoLojbBIO3tI1TvRQ4GnKim2RBAvm~j9crmvf-8RGXvR1LPbukSizakkkItACEbksKHUkE3Q7Va-ruQI4~Gw-ioFQIiQEFvaXwb7DtcbE-ESTzbuGCU3zRfakHbeoPupOmcCZokfM1uvMCQNeOfwKGBshejL0rrMozozLXEougXo1mOVlo4M01ClC9paUvOXKUqkGuc2Bai8rmkgc50Z7OR~OB33CsKC7iK-~Mfo11Y6D3Rn64~a7SSVWKk0tz6rIOe
Ambarini, R., Setyaji, A., & Suneki, S. (2018). Teaching Mathematics Bilingually for Kindergarten Students with Teaching Aids Based on Local Wisdom. English Language Teaching, 11(3). https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v11n3p8
Ambarini, R., Setyaji, A., & Zahraini, D. A. (2018). Interactive Media in English for Math at Kindergarten: Supporting Learning, Language and Literacy with ICT. Arab World English Journal (AWEJ), 4, 227–241. https://doi.org/https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/call4.18
Ambarini, R., Setyaji, A., & Zahraini, D. A. (2019). English for Math-Learning Model Based on Local Wisdom with Constructivism Approach for Kindergarten Students. Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, Volume 287 1st International Conference on Education and Social Science Research (ICESRE 2018) English, 287, 63–68.
Ambarini, R., Utami, H. R., Zahraini, D. A., & Hidayat, N. (2026). Implementasi Socratic Play-Based Inquiry untuk Meningkatkan Kreativitas dan Partisipasi Pembelajaran Guru Lintas Mata Pelajaran di MA Darut Taqwa Semarang. Jurnal Pengaabdian Masyarakat Bangsa, 3(11), 6269–6279. https://jurnalpengabdianmasyarakatbangsa.com/index.php/jpmba/article/view/3656
Ambarini, R., Yuliasri, I., Sukarno, S., & Faridi, A. (2024). Optimizing equality and inclusion in teacher training through the integration of social justice education in microteaching courses: A study of the impact of training models and teacher readiness. New Educational Review, 78(4), 153–162. https://doi.org/10.15804/tner.2024.78.4.11
Ambarini, R., Yuliasri, I., Widhiyanto, W., Yuniawan, T., & Sukarno, S. (2025). Empowering Multicultural Curriculum Integration through Microteaching : An Experiential and Stakeholder-Informed Approach. New Educational Review, 81, 167–181. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.15804/tner.2025.81.3.11
Artaninda, P. S., Ambarini, R., & Artaninda, P. S. (2025). Integrating the ‘ Snakes and Ladders ’ Board Game with Collaborative Learning to Enhance Young Learners ’ Vocabulary. English Learning Innovation (Englie), 6(1), 124–133. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.22219/englie.v6i1.39372
Azka, N. M., Ambarini, R., & Azka, N. M. (2023). Enhancing students’ speaking ability through self-talk strategy (STS). Jurnal Ilmiah PGSD FKIP Universitas Mandiri, 09(5), 1589–1600. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.36989/didaktik.v9i5.2140
Dwi, S., Setyaningrum, H., Ambarini, R., & Ambarini, R. (2024). The Use of Mondly Applications as a Media to Increase Vocabulary and Grammar of The Seventh Grade Student at Semarang. Edelweiss: Journal of Current Innovation in Educational Research, 02(0), 10–20. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.62462/edelweiss.v2i2.22
Firdausy, S. E., Ambarini, R., & Lestari, S. (2025). Correlation between Students ’ Motivation and Listening Ability by Using American English Podcasts on Spotify for XI Grade Students of SMA Negeri 2 Mranggen in the Academic Year 2024 / 2025. English Education and Literature Journal, 5(01), 163–170. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.53863/e-jou.v5i01.1493
Hamidah, Y. N., Hamidah, Y. N., & Ambarini, R. (2022). The Effectiveness of Popular Songs to Improve Students’ Vocabulary. Undergraduate Conference on Applied Linguistics, Linguistics, and Literature, 2(1), 187–201. https://doi.org/https://conference.upgris.ac.id/index.php/allure/article/view/2982
Hasanah, A. U., Ambarini, R., & Shiang, G. Y. (2023). An analysis of learning activities for problem-based learning in the procedure text lesson plan. PRIMER: Jurnal Ilmiah Multidisiplin, 1(5), 503–513. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.55681/primer.v1i5.192
Indriyani, M., Ambarini, R., & Indriyani, M. (2023). Developing Students ’ Reading Comprehension Using Inquiry Method. CENDEKIA: Jurnal Ilmu Sosial, Bahasa Dan Pendidikan, 3(4). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.55606/cendikia.v3i4.2032
Kusumaningrum, M., Kusumaningrum, M., & Ambarini, R. (2022). An analysis of students’ perception using kahoot game in vocabulary classroom. Undergraduate Conference on Applied Linguistics, Linguistics, and Literature, 2(1), 318–324. https://doi.org/https://conference.upgris.ac.id/index.php/allure/article/view/2994
Laveresa, B., Ambarini, R., & Laveresa, B. (2024). The Improving Student’s Vocabulary through Rewriting English Song Lyric “The Shawn Mendes Foundation Playlist.” Lingua Franca: Jurnal Bahasa Dan Sastra, 3(1), 36–48. https://doi.org/ttps://doi.org/10.37680/lingua_franca.v3i1.2581 valuable
Listianingsih, W., Ambarini, R., & Listianingsih, W. (2023). The Effect of Padlet in Collaborative Learning of “ Kurikulum Merdeka ” to Improve Students ’ Writing Ability in Recount Text. Eternal: English Teaching Journal, 14(2), 126–145. https://doi.org/https://journal.upgris.ac.id/index.php/eternal/article/view/eternal.v14i2.14961
Ma, S., Ambarini, R., & Ma, S. (2023). Error analysis on students’ writing task of personal letters. MARAS: Jurnal Penelitian Multidisiplin, 1(2). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.60126/maras.v1i2.53
Maldy, E. O., Ambarini, R., & Maldy, E. O. (2025). Shadowing Technique to Improve the Students ’ Pronunciation Ability in Narrative Text. Eternal: English Teaching Journal, 16(1), 103–117. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.26877/eternal.v16i1.1122
Mustikawati, R. N., Ambarini, R., & Mustikawati, R. N. (2022). The Women’s Struggles in Breaking Gender Inequality in Enola Holmes Movie. Undergraduate Conference on Applied Linguistics, Linguistics, and Literature, 2(1), 146–157. https://doi.org/https://conference.upgris.ac.id/index.php/allure/article/view/2978
Nabila, A. L. A. R., & Ambarini, R. (2024). The Effectiveness of Scientific Approach in Teaching Procedure Text Using Video to Improve Speaking Skill for Grade 9 Students of SMPN 32 Semarang. Sintaksis : Publikasi Para Ahli Bahasa Dan Sastra Inggris, 2(3). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.61132/sintaksis.v2i3.575
Nurhartanti, R. A., Ambarini, R., & Nurhartanti, R. A. (2024). Promoting Discovery Learning to Boost the Students ’ English Writing in Vocational Schools strategies used in schools . Additionally , Mattarima & Rahim ( 2011 ) stated that the communicative language skills , raise awareness of the importance of english. Edunesia : Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan, 5(3), 1637–1653. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.51276/edu.v5i3.1074
Prayogo, G., Ambarini, R., & Prayogo, G. (2021). The comparison of cultural values analysis of Joker Movie and Marlina si Pembunuh dalam Empat Babak movie and its contribution in Cross-Cultural Understanding teaching. LINC-ED: Linguistics and Education Journal, 1(1), 1–29. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.26877/lej.v1i1.9398
Putri, S. K., & Ambarini, R. (2018). PACA ( Predicting And Confirming Activity ) Reading Strategies to Promote Students ’ Teaching Strategy in TEFL 1 Class. Celt: A Journal of Culture, English Language Teaching & Literature, 18(1), 2–4. https://doi.org/https://journal.unika.ac.id/index.php/celt/article/view/893
Putri, S. K., Ambarini, R., & Putri, S. K. (2025). Enhancing Vocabulary Acquisition with Fairy Tale Audio in English Lesson at SMAN 1 Mayong Jepara. Jejak Digital: Jurnal Ilmiah Multidisiplin, 1(5), 3286–3292. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.63822/y6jz2n36
Rahmawati, L. F., Ambarini, R., & Rahmawati, L. F. (2023). The correlation between vocabulary mastery and grammar mastery to reading comprehension of students of SMPN 1 Karangawen. Metta Jurnal Penelitian Multidisiplin Ilmu, 2(4), 2149–2156. https://melatijournal.com/index.php/Metta/en/article/view/490
Rahmawati, L. F., Ambarini, R., Rahmawati, L. F., & Ambarini, R. (2017). Integrasi Pendidikan Karakter - Religius dan Pembelajaran Tematik dalam Pengajaran. Lensa: Kajian Kebahasaan, Kesusastraan, Dan Budaya (Lensa), 7(2), 150–166. https://jurnal.unimus.ac.id/index.php/lensa/article/view/2630
Rahmawati, L. F., Ambarini, R., Rahmawati, L. F., & Ambarini, R. (2022). Code Switching and Its Implications for Teaching in the English Language in Math Lessons by Early Childhood Education Teachers. ICESRE 5th International Conference on Education and Social Science Research (ICESRE) Volume 2022, 2022(1), 47–61. https://doi.org/10.18502/kss.v7i19.12428
Santoso, L. A., Ambarini, R., & Widiyanto, M. W. (2025). Enhancing vocabulary and academic achievement through group learning. Linguistic, English Education and Art (LEEA) Journal, 8, 283–304. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31539/leea.v8i3.15429
Setyaji, A., Ambarini, R., & Zahraini, D. A. (2018). Interactive Media in English for Math at Kindergarten: Supporting Learning, Language and Literacy with ICT. Arab World English Journal (AWEJ), 4, 227–241. https://doi.org/https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/call4.18
Setyaningrum, H., Ambarini, R., & Aini, S. N. (2026). Integrating Subtitled YouTube Videos and Reading Worksheets to Improve EFL Students’ Vocabulary. Journal of English Language Pedagogy, 11(2), 240–253. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.36665/elp.v11i2.1207
Stevani, A. M., Ambarini, R., & Stevani, A. M. (2023). Enhancing Students ’ Reading Comprehension Using Let ’ s Read Application In Visualization Strategy. CENDEKIA: Jurnal Ilmu Sosial, Bahasa Dan Pendidikan, 3(4). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.55606/cendikia.v3i4.1673
Suciati, S., & Ambarini, R. (2018). A Rhetorical Analysis of Selected Speeches of Indonesian Woman Politicians: Pre-Electoral Strategies. Advanced Science Letters, 24(6), 4541–4545. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1166/asl.2018.11650
Sumardiyani, L., & Ambarini, R. (2025). Interactive app-based games for bilingual education: Advancing English proficiency and promoting digital sustainability in physical education. World Journal of English Language, 15(7), 121–133. https://doi.org/10.5430/wjel.v15n7p121
Sumardiyani, L., & Ambarini, R. (2026). Empowering pre-service teachers : The impact of collaborative microteaching training on self-confidence and pedagogical competence. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 14(August 2025), 103484. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2026.103484
Syafitri, A. L., Ambarini, R., & Yulianti, F. (2026). Improving junior high school students ’ listening comprehension in English learning Spotify podcast application. English Learning Innovation, 7(2), 549–561. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.22219/englie.v7i2.45147
Utami, H. R., Ambarini, R., Utami, H. R., & Ayu, D. (2026). Inclusive English Language Teaching for Students with Disabilities : A Systematic Literature Review. Jurnal Penelitian Multidisplin Bangsa, 2(11), 1735–1748.
Utami, H. R., Ambarini, R., Utami, H. R., & Zahraini, D. A. (2025). Teaching English Through Islamic Values and Technology : Evaluating Toy Theater ’ s Impact in Islamic Education. Journal of English Teaching and Linguistic Issues (JETLI), 4(1). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.58194/jetli.v4i1.1950
Utami, H. R., Zahraini, D. A., & Ambarini, R. (2025). Addressing the Gap between Language Literacy and Physical Education : A Bilingual Socratic Play-Based Inquiry Model for Vocabulary and Grammar Development. Jurnal Penelitian Multidisiplin Bangsa, 2(7), 1199–1210. https://ejournal.amirulbangunbangsapublishing.com/index.php/jpnmb/article/view/656
Utami, H. R., Zahraini, D. A., Ambarini, R., & Ayu, D. (2026). Bilingual Language Learning in Inclusive Vocational Classrooms : A Linguistic Perspective on Students with Special Educational Needs. Jurnal Penelitian Multidisplin Bangsa, 2(11), 1749–1762.
Utami, H. R., Zahraini, D. A., Utami, H. R., & Ambarini, R. (2022). Exploring the benefits of interactive apps in bilingual physical education: A quantitative analysis. Journal of English Education Literature and Linguistics, 47–59. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31540/jeell.v7i1.3003
Zahraini, A. D., Ambarini, R., & Zahraini, A. D. (2018). Antisipasi Pencegahan Bullying Sedini Mungkin : Program Anti Bullying Terintegrasi untuk Anak Usia Dini. Journal of Dedicators Community, 2(2). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.34001/jdc.v2i2.587
Zahraini, A. D., Ambarini, R., Zahraini, A. D., & Zahraini, A. D. (2019). Pembelajaran Bilingual English for Health Berbasis Bahasa Ibu Bagi Guru PAUD Kota Semarang. Journal of Dedicators Community, 3(2). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.34001/jdc.v3i2.835
Zahraini, D. A., Ambarini, R., Utami, H. R., & Zahraini, D. A. (2025). Enhancing English Vocabulary Through Toy Theater: Gamification and Culture in Indonesian Classrooms. Jambi-English Language Teaching, 10(1), 31–42. https://online-journal.unja.ac.id/jelt/article/view/52694/24068
Zahraini, D. A., Ambarini, R., Utami, H. R., Zahraini, D. A., & Ratimiasih, Y. (2026). Pemberdayaan Santri Pesantren melalui Literasi Digital dan Pembelajaran Bilingual pada Mata Pelajaran PJOK untuk Mendukung Gaya Hidup Sehat Menuju Pesantren 4 . 0. Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Bangsa, 3(12), 6918–6930. https://jurnalpengabdianmasyarakatbangsa.com/index.php/jpmba/article/view/4025
Zahraini, D. A., Utami, H. R., & Ambarini, R. (2025). Peningkatan Literasi Gizi Santri melalui Pelatihan Gaya Hidup Sehat dalam Program Pesantren 4 . 0. Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Bangsa, 3(10), 5377–5385. https://jurnalpengabdianmasyarakatbangsa.com/index.php/jpmba/article/view/3570
Zahraini, D. A., Utami, H. R., Ambarini, R., & Utami, H. R. (2025). Pelatihan Guru dan Pengembangan Modul Bilingual Berbasis Teknologi untuk Pembelajaran PJOK di Madrasah Aliyah. Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Bangsa, 3(4), 1383–1393. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.59837/jpmba.v3i4.2452
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Ririn Ambarini, Listyaning Sumardiyani, Dian Ayu Zahraini, Hadi Riwayati Utami (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
