Ensuring our learning experiences are accessible to all learners is essential for inclusivity and compliance with legal standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA.

By integrating the following accessibility considerations into your course production process, you will ensure you meet legal requirements for accessibility and enhance the learning experience for everyone:

Visual Elements

  1. Alternative Text for Images: Provide descriptive alt text for all images that convey essential information.
  2. Contrast Ratio: Maintain a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for text and interactive elements.
  3. Avoid Colour-Only Indicators: Do not rely solely on colour to convey information; use icons, text, or patterns in addition to colour.
  4. Visible Focus Indicators: Ensure a visible focus indicator is present for all interactive elements.
  5. Scalable Content: Design content to be scalable and responsive, allowing text to resize up to 200% without loss of functionality.

Audio and Video Content

  1. Captions for Multimedia: Include captions for all prerecorded audio and video content.
  2. Media Controls: Provide easily accessible controls for audio/video content (play, pause, volume).
  3. Audio Descriptions: Include audio descriptions for video content where important visual information isn't conveyed through dialogue.

Navigation and Structure

  1. Keyboard Navigation: Ensure all interactive elements are accessible via keyboard navigation.
  2. Consistent Navigation: Apply consistent navigation elements and layout across all modules and sections.
  3. Reading Order: Ensure logical reading and navigation order, with proper heading hierarchy (H1, H2, H3).
  4. Document Structure: Use proper semantic HTML structure with descriptive names for sections and frames.

Interactive Elements and Forms

  1. Quiz Feedback: Offer clear feedback and error messages for quiz responses, including retry instructions.
  2. Form Submission Confirmation: Provide confirmation prompts before submission and allow users to review and correct information.
  3. Input Assistance: Include clear labels for form fields and provide input validation and error prevention.
  4. Touch Targets: Ensure adequate size and spacing for touch targets in mobile viewing.

Content and Text

  1. Plain Language Instructions: Use simple, plain language for activity instructions, avoiding technical jargon.
  2. Link Text: Use descriptive link text, avoiding generic phrases like "click here" or "read more".
  3. Table Structure: Use proper table markup including headers and avoid complex tables where possible.
  4. Alternative Formats: Provide alternatives for complex content like charts, diagrams, or mathematical expressions.

Technical Requirements

  1. Screen Reader Compatibility: Incorporate screen reader testing to verify navigability and interaction cues.
  2. Time Adjustments: Provide sufficient time for learners to read and interact with content, including options to extend, adjust, or turn off time limits.
  3. Motion Control: Provide controls to pause, stop, or hide any moving content, and avoid content that flashes more than three times per second.
  4. Mobile Responsiveness: Ensure content works effectively in both portrait and landscape orientations.

By adhering to these guidelines, you will create a more inclusive and effective learning environment for all users.

Note: our research-backed methods and principles also inherently support accessible design decisions.