Let’s talk about making online courses accessible.
It’s not just about being nice it’s about being smart and ensuring everyone can learn.
You see online learning with its “learn anywhere anytime” promise sounds great but it doesn’t always translate to real-world inclusivity.
Think about it: a visually impaired student trying to navigate a course filled with complex visuals without proper alt-text or someone with a learning disability struggling to comprehend dense text blocks.
These are just a few examples of how accessibility can be overlooked.
That’s where we come in.
Today I’m going to share some tips on making your online courses accessible to everyone.
We’ll cover the “why” the “how” and even some handy tools to make the process smoother.
Ready to build accessible courses? Learnworlds is here to help! 💪 They’ve got the features you need to make your courses inclusive and engaging for everyone. Let’s get started!
Why Accessibility Matters: It’s Not Just a Trend
Ready to build accessible courses? Learnworlds is here to help! 💪 They’ve got the features you need to make your courses inclusive and engaging for everyone. Let’s get started!
Accessibility is a must not a maybe when it comes to online courses.
Here’s why:
1. It’s The Law (Sometimes)
Let’s start with the elephant in the room: legality.
In the US Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act states that “agencies must give employees with disabilities and members of the public access to information that is comparable to the access available to others.” This applies to online content meaning employers have a responsibility to make their courses accessible.
2. A Huge Potential Audience
It’s not just about legal compliance; it’s about tapping into a massive untapped audience.
According to the CDC about 4-5% of adults have ADHD.
This doesn’t even account for other disabilities like dyslexia visual impairment or hearing loss.
It’s a significant portion of the population who could be potential students.
3. It’s The Right Thing To Do
Think about it this way: everyone deserves access to quality education regardless of their abilities.
Online learning has the potential to empower individuals and unlock opportunities but only if the barriers are removed.
Building accessible courses is simply the right thing to do.
12 Tips To Make Your Online Courses More Accessible To Everyone
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of making your online courses more accessible.
These tips are practical and actionable and they’re based on real-world experience and best practices.
1. Understand the Basics: Section 508 & WCAG
Before into creating your courses you need to familiarize yourself with the foundational guidelines.
Section 508 and WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) provide the framework for accessible web content.
These guidelines cover everything from alt text to color contrast so it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of them.
2. Learn About Different Disabilities
To create truly accessible content you need to understand the challenges faced by different groups.
For example someone with dyslexia might struggle with dense text while a visually impaired learner needs clear alt-text for images.
Take some time to research different disabilities and the specific challenges they pose within the context of online learning.
This empathy and understanding will help you create more inclusive and effective courses.
3. Ditch the Walls of Text: Break It Down
Long blocks of text are a no-go especially for learners with attention deficit disorders and dyslexia.
Instead break down information into bite-sized chunks using bullet points infographics or even microlearning videos.
Think of it this way: you’re offering digestible content that’s easier to process and understand.
White space is your friend here! Adding more space between lines can make reading more manageable especially for individuals with dyslexia.
4. Use Inclusive Language
Words have power and using inclusive language can create a welcoming environment for all learners.
Here are a few simple tips:
- Avoid ableist language: Phrases like “handicapped” or “disabled” can be offensive and perpetuate negative stereotypes. Use respectful language that focuses on the person not the disability.
- Use gender-neutral language: Instead of saying “he” or “she” opt for gender-neutral terms like “they” or “them.”
- Be mindful of cultural sensitivity: Consider how your language might be perceived by diverse learners.
These seemingly small adjustments can make a big difference in creating a truly inclusive learning experience.
5. Caption and Transcribe Your Videos
For learners with hearing impairments subtitles closed captions and transcripts are essential.
These provide a visual representation of the audio allowing everyone to follow along.
Don’t underestimate the power of captions! They’re also beneficial for non-native speakers learners in noisy environments and even those who simply prefer to read along.
6. Add Alt Text to Images and Multimedia
Alt text or alternative text is a description of an image that screen readers can read aloud.
This is crucial for visually impaired learners allowing them to “see” the images through audio.
You can also add captions to images which display the alt text directly below the image.
This helps everyone not just visually impaired learners understand the context of the visuals.
7. Consider Audio Descriptions for Multimedia
For videos multimedia and visual content like infographics audio descriptions can provide a more detailed explanation for visually impaired learners.
This means going beyond simply describing the image and providing context for the visual content.
For example instead of just saying “a picture of a woman smiling” you might say “a woman with short brown hair is smiling and holding a cup of coffee.” This provides a richer understanding of the image.
8. Use Headings to Improve Navigation
Screen readers rely on headings to navigate through web pages.
Use headings (H1 H2 H3 etc.) to structure your content and make it easy for learners to skim and understand the information.
This also has SEO benefits as search engines use headings to understand the structure and relevance of your content.
9. Pay Attention to Color Contrast
Visually impaired learners need sufficient contrast between text and background colors to read the content clearly.
This is also important for people with dyslexia who can be sensitive to certain color combinations.
Avoid overly bright or light colors that make reading difficult and choose color combinations that provide a good balance of contrast.
Remember: high contrast isn’t always better.
It can strain the eyes for everyone.
10. Make Content Keyboard-Accessible
Some learners may have hand dexterity issues and prefer to use the keyboard for navigation.
Design your courses so they can be accessed using keyboard shortcuts.
Avoid overly complex interactive elements like drag-and-drop activities or provide alternative options that use the keyboard.
11. Use Clear and Concise Language
Simple clear and concise language benefits everyone but it’s especially crucial for learners with cognitive disabilities.
Avoid jargon technical terms and complex sentence structures.
Focus on using plain language that is easy to understand and digest.
12. Conduct Accessibility Audits and Get Feedback
Before launching your online course conduct an accessibility audit to ensure it meets WCAG standards.
You can also run a small focus group with learners with disabilities to gather valuable feedback.
This step is crucial to catch any potential accessibility issues and ensure your course is truly inclusive.
Tools and Resources for Building Accessible Courses
There are a variety of tools and resources available to help you create accessible online courses:
- Learning Management Systems (LMS): Many LMS platforms like Learnworlds offer built-in accessibility features including alt text color contrast options subtitles and integrations with screen readers.
- Accessibility Testing Tools: There are various tools available for testing the accessibility of your website and courses. Some popular options include:
- WAVE: A free tool that analyzes web pages for accessibility issues.
- Accessibility Insights: A free tool by Microsoft that provides feedback on accessibility issues.
- Screen Reader Software: To see how your website or course looks from the perspective of a screen reader user try using free screen reader software such as:
- NVDA: A popular free screen reader for Windows.
- VoiceOver: A built-in screen reader for macOS.
- WCAG Guidelines: The WCAG guidelines provide a comprehensive framework for web accessibility. You can find detailed information and examples on the W3C website.
LearnWorlds for Accessibility
Remember that Learnworlds makes accessibility a priority by offering built-in features to create accessible online courses.
The platform supports alt text captions color contrast options and more.
It also integrates with popular screen readers making it a great choice for educators who are serious about inclusivity.
Creating Accessible Online Courses: A Journey Not a Destination
Remember accessibility is an ongoing process not a one-time fix.
As you create new content and update existing materials always keep accessibility in mind.
It’s a journey not a destination and every effort you make to create more inclusive online courses will pay off in the long run.
By embracing accessibility you’re opening up a world of learning opportunities for everyone.
It’s not just about compliance or ticking off boxes; it’s about creating a more equitable and empowering learning experience for all.
Ready to build accessible courses? Learnworlds is here to help! 💪 They’ve got the features you need to make your courses inclusive and engaging for everyone. Let’s get started!