Why should we and how can we ensure accessibility in eLearning courses?

In a time when technology has almost eliminated the barriers of distance and language, online learning has become easier than ever. But does the same apply to learners with physical or learning limitations? Do all courses come with special tools and accommodations so that the learning experience remains the same regardless of disabilities or impairments? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Despite it being mandated by law in many countries, many businesses still fail to make their learning material entirely accessible, usually due to limited knowledge of the matter. If you're interested in maximizing your reach and ensuring accessibility in your eLearning courses, this article is for you. Explore the importance of eLearning accessibility as well as ways to create accessible courses to accommodate different limitations.

 

As we already mentioned, being able to access eLearning content is a right protected by law for people with disabilities. Specifically, in the United States, the Rehabilitation Act mandates that all federal websites offer web accessibility to accommodate a wide range of disabilities. Similar laws exist in other countries as well, such as Australia's Disability Discrimination Act, the EU's European Accessibility Act, and the United Kingdom's Equality Act. Most of these accessibility laws are based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) as set by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), more information about which you can find at the end of this article.

 

 

Considering that a significant percentage of people have a disability (visible or not), it's no wonder that advocacy for accessible learning is becoming more and more prominent. When so many businesses are taking the extra steps to employ the necessary software and tools to create an inclusive learning environment, the companies that don't follow suit can risk acquiring an unfavorable reputation. At the same time, if your eLearning content is targeted at your workforce, neglecting to make it accessible might mean that you're excluding many of your employees from training, honing their skills, and eventually taking the next step in their careers. Apart from harming your overall productivity, this can foster employee dissatisfaction and increase turnover rates.

 

 

An improved learning experience for all is a crucial benefit of incorporating accessibility features into your eLearning courses, an aspect that many don't think about. In other words, meeting the accessibility requirements that people with disabilities need might end up making the learning process easier for everyone else as well. For instance, although you may initially add closed captions to aid those with hearing impairments, this will end up being particularly useful for people who are learning while commuting or in quiet environments without access to headphones. Accessibility equals effective learning, thus allowing everyone to make the most of your training program and reach their maximum potential.

Something very important to keep in mind when making your eLearning content accessible is that accessibility comes in different forms. In other words, the adjustments you make to accommodate a learner with visual impairments will look nothing like the ones for auditory impairments. Different people experience disability in different ways, which is why your accessibility strategy requires a holistic approach that takes into consideration physical, sensory, and cognitive aspects of learning. Below, you will find the most common features and tools used to offer support and satisfactory learning experiences to a range of disabilities.

 

 

Visual impairments cover a wide spectrum, from total blindness to low vision or color blindness. Usually, the means available to people with such impairments are texts in Braille or tactile diagrams. However, since we are talking about inclusive online learning courses, the tools you must consider to make written material accessible are screen readers. If your course includes videos, make sure to add descriptive audio in the right language so that learners don't miss any important information. Keep in mind that you’ll also need to translate the descriptive audio. In addition, low vision or color blindness limitations can be overcome with font size settings and high-contrast color combinations.

 

 

According to the World Health Organization, almost 6.5% of the world's population is affected by auditory impairments, ranging from mild to profound hearing loss. This percentage might seem small, but it translates into almost 500 million people. Therefore, it's imperative that you incorporate visual cues in your eLearning courses to ensure accessibility. The most common ones are automatic audio-to-text tools and visual cues to facilitate participation in video conferences and lectures, subtitles for videos, closed captions in their preferred language for audio content, and chat boxes for easy communication.

 

 

Mobility impairments can be the result of an injury or a medical condition, such as cerebral palsy. They can affect a person's fine and/or gross motor skills, which means that using a keyboard and/or a mouse is not as easy for them. An alternative you could offer them would be navigating the interface of your online course solely via the keyboard. It is significantly easier to press a button than control a mouse that requires precise movement. To accommodate severe motor impairments, ensure alternative input devices, i.e., voice-controlled software, can be integrated into your eLearning platform.

 

 

Recent data has shown that one in five people have a type of learning disability. This could be dyslexia, autism, ADHD, or other impairments that impact knowledge processing, absorption of new information, communication, concentration, and more. This category deals with a wide range of symptoms, which is why it calls for a holistic approach more than a specific set of features. Specifically, to create an inclusive and accessible learning environment, you must give clear and concise instructions, break the material into manageable chunks, eliminate distractions, and allow more flexible pacing. You can also use tools from the previous categories to foster a multisensory learning experience and maximize comprehension.

 

 

Finally, speech and language disorders can keep people from participating in online learning programs, as they affect their communication skills and impact their self-confidence. Thankfully, there are various ways to overcome these issues. For one, you can encourage written communication during synchronous learning sessions using email or direct chat options. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices can also be used for more severe cases. Finally, remember to be patient and give learners the time they need to formulate and express their thoughts and encourage interaction among learners to boost their confidence.

Another obstacle that learners may encounter is content in a different language. This is why localization is key for accessibility, regardless of the subject matter or learning requirements. Every member of your audience should be able to access resources in their native language to ensure comprehension and knowledge retention. This goes beyond straightforward translation. For example, content should reflect cultural norms and include colloquialisms that resonate with your online learners.

 

Taking the necessary steps to ensure the accessibility of your eLearning courses is the only way forward in this era of connectivity and equity. Apart from keeping you compliant with accessibility laws, it helps create an inclusive learning environment for learners of all capabilities. This way, you broaden the reach of your training program, boost its effectiveness, and foster a policy of equal opportunities within your company. Hopefully, this article will be a useful guide in creating content that is suitable for learners with different limitations.

 

Making your training course fully accessible is often easier said than done. For this reason, the World Wide Web Consortium has created a list of accessibility guidelines you can follow to make sure that your content is suitable for all learners. Find out more about them in the link below: 

 

 

You can also check here for advice and guidance on localizing content, as well as additional resources to help you tailor the learning experience.