Making Learning Accessible: More than just a buzzword. A Short Guide to Inclusive Learning
Accessibility is the key to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can fully participate and benefit from learning materials.
In the context of professional learning, accessibility refers to designing and delivering learning materials in a way that accommodates diverse learners, including those with limited abilities. This inclusivity is guided by accessibility standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which provide a set of principles, guidelines, and success criteria for creating accessible web content.
Why Accessibility Matters
Accessibility ensures that learning is inclusive, providing equal opportunities for everyone.
Accessibility benefits not only those with limited abilities but also accommodates various learning styles, preferences, and needs, enhancing the overall learning experience for all.
One common misconception is that a small percentage of the population requires accessible learning materials. However, statistics tell a different story. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 15% of the global population lives with some form of disability. This substantial number highlights the significance of creating accessible materials to reach a broad audience.
The European Commission understood the situation and acted rapidly. One notable initiative is the European Accessibility Act (EAA).
The European Accessibility Act, officially known as Directive (EU) 2019/882, is a legislative effort by the European Union to improve the accessibility of products and services, including digital services. While it primarily focuses on products and services, its principles extend to areas such as education and training materials, especially those delivered through digital platforms.
Find out more about EAA: Directive – 2019/882 – EN – EUR-Lex (europa.eu)
In addition, many countries have laws and regulations that mandate accessibility in training materials. As such, ensuring compliance not only fosters inclusivity but also avoids legal complications.
Simple Steps to Make Learning Materials More Accessible
1. Understand Your Audience
Identify and analyse the diverse needs of your audience, considering factors like vision, hearing, motor skills, cognitive abilities.
2. Adhere to Accessibility Standards
Familiarize yourself with and adhere to accessibility standards like WCAG (specifically WCAG 2.1), ensuring your learning materials meet these recognized guidelines.
3. Use Accessible Formats:
Create and deliver content in multiple formats, such as text, images, audio, and video, or even GPT-based assistants who can offer tailored replies to users and respond to their needs.
4. Provide Alternative Text
Include descriptive alternative text (ALT text) for images, charts, diagrams, graphs etc, enabling screen readers to convey information to visually impaired users.
5. Caption Videos
Include captions in videos to make content accessible to those with hearing impairments or in situations where audio cannot be played.
6. Use Consistent Navigation
Create a clear and consistent navigation structure, making it easier for users with screen readers or other assistive technologies to navigate your content.
Do you need more information and help in creating and delivering accessible learning materials? Send us a message at stefaan.de.corte(at)laurea.be.
Tips and Tricks for Cost-Effective Accessibility
1. Plan from the Start
Integrate accessibility into the initial design phase of your learning materials to avoid costly retrofits.
2. Leverage Free and Open-Source Tools
Use free and open-source tools that support accessibility, reducing the cost of specialized software.
3. Provide Training
Educate content creators, designers, teachers, trainers and educators about accessibility best practices to ensure a collective effort towards inclusivity.
4. Collaborate with Communities
Engage with ‘accessibility communities’ and organizations for advice, support, and resources that can aid in your accessibility efforts.
Some Conclusions
Creating accessible learning materials is not just about compliance; it's about recognizing the diversity of learners and providing an inclusive educational experience. By understanding accessibility, following standards, dispelling misconceptions, and implementing cost-effective strategies, you can pave the way for more inclusive and equitable professional learning that benefits everyone.