Imagine waking up and finding that the digital world you’ve come to rely on-your websites, apps, videos-were suddenly inaccessible to you. For millions of people with disabilities this isn't’ just a hypothetical scenario; it’s a daily reality. Accessibility in eLearning isn’t just a bonus or something that would be nice-to have, it’s essential. What most people don’t realize is that disability is the only minority group that anyone can join at any time in their life, whether through injury, illness, or aging. It means that designing content that’s accessible isn’t just for compliance or ethics, it’s about a world where everyone thrives.

When I took my first online class in college, I didn’t think twice about accessibility. Back then, eLearning was still in its infancy, and the tools we take for granted today-like video lectures, interactive quizzes, and real-time-feedback-were just emerging. As technology has evolved, so has our responsibility to ensure no one is left behind. In this post, we’ll explore why accessibility matters, how to design eLearning courses that meet the needs of all learners, and practical tips to ensure your content is inclusive from the start. When we are designing our lessons with accessibility, we are ensuring we’re designing for everyone.

You may be tasked as a designer to review this for compliance with the law and provide the visual descriptions of what is going on in a scene. If you are looking for an example of how to describe an image NASA has a great example for describing images.

"Image Description: A large galaxy on the right, with two much smaller companion galaxies to the left at 10 o’clock and 9 o’clock. The large galaxy resembles a speckled wheel, with an oval outer ring and a small, off-center inner ring. The outer ring contains pink plumes like wheel spokes, with dusty blue regions in between. The pink areas are silicate dust, while the blue areas are pockets of young stars and hydrocarbon dust. The inner ring is smoother, filled in with a more uniform pale pink. This smaller ring is interwoven with thin, orange-pink threads. On the galaxy's right edge, a bright white star with 8 diffraction spikes shines. The two companion galaxies to the left, one above the other, are about the same size and both spiral galaxies. The galaxy above is a reverse S shape but similar in coloring and texture as the large ring galaxy. The galaxy below is smoother and largely white, with a blue tinge. The background is black and full of more distant, orange-red colored galaxies of various sizes."

Why accessibility matters:

There are already well established guidelines and resources for you to learn and use as you grow in your comfort with accessibility navigation and eLearning. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508, require that digital content, including eLearning materials, be accessible to individuals with disabilities. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) ensures accessing course materials with audio components such as lectures, podcasts, or video include closed captioning or transcripts.

Practical Tips for Accessible eLearning
When designing eLearning courses, it’s essential to consider the diverse needs of your learners. Here are some actionable tips to ensure your content is accessible:

Use Alt Text for Images: Provide detailed descriptions of visuals, like the NASA example, so screen readers can convey the information to visually impaired users.
Add Closed Captions and Transcripts: Ensure all audio content, such as videos and podcasts, includes captions and transcripts for hearing-impaired learners.
Design for Keyboard Navigation: Make sure your course can be navigated using only a keyboard, as some users may not be able to use a mouse.
Check Color Contrast: Use tools like WebAIM’s Contrast Checker to ensure text is readable for users with color blindness.
Test with Real Users: Involve individuals with disabilities in your testing process to identify and address accessibility barriers.

5 Practical Tips for Accessible eLearning