Accessibility in Design
Overview
This micro-course is designed to equip instructional designers and educators with the essential knowledge and skills needed to create accessible learning experiences. It emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in design and provides practical strategies for ensuring that all learners, regardless of their abilities, can engage with educational content effectively.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this micro-course, participants will be able to:
Understand the principles of accessibility and its importance in instructional design.
Identify common barriers faced by learners with disabilities.
Apply best practices for creating accessible digital content, including text, images, and multimedia.
Utilize tools and resources for evaluating and enhancing the accessibility of their designs.
You can access the course here.
Course Structure
The micro-course is structured into four key modules, each featuring interactive elements, case studies, and assessments:
Introduction to Accessibility
Definition and significance
Overview of legal requirements (e.g., ADA, WCAG)
Real-world examples of accessibility challenges
Identifying Barriers to Learning
Common disabilities and their impacts on learning
Scenarios and case studies illustrating accessibility issues
Group discussion: Sharing personal experiences and insights
Designing for Accessibility
Best practices for text, color, images, and multimedia
Techniques for creating accessible documents (e.g., PDFs, presentations)
Hands-on activity: Redesign a piece of content for accessibility
Evaluation and Continuous Improvement
Tools for assessing accessibility (e.g., screen readers, accessibility checkers)
Strategies for gathering feedback from users with disabilities
Action plan: Implementing accessibility improvements in participants' own projects
Assessment and Feedback
Participants will complete a project at the end of the course, where they will revise an existing instructional material to enhance its accessibility. Feedback will be provided through peer reviews and instructor evaluations, focusing on the application of best practices learned throughout the course.
Conclusion
This micro-course empowers participants to create more inclusive learning environments by understanding and implementing accessibility principles. By fostering a mindset of inclusivity, instructional designers can enhance the educational experience for all learners, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
Reflections & Lessons Learned
Creating this micro-course reinforced my belief in the importance of accessibility in education. It was gratifying to develop content that not only educates but also promotes a culture of inclusivity within instructional design practices.