Course Content
Module 1: Introduction to Accessibility and Inclusivity
• 1.1 What is Digital Accessibility? Understand the importance of accessibility in the digital world and its impact on individuals with disabilities. • 1.2 Overview of Disabilities and Assistive Technologies Explore different types of disabilities (visual, auditory, cognitive, motor) and the assistive technologies used by people with disabilities. • 1.3 The Role of Inclusive Design in Promoting Diversity Learn how inclusivity strengthens design and fosters a diverse user base by addressing diverse needs. • 1.4 Legal Frameworks for Accessibility (ADA, Section 508, and WCAG) Gain insight into legal standards and guidelines that promote digital accessibility.
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What is Digital Accessibility?
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Overview of Disabilities and Assistive Technologies
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The Role of Inclusive Design in Promoting Diversity
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Legal Frameworks for Accessibility (ADA, Section 508, and WCAG)
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Module 2: The POUR Principles in Web Design
• 2.1 Perceivable: Creating Content for All Senses Explore strategies to ensure that all content (text, images, audio, video) can be perceived by users with different disabilities. - Lab: Writing effective alternative text for images - Lab: Using transcripts and captions for media • 2.2 Operable: Designing Functional Interfaces Learn how to make digital interfaces operable for users with diverse abilities, including keyboard navigation and accessible control mechanisms. - Lab: Creating keyboard-accessible navigation - Lab: Designing intuitive form controls • 2.3 Understandable: Clear and Consistent Design Understand how to make content and design easy to comprehend, using clear language, logical layout, and predictable functionality. - Lab: Designing for readability and cognitive load • 2.4 Robust: Future-Proofing Your Design Discover ways to ensure your design remains accessible across various devices, browsers, and assistive technologies. - Lab: Testing your design on multiple platforms and with screen readers
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Perceivable: Creating Content for All Senses
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Operable: Designing Functional Interfaces
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Understandable: Clear and Consistent Design
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Robust: Future-Proofing Your Design
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Module 3: Applying WCAG Standards
• 3.1 Introduction to WCAG 2.1 Guidelines Deep dive into the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and their application to digital design. • 3.2 Levels of Conformance: A, AA, and AAA Learn about the different levels of accessibility conformance and how to prioritize accessibility improvements. • 3.3 Evaluating Your Website for WCAG Compliance - Lab: Conducting an accessibility audit using online tools
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Introduction to WCAG 2.1 Guidelines
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Levels of Conformance: A, AA, and AAA
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Evaluating Your Website for WCAG Compliance
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Module 4: Designing for Specific Disabilities
• 4.1 Designing for Visual Impairments (Including Color Blindness) Learn how to optimize your design for people with visual impairments, using contrast, screen readers, and magnification tools. - Lab: Implementing high-contrast color schemes • 4.2 Designing for Auditory Disabilities Discover ways to make multimedia content accessible to users with hearing impairments, including transcripts and sign language options. - Lab: Adding captions to videos • 4.3 Designing for Motor Disabilities Learn best practices for designing websites and apps that are easy to navigate for users with motor impairments. - Lab: Simplifying navigation and form inputs for motor disabilities • 4.4 Designing for Cognitive Disabilities Explore strategies to simplify content and interface design to support users with cognitive impairments, learning disabilities, or neurological conditions. - Lab: Reducing cognitive load through simple UI design
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Designing for Visual Impairments (Including Color Blindness)
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Designing for Auditory Disabilities
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Designing for Motor Disabilities
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Designing for Cognitive Disabilities
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Module 5: Tools and Resources for Accessible Design
• 5.1 Accessibility Evaluation Tools Explore various online tools and plugins that help evaluate the accessibility of digital designs. • 5.2 Assistive Technology Simulations Experience how users with disabilities interact with websites using screen readers, magnifiers, and other assistive technologies.
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Accessibility Evaluation Tools
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Assistive Technology Simulations
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Module 6: Best Practices for Ongoing Accessibility
• 6.1 Creating an Accessibility Plan for Your Organization Learn how to develop a comprehensive accessibility plan that integrates POUR principles into your design process. • 6.2 Accessibility Testing and Maintenance Understand the importance of continuous accessibility testing and strategies to keep your digital designs inclusive over time. • 6.3 Case Studies of Successful Accessible Designs Review real-world examples of websites and applications that have successfully implemented accessibility standards.
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Creating an Accessibility Plan for Your Organization
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Accessibility Testing and Maintenance
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Case Studies of Successful Accessible Designs
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Module 7: Final Project
• 7.1 Capstone Project: Designing an Accessible Web Page Apply all the concepts learned in the course by designing a fully accessible web page, meeting WCAG 2.1 guidelines and incorporating POUR principles. Participants will receive feedback on their designs. ________________________________________ Assessment • Quizzes and Knowledge Checks Each module will contain quizzes and exercises to reinforce the principles and practices discussed. • Final Project Evaluation The capstone project will be assessed for accessibility, usability, and compliance with WCAG standards.
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Capstone Project: Designing an Accessible Web Page
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Quizzes and Knowledge Checks
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Final Project Evaluation: Capstone Project Assessment Criteria
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The POUR Principles of Design: Inclusivity and Accessibility for People with Disabilities
About Lesson

Module 1: Introduction to Digital Accessibility

Quiz

  1. What is the main goal of digital accessibility?

    • a) To enhance the visual appeal of a website.
    • b) To make digital content usable by everyone, including people with disabilities.
    • c) To improve website performance.

    Answer: b) To make digital content usable by everyone, including people with disabilities.

  2. Which of the following is an example of an accessible feature for people with visual impairments?

    • a) Increasing the font size of the entire page.
    • b) Adding alt text descriptions to images.
    • c) Reducing the page load speed.

    Answer: b) Adding alt text descriptions to images.

  3. What are the four principles of accessibility under WCAG known as POUR?

    • a) Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust
    • b) Practical, Optional, Usable, Reliable
    • c) Portable, Optimized, User-friendly, Responsive

    Answer: a) Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust

Exercise

Create a list of features that make a website more accessible to users with different types of disabilities (e.g., visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive disabilities). For each feature, explain why it is important and how it helps improve accessibility.

Module 2: The POUR Principles

Quiz

  1. Which principle of POUR ensures that content can be used by assistive technologies like screen readers?

    • a) Perceivable
    • b) Robust
    • c) Operable

    Answer: b) Robust

  2. What is a key consideration under the “Operable” principle?

    • a) Ensuring that users can access content using different senses.
    • b) Making sure that content can be accessed via keyboard navigation.
    • c) Ensuring that content is understandable to a wide audience.

    Answer: b) Making sure that content can be accessed via keyboard navigation.

  3. Under the “Understandable” principle, what is one important guideline for making content easier to comprehend?

    • a) Use plain language and simple instructions.
    • b) Provide audio descriptions for all content.
    • c) Ensure that all images have captions.

    Answer: a) Use plain language and simple instructions.

Exercise

Review a web page of your choice and assess how well it follows the four POUR principles. Identify one area where it could be improved for each principle and provide suggestions for making the page more accessible.

Module 3: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

Quiz

  1. Which WCAG conformance level is often considered the minimum acceptable standard for public-facing websites?

    • a) Level A
    • b) Level AA
    • c) Level AAA

    Answer: b) Level AA

  2. What is the difference between WCAG Level AA and Level AAA?

    • a) Level AA addresses more complex accessibility issues, while Level AAA covers basic accessibility issues.
    • b) Level AA is mandatory, while Level AAA is optional.
    • c) Level AA addresses common accessibility issues, while Level AAA goes further to meet the needs of users with severe disabilities.

    Answer: c) Level AA addresses common accessibility issues, while Level AAA goes further to meet the needs of users with severe disabilities.

  3. Why is it important to prioritize WCAG Level AA compliance?

    • a) It is required by law in many countries.
    • b) It provides a broad level of accessibility for the majority of users with disabilities.
    • c) It improves the aesthetic appeal of a website.

    Answer: b) It provides a broad level of accessibility for the majority of users with disabilities.

Exercise

Choose a web page and evaluate it against WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines. Identify at least three issues that would prevent the page from meeting Level AA compliance and provide suggestions on how to resolve them.

Module 4: Designing for Specific Disabilities

Quiz

  1. What should you include to make a video accessible to people with hearing impairments?

    • a) A descriptive title
    • b) Subtitles or closed captions
    • c) A thumbnail image

    Answer: b) Subtitles or closed captions

  2. How can you improve accessibility for users with motor disabilities?

    • a) Provide a high-contrast color scheme.
    • b) Ensure that all interactive elements can be accessed via keyboard navigation.
    • c) Use complex animations to make content more engaging.

    Answer: b) Ensure that all interactive elements can be accessed via keyboard navigation.

  3. What is one way to design for users with cognitive disabilities?

    • a) Avoid using headings and subheadings.
    • b) Use plain language and clear, simple instructions.
    • c) Provide multiple animations to make the content more dynamic.

    Answer: b) Use plain language and clear, simple instructions.

Exercise

Design a simple form that is accessible to users with cognitive, visual, and motor disabilities. Describe the steps you would take to ensure that each group can easily complete the form.

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