The World Health Organization reports that 16% of the global population lives with a disability. Prioritizing digital accessibility in learning and development ensures equitable access to high-quality learning experiences for all, regardless of ability.
Digital accessibility means that web pages, applications, platforms and digital content can be used and understood by everyone. It refers to a long list of features to help meet a range of diverse people’s needs. For example, people may be:
- Visually-impaired, including partially
- Hearing-impaired, including partially
- Colorblind
- Neurodivergent, which includes ADHD, Autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia and others
- Different native languages
Temporary challenges
- Low light situations
- Loud background noise
- Poor internet connection
Why is digital accessibility important in L&D?
Inclusivity
Promoting inclusivity in corporate training fosters creativity and innovation, while dismantling social and cultural barriers.
Prioritizing diversity and inclusion not only boosts collaboration and productivity but also demonstrates organizational commitment to equity and learning excellence.
“People with disabilities often find themselves in a struggle to have their human dignity acknowledged, they frequently are left in the shadows of technological advancements that are a source of empowerment and attainment for others”
Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO
Legal compliance
Many countries have laws and regulations to foster inclusion and eliminate all forms of discrimination towards people with disabilities.
Compliance is critical in avoiding legal consequences and ensuring that your organization adheres to principles of equal opportunity and anti-discrimination.
Overall learning effectiveness
Prioritizing accessibility in design principles can significantly improve the effectiveness of online training materials for all users. When learning materials are designed with accessibility in mind, they become more user-friendly and inclusive for every learner.
6 Best Practices for more digital accessibility in training
#1 Provide Alternative Formats
Providing training materials in various formats ensures equitable access to information for all individuals. These formats may include text transcripts for the hearing-impaired, audio descriptions for the visually impaired, and video captions to accommodate diverse learning preferences and accessibility needs.
Additionally, it’s beneficial to seek out apps and platforms that offer alternative formats, enabling users to download lessons for offline access when internet connectivity is unavailable. This feature enhances accessibility and flexibility, ensuring continuous learning opportunities regardless of external factors.
#2 Ensure Compatibility
It’s crucial to ensure that online systems are compatible with assistive technologies commonly used by individuals with disabilities. These technologies include screen readers, keyboard navigation, magnifiers, and voice recognition software.
By prioritizing compatibility with assistive technologies, you can create a more inclusive learning environment that accommodates diverse needs and promotes equal access to training materials.
Additionally, conducting accessibility testing and incorporating feedback from users with disabilities can further enhance the usability and effectiveness of online systems for all learners.
#3 Use Accessible Design Principles
Organizations can help guarantee that everyone has equal access to information and services by making an effort to standardize the design of accessible training content.
Many organizations implement the industry-standard Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which are a series of guidelines that are widely regarded as the international standard for web accessibility.
The standards involve accessible design principles focusing on design elements, typography, color contrast, interactions, navigation, consistent formatting, and sufficient color contrast to make online learning materials easier for everyone in the organization to navigate and understand.
“Truly effective design is one that embraces human diversity and the different ways our users interact with our products.”
Giovanna Lusvarghi, Product Designer at Voxy
#4 Offer Training on Accessibility
Research shows that integrating accessibility into training and development cultivates an inclusive workplace culture, enhancing job performance and employee retention.
When implementing accessible training, adhere to industry standards and prioritize creating online materials and communication methods accessible to all employees upfront, rather than retrofitting accessibility later.
After establishing guidelines, conduct training sessions for L&D professionals and content creators on developing digitally accessible materials, covering accessibility standards and best practices.
Consider seeking guidance from accessibility experts. Additionally, offer support resources like accessibility guides, FAQs, and technical assistance to aid employees in navigating online training materials and addressing accessibility challenges.
#5 Offer Live instruction
Live online training is an important complement to digital self-study. It allows for real-time interactions between instructors and employees. Live learning also enables employees with visual impairments to ask questions, seek clarification, and actively engage with the material as it is presented.
#6 Gauge satisfaction and compliance with regulations
An organization can measure satisfaction by gathering feedback on the accessibility of online training materials, especially from employees with disabilities. Some of the areas you want to assess are course content quality, ease of access, the quality of instruction, and support.
As a leader, it is up to you to stay updated on accessibility regulations and compliance requirements relevant to online training, ensuring that materials meet legal standards and guidelines for accessibility in L&D.
Final Thoughts
Voxy’s mission is to break down the world’s language barriers and open doors of opportunity for people worldwide.
One of Voxy’s core values is “Start with empathy,” and it’s that compassion and understanding that drives our commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Take a second and set a 15-minute assessment to discuss your current employee learning and development goals and how we can help make L&D initiatives accessible to all.
