How We Build Accessible Online Courses: WCAG, Section 508 and Inclusive Learning
Learn how TheEduAssist designs and improves accessible online courses using WCAG 2.2 AA practices, inclusive course design and structured accessibility testing.
Accessibility is not just adding captions at the end of a project. It should be considered during course planning, instructional design, content development, multimedia production, assessment design, LMS implementation and quality assurance.
Accessible learning improves participation for learners with:
- visual disabilities
- hearing disabilities
- limited mobility
- cognitive and learning disabilities
- temporary impairments
- different devices, environments and internet conditions
Our Primary Accessibility Target
TheEduAssist designs and reviews digital learning content against:
WCAG 2.2 Level AA
The four WCAG principles are:
- Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive.
- Operable: User interface components and navigation must be operable.
- Understandable: Information and the operation of user interface must be understandable.
- Robust: Content must be robust enough that it can be interpreted by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies.
We design and remediate digital learning experiences toward WCAG 2.2 Level AA and any additional accessibility requirements agreed for the client’s organization, audience and jurisdiction.
Standards and Regulations We Consider
- WCAG 2.2 Level AA: The main technical accessibility target used for the design and evaluation of web-based learning experiences.
- Section 508: Relevant to information and communication technology developed, procured, maintained or used by United States federal agencies. Educational and training materials can fall within its scope.
- ADA: Accessibility obligations in the United States can depend on the organization and service. The ADA Title II web accessibility rule specifically applies to United States state and local government entities and uses WCAG 2.1 Level AA as its technical standard.
- EN 301 549: This European accessibility standard covers accessibility requirements for ICT products and services, including websites, software, documents and other digital technologies.
- European Accessibility Act: Applies to specified products and services in the European Union and may be relevant depending on the client’s product, service, market and jurisdiction.
Applicable legal and procurement requirements should always be confirmed for each organization, contract and jurisdiction.
What We Make Accessible
- self-paced online courses
- instructor-led virtual learning materials
- LMS course pages
- Articulate Storyline courses
- Articulate Rise courses
- instructional videos
- animations
- presentations
- PDF and Word learning materials
- quizzes and assessments
- interactive scenarios
- downloadable resources
- course navigation
- forms and learner activities
How We Improve Course Accessibility
- accurate captions for video
- transcripts for audio and video
- audio descriptions when essential visual information is not otherwise available
- meaningful image alt text
- accessible charts and diagrams
- logical headings and content structure
- correct reading order
- descriptive link text
- keyboard-accessible navigation
- visible keyboard focus
- prevention of keyboard traps
- readable typography
- suitable colour contrast
- information that does not rely only on colour, shape, position or sound
- accessible buttons, forms and controls
- labels and instructions for inputs
- accessible error messages
- sufficient time or adjustable timing
- pause, stop and replay controls
- alternatives to drag-only interactions
- accessible assessments and feedback
- screen-reader-compatible course structures
- accessible PDFs, documents and presentations
- reduced unnecessary animation and flashing content
- responsive layouts and content reflow
- language attributes where technically appropriate
Our Accessibility Process
- Discovery and requirements: Identify learners, platforms, content types, procurement expectations and the agreed accessibility target.
- Accessibility audit: Review the existing course, media, documents, navigation, interactions and assessments.
- Remediation or accessible development: Correct issues or build accessibility into the course from the beginning.
- Quality assurance testing: Test with automated tools, keyboard-only navigation and representative assistive-technology checks.
- Reporting and handover: Provide findings, completed corrections, known limitations and recommendations for future updates.
Automated testing alone is not sufficient and should be combined with manual review.
Possible Project Deliverables
- accessibility audit report
- issue list organized by severity
- remediated course files
- caption and transcript files
- revised accessible documents
- accessibility QA checklist
- testing notes
- known-limitations record
- recommendations for future course updates
- accessibility conformance documentation support
- VPAT or Accessibility Conformance Report support where specifically required
Why Accessibility Should Start During Course Design
Correcting accessibility at the end can require re-recording videos, rebuilding interactions, rewriting assessments and remediating documents.
Including accessibility during instructional design can reduce rework, produce more consistent experiences and make future course updates easier.
Accessible Course Checklist
- Does every meaningful image have appropriate alternative text?
- Are decorative images ignored by assistive technology?
- Do videos have accurate synchronized captions?
- Are transcripts available when needed?
- Can every essential action be completed using a keyboard?
- Is keyboard focus visible?
- Is the heading structure logical?
- Does text meet the required contrast level?
- Is meaning communicated without relying only on colour?
- Are buttons and form controls properly labelled?
- Are quiz instructions clear?
- Can timed content be adjusted where required?
- Are documents and downloads accessible?
- Are errors explained clearly?
- Does the course work at different screen sizes and zoom levels?
- Has the final experience received both automated and manual testing?
Need an Accessibility Review for Your Course?
Share your existing course, platform and accessibility requirements with our team. We can review the learning experience, identify priority barriers and recommend a practical route for remediation or accessible redevelopment.
Request a 24–48 Hour Course Review Explore Our Course Development Services