Training Content Accessibility Solutions

Inclusive design is not just about the font you choose. It is about how your content behaves when it meets a different nervous system. Last week, we pruned your typography. This week, we are looking at the soil. We are auditing your media and structure. In our rush for "engagement," corporate communications often rely on visual shortcuts like flashing GIFs, color-coded alerts, and walls of emojis. Marketing calls these "hacks." I call them Barriers. When you rely on a color change to signal "danger," you lock out the colorblind. When you replace words with a string of emojis, you create chaos for a screen reader user (hearing "Face with tears of joy" five times in a row). When you post a video without captions, you tell the Deaf and Auditory Processing communities that they are not your audience. Accessibility is not a "feature" for a minority group. It is an indicator of Organizational Health. If your content requires perfect vision, perfect hearing, and neurotypical processing speed to understand... your content is flawed. Below is The Inclusive Content Audit (Part 2). We moved beyond fonts to look at media, structure, and interaction. Here are 9 Ways to Operationalize Inclusion in your content: 1. The Emoji Restraint ❌ Barrier: Emojis read aloud via screen readers as clunky descriptions. ✅ Fix: Use clear words to convey tone. Keep emojis at the end of sentences rather than in the middle. 2. The Caption Mandate ❌ Barrier: Audio/Video posted "naked." ✅ Fix: Burned-in open captions. (This helps ADHD brains like mine focus just as much as it helps Deaf users). 3. The Contrast Rule ❌ Barrier: Text over busy, semi-transparent backgrounds. ✅ Fix: Solid color backgrounds behind text blocks to reduce visual noise. 4. The "Color + Shape" Rule ❌ Barrier: Using only color to convey meaning (e.g., Red = Error). ✅ Fix: Pair color with a distinct shape or icon label. 5. The Alt-Text Discipline ❌ Barrier: Images with file names like "IMG_5920.jpg". ✅ Fix: Descriptive, concise Alternative Text. 6. The Header Hierarchy ❌ Barrier: Manually bolding text to look like a header. ✅ Fix: Using actual "Heading Styles" (H1, H2) so screen readers can navigate the structure. 7. The Motion Control ❌ Barrier: Auto-playing GIFs or flashing content. ✅ Fix: Static images or user-controlled "Play" buttons. (Protect your team from vestibular triggers). 8. The Data Summary ❌ Barrier: Complex charts with no text explanation. ✅ Fix: A simple text summary beneath the visual. 9. The Permanent Label ❌ Barrier: Form field labels that disappear once you start typing. ✅ Fix: Labels that remain visible above the field. (Reduces cognitive load and working memory strain). The Verdict: Low-friction content is high-impact content. Stop making your audience fight your design to get to your message. #Accessibility #InclusiveDesign #WCAG #Neurodiversity #Leadership #ClinicalStrategy

Great eLearning platforms don't just happen... they're designed inclusively. Most people overlook accessibility in online learning. It's not just about ticking boxes. It's about empowering ALL learners. Here's how to make eLearning truly inclusive: 1️⃣ Embrace Accessibility Standards ✔️ Follow WCAG 2.1 and Section 508 guidelines. ✔️ Regular audits catch compliance gaps fast. 2️⃣ Design for Every Device ✔️ Responsive design isn't optional anymore. ✔️ Content must work on desktops, tablets, phones. 3️⃣ Leverage Assistive Tech ✔️ Integrate screen readers and text-to-speech. ✔️ Enable voice commands for navigation. 4️⃣ Boost Multimedia Accessibility ✔️ Captions and transcripts for all audio/video. ✔️ Descriptive alt text makes visuals accessible. 5️⃣ Train Your Team ✔️ Accessibility isn't just for developers. ✔️ Everyone needs to understand inclusive design. Inclusive design isn't a nice-to-have. It's essential for impactful eLearning. What's your biggest accessibility challenge?

👨🏾💻 How People Use Screen Readers. With behavior patterns, practical insights and things to keep in mind for accessibility. ✅ 253 million people worldwide have a visual impairment. ✅ Screen readers help them translate text to speech or Braille. ✅ They work for websites, PDFs, emails, OS and other documents. ✅ They use the same voice regardless of font size, weight, color. ✅ E.g. Jaws/NVDA (Win, 80% share), VoiceOver (iOS), Talkback (Android). 🤔 Users often listen to screen readers at the 1.5–2.0x speed. ✅ Repetitive labels and hints aren't helpful (image caption, alt). ✅ Content order during tabbing conveys the structure of the page. ✅ Follow a logical linear layout, don't spread content all over a page. 🚫 Auto-playing audio is often an alarming, frustrating experience. 🤔 Users heavily rely on descriptive headings and labels. 🚫 Screen readers can’t extract meaning from images or videos. ✅ Avoid "Click here", "Read more", "View now" for links. ✅ A text box without a label is meaningless to screen readers. ✅ Never rely on visuals alone, they might not even be there. 🤔 Frequent issues with poorly structured forms, navigation, PDFs. ✅ Add UI controls for mouse-precise actions (drag'n'drop, resizing). ✅ Include nav landmarks, so users can jump within the page quickly. ✅ Ensure PDF/UA compliance to generate accessible PDFs. ✅ Always add labels to forms and avoid CAPTCHAs if you can. Where “abled people” use their natural feelings such as sight and hearing, people with disabilities must rely on technologies. Screen reading UX shouldn’t mean a “simplified” experience. It’s just a different experience, one of many. Unfamiliar tools might sound scary. Just start. Get familiar with screen readers. Run accessibility testing with a few screen reader users. Eventually make screen reader testing a part of QA. Many accessibility issues are severe, but solutions can be simple — and impactful for people who need them most. Useful resources: How A Screen Reader User Surfs The Web (video), by Léonie Watson https://lnkd.in/emv9AT-u Designing For Users Of Screen Readers, by Lewis Wake https://lnkd.in/ePTVpBxy Testing With Blind Users: A Cheat Sheet, by Slava Shestopalov https://lnkd.in/e8vBEqHn How And When To Use Alt Text, by Emma Cionca, Tanner Kohler https://lnkd.in/e3ivcPVg How to Conduct Usability Studies for Accessibility, by NN/g https://lnkd.in/egAxJxtW Mobile Accessibility Research With Screen-Reader Users, by Tanner Kohler https://lnkd.in/eb5Y36qZ How To Document Screen Reader UX, by BBC https://lnkd.in/e8KWr-Z6 #ux #accessibility

Most inaccessible documents aren’t created out of bad intent. No-one does it on purpose. They’re created out of habit. The good news is you don’t need to be an accessibility expert to help build a culture where accessible documents become the norm. Small behaviours, repeated often, shape organisational culture far more than policies do. Here are five simple things anyone can do, right now. (You can also find some further resources in the comments.) 1 - Build accessibility into your workflow Treat accessibility checks the same way you treat spellcheck. Before sending a document, take a minute to run an accessibility check and scan for obvious issues. When accessibility becomes a normal step in the workflow, it stops being an afterthought and starts becoming routine. 2 - Be an ally. You don’t have to personally need accessibility to advocate for it. Ask whether documents have been checked. Encourage colleagues to think about accessibility. If something isn’t accessible, raise it constructively, push back gently if someone sends you something that isn’t accessible. Cultural change often begins with someone asking the question. 3 - Learn the tools you already have Most people already have everything they need. Simple features such as document headings (heading 1, 2 etc), meaningful link titles, and built in accessibility checkers make a huge difference. Learning how to use these properly can transform the usability of a document in minutes. 4 - Think beyond screen readers. Whilst a crucial part of it, accessibility isn’t just about screen reader compatibility. Clear structure, readable layouts, logical headings, and descriptive links make documents easier for everyone to navigate and understand. Accessibility improves usability for the entire organisation. 5 - Automate your mailbox One simple trick is creating an Outlook rule that replies to anyone who sends you an attachment asking whether the document has been checked for accessibility. It’s a gentle prompt that helps build awareness and encourages better habits over time. Bonus tip - set the standard. If you want others to care about accessible documents, your own documents need to set the standard. When people consistently receive accessible content from you, it reinforces that accessibility is not an optional extra. It is simply how good work gets done. Accessibility culture doesn’t start with experts. It starts with everyday habits. ID: a Robbie Crow Purple infographic titled “Five top tips to build a culture of document accessibility”. It summarises the points in this post and full alt text can be found in the image. The graphic uses purple, pale yellow and gold branding with a “Progress Over Perfection” badge at the bottom.

Happy Global Accessibility Awareness Day everyone! It's a great day to remind people, that, accessibility is the responsibility of the whole team, including designers! A couple of things designers can do: - Use sufficient color contrast (text + UI elements) and don’t rely on color alone to convey meaning. - Ensure readable typography: support text resizing, avoid hard-to-read styles, maintain hierarchy. - Make links and buttons clear and distinguishable (label, size, states). - Design accessible forms: clear labels, error help, no duplicate input, document states. - Support keyboard navigation: tab order, skip links, focus indicators, keyboard interaction. - Structure content with headings and landmarks: use proper H1–Hn, semantic order, regions. - Provide text alternatives for images, icons, audio, and video. - Avoid motion triggers: respect reduced motion settings, allow pause on auto-play. - Design with flexibility: support orientation change, allow text selection, avoid fixed-height elements. - Document accessibly and communicate: annotate designs, collaborate with devs, QA, and content teams. Need to learn more? I got a couple of resources on my blog: - A Designer’s Guide to Documenting Accessibility & User Interactions: https://lnkd.in/eUh8Jvvn - How to check and document design accessibility in your mockups: a conference on how to use Figma plugins and annotation kits to shift accessibility left https://lnkd.in/eu8YuWyF - Accessibility for designer: where do I start? Articles, resources, checklists, tools, plugins, and books to design accessible products https://lnkd.in/ejeC_QpH - Neurodiversity and UX: Essential Resources for Cognitive Accessibility, Guidelines to understand and design for Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Autism and ADHD https://lnkd.in/efXaRwgF - Color accessibility: tools and resources to help you design inclusive products https://lnkd.in/dRrwFJ5 #Accessibility #ShiftLeft #GAAD

Why the blueberry muffin accessibility analogy works so well for learning content. I still find the blueberry muffin analogy one of the best ways of explaining why it's so important to consider accessibility from the start of a learning project. Of course, you can add in accessibility afterwards, but imagine pushing those blueberries in by hand after the muffin is cooked. Not only does it feel like an afterthought for the learner, but it's also frustrating and time-consuming for the practitioner! In my recent conversation with Bill Banham on the Voices of the Learning Network Podcast, we explored what baking accessibility in from the start looks like - and how accessible design leads to better outcomes for all learners. We discussed simple ways to include accessibility in your everyday practice: - Writing clear, descriptive alt text that adds context. - Providing accurate captions and transcripts that benefit everyone. - Using consistent heading levels so learners and assistive technologies can navigate easily. - Applying good colour contrast. - Using plain language to reduce cognitive load. We also explored practical ways AI can help practitioners apply accessibility and why leadership matters for modelling inclusion, celebrating progress, and embedding accessibility into standards and strategy. When research shows that up to a quarter of your learners may have a disability or experience a temporary or situational access need, accessibility becomes more than a nice-to-have - it's a fundamental part of excellent learning design. So the next time you design a course, remember the blueberry muffin. Accessibility isn't an ingredient to add in at the end - it needs to be baked in from the start. You can listen to my full conversation with Bill at the link below: https://lnkd.in/eiBeiTEr #eLearning #Accessibility #AccessibleLearning #eln (Blueberry muffins on a wooden surface, with fresh blueberries scattered nearby. Baked blueberries are generously distributed through the batter of the muffins, creating deep purple pockets.)

Your brilliant content might be invisible to 1 in 4 people. Here's why: accessibility barriers are blocking your message from reaching its full audience. 8 ways to create content that works for everyone: Write tight, not long Skip the essay format. Get to your point quickly. Your readers will thank you. Emoji overload = audio chaos Screen readers turn your 🔥💯✨ into "fire hundred points symbol sparkles." Not fun to listen to. Colors that actually work Red text on green backgrounds? Invisible to 8% of men. Check your contrast before posting. Stick to standard formatting Fancy fonts and excessive styling create barriers. LinkedIn's default formatting exists for a reason. Videos need both sound AND text Captions help the hearing impaired. Clear audio helps those with visual challenges. Include both. Shorter posts win Aim for under 1,000 characters when possible. Easier to read, easier to process, easier to share. Hashtags done right Write #AccessibilityMatters not #accessibilitymatters. Capital letters help screen readers separate words. Describe your images Add alt text to every photo. "Team meeting" beats no description every time. The best part? These changes make your content better for everyone, not just those who need accessibility features. Ready to expand your reach? Start with one tip today. What accessibility tip will you try first? Share in the comments. #InclusiveDesign #DigitalAccessibility #AccessibleContent #InclusiveMarketing #WebAccessibility

Over the past two months, I’ve had the unique experience of onboarding schools in Turkey using a blended approach of live and online training sessions. This was a first for me, not only in terms of delivery format but also because many participants couldn’t communicate in English. Navigating these two major barriers was well outside my comfort zone—challenging, yet incredibly fulfilling. Here’s what worked for me: 💥 Using Breakout Rooms Frequently: This allowed participants to discuss topics in their native language with their peers. After each discussion, a representative—someone most comfortable with English—would summarize their insights for the larger group, which also helped me understand their perspectives. 🗣️ Pre-Session Review with the Translator: Walking through the session with the translator beforehand allowed them to convey not just the words but the intent behind the content. This preparation resulted in a more meaningful and authentic translation during the actual sessions. ☄️ Doubling the Energy in Virtual Sessions: Virtual settings often require twice the energy of in-person sessions. I aimed to keep the energy high and the tone enthusiastic, which made the experience more engaging and helped participants stay connected and responsive. 🙌🏽 Building Connections Through Compassion: Compassion can bridge even the widest gaps in language and delivery methods. I focused on showing genuine empathy and understanding, creating a trusting environment where participants felt seen and valued. 🎯 Incorporating Visual Aids and Simple Language: Visuals like infographics, diagrams, and slides helped bridge the language gap and provided context that didn’t rely solely on words. Simplifying the language used in materials and instructions was also key in making the content more universally accessible. 👥 Encouraging Peer Teaching: I encouraged participants who understood the material well to support their peers. This not only helped bridge language gaps but also fostered a collaborative learning environment. ⚡️Having a Comfortable Workspace: While we are focussed on creating a virtual learning space, having a comfortable physical workspace for your own self can be a game changer. Good lighting, a solid internet connection and a chair that doesn’t break your back, can make all the difference in your own delivery and the experience of participants. I’m curious—what strategies have you used to connect with groups facing language barriers? I’d love to hear your experiences!

🚀 Big news for anyone passionate about accessibility & inclusive education! UNSW has quietly launched a one-stop, openly searchable Inclusive Teaching Resource Hub, and it already pulls together everything from practical WCAG checklists to neuro-inclusive toolkits: 🔍 A single ‘accessibility’ search surfaces ⬇️ • Digital Accessibility: Ensuring Digital Access for Every Student (video) • Colour Accessibility Tools & Resources (web toolkit) • UNSW Websites: Accessibility Guidelines (PDF) • Accessibility Fundamentals Overview (course) • Accessibility @ UNSW (staff portal) • Inclusive Online Learning: Digital Accessibility Practices (journal collection) • Improving Digital Accessibility in Your Teaching (seminar) • Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) site • Australian Centre for Student Equity & Success (ACSES) • Diversified Inclusive Teaching Toolkit (🎉 proud moment!) • Guidelines for Accessible Courses • Digital Accessibility Guides for Learning 💛 Shout-out to Lucy Jellema and the PVC Teaching & Learning team. Lucy, you’re an absolute asset. Pulling all these scattered resources into one open hub is no small feat, and the sector owes you serious kudos!!! 🙌 🙏 🎓 Why this matters: Universities are still painfully siloed. We waste time “reinventing” identical projects in parallel, while staff and students hunt across dozens of SharePoint folders. A transparent, living directory means stronger relationships, less duplication, and faster impact for equity cohorts. Win-win. 🌐 Not just for UNSW. If you’re an educator, technologist, student-leader, wherever you are, dive in, bookmark it, and tell us what’s missing. 👉 Got advice, links, or feedback? Drop them below or DM me. Let’s keep filling the gaps so everyone can find what they need in one accessible place. Access the extensive database here: https://lnkd.in/ghEg4NjM #InclusiveTeaching #Accessibility #UDL #Neurodiversity #HigherEd #OpenResources #Collaboration #UNSW #NeuroInclusion #InclusiveEducation

I put together 10 tools movement communicators can use to make content actually accessible. 🎨 Coolors.co — Color palettes + color-blind checker ♿ WebAIM Contrast Checker — WCAG pass/fail for text 🌊 WAVE — Scans sites for accessibility errors ✍️ Hemingway Editor — Plain language checker 📄 PAC — PDF accessibility checker 🖥️ NVDA — Free screen reader to test your content 📖 OpenDyslexic Font — Dyslexia-friendly typography 🔍 axe DevTools — Automated accessibility testing 🛜 Digitala11y Tublets — 50+ accessibility bookmarklets 🎭 Funkify — Disability simulator (use with care) Most of these are free. All of them are practical. And they make the difference between content that performs inclusion vs. content that actually practices it. Accessibility is a legal requirement, a justice imperative, and a strategic advantage. If disabled people can't access your content, you're not reaching your audience. Full stop. #NeuroComms #MovementInfrastructure