Best Practices for Designing Accessible E-Learning

E-Learning is using technology to access curriculum-related knowledge outside a traditional classroom. The e-learning system enables a 24/7 transfer of skills and knowledge to a large audience. Today, e-learning is the most accepted mode of training sessions and programs for professionals by multinational corporations throughout the world. Plus, e-learning has evolved as an effective way of infusing knowledge and improving concept clarity.

Umesh Goyal
VP

The popularity of e learning is so, that according to a survey; the global e learning market is expected to reach $325 billion business by 2025. With such a high demand, the E Learning Solutions need to be more interactive and fruitful.

To make e-learning an engaging experience for all, the following golden rules must be considered:

• Perceivable: The online training sessions or the e-learning sessions must include all modes of information to make the topic understandable. This means an image should have written content along with the audio description. Such content covers gaps in understanding while making it easier for people with disabilities or diverse learning skills to absorb the concepts discussed.
• Understandable: Simpler is better here. Instead of using complex language or words, it’s advisable to keep the content as simple as possible.
• Easy to Operate: Users must be able to operate the content delivery systems themselves. Instead of using fancy navigation or links, a simple play, next or submit will ease the navigation for the user.

Your simple steps of careful content creation can make it accessible for people with disabilities and diverse learning styles to learn and understand the course material. Apart from these basic rules, here a few tips that can help you when considering easy accessibility for all users:

1) Consider Visually Impaired Learners: While creating the e-learning content, you should consider all issues related to visual impairment such as blindness or photosensitive epilepsy with the following:

• Use simple and bold fonts.
• Avoid drop-down lists.
• Cascade content as H1, H2, etc.
• Include charts and tables.
• Incorporate alt description for all images.
• Keep the links descriptive.
• For those with Dyslexia and Dyscalculia, keep gaps between paragraphs, and use spacious font styles.
• Avoid using anything that flashes quickly.

2) Accessibility for deafness and hearing impairments:
While incorporating audio files for people who are hearing impaired or deaf, work on the content clarity first and any music second.

• Use subtitles or captions for all images.
• Provide transcriptions for the audio content.
• Consider various platforms such as live chats to share the content for easy accessibility.
• Keep the speed average.
• Design with flexibility in mind.

3) Create friendly links: Hyperlinks are an integral part of the e-learning process to provide a means for learners to receive an enhanced understanding of the key topics. You should keep the links as descriptive as possible by clearly mentioning the information it contains. Also, using a hyperlink on the actual words gives a quick and clear understanding of what the link refers to.

Conclusion:

E-learning content that is designed keeping special needs in mind will help many people in need who need to learn the material. In addition, such content will increase your reachability while catering to a wider audience. Disability-friendly content can be your contribution towards making a difference in the lives of people who struggle otherwise.