How do you make online courses accessible and inclusive?

1 Choose an accessible platform

The first step to make online courses accessible and inclusive is to choose a learning management system (LMS) that meets the web accessibility standards and guidelines, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These standards ensure that the LMS and its content are perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for all learners. For example, the LMS should have features such as text alternatives for images, captions and transcripts for audio and video, keyboard navigation, color contrast, and adjustable font size.

2 Design for diversity

The second step to make online courses accessible and inclusive is to design the course content and activities with diversity in mind. Diversity refers to the variety of learners' characteristics, such as age, gender, culture, language, disability, education, and experience. To design for diversity, you should use clear and simple language, avoid jargon and slang, provide multiple formats and modes of presentation, offer choices and options for learners, and use inclusive and respectful examples and scenarios.

3 Communicate with empathy

The third step to make online courses accessible and inclusive is to communicate with empathy. Empathy means that you understand and share the feelings and perspectives of your learners, and that you show them care and support. To communicate with empathy, you should use positive and encouraging language, acknowledge and address learners' concerns and questions, provide clear and timely feedback, and create a sense of community and belonging among learners.

4 Evaluate and improve

The fourth step to make online courses accessible and inclusive is to evaluate and improve your course design and delivery. Evaluation means that you collect and analyze data and feedback from your learners and other stakeholders, such as instructors, administrators, and experts. Improvement means that you use the data and feedback to identify and address the gaps and issues in your course, and to make changes and enhancements to improve the accessibility and inclusion of your course.

5 Learn and update

The fifth step to make online courses accessible and inclusive is to learn and update your knowledge and skills. Learning means that you seek and access relevant and reliable sources of information and guidance on accessibility and inclusion, such as online courses, webinars, blogs, podcasts, books, and articles. Updating means that you keep abreast of the latest trends, developments, and best practices in accessibility and inclusion, and that you apply them to your course design and delivery.

6 Share and collaborate

The sixth step to make online courses accessible and inclusive is to share and collaborate with others. Sharing means that you disseminate and showcase your course and its outcomes, such as learner satisfaction, retention, completion, and achievement. Collaborating means that you network and partner with other professionals, organizations, and communities that are involved or interested in accessibility and inclusion, and that you exchange ideas, experiences, and resources with them.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?