Accessibility affects everyone. Incorpating a wide-range of accessibility measures in instructional design results in more equitable and inclusive learning experiences. Additionally, accessibility must be implemented to be in accordance with compliance standards. On the digital front, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are widely used to make web content more accessible for people with disabilities. To support differently-abled learners, accessibility must be incorporated into the instructional design itself, rather than left as an afterthought. The following considerations are aligned with accessibility standards.
- The page structure and organiztion must be well-defined to facilitate ease of navigation.
- Use heading tools appropriately and consistently to organize content.
- Include a site map and/or search feature to make it easier for users to find desired content.
- Use of color must be non-essential and supplmented with color-agnostic identification methods.
- For emphasis, use font styles (bold and italic) together with color (University of Illinois, 2025).
- Add labels on charts and graphs to indicate colors.
- Testing must be conducted using assistive technologies to determine if accessibility needs are being met.
- Use screen-readers and other online tools to ensure that accessibility features are functioning as intended.
As lead instructional designer Caroyln Barley puts it, the most important part is to start where you are. Perfection is not realistic; making an effort is the true catalyst for change. Familiarize yourself with the guidelines. Apply what you learn. Collaborate with differently-abled individuals and accessibility experts. Ask questions. Revise and repeat, again and again.
References
Barley, C. (2023, April 19). Accessible Learning Design: Reaching All Learners Where They Are. SHRM. https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/organizational-employee-development/accessible-learning-design-reaching-learners
Bhaduri, S. (2023, May 31). Accessibility In Learning Design: Delivering Inclusive Learning For Your Workforce. eLearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com/accessibility-in-learning-design-delivering-inclusive-learning-for-your-workforce
University of Illinois. (n.d.). Accessibility Checklist for Instructional Designers. Accessibility for Online Teaching and Learning. https://publish.illinois.edu/accessibility-training/accessibility-checklist-for-instructional-designers/
The University of Texas at San Antonio. (n.d.). Digital Learning: UT San Antonio. Digital Learning | UT San Antonio. https://odl.utsa.edu/course-design-accessibility-resources/
Kim Granados 
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