Full course description
Accessibility is the foundation of creating inclusive, equitable digital spaces where everyone can participate fully, regardless of ability. Yet many professionals struggle to move beyond basic awareness into applying accessibility principles consistently in their work. This course bridges that gap by providing clear, practical guidance for building accessible content and embedding accessibility into everyday workflows.
Through five modules, you will explore the importance of accessibility, gain insight into disabilities and assistive technologies, and learn how to apply recognized accessibility guidelines to your own projects. You will develop the skills to create accessible text, media, and documents, as well as strategies for making accessibility a natural part of your process. By the end of the course, you will be equipped to identify barriers, implement solutions, and contribute to a more inclusive digital environment in your workplace and beyond.
Module 1: What is Accessibility and Why Does it Matter?
This module introduces the concept of accessibility and its role in creating inclusive digital spaces. You'll learn why accessibility benefits everyone and explore the legal, ethical, and practical reasons it matters.
Module 2: Disabilities, Barriers, and Assistive Technologies
You'll gain an understanding of the different types of disabilities and the barriers people may face in the digital environment. The module also explores assistive technologies, such as screen readers and voice input tools, that help remove those barriers.
Module 3: Understanding Accessibility Guidelines
Module 3 covers the major accessibility standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and how they apply to your work. You'll break down each priniciple into practical, easy-to-remember concepts.
Module 4: Creating Accessible Content
Learn to create content that works for all users, from text and images to media and documents. This module covers common accessibility issues, alt text, link formatting, captions, and more.
Module 5: Embedding Accessibility in Your Workflow
This module focuses on making accessibility a natural and consistent part of your process. You'll learn strategies for planning, testing, and collaborating with others to maintain accessibility standards.
As this course becomes active immediately upon registration, it is not eligible for refunds. Please reach out to ProfessionalEd@MiamiOH.edu with any questions and visit our FAQ page.