Introduction to Accessibility and Universal Design from Coursera

In this course, you will learn the fundamentals of web accessibility and Universal Design for Learning. You will explore why accessibility is important in the online space, guiding principles for making accessible digital content, and the governing bodies of web accessibility. You will also examine the principles of Universal Design for Learning, a framework for creating accessible and successful content for all learners regardless of ability. You will receive hands-on instruction on how to create accessible documents, presentations, and videos for your online content.

By the end of this course you will be able to:

- Describe accessibility and its importance in the online space

- Apply common digital accessibility guidelines

- Utilize the core principles of Universal Design for Learning

- Evaluate the accessibility of digital documents, presentations, and videos

Regardless of your current experience, this course will teach you accessibility basics so that you can create amazing digital experiences for learners of all abilities.

What's inside

Syllabus

What is Accessibility?

This week you explore the what accessibility means and why it is important for digital content creation. You are introduced to the accessible governance and how this impacts web accessibility. You also learn the four principles of WCAG's web accessibility guidelines.

Universal Design for Learning

This week you learn the principles of Universal Design for Learning, UDL, and how they can be applied to created online content that is accessible for all learners. You also discover two important concepts within UDL, executive capacity and scaffolding.

Accessible Documents

This week is all about creating accessible documents. You learn parameters for making documents accessible and walk through the steps to make accessible documents in Microsoft Word. You also apply executive capacity and scaffolding to creating documents.

Accessible Presentations

This week walks you through creating accessible presentations. You learn parameters for making presentations accessible and walk through the steps to make accessible presentations in Microsoft PowerPoint. You also learn how to apply executive capacity and scaffolding to presentations.

Accessible Video

This week you learn the aspects of accessible videos. You discover how to apply the concept of executive capacity and scaffolding when planning and creating videos.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for beginners seeking to develop foundational knowledge in web accessibility and Universal Design for Learning

Provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and guidelines for creating accessible digital content, making it beneficial for all learners

Taught by instructors with expertise in accessibility, ensuring the course content is up-to-date and relevant

Offers hands-on instruction, allowing learners to gain practical experience in creating accessible digital materials

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Accessibility and Universal Design with these activities:

Follow tutorials on creating accessible presentations

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Follow tutorials on creating accessible presentations to enhance your skills in making presentations accessible to all learners.

Browse courses on Accessible Presentations

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Find tutorials on creating accessible presentations.
Follow the steps in the tutorials to create accessible presentations.

Practice creating accessible documents

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Practice creating accessible documents to reinforce your understanding of WCAG guidelines for document accessibility.

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Review WCAG guidelines for document accessibility.
Choose a document to make accessible.
Apply WCAG guidelines to make the document accessible.
Evaluate the accessibility of your document using an accessibility checker.

Participate in peer review of accessible content

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Participate in peer review of accessible content to gain feedback on your accessibility practices and to learn from others.

Browse courses on Web Accessibility

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Find a peer review group or forum.
Submit your accessible content for review.
Provide feedback on the accessibility of others' content.

Two other activities

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Create an accessible video tutorial

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Create an accessible video tutorial to demonstrate your understanding of how to create accessible video content.

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Choose a topic for your video tutorial.
Write a script for your video tutorial.
Record your video tutorial.
Add closed captions and transcripts to your video tutorial.
Publish your video tutorial on a platform that supports accessibility features.

Develop an accessibility audit report

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Develop an accessibility audit report for an existing website or digital product to demonstrate your understanding of accessibility evaluation techniques.

Browse courses on Web Accessibility

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Choose a website or digital product to audit.
Use accessibility evaluation tools to identify accessibility issues.
Document the accessibility issues in a report.
Provide recommendations for improving the accessibility of the website or digital product.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Accessibility and Universal Design will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Web Accessibility Specialist

A web accessibility specialist helps ensure that websites and online content are accessible to people with disabilities. This often involves working with developers and designers to implement accessibility features and guidelines. The course can help prepare you for this role by teaching you about web accessibility standards and best practices. You will also learn how to use tools and techniques to evaluate the accessibility of websites and other digital content.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Accessibility Specialist

User Experience Designer

A user experience designer creates and designs user interfaces for websites, apps, and other digital products. They focus on making sure that these interfaces are easy to use and understand for all users, including those with disabilities. The course can help you prepare for this role by teaching you about the principles of user experience design. You will also learn how to use tools and techniques to evaluate the accessibility of digital content.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer

Instructional Designer

An instructional designer creates and develops educational materials and programs. They work with subject matter experts to ensure that the materials are accurate and engaging. The course can help you prepare for this role by teaching you about the principles of instructional design. You will also learn how to use tools and techniques to create accessible educational materials.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Assistive Technology Specialist

An assistive technology specialist helps people with disabilities use technology to improve their lives. They may work with individuals, families, or organizations to provide training and support. The course can help you prepare for this role by teaching you about the different types of assistive technologies available. You will also learn how to evaluate the needs of individuals with disabilities and recommend appropriate technologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Assistive Technology Specialist

Disability Advocate

A disability advocate works to promote the rights of people with disabilities. They may work with individuals, families, or organizations to provide support and resources. The course can help you prepare for this role by teaching you about the different issues facing people with disabilities. You will also learn how to advocate for their rights.

See salaries and explore the career path for Disability Advocate

Web Developer

A web developer creates and maintains websites. They work with designers and other team members to turn website designs into functional, accessible websites. The course can help you prepare for this role by teaching you about web development fundamentals. You will also learn how to use tools and techniques to create accessible websites.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Graphic designer

A graphic designer creates visual content for a variety of purposes, including websites, brochures, and social media. They work with clients to understand their needs and create designs that are both visually appealing and accessible. The course can help you prepare for this role by teaching you about the principles of graphic design. You will also learn how to use tools and techniques to create accessible visual content.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic designer

Content Creator

A content creator creates and develops written, visual, and audio content for a variety of purposes, including websites, blogs, and social media. They work with clients to understand their needs and create content that is both engaging and accessible. The course can help you prepare for this role by teaching you about the principles of content creation. You will also learn how to use tools and techniques to create accessible content.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Creator

Project Manager

A project manager plans and executes projects. They work with team members to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. The course may be useful for project managers who are working on projects that involve accessibility.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Technical Writer

A technical writer creates and develops technical documentation, such as user manuals, white papers, and training materials. They work with subject matter experts to ensure that the documentation is accurate and easy to understand. The course may be useful for technical writers who are writing documentation for accessible products or services.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Quality Assurance Tester

A quality assurance tester tests software and websites to ensure that they are free of defects. They work with developers and other team members to identify and fix bugs. The course may be useful for quality assurance testers who are testing products or services that involve accessibility.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Tester

Customer Support Representative

A customer support representative provides support to customers who are experiencing problems with products or services. They work with customers to resolve issues and answer questions. The course may be useful for customer support representatives who are supporting products or services that involve accessibility.

See salaries and explore the career path for Customer Support Representative

Product Manager

A product manager plans and develops products. They work with team members to define product requirements and ensure that products are built according to specifications. The course may be useful for product managers who are working on products that involve accessibility.

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Salesperson

A salesperson sells products or services to customers. They work with customers to understand their needs and recommend solutions. The course may be useful for salespeople who are selling products or services that involve accessibility.

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Marketing Manager

A marketing manager plans and executes marketing campaigns. They work with team members to develop and implement marketing strategies. The course may be useful for marketing managers who are working on campaigns that involve accessibility.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Introduction to Accessibility and Universal Design

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