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.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

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

Reviews summary

Practical introduction to digital accessibility

According to learners, this course is a fantastic and highly practical introduction to web accessibility and Universal Design for Learning. Students praise its clear, concise content and the step-by-step guides on making digital content accessible. Many found the hands-on practice for documents and presentations invaluable, enabling them to immediately apply techniques to their work. While largely positive, some learners felt the module on accessible video was brief and that the course provides limited depth for advanced topics, making it best suited for beginners seeking a solid foundation.

Demystifies complex topics like WCAG and UDL principles.

"The content was clear, concise, and easy to understand, even for someone new to the topic."

"The UDL principles were explained very well, and I feel confident applying them."

"It breaks down complex ideas into manageable pieces and offers clear, actionable steps. The UDL section was very insightful."

Provides valuable hands-on instruction for immediate use.

"I particularly appreciated the practical examples and the step-by-step guides on making documents and presentations accessible."

"The hands-on practice for creating accessible documents and presentations was invaluable. This course is a must for anyone involved..."

"Very practical and well-structured. I immediately started applying the techniques to my work."

Highly effective starting point for new accessibility learners.

"This course provided a fantastic introduction to accessibility and Universal Design, clear, concise, and easy to understand..."

"It's perfectly structured for beginners. It demystifies accessibility and provides clear, actionable steps for creating inclusive digital content."

"I came in with zero knowledge of accessibility and left feeling confident."

Video accessibility module needs more detailed content.

"I found the module on accessible video a bit brief compared to documents and presentations, but overall, it's a great starting point."

"The segment on videos felt a bit rushed, but the document and presentation modules were excellent."

"I did find the content on video accessibility to be less detailed than I hoped, almost an afterthought."

Good for basics, but lacks depth for experienced professionals.

"The course provides a decent overview, but I felt some parts were too basic. I was hoping for more technical depth..."

"It skimmed over topics without providing real depth. I expected more from a course on such an important subject."

"For someone with some prior knowledge, it might be too basic. Also, some of the software examples felt a bit generic."

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.

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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.

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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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager