Creating accessible eLearning content can feel like juggling flaming swords, especially when you’re up against deadlines, feedback loops, and that one guy who still uses 12-point Times New Roman in yellow.
But it doesn’t have to be chaos. In fact, the earlier you plan for accessibility, the easier the process becomes.
Let’s break it down.
Before You Design, Talk to Actual Humans
You can’t make a course inclusive if the people building it aren’t on the same page. Before you storyboard a single screen, have a chat with:
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Subject matter experts (SMEs) – Are we using jargon or clear language?
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Instructional designers – Do our learning paths accommodate different needs?
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Graphic designers – Are color contrast and legibility considered?
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Developers – Can they make custom elements keyboard-friendly?
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QA folks – Are they testing for screen reader compatibility?
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Project managers – Will accessibility be part of the timeline, or an afterthought?
This isn’t extra work. This is the work.
Designing for Everyone Doesn’t Mean Designing for Nobody
There’s a myth that accessibility will “dumb down” content or make things less interactive. Wrong. Accessibility elevates the experience by removing unnecessary friction.
Here’s what that can look like:
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Accessible navigation: Clear progress indicators, skip links, no keyboard traps.
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Interactive elements: Drag-and-drops are fine, but make sure there’s a keyboard equivalent.
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Media and images: Use alt text for meaningful visuals, transcripts for audio, and descriptive labels for buttons.
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Consistent design patterns: Keep layouts predictable and interactions familiar.
If your course is a wild guessing game of “Where do I click next?”, it’s not accessible, it’s confusing.
Curveballs to Watch Out For
Even good intentions can lead to messy outcomes. Watch out for:
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Auto-play videos: These can be disorienting, especially for users relying on screen readers or with sensory sensitivities.
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Poor contrast: That beautiful pastel palette might look elegant, but it’s unreadable in high contrast mode.
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Vague feedback: “Try again” doesn’t help. Tell users what went wrong and how to fix it.
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Relying only on visuals: That “cool graphic” still needs a text explanation.
Accessibility isn’t about removing creativity. It’s about removing barriers.
Start Smart, Save Time
Every accessibility decision you make up front saves five angry emails, three change requests, and one compliance-related panic later.
So design smart. Ask better questions. Build with empathy. And if someone says, “Nobody’s complained,” remind them that silence isn’t the same as access.
Next up: how to test what you’ve built, what tools work (and what doesn’t), and why SCORM is kind of a jerk.
