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Accessible design is good design and benefits everyone, not just people who have disabilities.
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Web-based instruction has the potential to reach students worldwide. However, many students and instructors are excluded when accessibility barriers are not considered during course design. For example:
- A student who is blind may not be able to interpret graphics.
- An instructor who has a hearing impairment may not be able to hear sounds from audio clips.
- Students who have learning disabilities or limited vision may have difficulty navigating online material that is cluttered or poorly organized.
- An individual with a mobility impairment may not be able to fill out a Web-based form if it is not keyboard accessible.
- Learners who have seizure disorders might not be able to view flickering presentations safely.
Fully accessible Web-based courses limit the impact of these barriers. They also benefit participants who have situational limitations. For example, a student with a slow Internet connection or older computer may have trouble downloading large files or running multimedia applications. A student without speakers may not be able to hear audio or video narration. Providing meaningful alternatives benefits all types of students—not just those with disabilities—and improves the quality of online education.
