How to create accessible content using the Evolve Authoring Tool

At Mint, we aim to meet WCAG 2.2 Level AA guidelines when we design and develop our courses.

For the uninitiated, WCAG standards for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines are international standards that explain how to make web content more accessible to everyone.

WCAG 2.2 refers to the version of the guidelines, and Level AA refers to the level of compliance. For this reason, we must carefully consider the tools we use when developing digital content to ensure that it will help us meet these standards to the best of our ability.

Over the coming months, we're spotlighting some of the tools we use to develop our eLearning products and make them more accessible, usable, and inclusive.

This month: Evolve!

What is Evolve?

Evolve is an authoring tool that allows developers to create stylish and interactive learning experiences in a web page format. Out of all the authoring tools we use at Mint, it is one of the most 'accessibility friendly'.

What accessibility features does it include?

Evolve has taken accessibility as a serious consideration during its development as a tool. With its regular updates come new accessibility features and improvements to existing ones. It's not possible to list all the accessibility features it includes, but here is a list of examples:

• Keyboard operability. Every course is fully navigable for keyboard-only users.
• Custom ARIA labels. ARIA labels are text visible only to assistive technologies (e.g., screen readers). They provide extra instructions or information that may otherwise be inaccessible to some learners.?
• Video and audio. Developers can include subtitles and transcripts to sit alongside these types of non-text content. Evolve's media component allows the inclusion of audio descriptive tracks for low-vision and non-sighted users.
• Heading tags. All text content published in an Evolve course is assigned a suitable heading tag that assistive technologies can read.
• Identifiable accessible components are beneficial when deciding which interactions to use in a course.

How do we use these accessibility features at Mint?

Evolve's accessibility features are great, however, knowing how to use them correctly ensures you're creating the best learning experience possible.

We are currently engaged in a long-term project with a significant name in the finance sector. This organisation has stringent accessibility rules with which we have had to comply when developing courses.

It has been a massive learning curve for the Operations team. Still, it has enabled us not only to explore the full potential of Evolve's accessibility features but also to view accessibility as an additional criterion to the creative challenge.

Our operations team recently completed an in-house workshop in which we covered the accessibility features within Evolve and how they are relevant to WCAG 2.2.

Off the back of this workshop, our instructional designers and developers have a greater understanding of designing and developing content with accessibility in mind, ensuring it remains engaging and does not lose its message.

It has enabled our team to be proactive in identifying issues with content, accessibility or usability, potentially preventing the need for rework or retroactive implementation of accessibility features, which can cost time and money.

How can Mint help?

We all know how important it is to ensure our content is accessible, but sometimes, it can be hard to know where to start.

Our team can help you navigate through the complexities and work with you to identify and resolve any accessibility issues, ensuring that no learner is left behind.

How do we do it? Select?here?to learn more.

Which authoring tool would you like us to discuss next? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Author: Gemma Nunn , Head of Learning Design at Mint