Keys considerations to apply accessibility and usability in E-Learning

In E-Learning, there is constant innovation to improve learners’ experience and accessibility is key to success in any learning strategy. Accessibility in E-Learning is achieved using the technology and tools to ensure it is available for all learners, regardless of their ability.

Nowadays authors can use learning platforms to adapt their content to users’ needs, making it understandable and easy to access while expanding their learning possibilities. Accessible E-Learning must include a structural design that benefits all types of learners.

It is important to mention that? “usability” refers to how easy is to use a platform in this case, and “accessibility” refers to how available and easy to use is the platform.

Both terms applied are essential to make E-Learning accessible while following a guideline of standards based on operability, compatibility, intuitive navigation and easy understanding.

How to make your E-Learning structure design accessible:

1. Design: it is very helpful to make sure to use a design that does not require constant usage of use to access your content. Tools like Color Oracle can help evaluate the accessibility of your design.
2. Good readability and structure of the content: invest in learners’ experience by making content easier to consume and access.
3. Content easy to follow: avoid multiple colors or complex graphics; instead, offer visual cues, and strategic highlights. Make sure to allow easy interaction with audiovisual content.
4. Screen-friendly reader content: use correct label forms or provide descriptions using tags.
5. Cross-browser compatibility: test functions to be available and adaptable across different web browsers and check for errors in our HTML code.

Web accessibility is not difficult to achieve for your LMS and educational content, furthermore, it does not impose any barrier to being creative and innovative. With the advance in technology, more tools are available for everyone to have a quality learning experience.

Some best practices to improve accessibility in your digital content:

• Text alternatives with transparent formats and size diversity, right color coding.
• Multi-Device compatibility.
• Organized and intuitive content to navigate (like the three-click rule for users to access information).
• A clean and attractive design to differentiate buttons and keyboard operability.
• Audiovisual content to complement navigation but not distracting.
• Collaborative learning encouragement with discussion forums.

It is important to highlight that accessibility is a responsibility in E-Learning, in order to build and design online content that facilitates access to education and information. Disability is diverse and therefore we can always continue improving through E-Learning pedagogical approaches. By following standards that ensure accessibility in designing, content organization, adaptability and efficient usability.