May 2024
What do ramped entrances, automatic doors, and well-designed learning content all have in common?
Bingo - They enable all their users to interact with the world (real or digital) in an equitable and accessible manner.
My own journey of learning to build accessible learning content has been quite interesting. I first heard of WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) in a webinar many years ago and was immediately hooked. Technology was lagging behind, and a lot of features needed to be hard-coded. I remember a specific instance where our client really wanted a drag-and-drop interaction. The interaction made complete sense in the context. The only issue? Drag-and-drop interactions are not accessible to learners who are unable to use a mouse! We were determined to find a way without compromising the learner experience. Eventually, we built an interaction where learners could drag and drop items by tapping specific keys on the keypad (or any other assistive device) instead of using a mouse. It was beautiful…
There are two main lessons about building accessible content that I’d like to share today. Firstly, disabilities come in as many forms as there are humans. They are visible, invisible, and hidden. Our Director of Learning, Ashley Chiasson, elaborates on that beautifully in her blog post below.
Secondly, an accessible solution makes life easier not only for people with disabilities but for all other learners too. As I grow older, I have a newfound appreciation for larger font sizes ??. Many people prefer closed captions and transcripts for various reasons, and alt-texts help search functionality in digital platforms. We have passionate supporters of UDL (Universal Design for Learning) on our team, and I am ever-thankful for that.
In our pursuit of training all our team members on accessibility, I came across a lack of materials on building and testing for accessibility written specifically for interactive learning materials, like SCORM modules. This resulted in our eBook & checklist on accessibility, which we share freely on our website. Find it in this newsletter below, and do use it to ensure your SCORM content is accessible.
Finally, accessibility extends to equity in many ways. As our regular readers might know, Artha is deeply committed to this cause. We are proud to support education for less privileged kids in remote and rural areas so the possibility of building a good future becomes accessible to them. You will find a report on that later.
I sincerely hope you’ll find this edition of our newsletter helpful. Drop me an email if you did (or didn’t)!
Cheers,
Garima
Global Accessibility Awareness Month
The month of May marks Global Accessibility Awareness Month. It is crucial to embrace accessibility as a non-negotiable standard in all learning content, especially so in eLearning. After all, the power of the web is in its universality — it's meant to be accessed by everyone, irrespective of disabilities or limitations.
By focusing on accessibility, we not only uphold the principles of inclusivity but also reach a wider audience, enhancing the user experience and satisfaction. In turn, these efforts drive innovation, enhance corporate reputation, and contribute to building an inclusive society that benefits all. On the occasion of the 13th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), our team shared what accessibility features make learning easier for them. Take a read: Artha Team's personal perspective on accessibility.
In our continued bid to foster inclusivity and drive innovation, we strive to create eLearning experiences that are both engaging and universally accessible. From interactive presentations to multimedia content, we're ensuring every learner can perceive, navigate, and engage fully with our digital learning modules. eCampusOntario recently released an amazing treasure trove with resources on building various kinds of accessible content. We have bookmarked it. So should you.
Enhancing Accessibility in eLearning: A Practical Guide
Designing accessible eLearning is crucial for inclusive education. This article highlights the significance of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and offers practical strategies such as using multimodal content, chunking information, and employing inclusive language. It emphasizes optimizing media for accessibility, ensuring keyboard compatibility, and testing with tools like WebAIM’s contrast checker. By addressing diverse learning needs and technical limitations, eLearning can be made effective and accessible for all learners.
Read the complete article on our website here: Enhancing Accessibility in eLearning: A Practical Guide
Accessibility eBook & Checklist
Ever wondered how to ensure your eLearning content is truly accessible and reaches EVERY learner? Crafting engaging eLearning isn't just about flashy visuals and snazzy interfaces. It's about inclusivity, understanding, and embracing diversity! Our checklist is the ultimate tool to guarantee your content speaks to EVERYONE, regardless of their abilities or differences. At Artha, our years of experience have fueled the creation of our? Accessibility eBook and Checklist!
Download here: eBook & Checklist
?AI and Accessibility
We are curious about what the future holds in terms of AI and accessibility. And we are asking our readers what they think - Will AI help or hinder accessibility and equity in L&D/Education in the future?
You can participate in our poll here: Artha Asks
We are so proud of our Client Success Manager, Wendy Sheridan-Busby, who was recently facilitated by the Pefferlaw Lions Club for being an exemplary volunteer. Giving back to the community adds more meaning (i.e., Artha) to our work and world. Wendy drove impactful events and fundraisers, touching 7200 lives last year. From tournaments to family days, car shows to bingo, Wendy’s leadership fostered unity and joy, supporting vital programs and aiding those in need. Her efforts, backed by over 150 volunteers, transformed the community, driven by empathy and commitment. Wendy exemplifies collaboration and compassion, earning her the Georgina Volunteer Award of Merit.
领英推荐
Join us in celebrating her well-deserved recognition!
Ekal - Equity in Education
Spanning education, digital literacy, health, and skills training, Ekal empowers people living in rural India by giving them the resources and tools to help themselves. At Artha Learning Inc. we are proud to support full operational costs of 10 primary schools, thereby enabling almost 300 students every year to achieve basic literacy. A big thank you to our current and future clients for their support in this endeavor.
Exciting News Alert!
Artha has been nominated again for not one, but TWO categories in the 2024 Training Magazine Network Choice Awards program!??We're up for awards in Custom Content and Gamification categories, highlighting our commitment to innovation and excellence in delivering tailored solutions that engage and empower learners.
We need YOUR vote to help us secure these prestigious recognitions!
Voting is now open, and it only takes a moment to show your support. Simply click the link below and cast your vote for us in both categories. (It's a long form, but all questions are optional!)
WIIFM: Win a $100 U.S. Bank Visa gift card or a MembershipPLUS benefits package with Training Magazine Network by voting.?
Thank you all for your continued support and encouragement.
This month, we’re staying closer to home. Meet us at the Canadian eLearning Conference in Toronto or online with the awesome folks at Training Magazine Webinars.?
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