“Accessibility allows us to tap into everyone’s potential.”
— Debra Ruh
Imagine This Scenario
You are a learner who has low vision. You start an online course, and the first activity asks you to sort items into color coded boxes: red, green, and yellow. But there are no labels. Your screen reader only says, “drop zone.” You cannot tell which is which.
Instead of learning, you’re stuck. A quick activity becomes frustrating and unfair.
This is why accessibility and inclusion in eLearning matter. Everyone should have the same chance to learn, no matter their ability or background.
Below are three simple tips to make your courses more accessible.
3 Tips for Accessible eLearning
Tip 1: Make Sure Screen Readers and Keyboards Work
Many learners use assistive tools like screen readers or only a keyboard to move through a course. If your course does not work with these, you are shutting people out.
How to fix it:
- Use proper headings (H1, H2, H3) so screen readers can follow the order.
- Write descriptive alt text for images (e.g., “Bar chart showing vaccine rates increasing from 2019 to 2024”).
- Check the tab order so the keyboard moves through the course in a logical way.
- Avoid keyboard traps where someone gets stuck in one spot and cannot move on.
If a learner can move through your course with just a keyboard and a screen reader, you have solved one of the biggest access issues.
Tip 2: Do Not Rely Only on Color
Color is helpful, but not everyone sees it the same way. Color blindness affects millions of people, and low contrast colors can be difficult to read. If meaning is shown only by color, learners will miss it.
How to fix it:
- Add text labels or icons along with color.
- Check your color contrast. Aim for strong contrast between text and background. Tools such as WebAIM Contrast Checker can help.
- Provide another way to see data, such as giving both a chart and a table.
When you give learners more than one way to get information, everyone benefits.
Tip 3: Keep Interactions Simple and Inclusive
Accessibility is also about giving people fair ways to show what they know. Some activities can be hard or impossible for certain learners.
How to fix it:
- Use plain language. Keep instructions short and clear.
- Use a mix of question types such as multiple choice, short answer, scenarios, and assessments. Avoid relying only on drag-and-drop or timed quizzes.
- Show diversity. Use examples and characters that reflect different cultures, communities, and abilities.
- Test your course with real users, including those with different needs. They will spot barriers you might miss.
When your interactions are clear and flexible, learners can focus on learning, not fighting the format.
Final Thoughts
At its core, accessibility is about respect and equity. Every learner deserves a fair chance to succeed. The more inclusive your course, the stronger the learning community you create.
How PHF Can Help
PHF’s eLearning Development Services team designs accessible, inclusive training solutions tailored for public health organizations. We consistently exceed current accessibility standards to meet the needs of all learners.
Ready to get started?
Visit PHF’s eLearning Development Services page to learn more and contact us today!
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