Accessibility, The Right Thing To Do
Since a recent change in my employment status, I have had a chance to reflect more about the need for accessibility. The realization hit me about how much there is to understand. The sheer number of regulations, guidelines and technologies is mind-boggling. It is a considerable challenge. My reflections have given me a new interest in Digital Accessibility. Being instructional designers, we strive to do everything we can to create accessibility in courses and professional development. Creating screen-reader accessible course materials, video captions, courses, and web design reduce barriers for students with ADD, Dyslexia, Autism, Anxiety, Color Blindness, Low Vision, and more. There are many good resources online that can help with understanding the need for accessible content. Usability.gov has an article on Accessibility Basics. The article offers what and why for usability. When educators implement accessibility best practices, they improve usability for all users. There...