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In recent times, there has been a notable increase in the need for professionals specializing in web accessibility. These experts play a crucial role in creating websites and applications that cater to all users, including those with disabilities. The good news is that a variety of online courses have emerged to equip individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to implement web accessibility effectively.
This guide aims to highlight some of the top online courses for those interested in learning about web accessibility. Whether you are involved in web or app development, design, or content creation, these educational opportunities will help you foster inclusive web environments.
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Here are our top picks
What is Web Accessibility?
Web accessibility encompasses the design and development practices that ensure websites and web applications are usable by people with disabilities. The goal is to allow all users, irrespective of their physical or cognitive capabilities, to access and interact with web content effectively.
Various disabilities can affect how individuals use the web, including visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments. Efforts toward web accessibility aim to provide a seamless experience for everyone, ensuring that the digital landscape is navigable and informative for all.
Typical measures in web accessibility involve implementing features such as alt text for images, closed captions for videos, and clear navigation structures, all designed to accommodate a diverse range of users.
Promoting accessibility is not merely a best practice; it is often mandated by law in many jurisdictions. For instance, regulations in the United States, such as Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and similar laws across the European Union, like EN 301 549, require adherence to accessibility standards.
Courses Stats
All courses listed are designed for beginners and are beneficial regardless of whether you wish to focus on coding. The training sessions begin with foundational concepts and progress into specialized areas of accessibility. Notably, six of the courses are either free or available for free audit, while five require payment.
One of the prominent starting points for learning is the Introduction to Web Accessibility course offered by the World Wide Web Consortium via EdX. This free-to-audit course lays the groundwork for understanding accessibility in various digital professions. It targets a diverse audience, including:
- Developers
- Designers
- Content authors
- Project managers
- People with disabilities
- And others interested in inclusivity
This course distinguishes itself by utilizing real-world scenarios where individuals with disabilities share how they navigate online environments. It challenges normative views of disability, emphasizing that context significantly informs how disabilities are perceived.
Key takeaways include:
- Understanding international standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and WAI-ARIA for Accessible Rich Internet Applications
- Learning how individuals with disabilities utilize assistive technologies
- Recognizing the organizational benefits of ensuring web accessibility
- Identifying resources for ongoing accessibility implementation from the W3C
Provider: Edx
Institution: World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
Instructors: Makoto Ueki, Vivienne Conway, Sarah Pulis, Andrew Arch, Shawn Lawton Henry, and others
Level: Beginner
Enrollments: 84.7K
Rating: 4.3 (89)
Workload: 20 hours
Certificate: Yes, paid
Another resource is the Learn Accessibility course created by web.dev, designed for both beginner and advanced web developers. This free course can be navigated as a series of articles to grasp accessibility practices, or it may serve as a reference guide for more experienced developers.
Participants will gain insights into:
- The fundamentals of digital accessibility
- Effective design techniques for accessible websites and apps
- Utilizing ARIA and HTML
- Structuring content and ensuring keyboard accessibility
- Creating accessible images, animations, and forms
- Conducting accessibility testing
A glossary for unfamiliar terminology is also included for users’ convenience.
Provider: Google Developers
Level: Beginner
Workload: 3 hours
Certificate: None
Google’s Web Accessibility course is targeted at intermediate to advanced users and requires a basic grasp of HTML/CSS. The course spans about seven hours and provides insights into the critical role of accessibility, along with hands-on practice with tools to enhance web pages.
Participants will learn about web accessibility’s impact on users, acquire skills in semantic markup, and explore styling techniques for visually impaired users, among other practical elements.
Provider: Udacity
Institution: Google
Instructors: Alice Boxhall, Rob Dodson, Michael Wales
Level: Beginner
Workload: 7 hours
Certificate: None
The Treehouse’s web accessibility compliance course offers insights into standards and techniques pivotal for developers aiming to create inclusive websites.
The curriculum includes:
- Key accessibility standards such as WCAG 2.0
- Using tools for accessibility testing
- Implementing Semantic HTML and WAI-ARIA principles
- Ensuring accessibility across different platforms
- Hands-on experience in testing web projects
Provider: TreeHouse
Instructor: Aisha Blake
Level: Beginner
Workload: 2 hours
Certificate: Yes, paid
Another excellent resource is the ICT Accessibility course from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Though archived on edX, its materials remain accessible. The course focuses on understanding ICT accessibility and its application in the modern tech landscape.
Participants will delve into:
- The significance of ICT accessibility
- Analyzing and addressing accessibility challenges
- Creating accessible workplace applications
- Designing multimedia that meets accessibility standards
Each module includes activities and quizzes for reinforcing knowledge and practical application.
Provider: edX
Institution: Georgia Institute of Technology
Instructor: Christopher M. Lee, PhD, and others
Level: Beginner
Workload: 18 hours
Certificate: None
In the UX Foundations: Accessibility course, learners will explore how accessibility enhances user experience, alongside key concepts relevant to UX design.
The curriculum features:
- Fundamentals of web accessibility
- Practical examples in managing user flow
- Introduction to assistive technologies
- Strategies for integrating accessibility in design
Provider: Linkedin Learning
Instructor: Derek Featherstone
Level: Beginner
Workload: 2 hours
Enrollments: 65.4K
Rating: 4.8 (893)
Certificate: Yes, paid
The gaming sector also recognizes the importance of accessibility. The Gaming Accessibility Fundamentals course offered by Microsoft Learn is a free resource geared towards inclusion in gaming experiences.
Topics covered include:
- Accessibility elements in gaming
- Collaboration strategies with the disability community
- Incorporating assistive technologies into game development
Provider: Microsoft Learn
Instructor: Microsoft
Level: Beginner
Workload: 4 hours
Certificate: None
Additional courses delve into iOS accessibility, Wix website accessibility, and Android platform accessibility, each of which emphasizes practical application and understanding of accessibility standards and features.
Bonus Material on Testing for Web Accessibility
Further resources, such as those provided by Deque University, offer extensive insights into web accessibility and numerous articles that can enhance your understanding and implementation of accessibility practices.
For those looking to test their knowledge and skills in web accessibility, consider supplementary courses and tutorials tailored for this purpose.
Why You Should Trust Us
Class Central serves as a key platform for online course discovery, assisting millions of learners in finding suitable educational opportunities. Our extensive experience in aggregating and reviewing online courses is backed by dedicated learners within our team.
How We Made Our Picks and Tested Them
Curating the best courses can be challenging. For this compilation, I investigated Class Central’s database and various online resources to identify a range of reputable courses—both free and paid—that cover diverse topics in web accessibility.
Key considerations included:
- Reputation of Educational Institutions: Focus on well-respected organizations in the field of web accessibility
- Instructor Expertise: Prioritize instructors with a strong background and engaging delivery styles
- Popularity Metrics: Evaluate enrollments and ratings to identify widely-accepted courses
- Content Scope: Explore courses across different topics, including foundational principles and advanced strategies
- Learner Reviews: Utilize participant feedback to gauge course effectiveness and quality
Through a blend of data analysis and subjective evaluation, I am confident in the recommendations presented here, designed to aid in the pursuit of knowledge about web accessibility.
Fabio and Pat contributed to later versions of this article.
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