Instructional Design Topic & Learning Gap
Week 1
Accessibility
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Accessibility is an ethical consideration that emphasizes universal learning design. Universal design is an educational framework that aims to create a flexible and an a inclusive learning environment by providing multiple means of representation, engagement, and expression to accommodate all learners’ needs.
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1 in 5 people have a disability and a good instructional designer will ensure that more people have accessibility to the content provided in learning materials and/ or platforms. To incorporate accessibility, the instructional designer may have to utilize technology and design principles.
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There are aspects that should be considered for all individuals, including those who might have visual, auditory, mobility, and/ or cognitive challenges.
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Please see the list of considerations:
Visual- To accommodate individuals with visual impairments the instructional designer should incorporate and use readable fonts and colors. Learners might require assistive technologies to enhance their learning experiences. Assistive technology devices might include a magnification, digital switch, or screen caster.
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Auditory- Transcripts and closed captions will assist with allowing learners with auditory challenges to access the learning content.
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Cognitive- For learners with cognitive disabilities, instructional designers should keep the learning content simple, concise, and simple to understand.
There are other considerations an instructional designer should consider during the developmental stage of instructional design and material. The instructional designer should properly format tag headings and text.
implications to instructional design
The Dos and the Do Nots
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When formatting text, the instructional designer should use the formatting toolbar in the word processes or web editor to tag the heading and main text and pictures should be tagged as “decorative” this allows screen readers to ignore pictures. When implementing these recommendations, it allows various assistive technology devices such as digital switches or screen casters to locate the material. Instructional designers should utilize an accessibility checker.
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Pictures should be limited. If describing pictures, the instructional designer should limit the description to 1 to 2 sentences. This helps individuals with cognitive and visual impairments.
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Ensure videos have closed captions available to provide an inclusive learning environment for learners with auditory or cognitive challenges.
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Instructional designers should avoid fonts in color and instead font should be in black.
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Instructional designers should keep information linear on the page and check the reading order to ensure it makes sense and has a nice flow.
