Create online courses: how to create an accessible and inclusive course

To create online courses to be accessible to a greater number of people, it is necessary to think about some factors during the development of the content.

An inclusive online course is designed to ensure that all students can participate and learn effectively, regardless of their abilities or personal circumstances. 

Want to know more? Keep reading!

What is an accessible and inclusive online course?

An accessible and inclusive online course accommodates the needs of people with physical, learning, or cognitive disabilities, such as hearing or visual impairment, dyslexia and attention deficit disorders.

This includes adapting materials and resources to meet these different needs, such as subtitles on videos for the hearing impaired, transcriptions, screen readers for the visually impaired, and adjusting the pace of learning for those with cognitive difficulties.

Furthermore, an inclusive course considers cultural and linguistic differences, using neutral and accessible language, and creating a learning environment that respects and values ​​student diversity.

In essence, an inclusive online course is one that seeks to remove barriers and provide equal opportunities for all participants, ensuring that each person has the same chance of success.

7 Tips for creating accessible and inclusive online courses

To create online courses that serve people with different limitations and needs requires special attention to some factors related to accessibility.

Below we list seven practices and adaptations focused on enabling the participation of any individual, regardless of their conditions. 

1. Know your audience

The first step to create online courses is always knowing your target audience.

When seeking an inclusive approach, it is even more important to understand who your students are, what their needs and difficulties are.

You can use several methods to collect information about your audience, such as surveys (asking people to fill out a simple questionnaire), interviews, etc.

It is also always recommended to study Universal Design for Learning (UDL) which includes offer multiple means of presenting content, varied forms of engagement and different evaluation methods. 

– How to create online questionnaires

2. Be careful with text content

Preparing text content for people with dyslexia, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) or low vision requires special attention to course design, structure and language, as we will see below.

People with Dyslexia

To create online courses more accessible to people with dyslexia, opt for sans serif fonts, such as Arial, Verdana, or the specific font OpenDyslexic, which are designed to improve readability. 

Font size should be at least 12 to 14 points, and line spacing should be increased (1.5x or double) to prevent words and lines of text from looking crammed together.

Keep sentences short and paragraphs concise, dividing content into smaller blocks that are easier to process.

Avoid excessive use of italics or underlining, which can distort letters and make reading difficult. Instead, use bold or contrasting colors to highlight important information. 

People with ADHD

When it comes to people with ADHD, the focus is on creating content that is easy to navigate and keep the reader’s attention.

Divide the text into short sections and use descriptive subheadings to guide the reader. The clear structure helps prevent the student from feeling lost or overwhelmed by the information. 

The use of bulleted lists, breaking text into smaller paragraphs, and inclusion of graphics or images can also help maintain interest and make the content easier to absorb.

It is recommended to incorporate interactive elements, such as infographics, images and quizzes, as this helps maintain engagement. 

Clarity is also key. Use simple language, avoid jargon and be direct in presenting information. 

– Best Ways to Include Images in Your Online Course

People with low vision

Preparing text content for people with low vision involves applying practices that increase readability.

In that case, the contrast between text and background is one of the most critical aspects. Use high-contrast colors, such as black text on a white background or vice versa.

Again, opt for sans serif fonts like Arial or Verdana, which have clean, clear lines, making letters more easily distinguishable.

The possibility of enlarging the text without loss of quality is also crucial, as many people with low vision rely on this functionality. 

Provide alternative descriptions for images (alt text) and make sure all links and buttons are large enough to be easily visible and clicked.

General Approach

In all cases it is indicated the use of generous spacing between paragraphs to create a clear separation between sections of text.

Keep the content structure simple and well-organized, with clear headings and short paragraphs. 

Using bulleted lists helps organize information in a visually accessible way.

Make sure lists are numbered or have bullet points, as these assistive technologies help, like screen readers, to understand the list items.

– Tips for creating texts for your online school

3. Make navigation as easy as possible

If you are going to create online courses you need to remember that your teaching material will be accessed virtually, so make intuitive navigation a priority.

See the main factors you should take into consideration:

Responsive and Simple Design

• Clear Navigation: Use a simple and intuitive navigation structure, with clear and well-organized menus.
• Mobile Device Compatibility: Make sure the interface is responsive and works well on different devices, such as phones and tablets.

Shortcut Keys and Keyboard Navigation

• Shortcut Keys: Implement keyboard shortcuts to facilitate quick access to different sections of the course.
• Mouse-free Navigation: Ensure that all navigation can be done using the keyboard only, for users who cannot or have difficulty using the mouse.

Screen Reading

• Alternative Text: Use detailed descriptions for images and graphics, allowing screen readers to interpret these elements.
• HTML Semantics: Use semantic HTML tags (like <header>, <none>, <main>, <footer>) to structure content so that screen readers can easily navigate.

Hyperlinks

• Descriptive hyperlink text: Use descriptive link text that gives students the context and purpose of the link, DO NOT just write “Click here.”

– How to create a mobile friendly online course

4. Add subtitles and transcripts to videos

More than an “extra”, adding subtitles and video transcriptions are a crucial point when creating inclusive online courses.

To start, subtitles allow people with hearing impairments to follow the video content. 

At the same time, people with normal hearing can equally benefit from this feature as it helps you better understand the content, especially when the audio is complex or spoken in a non-native language.

Subtitles and transcriptions allow content to still be accessible in noisy places or environments where the sound must be turned off.

Captions also benefit those who learn best visually by offering an additional way to absorb information.

ATTENTION: In many countries, the inclusion of subtitles and transcriptions is a legal requirement for ensuring the accessibility of educational content, in accordance with regulations such as the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) in the United States.

5. Add alt text and narration to visual content

Students who are blind or have low vision rely on screen readers to access online course content. 

The alternative text (alt) provides a verbal description of images, graphics and other visual elements, allowing them to understand what is being shown.

For videos, multimedia, and other visuals, you can add voice overs and audio descriptions. When graphs or diagrams are used, the narration describes the visual information in detail.

Another idea is to create podcasts or audiobooks, especially if you are offering an e-book.

Even for students without visual impairments, alternative text and narration can reinforce understanding of content by presenting information in different ways.

THINK ABOUT: Offering narration in different languages ​​or accents can help create a more inclusive learning environment for students from different cultural backgrounds.

– How to Record and Launch a Video Podcast

6. Use screen readers

Screen Readers are essential tools to ensure that online courses are accessible to all students, especially those with visual impairments. 

They allow digital content to be read aloud or converted to Braille, helping users navigate and interact with the course.

Using this resource, students can access not only texts, but also descriptions of images, tables, graphs and other visual elements, as long as they are properly labeled and described.

Screen readers also allow users to navigate the course using just the keyboard, which is essential for those who are unable to use a mouse.

Many people may not have even heard of this tool, but they are so important that they are compatible with a variety of devices, including smartphones and tablets.

This is because using screen readers and ensuring that course content is compatible with them helps to comply with accessibility laws such as WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), promoting a more inclusive educational environment.

TIP: Before launching the course, test it with popular screen readers such as NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) or JAWS (Job Access With Speech) to check compatibility.

7. Use different types of content

To create online courses with different types of content contributes to inclusivity by meeting varied student needs, learning styles, and preferences, such as:

• Visual Learners: Students who learn best with visual resources, such as charts, videos, and infographics, benefit from visual content that makes complex concepts easier to understand.

• Auditory Learners: For students who prefer to listen, podcasts, narrated videos, and audio lessons offer an effective way to absorb information.

• Kinesthetic Learners: Interactive activities, such as quizzes, simulations and practical tasks, engage those who learn best by “doing”.

Different types of content also ensure that regardless of access conditions (such as limited bandwidth or lack of specific devices), students can still participate in the course.

Additionally, each student can personalize their learning experience by choosing the format that best suits their needs, be it a video, an article or a podcast.

– How to create multimedia content for online courses

To create online courses for all choose the right hosting platform 

Most Learning Management Systems (LMS) already have some features to support web accessibility, such as the option to add alternative text, dynamic font size, use of color and contrast, subtitles and transcriptions, and integration with screen readers.

If you are working with a web designer or web developer, ask them to avoid using Javascript programming language and focus more on HTML and CSS elements to make it easier for your users.

Complete eLearning platform, Coursify.me is the ideal solution for anyone who wants to create, sell and promote courses on the Internet.

Serving companies and professionals in more than 60 countries, Coursify.me is a dynamic, intuitive and customizable LMS.

– Whats is a Learning Management System

To learn more, visit our website, test the platform and see why we are the best option for you to create online courses.