M06-05 · AI + Learning & Training Design

Accessibility and Compliance in Learning

Teaches the accessibility standards and compliance requirements that are non-negotiable in professional learning design. Covers ADA, Section 508, and WCAG 2.1 AA requirements with practical implementation in authoring tools, testing workflows with assistive technologies, document accessibility, and VPAT preparation. Students learn that accessibility is not an afterthought — inaccessible training creates legal liability, excludes employees, and damages organizational reputation.

25 Hours

7 Learning objectives

Evaluate Bloom's ceiling (?)

5 Competencies

What You'll Be Able To Do

Learning Objectives

Objectives

Depth

Apply WCAG 2.1 AA visual accessibility requirements: color contrast ratio of 4.5:1 or higher for text, information not conveyed by color alone, minimum 16px body text, and pattern/label alternatives for color-dependent elements Apply
Implement audio/video accessibility: closed captions on all video content (manually reviewed, not auto-generated only), transcript downloads, and audio descriptions for visual-only content Apply
Configure navigation accessibility in e-learning courses: keyboard navigation (Tab, Enter, arrow keys) for all interactive elements, visible focus indicators, and screen reader compatibility Apply
Test e-learning content with assistive technologies: navigate an entire course using only keyboard, verify with NVDA or JAWS screen reader, run WAVE accessibility checker, and document findings with remediation steps Apply
Create accessible documents: tagged PDFs (not flat images), structured headings with proper hierarchy, defined reading order, and meaningful alternative text Apply
Configure accessibility features in Articulate tools: Storyline focus order, alt text fields, closed caption editor (manual configuration required), Rise semantic HTML advantages and custom interaction limitations Apply
Evaluate organizational accessibility posture and prepare a VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) documenting conformance levels for enterprise procurement requirements Evaluate

Levels: Remember · Understand · Apply · Analyze · Evaluate · Create — highest demands most original thinking.

Core Competencies

What You'll Master

WCAG 2.1 AA Compliance

Visual, audio, navigation, and interaction accessibility requirements applied to e-learning content.

Assistive Technology Testing

Keyboard navigation testing, screen reader verification (NVDA/JAWS), automated accessibility scanning (WAVE/WebAIM), remediation documentation.

Authoring Tool Accessibility

Configuring accessibility features in Storyline and Rise, understanding what each tool handles by default vs. what requires manual configuration.

Document Accessibility

Tagged PDFs, structured headings, reading order, alternative text, accessible tables and forms.

Organizational Compliance

Section 508 requirements for federal agencies, ADA implications for corporate training, VPAT preparation, accessibility audit processes.

Portfolio Artifact

What You'll Build

Accessibility Audit and Remediation — Student takes an existing e-learning course (provided or self-built) and performs a full accessibility audit: WAVE scan results, keyboard navigation test log, screen reader compatibility test (NVDA or JAWS), contrast ratio checks on all text elements, caption review for all video, alt text review for all images. Produces a remediation report (issues found, severity, fix instructions), implements all fixes, and re-tests to confirm compliance. Includes a mini-VPAT documenting conformance levels for 10 key WCAG 2.1 AA success criteria.

Tools You'll Use

Industry Tools, Not Toy Projects

WAVE

Web accessibility evaluation tool for scanning e-learning content and identifying compliance issues.

WebAIM Contrast Checker

Color contrast validation tool for ensuring text meets WCAG 2.1 AA minimum ratios.

NVDA / JAWS

Screen reader software for testing e-learning content accessibility from a visually impaired user's perspective.

Articulate 360

E-learning authoring suite with accessibility configuration features (focus order, alt text, captions).

Adobe Acrobat

PDF accessibility tool for creating tagged PDFs, setting reading order, and validating document accessibility.

Claude

AI assistant for alt text drafting, accessibility remediation research, and compliance documentation.