Accessibility Considerations in Online Learning

 The Unique Challenges of Online Learning

In online learning environments, people with differences in ability will need specific accommodations for their particular challenges. When some content is online but the class meets face to face, then some of these challenges can be resolved without using technology. However, in an entirely online course, you will need to find accessibility solutions that fit a digital context.

This section discusses specific challenges faced by students with different abilities. There are four main categories of disability: visual, hearing, cognitive, and motor. Disabilities can be permanent or temporary, range from mild to severe, and be caused by varying factors including genetics, illness, and injury. Getting familiar with the experiences of these students can help instructors find effective and empathetic solutions.

 Visual

Students with visual impairments do not have normal vision and the impairment can't be fully corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or other vision correction methods. Blindness, low vision, and color blindness are the most common visual disabilities. A visual impairment can impact the following aspects of online learning:

• reading anything on the computer screen
• viewing images and watching videos
• using a mouse
• distinguishing colors on a screen

Some of the common solutions to these issues include:

• using a screen reader and keyboard to access content
• providing alt-text for images and screen-read transcripts for videos
• making text and images larger
• using easily readable font and colors with high contrast (such as black letters on white background or vice versa)

 Hearing

Students with hearing impairments are not able to hear normally. Even if they use a hearing aid, this may not give them full hearing ability. The disability may range from low hearing to complete deafness. A hearing impairment can impact the following aspects of online learning:

• listening to podcasts
• listening to recorded lectures
• hearing audio in video or other file types
• hearing and participating in live class session

Solutions for hearing impairments usually involve providing a text-based version of the audio content such as a transcript or summary.

 Cognitive

Cognitive disabilities are varied and not all impairments will need the same solutions. Learning disabilities fall into this category, as well as any other disability that impacts focusing, processing, and remembering information. Cognitive disabilities can impact the following aspects of online learning:

• reading and understanding text
• interpreting and analyzing images
• processing and audio
• remembering information, especially longer segments
• concentrating on audio, visual, or written information
• navigating the course and finding course content

Accessibility solutions for cognitive disabilities include:

• using a screen reader to improve understanding of text
• using captions to improve understanding of video
• adding detailed description and explanation to images
• designing simple, intuitive course navigation and organization
• chunking information into smaller segments

 Motor

Students with motor disabilities have limitations with movement. These disabilities range from complete or partial paralysis to difficulty with motor control. Motor disabilities can impact the following aspects of online learning:

• using a mouse and/or keyboard
• using a computer for extended periods
• responding in real time
• speech and/or typing speed

Accessibility solutions for motor disabilities include:

• using assistive technologies like voice recognition software or a head wand to access and navigate course content
• allowing extra time to complete tasks
• alternative formats for assignment submissions