Web Accessibility
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to web accessibility, equipping learners with the knowledge and practical skills to create websites and applications that are usable by people of all abilities. Through a combination of theory, real-world examples, and hands-on exercises, participants will explore how to design, build, and test digital content that meets modern accessibility standards such as WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) and complies with legal requirements like the ADA and Section 508.
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to accessibility testing, equipping participants with the skills and tools needed to evaluate and improve the accessibility of digital content for users with disabilities. Students will learn to identify common accessibility barriers, use assistive technologies, apply industry standards like WCAG 2.2 and Section 508, and perform both automated and manual accessibility tests across web and mobile platforms.
Through hands-on exercises, case studies, and guided practice, learners will gain practical experience in using tools such as axe, Lighthouse, WAVE, NVDA, and VoiceOver, and learn how to report and remediate accessibility issues effectively.
Key Topics
- Foundations of accessibility and inclusive design
- Legal and ethical implications of inaccessible content
- WCAG 2.1/2.2 guidelines and the POUR principles
- Semantic HTML and accessible markup
- Color, contrast, and visual design considerations
- ARIA and dynamic content accessibility
- Multimedia accessibility (images, video, audio)
- Keyboard navigation and focus management
- Accessibility testing with screen readers and automated tools
- Accessibility in UX, UI, and agile workflows
Who Should Take This Course
- Web developers and front-end engineers
- UX/UI designers and product teams
- QA testers and accessibility specialists
- Content creators and digital marketers
- Anyone interested in building inclusive digital experiences
🎓 Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Understand the principles of accessible web design
- Apply WCAG standards to real-world websites
- Identify and resolve common accessibility issues
- Use tools to evaluate and improve accessibility
- Advocate for inclusive design within their teams and organizations
Prerequisites
Basic understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is recommended but not required.
📕 Web Accessibility Course Content Outline
Module 1: Introduction to Web Accessibility
- What is web accessibility?
- Importance and benefits of accessible design
- Who benefits from accessibility (users with disabilities, older users, etc.)
- Types of disabilities: visual, auditory, motor, cognitive
- Assistive technologies: screen readers, magnifiers, voice input
Module 2: Accessibility Standards and Guidelines
Overview of WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)
- WCAG 2.1 vs 2.2
- POUR principles (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust)
Legal considerations
- ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
- Section 508 (US)
- EN 301 549 (EU)
Introduction to WAI-ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications)
Module 3: Semantic HTML and Document Structure
- mportance of semantic HTML for accessibility
- Proper use of HTML5 elements: <header>, <nav>, <main>, <footer>, <article>, <section>
- Headings hierarchy and page landmarks
- Accessible forms: labels, instructions, validation messages
Module 4: Keyboard Accessibility
- Designing for keyboard navigation
- Focus management
- Tab order and tabindex
- Skip links and access keys
Module 5: Color and Contrast
- Color contrast ratios and how to test them
- Color blindness considerations
- Designing without relying on color alone
- Tools: WebAIM contrast checker, Color Oracle
Module 6: Multimedia Accessibility
- Accessible images: alt text best practices
- Complex images: long descriptions and ARIA techniques
- Captions and transcripts for audio and video
- Audio descriptions for visual content
Module 7: ARIA and Dynamic Content
- Introduction to ARIA roles, states, and properties
- When to use ARIA (and when not to)
- Common ARIA patterns: modal dialogs, menus, tabs, accordions
- Live regions and announcements
Module 8: Testing and Tools
- Manual vs automated testing
- Screen reader testing (NVDA, VoiceOver)
- Browser accessibility tools (Chrome DevTools, Firefox Accessibility Inspector)
- Automated testing tools: axe, Lighthouse, WAVE
Module 9: Accessible Design Practices
- Inclusive design principles
- Responsive design and accessibility
- User experience for people with disabilities
- Accessibility in design tools (Figma, Adobe XD)
Module 10: Developing an Accessibility Mindset
- Integrating accessibility into the development lifecycle
- Working with designers and QA teams
- Accessibility documentation and audits
- Continuous learning and community resources
Bonus Content / Projects
- Case studies of accessible vs inaccessible websites
- Accessibility retrofitting exercise
- Capstone project: Build or audit an accessible website
