Introduction:
Digital training must be accessible to everyone—regardless of physical or cognitive limitations. Accessibility is not only an ethical requirement, but also a legal obligation in many areas. In this article, you will learn how to design accessible and inclusive e-learning courses with Lessonator.
Why accessibility?
- 10–15% of the population has a permanent or temporary disability.
- Accessibility is required by law in public institutions and companies with certain standards (e.g., BITV, WCAG, EU Directive 2102).
- It improves the learning experience for everyone, not just those affected.
Digital learning must be accessible to everyone—without exception.
—Anne Vogt, Digital Accessibility Officer
What does accessible mean in concrete terms?
An accessible course takes into account, for example:
| Area | Measure |
|---|---|
| Texts | Clear, understandable, in simple language |
| Images | Provided with alternative text (alt text) |
| Colors & contrasts | Sufficient readability (contrast ratio min. 4.5:1) |
| Navigation | Can be used with keyboard and screen reader |
| Multimedia | Subtitles, transcripts for videos and audio |
| Interactive elements | Clearly labeled, sufficiently large, and clickable |
What does Lessonator support?
Lessonator was developed to enable barrier-free courses:
- All interactive elements can be operated using the keyboard.
- Alternative texts for images and videos can be entered.
- Navigation is linear and logical.
- You can customize colors and fonts – with sufficient contrast.
Practical tips
- Test your course with a screen reader (e.g., NVDA or VoiceOver)
- Do not use content that communicates solely through color
Content - Ensure a clear page structure with heading levels (H1, H2, etc.)
- Avoid flashing content or animations without control
Conclusion
Accessibility is not an add-on, but a fundamental quality feature. If you want all learners to be able to use your course successfully, you should plan for these aspects from the outset. With Lessonator, you can do this—even without any special prior knowledge.