They say, “E-learning can make learning accessible”, provided the E-learning platform itself is accessible for everyone.
In the modern technological era, technology-savvy users expect accessible online information. And thus, adhering to accessibility best practices is a must in the digital-first education landscape. Schools and SaaS (Software as a Service) providers offering Learning Management Systems (LMS) must comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to create inclusive learning environments. Failure to do so can lead to legal consequences, lost opportunities, and most importantly, learning barriers for students with disabilities.
So, how can educational institutions and LMS providers eliminate accessibility barriers and implement WCAG compliance effectively? Let’s understand!
WCAG compliance – An essential factor for an inclusive digital world!
If a student with low vision, trying to access an online class material, but the text is too small, and the colors make it difficult to read. Or perhaps there is another student with motor impairment using a mouse and it is impossible for them to navigate because the LMS doesn’t support keyboard navigation. What will they do?
Millions of students worldwide encounter such challenges and cannot pursue their education due to some sort of physical and digital barrier. Therefore, WCAG compliance ensures that digital learning platforms should be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust (POUR) for all users, regardless of their abilities.
However, the irony is that a profound number of people still lack in accessibility information or shall we say correct accessibility information. And thus, digital learning still is a nightmare for many.
Common accessibility issues in LMS platforms
- Improper keyboard navigation
Some LMS platforms require a mouse for every navigation, making them unusable for students depending on keyboard controls.
- Poor color contrast
Light-colored text on a white background or any other color inefficiency between text and its background makes reading difficult for students with low vision.
- Inaccessible multimedia content
Videos lack captions or transcripts, making them inaccessible for deaf or hard-of-hearing students.
- Missing alternative text for images
Blind users depending on screen readers cannot understand the content of images without alt text.
- Inconsistent screen reader support
At times, some LMS elements (like interactive assignments) are unreadable by screen readers.
LMS accessibility compliance best practices for educational institutions and SaaS providers!
- Compliance with accessibility standards
- Follow WCAG 2.1 at Level AA or higher.
- Ensure compliance with Section 508 (for U.S. institutions) and other local accessibility laws (like ACA in Canada or EN 301 549 in the EU).
- Use ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) landmarks to improve navigation for screen readers.
- User-friendly interface and navigation
- Provide clear, consistent navigation with keyboard-accessible menus and logical page structure.
- Ensure keyboard-only usability, allowing users to navigate without a mouse.
- Offer customizable UI settings (for example, color contrast, font size, text spacing).
- Include skip navigation links for screen reader users to bypass repetitive content.
- Accessibility of content and multimedia
- Ensure all videos have captions and provide transcripts for audio content.
- Use alt text for images to describe visual content for screen reader users.
- Provide accessible document formats (for example, tagged PDFs, structured Word documents).
- Ensure math and scientific notation is accessible using MathML or LaTeX support.
- Avoid relying solely on colors to convey information and ensure sufficient contrast between text and background.
- Assistive technology compatibility
- Test LMS with screen readers like JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver.
- Support speech-to-text and text-to-speech tools.
- Ensure LMS is compatible with Braille displays and alternative input devices.
- Avoid auto-playing audio and ensure users can control playback.
- Accessible assessments and assignments
- Ensure timed quizzes allows for extended time accommodations.
- Use accessible question formats, avoiding drag-and-drop or inaccessible diagrams.
- Provide alternative formats for assessments when needed (for example, written vs oral responses).
- Inclusive communication and collaboration
- Ensure discussion forums, chat features, and collaboration tools are accessible.
- Support real-time captioning and transcription for live sessions.
- Offer multiple ways to interact (for example, text, voice, video) for diverse learning needs.
- Mobile and cross-platform accessibility
- Ensure LMS is fully functional on mobile devices and tablets.
- Test across different browsers and operating systems.
- Provide responsive design that adapts to different screen sizes.
- Training and support for users
- Offer accessibility training for educators and administrators.
- Provide clear help documentation for students with disabilities.
- Include an accessibility help desk or support team for user inquiries.
- Regular testing and user feedback
- Conduct regular accessibility audits using automated tools (for example, WAVE, Axe) and manual testing.
- Gather feedback from students with disabilities and make iterative improvements.
- Maintain a continuous refinement process for accessibility enhancements.
- Third-party integration and plugins
- Ensure all integrated tools and plugins meet accessibility standards.
- Educational institutes must ask for a valid and updated VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) documentation from LMS providers and/or if there are other third-party integrations.
Benefits of LMS accessibility!
Ensuring Learning Management System accessibility provides numerous benefits for educational institutions, SaaS providers, instructors, and students. Some of the advantages are:
- Promotes inclusivity and equal access by creating a barrier-free learning environment. Also, supports diverse learning needs.
- Improves learning outcomes for every learner. Provides multiple ways to engage with content, catering to different learning styles such as captions, transcripts.
- Helps institutions and SaaS providers to comply with their accessibility requirements.
- Expands student reach and engagement by supporting multilingual learners and enabling accessible remote learning for every student.
- Increases student retention and graduation rates.
- Fulfils social responsibility and boosts institutional reputation.
Future-proofing digital learning is important!
Accessibility is not a one-time fix – it requires ongoing maintenance, testing, and improvement. By prioritizing WCAG compliance, schools and SaaS providers can enhance learning experiences for all students.
Follow the best practices mentioned above to provide an accessible educational platform to students with disabilities.
So, ready to create an inclusive learning experience? Let’s make digital education accessible for everyone!
ReadWriteMadeSimple browser extension offers a range of accessibility features that help students of all abilities overcome learning challenges.
Conclusion
Ensuring WCAG accessibility compliance for LMS isn’t just about meeting legal requirements—it’s about fostering an inclusive learning environment for all users. Whether you’re a school, university, or SaaS provider, we provide comprehensive accessibility remediation solutions, including auto and manual WCAG audit, in-depth audit report, AI-powered and manual accessibility remediation, assistive technology integration, accessible content creation, PDF and document remediation, ongoing compliance monitoring, VPAT and ACR, and ongoing support.
- Stay ahead of accessibility regulations
- Improve usability for all learners
- Enhance institution’s reputation
Request a free quote or reach out [email protected] for more information.
