As an online educator, it’s essential to design lesson plans that every student can follow and comprehend, regardless of background or ability. Accessibility isn’t a “nice to have” anymore; it’s part of good teaching and good UX.
And in 2024, it became even more urgent for education organizations: the U.S. Department of Justice issued a final rule requiring public colleges and universities to ensure their web content and mobile apps meet WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA, with compliance deadlines starting April 24, 2026 (large institutions) and April 26, 2027 (smaller institutions).
Modern authoring tools make accessible design easier than ever, not by adding extra steps, but by baking accessibility into how content is created and delivered. Below are four practical ways to boost accessibility in your e-learning, strengthen student engagement, and keep your content aligned with today’s standards.
Leverage a Trusted Accessibility Tool
Using a platform built for accessibility removes most of the guesswork. Tools like SoftChalk Create are designed to help educators produce content that aligns with WCAG standards without forcing you to become an accessibility specialist.
SoftChalk maintains high accessibility standards, aligning with WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA so your lessons are easier to navigate with screen readers, keyboard controls, and other assistive tech.
If you want to build accessible lessons faster, without second-guessing every layout or interaction, explore SoftChalk Create and see what accessible authoring feels like when the platform does the heavy lifting.
Diversify E-Learning Mediums and Formats
Not every learner takes in information the same way. Some students prefer text; others rely on audio; others learn best with visuals and interaction. Varying your formats helps everyone, including students who may never disclose a disability but still benefit from multiple ways to engage.
Consider mixing:
- Short videos with captions
- Readable text summaries
- Audio narration or transcripts
- Interactive practice and checks for understanding
SoftChalk Cloud makes this easy by supporting 20+ interactive activity types (like drag-and-drop, labeled images, and self-checks) and accommodating video and audio elements in one place.
A quick caution here: accessibility shortcuts rarely work. In 2024 alone, 4,000+ ADA digital accessibility lawsuits were filed, and 25% of those cases specifically cited accessibility “widgets” or overlays as barriers rather than solutions, according to Accessibility Works. The takeaway for educators: accessibility needs to be built into the content, not pasted on afterward.
Support Multiple Accessibility Themes (and the Basics that Matter Most)
The accessibility of your e-learning depends on a few core elements. Getting this right dramatically improves usability for students with visual, auditory, reading, or cognitive needs.
Apply alternative text (alt text)
Clear, concise descriptions help learners understand the purpose of images. Screen readers rely on this text to “translate” visuals for students who can’t see them.
Prioritize logical layouts
Use headings and subheadings, keep navigation consistent, and avoid walls of text. A clean structure reduces cognitive load and makes lessons easier to skim or revisit.
Ask for feedback early and often
Students will tell you where something breaks down, a confusing interaction, a hard-to-read area, or a missing transcript. Short surveys or quick check-ins can reveal barriers you didn’t anticipate.
SoftChalk’s ThemeBuilder helps you address common accessibility needs by letting you adjust contrast, font size, and font style for readability. You can access ThemeBuilder from the platform menu and apply changes across banners, content areas, and sidebars without rebuilding lessons from scratch.
SoftChalk also integrates with third-party tools such as ReadSpeaker for text-to-speech, giving learners another pathway to access material.
Want to standardize accessible formatting across courses? Start with ThemeBuilder in SoftChalk Cloud to create a consistent, readable experience for every learner.
Teach with Data
Accessibility improves when you can see what learners actually experience. That means paying attention to performance patterns and participation trends, not just final grades.
SoftChalk’s ScoreCenter collects participation and performance data so you can spot where students are struggling, where they’re disengaging, and whether a content barrier might be in the way. For example, if a specific activity is consistently skipped or scores drop at the same point in a lesson, it could signal a usability or accessibility issue.
ScoreCenter also lets you share progress through printable or emailed reports, making it easier to support students proactively.
Final Thought
Accessibility isn’t about perfection; it’s about removing friction so students can focus on learning. With the right tools and a few intentional design habits, you can create courses that are more inclusive, more effective, and easier to maintain over time. Want to learn more? Contact our team today!
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