Digital learning and accessibility

The broad range of disabilities and the diversity of associated needs presenting in students with disabilities in Higher Education has led to an increased need to provide inclusive digital learning environments and accessible digital content, assessment and communication methods. Digital accessibility, however, has a far broader benefit, helping to improve access to education by providing flexible pathways and expanding opportunities for all learners. By incorporating various design strategies, including instructional design, user experience and universal design, as well as international technical standards for accessibility, improving digital accessibility can be a straightforward process. This chapter outlines the importance of digital accessibility for education, and the use of anticipatory adjustments to recognise potential student diversity and reduce the requirement for individual adjustments. The authors also provide some practical recommendations to improve the digital accessibility of learning content in a manageable and sustainable way.