Let's cut to the chase – accessibility in learning and development is vital for creating fair opportunities. Accessible learning benefits both individuals and organisations, improving engagement, retention, and performance for everyone. Here’s how:

The importance of accessibility in learning and development

When learning isn't accessible, many people are excluded, limiting their ability to grow and contribute. 

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than one billion people – between 15% and 25% of the world’s population – experience some form of disability, and these figures may be underreported due to fear of discrimination. 

In the UK, 16 million people live with a disability – that’s one in four people! Given these statistics, it’s clear that accessibility in learning should be seen as an essential part of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) strategies. 

Providing accessible training, from onboarding to career development, ensures everyone has the opportunity to succeed and contribute to the organisation.

Distinction in accessibility

Many people often fall into one of two camps: those who are either passionate about accessibility and want to convince their team or leadership to embrace it or focused on compliance to meet legal requirements. 

Accessibility is about far more than simply adhering to regulations – it’s about making sure that everyone can fully participate in learning.

Small, practical changes can make a huge difference

For example, captions in videos don’t only help people who are deaf – they also support non-native English speakers, people in noisy environments, or parents with babies and toddlers who are sensitive to noise. 

Accessibility, when implemented well, improves the learning experience for everyone, not just people with disabilities.

Statistics on disabilities and digital accessibility

Different conditions create various barriers to learning, which many organisations may not be aware of. Here’s a look at some common challenges faced by people in the UK:

• 1.5 million people have a learning disability
• 2 million people live with sight loss
• 12 million people have hearing loss
• 1 in 10 people have dyslexia
• 151,000 people use British Sign Language (BSL)

These statistics highlight the vast number of people impacted by accessibility barriers. 

Yet, despite this, many organisations don’t test their materials with real people with disabilities. This oversight can lead to missed opportunities to engage with a large section of the workforce and the public, not to mention increased risk of legal action, as accessibility is often a legal requirement in the UK and beyond. 

Moreover, organisations that fail to make their learning environments accessible may be seen as out of touch or exclusionary, which can damage their reputation.

Inclusive learning: practical steps to ensure accessibility

Designing learning with accessibility in mind – whether for in-person training, e-learning, or blended models – can feel daunting at first. With so many different needs to account for, where do you even begin?

The good news is that creating accessible learning doesn’t need to be overly complicated. Small, practical changes can make a huge difference in ensuring that learning materials are accessible to all learners. 

Here are some simple, actionable steps you can take to meet (and often exceed) accessibility standards:

• Use plain English: Write clearly and simply so that everyone can understand. Avoid jargon or overly technical language that might confuse learners.
• Provide captions and transcripts: Ensure all videos and audio content is accompanied by captions and transcripts. These features are essential for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, and they also benefit anyone in a setting where sound can’t be played aloud
• Test with real users: Involve people with disabilities throughout the design, development and testing phases to ensure your materials work for everyone. Their insights can help identify potential barriers that may not be obvious to people without disabilities.
• Make content screen reader-friendly: Ensure your content is compatible with screen readers, which are used by people with low vision or sight loss. This means adding alternative text for images, and structuring documents with clear headings.
• Keyboard accessibility: Ensure learners can navigate your content using only a keyboard, without the need for a mouse. This is particularly important for users with mobility issues or those who prefer not to use a mouse.
• Consider sensory needs: Avoid flashing visuals, overly bright colours, or fast transitions, which can cause discomfort or harm to people with sensory sensitivities or conditions like epilepsy..

By following these steps, organisations can ensure that their learning materials are accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities.

Fostering a culture of accessibility

For accessibility to be truly effective, it needs to be embedded into the culture of the organisation. Leadership must take ownership and ensure that accessibility is a priority across all levels. 

One of the biggest barriers to implementing accessibility is a lack of accountability is a major barrier – 43% of organisations cite accountability as a challenge! To overcome this, senior leaders must champion accessibility and create a framework where everyone is responsible for ensuring inclusive practices.

it’s about creating a culture where everyone has equal access to opportunities. 

Accessibility isn’t just a compliance issue. It can also be a key strategy for attracting and retaining top talent. Increasingly, employees are seeking workplaces that value inclusivity and accessibility, and organisations that demonstrate this commitment stand out as leaders in their fields. 

Companies that embrace accessibility are often seen as more innovative, socially responsible, and forward-thinking. By creating an environment where everyone, regardless of ability, can thrive, organisations not only benefit their workforce but also enhance their brand and reputation.

Key takeaways

Accessible learning isn’t just about meeting legal requirements – it’s about creating a culture where everyone has equal access to opportunities. 

By following inclusive design principles, such as Universal Design, providing accessible materials, and fostering a commitment to accessibility, organisations can significantly improve the learning experience for all their employees and stakeholders.

Here’s a summary of key steps to improve accessibility in learning:

• Write in plain English and provide clear instructions.
• Offer alternative formats like captions and transcripts.
• Test with diverse users, including people with disabilities.
• Build a culture where accessibility is a priority.

Accessible learning isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a must-have for any organisation that values inclusivity and wants to create an environment where everyone can succeed.