Want to Learn More About Inclusive Learning Design?
Explore the full conversation, practical tips, and expert insights by watching the recording of our “Access All Learners: Designing Inclusive Digital Learning” webinar
Blog
Access All Learners: Key Insights on Inclusive Digital Learning
Share This Post
)
Digital education must not only be effective but inclusive. At our recent webinar, a panel of experts came together to explore what it truly means to “design for all”—making digital learning more accessible, equitable, and impactful for a diverse range of learners.
Here are the key takeaways:
Download the recording
1. Inclusive Learning Begins with Intentional Design
Inclusion isn’t a feature to tack on after development it needs to be baked into the design process from the start. Tom McDowall our expert speaker emphasized the importance of co-designing with learners, involving people with lived experiences of disability or neurodivergence in the development of learning content and platforms.
Designers were encouraged to ask:
Whose voices are missing from this process?
Are we assuming a ‘standard learner’?
Accessible learning is about challenging those assumptions and reimagining the learner journey through multiple perspectives.
2. Recognizing Hidden Barriers in Digital Environments
Digital learning can seem inherently accessible. After all, it’s location-independent, often self-paced, and available at scale. But at the webinar we highlighted how digital formats can inadvertently create new barriers. Poor colour contrast, lack of alt text, excessive reliance on PDFs, or uncaptioned videos all hinder learning.
Simple design choices can make a big difference. For instance:
Use plain, readable fonts
Provide captions and transcripts for all audio/video
Ensure screen reader compatibility
Avoid flashing content or busy visuals
Accessibility is everyone’s responsibility, not just that of the developer or compliance officer.
3. Neurodiversity as a Strength in Learning Design
A powerful moment in the session came from discussing how neurodivergent learners often bring unique strengths and ways of engaging with material. Rather than focusing only on “accommodations,” inclusive design also celebrates and supports these differences.
Offering multiple means of engagement such as audio, visual, and tactile options aligns with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles. Flexibility in how learners interact with content is key.
The takeaway: Design that benefits neurodivergent learners benefits everyone.
4. Policy, Culture, and Accountability
While inclusive design is critical at the development level, systemic change must come from leadership and policy. At the webinar Tom stressed the importance of:
Embedding accessibility into procurement processes
Providing training and resources for staff
Holding teams accountable through audits and learner feedback
Building a culture of inclusion requires cross-functional collaboration and a shared understanding that accessibility is a non-negotiable element of quality learning.
5. It’s a Journey, Not a Destination
No organization will get everything right immediately. Tom encouraged learning professionals to see inclusion as an ongoing process of learning, reflecting, and evolving. Mistakes may happen, but failing to act at all is a far greater risk.
Take small, consistent steps. Listen to your learners. Test your content. And always be willing to improve.
Want to Go Deeper?
You can access the full recording of the “Access All Learners: Designing Inclusive Digital Learning” webinar here to hear the full discussion, including practical tips, inspiring stories, and examples from the field.
)
)
)