How to make eLearning accessible using Articulate Storyline
Accessibility is an integral part of designing eLearning programmes, as it ensures the content will be fully available to all learners, regardless if they have a disability or not.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is the accessibility standard to be followed when designing accessible content. Articulate offers the tools for you to adhere to them and it provides regular conformance reports on what features are available to support the WCAG. You can read it here.
Generally speaking, a few basic reminders are worth noting when discussing accessibility:
- Provide visual alternatives to text content and vice versa.
- Use tools like Contrast Checker to ensure the colour palette of choice has enough contrast.
- Do not use colour as the only visual element to convey information or indicate action.
- Make sure the content is easy to navigate and easy to access
- Use font sizes that are large enough for all users.
Below you will find links for the tutorials on how to implement close captions, keyboard navigation and alt text on your eLearning programme using Articulate Storyline and the reasons to do so.
Closed Captions
Closed captions help learners who are deaf or have hearing impairments. It also helps non-native speakers or learners without access to speakers or headphones.
To do so insert standard SRT, VTT, SBV, or SUB files.
View the complete guide on how to implement closed captions on Articulate →
Keyboard Navigation
Keyword navigation helps learners who are blind, have a visual impairment and/or are using a screen-reader. It allows sequential navigation through on-screen elements (eg. text, graphics, buttons, etc) using a tab key. Tab order tools on Articulate let you decide on the order of the elements that the learner ‘tabs’ through.
View the guide on how to implement keyboard navigation with tab orders →
Alt Text
Alt text helps learners who are blind, have a visual impairment and/or are using a screen reader. It gives them context and detail to on-screen elements.
All non-text content that is presented to the user has a text alternative that serves the equivalent purpose, except for the situations listed below. (read more)
View the guide on how to add alt text for screen readers →