It's been a busy start to the year at SkillPod, and accessibility is at the forefront of our minds.
We've set out on a mission, and as our courses come up for review they are getting the full makeover.
Our focus is on a people-centered approach, which highlights inclusivity and a sense of belonging.
This challenging yet essential process has compelled us to pause and deeply evaluate our approach to content creation. Accessibility is now an essential aspect of our process which underpins all our resource development.
As we strive to make our content more accessible, we've been tailoring our content to be more screen reader-friendly.
This deep dive into the back end of our course design files has been enlightening. We have carefully fine-tuned design elements and strategically concealed others from accessibility tools to optimise the experience for users of screen readers. After all, there’s nothing more jarring than the abrupt interruption of a monotonous, robotic voice reciting "concentric circles line drawing png" amidst our carefully crafted instructional design.
Testing these modules has been an.. "enlightening" challenge - especially for those of us less familiar with screen reading software.
The robotic cadence and the lack of emotional nuance in the voice of a screen reader has sparked a debate: Would it be more effective to create transcripts of the courses and employ AI voice-over generators. Well these are now available at our fingertips! This also raised the possibility of more customisable voice options for screen readers, a feature that seems overdue when we can have iconic voices like Snoop Dogg who can read our emails with the click of a button.
Our exploration into narration for microlearning was greatly informed by an insightful blog by Kayleen Holt, who delved deeply into the nuances of elearning course narration. We've learned that the decision to narrate course content is nuanced and highly contextual.
Interestingly, accessibility does not inherently warrant narration. Users who depend on screen readers often have a well-established familiarity with their software, possessing personalised settings for voice speed and a reliance on the tool for navigation cues and commands beyond the course content.
Embracing the Future of Accessible Learning
As we move forward, our commitment to accessibility is unwavering. The dialogue on enhancing the user experience for all learners continues.
We recognise that while technology is rapidly evolving, there is a palpable need for the industry to catch up in terms of customisable and accessible options. Our aim is not only to comply with accessibility standards but to champion them, to not only create courses that are accessible but also engaging, dynamic and inclusive for all people.
We are on a journey to not just change the way we create content but to inspire change in the way content is experienced, so everyone in your workplace can enjoy the same opportunities.
The goal is clear: to foster a learning environment where every individual feels valued and empowered. By actively listening to the community and constantly iterating on our approach, we aim to set new benchmarks for what it means to truly create accessible microlearning experiences.
Together, we can build a future where learning is not just a privilege but a rich, accessible experience for all. This is not the end but a new beginning in our quest for inclusive education. Join us as we continue to learn, adapt, and grow in this ever-evolving landscape of digital learning.
If you are interested in seeing how we have implemented this accessible, people first approach in our new improved Unconscious Bias microlearning course, please click here to visit the landing page.