Inaccessible Ed Tech programs and tools delay student learning. When websites and software programs are not accessible, students who are blind, have low vision or are deafblind often must wait for a teacher to create an alternative version or for an aide to read or describe the information. Sometimes, they miss out on the lesson entirely.

Ed Tech must be accessible from the start!

Examples of Accessibility Challenges for Blind and Low Vision Students

  • Programs that must be controlled by a mouse rather than a keyboard or other input devices
  • Videos and pictures without text or audio descriptions
  • Unlabeled buttons and forms
  • Timed quizzes or games that move too quickly for the student
  • Devices with screens that are too small for someone with low vision to read or effectively use a magnifier on

Considerations for Accessible Product Design

  • Build employee expertise in accessibility
  • Develop an internal accessibility culture and workflow
  • Create an accessibility policy and put it on your website
  • Follow standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1
  • Test your product often and hire usability testers with disabilities
  • Provide accessibility support to customers
  • Document reported accessibility issues and address them quickly
  • Ensure product updates don’t introduce accessibility bugs
Next Buying for Inclusion: Focusing on Accessibility in Procurement