Enhancing Accessibility: Empowering Learning for All

Enhancing Accessibility:
Empowering Learning for All

Background:

In the landscape of enhancing educational accessibility, ansrAccess undertook a collaborative journey with a prominent educational institution. The aim was to address accessibility challenges in their learning materials and ensure an inclusive experience for all learners.

The institution faced multifaceted challenges, including legacy courses dating back to the 1980s, acquisitions of external companies necessitating rebranding, and a call for WCAG compliance. These challenges required a comprehensive solution to rejuvenate course accessibility while aligning content with branding standards.

The core objectives were:

Making legacy courses accessible
Ensuring compliance with current WCAG standards
Rebranding acquired company courses
Shortening course duration when required
Building end-to-end courses with accessibility in mind

ansrAccess embarked on a multi-pronged approach to tackle these challenges:

Courseroom Accessibility and Audits: Rigorous testing and remediation ensured compliance with WCAG standards. This review process was also used to evaluate third-party and vendor websites to determine if they should be used in the courses in their current state.

PDF Tagging: Non-ADA compliant PDFs were transformed into accessible resources using the PREP tool (a PDF remediation tool), substantially reducing turnaround times.

Alt Text Writing: Crafting descriptive alt text for images improved inclusivity for visually impaired learners.

This comprehensive solution was executed through agile methodologies, cross-skilling, and transparent communication. Weekly check-ins and expert collaboration formed the cornerstone of the project’s successful execution.

The collaborative efforts led to a remarkable transformation in the learning landscape. The institution’s courses were revitalized to align with accessibility standards and rebranding requirements. The efficacy of PREP in PDF tagging resulted in a remarkable ~47% reduction in turnaround time, showcasing increased operational efficiency.

Measurable impact:

The impact of this initiative extended beyond operational efficiency, including:

Enhanced accessibility of courses and resources
Timely delivery of accessible PDFs
Greater inclusivity for visually impaired learners
Strengthened collaboration and transparent communication
Substantial reduction in turnaround time for PDF tagging

ansrAccess’ commitment to proactive management, innovative solutions, and a partnership-oriented approach contributed significantly to the project’s success. The collaboration not only addressed accessibility challenges but also showcased a new level of operational efficiency and inclusivity in the institution’s educational journey.