Accessible Technology for Social Inclusion Course

Lesson 1 • Barriers to Technology Access

Identifies physical, cognitive, economic, and infrastructural barriers that exclude users. Connects barrier analysis to design decisions explored throughout the course.

Lesson 2 • Understanding Disability and User Diversity

Examines categories of disability and intersecting identity factors that shape technology use. Builds empathy and analytical precision for user-centred design decisions.

Lesson 3 • Defining Accessibility and Inclusion

Clarifies distinctions between accessibility, usability, and inclusion as design goals. Grounds subsequent chapters in shared terminology and a rights-based perspective.

Lesson 4 • Ethical and Human Rights Frameworks

Applies human rights principles and ethical obligations to technology design and deployment. Establishes the moral foundation for inclusive practice covered in later chapters.

Lesson 1 • Introduction to Universal Design

Presents the origin, rationale, and seven principles of universal design as a proactive framework. Connects universal design to the accessibility foundations established in Chapter 1.

Lesson 2 • Applying Universal Design to Digital Products

Synthesises all seven principles into a structured review process for websites, apps, and devices. Students complete a guided universal design audit of a real product.

Lesson 3 • Simplicity, Perception, and Tolerance

Covers simple and intuitive use, perceptible information, and tolerance for error as design criteria. Students apply these criteria to evaluate and improve interface prototypes.

Lesson 4 • Low Physical Effort and Size Considerations

Addresses low physical effort and size and space for approach and use in digital and physical contexts. Bridges hardware ergonomics with software interaction design.

Lesson 1 • Alternative Input Devices

Covers switch access, eye tracking, head pointers, and voice input as alternatives to standard keyboards and mice. Students configure and test alternative input setups in lab exercises.

Lesson 2 • Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Introduces AAC devices and software that support users with speech and language impairments. Connects AAC functionality to inclusive communication design principles.

Lesson 3 • Cognitive and Learning Support Tools

Reviews text-to-speech, reading guides, simplified interfaces, and memory aids for users with cognitive disabilities. Students select and justify AT recommendations for given user profiles.

Lesson 4 • Screen Readers and Visual Access Tools

Explains how screen readers interpret and vocalise digital content for users with visual impairments. Prepares students to design and test content for screen reader compatibility.

Lesson 1 • Images, Media, and Alternative Text

Covers writing effective alternative text, captions, audio descriptions, and transcripts for non-text content. Students practise distinguishing decorative from informative images.

Lesson 2 • ARIA and Dynamic Content Accessibility

Introduces ARIA roles, states, and properties for making dynamic and custom components accessible. Students apply ARIA patterns to interactive widgets and live regions.

Lesson 3 • Web Accessibility Auditing and Reporting

Combines automated scanning with manual testing to produce actionable accessibility audit reports. Students deliver a complete audit report with prioritised remediation recommendations.

Lesson 4 • Semantic HTML and Document Structure

Teaches correct use of HTML landmarks, headings, lists, and semantic elements to convey structure. Proper semantics are the foundation for all subsequent web accessibility techniques.

Lesson 5 • Keyboard Navigation and Focus Management

Ensures all interactive elements are operable via keyboard alone and that focus order is logical. Directly supports users of screen readers and alternative input devices covered in Chapter 3.

Lesson 1 • Accessible Mobile UI Components

Applies accessibility requirements to common mobile UI patterns including forms, navigation, and gestures. Students remediate inaccessible component implementations in guided exercises.

Lesson 2 • Platform Accessibility APIs

Explains how iOS and Android expose accessibility information to assistive technologies via native APIs. Students map UI components to accessibility API properties for correct AT output.

Lesson 3 • Cross-Platform and Hybrid App Accessibility

Addresses accessibility considerations in cross-platform frameworks that generate native or web-based output. Students compare accessibility support across major cross-platform development approaches.

Lesson 4 • Mobile Accessibility Testing Methods

Combines on-device screen reader testing with automated mobile scanning to validate app accessibility. Students produce a mobile audit report with platform-specific remediation steps.

Lesson 1 • Accessible Social Media and Digital Communications

Adapts accessibility practices to social media posts, email newsletters, and chat platforms. Students audit a social media campaign and apply accessible content corrections.

Lesson 2 • Accessible Document Creation

Covers heading styles, reading order, alt text, and export settings for accessible PDFs and office documents. Students remediate a flawed document to meet accessibility standards.

Lesson 3 • Accessible Video and Audio Production

Integrates captions, audio descriptions, and transcripts into video and podcast production workflows. Students add captions and an audio description track to a sample video.

Lesson 4 • Plain Language and Readable Content

Applies plain language principles to reduce cognitive load and improve comprehension for all users. Directly extends the cognitive accessibility concepts introduced in Chapter 3.

Lesson 1 • Monitoring, Reporting, and Accountability

Establishes metrics, dashboards, and reporting cycles to sustain organisational accessibility progress. Students design a monitoring plan with key performance indicators and review cadences.

Lesson 2 • Building an Organizational Accessibility Policy

Guides creation of an internal accessibility policy covering scope, roles, standards, and enforcement. Connects regulatory obligations from Chapter 1 to practical governance structures.

Lesson 3 • Accessibility in Technology Procurement

Applies accessibility conformance criteria to vendor selection, contract language, and product evaluation. Students write accessibility requirements for a sample procurement scenario.

Lesson 4 • Training and Awareness Programmes

Designs role-specific accessibility training programmes for developers, designers, content creators, and managers. Students outline a training curriculum for a given organisational context.

Lesson 1 • Measuring and Communicating Accessibility Impact

Develops impact measurement frameworks that connect accessibility improvements to user outcomes and organisational goals. Students present a strategic accessibility impact report to a simulated board.

Lesson 2 • Embedding Accessibility in Design Systems

Integrates accessibility tokens, components, and documentation into shared design systems and pattern libraries. Students audit a design system and propose accessible component standards.

Lesson 3 • Community Engagement and Co-Design

Applies participatory design methods to involve disabled users as co-designers throughout the product lifecycle. Students plan a co-design session with recruitment, facilitation, and synthesis steps.

Lesson 4 • Accessibility in Agile and DevOps Workflows

Embeds accessibility acceptance criteria, automated checks, and review gates into agile sprints and CI/CD pipelines. Students write accessibility user stories and define done criteria.