1. It will save time and money. While it may be more work to make e-learning accessible from the start, it will take less time and money than having to redesign it to meet usability standards later. According the Usability First website, “In 1996, the Department of Justice determined that the Americans with Disabilities Act should apply to Internet web pages. The Department of Justice is backing lawsuits filed across the country against websites that do not conform to Title II and Title III of the ADA.” [http://www.usabilityfirst.com/about-usability/accessibility/] And regulations continue to be added for web content. While some elements of usability may be considered optional today, they may be mandated in the near future. It’s much easier to incorporate standards in the initial phases than to add them later, when a complete re-design may be necessary.
2. It will increase marketability. The Usability First website provides some very poignant information on this aspect of accessibility:
“1 in 5 people in the United States has some kind of disability, and an estimated 30 million people are impacted by inaccessible computer and software design. The number of people with disabilities is only increasing, as it has increased 25% in the last decade, especially among those 50 years old and above. Among the 31 million seniors aged 65 and above, 16 million reported some level of disability (Census Brief 97-5). But accessibility actually affects a much larger percentage of the population, as many people who do not have permanent disabilities have temporary conditions that can affect the way they operate for a period of time. Beyond that, the very young and the very old can also benefit from more accessible design. With this in mind, accessibility in website design should really be thought of as part of universal design.” [http://www.usabilityfirst.com/about-usability/accessibility/]
Why create an e-learning solution that overlooks such a huge portion of the potential audience?
3. It will be more effective for everyone. The goal of creating online education, including training, is to provide high-quality, sound instruction that is engaging and effective. Usability standards focus on easy, intuitive navigation, learner control, and other aspects of universal design that make the learning experience more engaging and less frustrating for all learners.
4. It is good practice. It might not be a requirement for your particular business or school, or even particularly necessary for your primary audience, but following accessibility standards from the beginning is good practice for the future, when it may be required by the government, an employer, or a stellar employee or student with a need.
Learning Road’s instructional designers are experts when it comes to usability standards and 508 compliance. Our consultants can point out the weaknesses in your current e-learning programs and suggest solutions. Better yet, they can help you design your e-learning courses so they meet standards from the start.