According to the World Health Organization (WHO), disability is part of being human, and an estimated 1.3 billion people – about 16% of the global population – currently experience significant disability. This number is increasing due in part to population aging and an increase in the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases.
Disability is also one of the most serious barriers to education across the globe, and a person’s environment has a huge effect on the experience and extent of disability.
Accessibility supports independent living and full participation in society, which includes transportation, communication, information, education, and public services. In practice, accessibility means making sure that all people, including persons with disabilities, can access and use environments, services, products, and information safely, independently, and equally. These are also stated in Article 9 of the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
Physical or digital accessibility?
Physical accessibility refers to accessibility in the physical world. It includes the planning, construction, and maintenance of buildings and environments while considering:
- Mobility
- Seeing
- Hearing
- Understanding
- Communication
Examples include ramps, elevators, accessible toilets, clear signage, lighting, and classroom layouts.
Digital accessibility means that everyone can use websites, online services, digital materials, and learning platforms.
It also includes those using assistive technologies such as:
- Screen readers
- Voice control
- Captions
- Keyboard navigation
- Magnification tools
Accessible digital services should allow all users to perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with content effectively.
WCAG and the POUR principles
WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) provides international guidelines for accessible digital content. It is based on POUR principles:
- Perceivable: Information can be seen or heard
- Operable: Interfaces can be used and navigated
- Understandable: Content and navigation are clear
- Robust: Content works with different technologies
Accessibility depends on context and is a continuous process
Different people have different needs depending on their abilities, environments, devices, and situations. Because of this, spaces, services, and systems should be designed to reduce as many barriers as possible.
Accessibility is essential for some people, but beneficial for everyone. For example, subtitles help people with hearing disabilities, but they are also useful in noisy environments, when watching videos silently, or for language support.
Perfect accessibility is a myth because people have diverse needs and situations. However, many practices and approaches can support a wide range of learners and improve accessibility for everyone. The goal is continuous improvement and the reduction of barriers whenever possible.
Checklist and practices
- Consider both physical accessibility and digital accessibility
- Follow WCAG guidelines and the POUR principles
- Consider different users and contexts
- Reduce barriers whenever possible
- Ensure compatibility with assistive technologies
- Design inclusive learning environments
- Remember that accessibility benefits everyone
- Keep improving accessibility continuously
