Increasing Microlearning Accessibility: A Universal Design Approach

What is microlearning accessibility?

Accessibility is the principle that digital products and environments should be designed to be usable by people of all abilities. This includes people who are living with disabilities—who make up 15% of the population and represent about $13 trillion in purchasing power. And it also includes those with temporary changes to ability (e.g., a broken arm) or situational limitations (e.g., using a device in a noisy environment).Microlearning accessibility is the practice of designing and developing microlearning content to be usable by people with a range of abilities and backgrounds. It involves creating learning experiences that are inclusive, adaptable, and engaging for all learners, regardless of their physical, sensory, cognitive, or situational circumstances.This means that microlearning content should be compatible with mobile devices, adjustable to individual needs, and presented in formats that are easy to understand.

Why is accessibility important in microlearning?

It’s not just about regulatory compliance or avoiding lawsuits, accessibility is foundational to creating successful microlearning content. It's about meeting your learners where they are and to provide “just in time” information in a way that increases knowledge retention.

This means considering not just the situational context (Are they on the go, without access to a laptop, and with only minutes in between patients?), but also their personal context (What’s their educational level and how comfortable are they with English?).

Here are more reasons why accessibility is particularly important (as if you needed more reasons):

Ethical responsibility

Inclusion: It's morally right to ensure everyone has equal access to information and opportunities.

Human rights: Accessibility is a fundamental human right, enabling people with different abilities to participate fully in society.

Economic benefits

Wider audience

Accessible products and services reach a broader customer base, increasing potential revenue.

Improved brand reputation

Demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility.

Enhanced learner experience

Better for everyone

Accessibility features can improve the experience for all learners, such as captions, clear navigation, and adjustable text size.

Educational impact

Effective microlearning

By catering to varied learning preferences, you can enhance the learning experience. (We’ll look at specific ways to do this below.)

Types of accessibility guidelines

Depending on the context of where your microlearning content will be used, there are different standards and guidelines that you may need to comply with. Key ones include:

• WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines): Provides technical standards for web content accessibility.
• ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act): Covers accessibility for electronic and information technology.
• Section 508: US federal standard for electronic and information technology accessibility.

EN 301 549: This is the European Standard on “Accessibility requirements suitable for public procurement of ICT products and services in Europe”. It was developed in response to a request from the European Commission.

Guidelines for educational environments often build upon these standards, focusing on factors like alternative (or “alt”) text for images, color contrast, and keyboard accessibility.

Best practices for microlearning accessibility (simplified checklist)

To do this effectively, you’ll want to consider:

Their situational context

• Time constraints: Learners often have limited time for learning. Prioritize microlearning content that can be quickly consumed and understood.
• Environment: Learners might access content in various settings (noisy, mobile, etc). Content should adapt to different environments.
• Technology access: Not everyone has the same technological resources. Ensure content is accessible even with 4G or slow WiFi. (Hint: limiting and/or optimizing images can help improve load times.)

Their personal context

• Language proficiency: Content should be understandable to learners with varying language proficiencies (Tip: stick to a B1 language level as a starting point).
• Cognitive load: Avoid overwhelming learners with complex information. Break down content into chunks.
• Learning styles: Individuals process information differently. Offer diverse content formats (see below).

How 7taps can be used to create content across  learning styles

1. Visual learners: Benefit from images, diagrams, and videos. Leverage 7taps' features like custom graphics, Unsplash and GIPHY integrations.
2. Auditory learners: Audio content, narration, or podcasts, can be highly effective. 7taps' text-to-speech and audio upload features are relevant here.
3. Kinesthetic learners: Interactive elements like quizzes, polls, and role-play cards can engage these learners.
4. Reading/writing learners: Text-based content remains essential. Give learners the opportunity to practice writing and giving feedback using form cards.

Let's break this down into some common scenarios with ideas for how to apply accessibility principles in microlearning using 7taps.

Real-world examples of microlearning accessibility

Scenario 1

Microlearning for a healthcare professional

Solution: Create concise microlearning modules with clear learning objectives. Use visuals to convey information quickly. Offer transcripts for audio content. Place QR code links to microlearning modules in the relevant areas where they’ll need that info.

Scenario 2

Microlearning for a learner with visual impairments

Solution: Provide detailed alt text for images, use enough color contrast, add audio cards, and ensure content is navigable with a keyboard. Share microlearning modules with an SMS link for easy accessibility from their mobile devices.

Scenario 3

Microlearning for a learner with a hearing impairment

Solution: Offer closed captions for videos, provide transcripts for audio content, and consider using visual cues to reinforce key points.

Scenario 4

Microlearning for a learner with limited English proficiency

Solution: Use simple language, avoid jargon, and consider providing content in multiple languages or with translation options. Use images and/or videos to assist in the visual transmission of key concepts.

Related content: Read our guide to creating Learner Personas (coming soon)

How to use 7taps to create accessible microlearning content

Strategies for assessing your microlearning accessibility

To assess how accessible your microlearning content is, try the following:

1. Self-assessment:

• Use accessibility checklists: Create a checklist based on relevant accessibility guidelines for your use case (WCAG, Section 508, etc.) to evaluate content.
• Peer review: Involve colleagues to provide feedback on content accessibility.

2. User testing:

• Involve diverse participants: Recruit individuals with different abilities and backgrounds to test the content.
• Observe user behavior: Watch how users interact with the content—in context—to identify potential barriers.
• Gather feedback: Collect feedback on usability and accessibility through surveys or interviews.

3. Accessibility tools:

• Utilize screen readers: Test content with screen reader software to identify issues.
• Color contrast checkers: Ensure sufficient color contrast for readability.
• Accessibility testing tools: Use specialized tools to identify accessibility violations.

4. Continuous improvement:

• Regular audits: Conduct accessibility audits on a regular basis.
• Stay updated: Keep up with the latest accessibility standards and guidelines.
• Train your team: Provide accessibility training to content creators and developers (ooh meta).

Specific assessment areas for microlearning accessibility:

• Content: Evaluate language, sentence simplicity, clarity, and structure.
• Layout and design: Assess color contrast, font size, spacing, and visual clarity.
• Multimedia: Check for alt text, captions, and transcripts/closed captioning.
• Navigation: Ensure content is easy to navigate using a keyboard or assistive technology.

By combining these strategies and using a tool like 7taps, you can make sure to meet your microlearning accessibility goals and requirements.

Additional resources:

• Boost corporate communication with microlearning: from strategy to tools
• How to write microlearning content with the 5 B’s framework
• Driving learner engagement with microlearning
• New microlearning product updates in the 7taps Microlearning Platform
• Track learner progress using Single Sign-On
• Set up automated learning campaigns with 7taps learning paths

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