Creating accessible training isn’t just about meeting standards for a few learners. Thoughtful design choices improve clarity, flexibility, and usability for everyone. When accessibility is built in from the start, learners can focus on your content instead of the interface. 

Keep reading for practical ways to improve accessibility and help all learners fully engage with your Rise 360 courses.

• Design with Accessibility in Mind
• Make Visual Content Accessible
• Make Audio Content Accessible
• Make Interactive Content Accessible
• Get Help When You Need It

Design Your Course with Accessibility in Mind

Accessibility doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of intentional design decisions that help all learners engage confidently with your content.

Here are some helpful tips to guide your design process.

• Provide accessibility instructions upfront. Explain key navigation options at the beginning of your course. For example, let learners know they can use the keyboard to move through lessons and skip sidebar navigation. Including a link to this article on keyboard-accessible navigation allows learners to familiarize themselves with alternate navigation in Rise 360.

• Stay consistent. When you use an object or interaction more than once, identify it the same way each time. For example, if you use button blocks to jump to other locations, label them consistently throughout your course. Predictable structure supports learners using assistive technology and reduces cognitive load.

• Give clear feedback. Use the feedback field for quiz questions and knowledge checks so learners know what to expect when they respond incorrectly. Clear feedback helps learners understand what happened and what to do next.

• Make content safe for all learners. A flashing GIF or intense animation might add visual interest, but it can affect some learners. Avoid videos or animations that flash or blink more than three times per second. If you’re unsure, review your video with a flash analysis tool before publishing.

• Use plain language. Write in short, direct sentences. Define acronyms and unfamiliar terms. Plain language supports multilingual learners, neurodivergent learners, and anyone reviewing content quickly.

• Use descriptive links. Instead of a vague phrase like “Click here,” use specific language such as “Read our policy statement.” Links should make sense even when read out of context, so learners know where the hyperlink will take them.

Make Visual Content Accessible

Visual disabilities include low vision, color blindness, and blindness. Learners with reading disabilities or those taking a course in a second language may also benefit from visual clarity and structure.

While making visual content accessible can seem complex, a few foundational practices make a meaningful difference.

Screen Readers

Many learners use screen readers to navigate online content. Rise 360 supports JAWS, NVDA, Narrator, VoiceOver, and TalkBack screen readers in supported browsers. 

To support screen reader users:

• Provide text-based alternatives. Important information should appear in text blocks rather than images of text. Assistive technology can’t read text embedded in images.

• Identify the course language. Screen readers use the language you set in your text labels to pronounce interface elements and content correctly.

• Use tables for structured data only. Tables communicate relationships between data. Avoid using tables for layout. Learn more about adding tables in Rise 360.

• Use headings and labels. Heading blocks and content labels create structure. They help screen reader users navigate and also support learners who benefit from clearly divided sections.

Contrast Ratio

Rise 360 interface elements already meet minimum contrast requirements. When choosing your own colors, be sure they provide sufficient contrast so learners can read and interact with the content comfortably. 

Here are some helpful guidelines:

• Ensure a contrast ratio of 4.5:1 or higher for standard text.  

• Ensure a contrast ratio of 3:1 or higher for large text (18 pt regular or 14 pt bold and above). 

• Ensure a contrast ratio of 3:1 for non-text elements, such as buttons, icons, charts, and other graphical elements.

• Don’t rely on color alone to communicate meaning. Pair color with text, icons, or patterns. 

• Differentiate between text and background images. If you place text on an image, adjust the image opacity or add an overlay to make the text stand out clearly.  

If you’re unsure, use a contrast checker to confirm your choices.

Text Descriptions

When adding visual elements, make sure learners who can’t see them can still access the information.

• Provide alternative text. Add meaningful alternative text (alt text) for images that convey information. Decorative images can have empty alt text.

• Make alternative text meaningful. Describe what is important for understanding, not every visual detail. Focus on purpose. Our on-demand webinar, How to Write Alt Text for E-Learning, offers more specific strategies.

• Use accessible fonts. Choose simple, sans-serif fonts in 12-point type or larger. Use standard sentence capitalization to improve readability, and use bold text sparingly for emphasis. Ensure sufficient color contrast.

Make Audio Content Accessible

Accessible audio content supports learners who are deaf or hard of hearing as well as those in sound-sensitive environments.

• Add closed captions. Closed captions provide a synchronized text version of spoken words and important audio cues in videos.

• Provide a transcript. Include a transcript in a text block or an accordion block. Transcripts allow learners to review content at their own pace and support translation.

• Include audio descriptions. If important visual information appears in a video, describe it through narration, captions, or a nearby text block so learners receive equivalent information.

Make Interactive Content Accessible

Interactive blocks can reinforce learning. When using them, ensure the core information is available in more than one way.

• Provide clear labels and instructions. Rise 360 includes built-in instructions for interactive blocks. Review these instructions in context and add a text block when additional explanation or reinforcement would support learners.

• Provide non-color cues for meaning. If color indicates categories or correctness, include text labels, icons, or audio cues to reinforce meaning.

• Allow flexible timing. Quiz timers can increase pressure. Avoiding timers allows learners to engage at their own pace.

• Include clear tips and error identification for quiz questions. Place concise instructions and feedback near quiz questions. Clear feedback helps learners identify and correct input errors.

Rise 360 continues to prioritize accessible interactive experiences. When choosing content components, focus on clarity and purpose. Clear instructions, consistent structure, and thoughtful feedback help ensure all learners can fully engage.

Get Help When You Need It

Want to explore accessibility in more depth? 

• Review the  Rise 360 Voluntary Product Accessibility Template^® (VPAT^®)

• Explore our All About Accessibility series

• Visit the Accessibility Index

• Watch on-demand webinars on accessibility

You can also post a question on E-Learning Heroes. With over one million members, it’s likely someone has worked through a similar challenge and can share practical insight.