ABOUT THE COURSE:This online course on ‘Digital Accessibility’ introduces the principles of designing inclusive digital experiences for users of all abilities. It covers key accessibility standards such as ‘WCAG’ and practical techniques for accessible web and mobile design. Learners will explore tools for testing and evaluating accessibility. Real-world case studies and hands-on exercises help build implementation skills. Ideal for designers, developers, content creators, and product managers aiming to build inclusive digital productsINDUSTRY SUPPORT: Microsoft, Google, IBM, Adobe, Apple, and more technology and software companies value accessibility in their software products

Syllabus

Week 1: 1. Introduction, Background
2. Definitions - UD, ID, Accessibility
3. Why Accessibility Matters
4. How Accessibility impacts Usability and SEO
5. Understanding Disability and Impact of poor accessibility
Week 2:1.What Poor and Good Accessibility Looks like
2.Aspects of Digital Interactions and Experiences of various disabilities
3.Mismatch of interactions leading to Exclusion
4.Permanent, Temporary & Situational Disability Spectrum
5.Case Studies and analysis of popular digital products
Week 3:1.Three Dimensions of Inclusive Design
2.Countering Design Exclusion (CDE)
3.Three Dimensions of Inclusive Design (continued)
4.Three Dimensions of Inclusive Design (continued)
5.Processes for Inclusive Design
Week 4:1.Web Accessibility and Guidelines
2.Introduction to tools: Pros and Cons of using automated tools
3.Compliance and identifying your requirements, RPwd Act
4.Following guidelines during development: Pros and Cons
5.Legal aspects of compliance
Week 5:1.Design for Special Population
2.Affordances in Interaction
3.Accommodations for Inclusion
4.Economic Perspective on Inclusion – ROI on Accessibility
5.Ethical and Legal Issues around Inclusive Design
Week 6:1.Mobile Accessibility Issues and Tips
2.VR/AR Accessibility Issues and Tips
3.Web Accessibility Issues and Tips
4.Special focus - Elderly Users
5.Special Focus - Blind Users
Week 7:1.Emerging Input Devices – eye-tracking systems, virtual keyboards, gesture recognition, speech recognition etc.
2.Emerging Output Devices – refreshable Braille Displays, screen readers, audio books, tactile books etc.
3.Assistive Technologies Examples
4.Multi-sensory Interaction for Inclusion Examples
5.Accessibility of STEM content, accessing pictorial content through refreshable graphics
Week 8:1.Accessibility Testing – How is it different from other testing
2.Accessibility Testing – Tools
3.Accessibility Evaluation methods
4.How companies do Accessibility testing
5.Accessibility Optimization – How far one should go ?
Week 9:1.Mobile and cross platform Access
2.Mobile and Mobile Apps as powerful accessibility tools
3.Accessible Gestures / Responsive Design
4.Auditing mobile Apps for accessibility
5.Screen Readers
Week 10:1.AI and Accessibility
2.Computer vision for accessibility
3.Speech recognition for motor impairments
4.Project Discussion
5.Guest Lecture 1
Week 11:1.Policy
2.Advocacy
3.Sensitization and technology Dissemination
4.Career and roles in Accessibility
5.Guest Lecture 2
Week 12:1.Case Study 1
2.Case Study 2
3.Case Study 3
4.Project Discussion
5.Guest Lecture 3