Professional Certificate in Designing for Accessibility
- Category:
- Product Discovery and Design
- Level:
- Intermediate
- Code:
- PCIDFA
- Exam:
- Yes - Available separately
Overview
This course equips UX, UI and product professionals with the knowledge and practical skills to design accessible digital products that comply with global standards such as WCAG and the European Accessibility Act (EAA). Learners explore the principles of inclusive design, understand assistive technologies and accessibility laws, and practice applying Level AA success criteria in real-world scenarios. The format is flexible and online with tutor support.
Prerequisites
Participants should have:
- Basic familiarity with digital product design, UX, UI or product development (helpful but not essential).
- An interest in building inclusive, compliant user experiences.
- Ability to complete online, self-paced study (approx. 12–16 hours total).
Target Audience
This course is designed for:
- UX, UI and product designers integrating accessibility into everyday workflows.
- Product managers/owners seeking a strong foundation in accessibility principles.
- Design and product teams aiming to create compliant and inclusive experiences.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Explain why digital accessibility matters and describe how people with disabilities use digital products.
- Interpret and apply key accessibility standards (WCAG; awareness of the European Accessibility Act).
- Plan and conduct basic accessibility research, audits and usability testing with assistive tech users.
- Design interfaces that meet WCAG 2.x Level AA across colour, typography, structure, navigation, media and forms.
- Advocate for accessibility and build stakeholder buy‑in within their organisation.
Course outline
Module 1 — Introduction to accessibility
- Why accessibility matters: inclusion, legal and commercial drivers.
- Assistive technologies and how people with disabilities interact with digital products.
Module 2 — Accessibility guidelines and laws
- Overview of WCAG principles (POUR) and conformance levels.
- Key regulations and policies including the European Accessibility Act (EAA).
Module 3 — Research and testing for accessibility
- Conducting accessibility audits; planning research with people with disabilities.
- Tools and techniques for evaluating accessibility (e.g., screen readers, contrast checkers).
Module 4 — Designing for accessibility
- Applying all Level AA success criteria across real design scenarios.
- Patterns and anti‑patterns for forms, navigation, media, error handling and focus states.
Module 5 — Advocating for accessibility
- Building a business case and gaining stakeholder buy‑in.
- Embedding accessibility into product and design processes.
Exams and Assessments
There is a final assessment at the end of the course to validate learning outcomes. This includes a knowledge check covering key standards (e.g., WCAG) and applied design decisions. Learners who successfully complete the assessment will receive the course certificate. This assessment is 40 minutes in duration.
Hands-On Learning
- Practical exercises to apply accessibility principles to real interface components and flows.
- Guided audits using common tools and assistive technologies.
- Opportunities to review and iterate designs to meet Level AA conformance.
- Learners will receive 3 months of access to the course's digital content and resources to support ongoing application in the workplace.
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