|
“Web Accessibility – the Cornerstone of an Inclusive Digital Society” is a free, self-paced online course developed by the ITU-D Digital Inclusion Programme aiming to develop an overall understanding about web accessibility among all ITU members, stakeholders and other relevant parties. This course consists of three modules as follows: -
Module 1: Executive tools for developing a web accessibility policy
-
Module 2: Essentials of implementing a web accessibility evaluation
-
Module 3: Technical skills for designing and developing accessible websites
|
The course encompasses web accessibility policy development; the creation of accessible digital content; the evaluation of websites; web design and the ddevelopment and maintenance of accessibility tools in websites.
Why is this course important?
Websites are becoming the primary conduit for people to access public information, products, and services. Many websites, however, are inaccessible to a growing number of people whose needs have not been considered when these websites were designed and developed, or when the digital content included in these websites was created.
Web accessibility is therefore the solution to eliminate barriers to web access for all persons, including persons with disabilities, which is crucial to ensuring equal and equitable access to public online information, products and services.
ITU strategic goal nr. 2 is “Inclusiveness”. SDG 10 also calls for the inclusion of all people globally. Additionally, over 90 percent of governments have signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which calls for ensuring that ICTs are also accessible to persons with disabilities, as they are to any other person.
In response to these global commitments and through a willingness to support ITU members in their implementation of a “barrier-free” digital ecosystem through web accessibility, the ITU-D Digital Inclusion Programme has made this course available to all ITU members.
What is this course about?
The course is composed of 3 independent modules that will include the following information:
Module 1: ‘Executive tools for developing a web accessibility policy’ is intended for policymakers and describes the different elements that are necessary for the creation of a web accessibility policy.
Module 2: ‘Essentials of implementing a web accessibility evaluation’ is intended for senior-level communication personnel, and includes an introduction to accessible digital content and the features of an accessible website, as well as to relevant international standards, so that they can oversee the implementation of web accessibility across all public websites.
Module 3: ‘Technical skills for designing and developing accessible websites’ is intended for IT personnel (web developers and managers), and covers the standards, tools and criteria to consider in the design and development of accessible websites and digital content.
How do I complete the course?
All stakeholders and interested parties, including each of us as individuals, can achieve a foundational knowledge of web accessibility at no cost, simply by dedicating an estimated 2 hours per module.
Each module contains short quizzes to test the learner’s knowledge.
The knowledge offered by the 3 modules empowers the learner with valuable information and skills to support the global effort of building digital inclusive societies.
Upon successful completion of all 3 modules, the learner is awarded with an ITU certificate validating their knowledge.
