8 Critical Accessibility Lessons in EdTech

It’s impossible to be entirely accessible from the start – no matter how much we’d like to. However, by paying attention to emerging trends and the insights of thought leaders in the field, we can begin to make informed projections about the challenges and opportunities that will shape accessibility in the months and years to come.

With that in mind, this article explores eight essential lessons on accessibility curated from our conversations with leaders in accessibility. These lessons highlight the key areas where progress is needed to ensure that technology, especially in edtech, remains inclusive, adaptable, and fair for all learners.

 

8 Essential Accessibility Lessons By Accessibility Experts

1. Accessible Isn’t Just About Making the Interface “User-Friendly”

A survey by Fable found that only 7% of respondents felt that persons with disabilities were adequately represented in technology development. That’s a wake-up call. To create truly inclusive edtech, individuals with disabilities should be involved from the start—during research, design, engineering, and testing. Accessibility isn’t just about making the interface “user-friendly”; it’s about ensuring the whole structure works for everyone. By engaging diverse groups throughout the lifecycle of edtech systems, developers can identify and address potential accessibility issues early and ensure that systems are truly inclusive.

Additionally, combining both manual and automated testing ensures that all aspects of the platform—such as visual, auditory, and cognitive accessibility are thoroughly assessed. This way by customizing the platform for a variety of needs, developers can make it more adaptable and ensure a more inclusive experience for all learners.

2. Accessibility Isn’t a “Set it and Forget it” Deal

Sure, it’s essential to ensure that the technology is accessible when it’s first adopted, but it’s more important to update it regularly. As new features and updates roll out, accessibility must evolve alongside them. Imagine if a smartphone was released, and its accessibility features were only updated once — users would quickly fall behind.

Regular reviews and updates after platform changes ensure that accessibility isn’t left behind. A proactive approach means incorporating accessibility checks into every new development cycle so that these standards are baked into the system as it grows. Companies must stay vigilant and responsive to these changes, ensuring their platforms remain accessible as they evolve.

3. Accessibility Must Be: Available and Adaptable

With the rise of AI and machine learning, new doors are opening for accessibility — real-time captioning, language translation, and personalized learning tools can help close the gaps for students facing linguistic, cognitive, or physical challenges. The potential for global scalability is undeniable, but this expansion comes with its own challenges. Whether learners are using high-end tablets or low-cost smartphones, content should be adaptable to different devices and environments.

Ensuring compatibility across operating systems and browsers helps level the learning field for everyone. Furthermore, addressing regional language needs, cultural contexts, and infrastructure constraints is crucial. For example, incorporating regional dialects into platforms or ensuring offline functionality can make edtech viable for remote and under-resourced areas.

4. For Truly Accessible AI, Data Must Reflect the Diversity of Its Users

In the world of AI-powered edtech, equity must be the guiding star. Even small biases, left unchecked, can snowball and create significant barriers for marginalized groups. This is because AI systems that are trained on skewed or incomplete data can inadvertently leave out persons with disabilities. By ensuring that AI models are trained on diverse, representative data sets, developers can ensure that their platforms serve every learner equally.

5. Don’t Build a Luxury Car with a Flat Tire

Imagine a company that touts innovation but doesn’t consider accessibility. Leadership must take the reins, ensuring that accessibility is woven into the fabric of every decision. DEI efforts shouldn’t stop at race, gender, or culture; they must expand to include individuals with disabilities. By embracing the IDEA framework (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility), organizations can ensure that accessibility becomes a priority, not just an afterthought. Clear governance policies, budgets, and procedures for accessibility management allow leaders to keep track of progress, ensuring that the company’s accessibility efforts mature along with the product.

6. Practice Accessibility Is like a Great Orchestra

The best edtech solutions emerge from collaboration. It’s not just developers doing their thing in isolation; it’s a team effort that integrates diverse perspectives. Like a great orchestra, each team — developers, DEI experts, and accessibility advocates — plays a crucial role in ensuring the product is harmonious. This collective approach helps identify issues that may not be immediately apparent and ensures that everyone is moving toward the same goal: inclusivity. When all teams share a common objective, their efforts align seamlessly, avoiding the dissonance that often arises when people are working in silos.

7. Accessibility Should Be Standards-Driven (At the Bare Minimum)

EdTech platforms must adhere to established accessibility standards, like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These global standards provide specific criteria for making digital content usable for people with disabilities. Platforms should regularly audit their features and content to ensure compliance with these guidelines. For example, providing text alternatives for images (known as alt text) and including captions for videos can significantly improve accessibility. By ensuring that content meets WCAG standards, edtech providers can ensure their platforms are accessible to all learners, including those with visual, auditory, or cognitive disabilities.

8. Creating Accessible EdTech Requires More than Just Good Intentions

It requires well-trained teams. Providing ongoing training on accessibility best practices and tools enables designers, developers, and content creators to prioritize inclusivity in their work. Training should cover the principles of accessible design, relevant standards like WCAG, and the specific needs of learners with disabilities. Regular workshops and seminars can help keep the team updated on new tools and methodologies to improve accessibility. This ensures that everyone involved in the development process understands its importance and can contribute to making the platform more accessible.

At the same time, training educators on accessibility standards and how to implement them effectively ensures that technology meets learners’ needs.

Accessibility should never be treated as a checkbox—it’s an ongoing, dynamic process that requires continuous collaboration, education, and innovation. By integrating diverse perspectives and aligning with organizational values, edtech providers can help ensure that technology serves all learners. The future of accessibility lies in a shared commitment to inclusion, innovation, and continuous improvement.