This week I’d like to highlight three different accessibility programs that digital learning folks might want to check out. They are all a bit different, in length, content, and cost.
Full disclosure: I have not taken the Accessible Documents course or the Designing Accessible Learning Content Program, but I am a member of IAAP and recently received my CPACC certification.
Accessible Documents: Word, PowerPoint & Acrobat
The Accessible Documents course was created by the folks at WebAIM and is a self-paced, video-based training built in Canva. It contains 4 modules and 1 bonus module: Document Content, Document Structure, Evaluating Accessibility and Creating PDFs, Optimizing PDFs in Acrobat, and the bonus module Accessible Excel.
New cohorts start the first Monday of every month. A new module is released each week during the first five weeks of the course. It consists of section quizzes and module exams. Participants that pass are awarded a Certificate of Completion. For an additional cost, you can register for 1 Continuing Education Unit (CEU). This looks like a great way to start learning more about the accessibility of Microsoft Office programs.
Cost: $125 (an additional $45 fee is required if you want the CEU credit)
Designing Accessible Learning Content Program
This program was designed and developed by Susi Miller and is based on her book, Designing Accessible Learning Content. It is self-paced and you can start as soon as you sign up. Plus, you get access for 12 months. The program contains 7 modules and over 100 lessons designed for learning practitioners and based on WCAG 2.2 standards. The program is built in Articulate Rise but the content is tool agnostic and contains examples from 13 different learning tools. It also offers a certificate and 15 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours. I have Susi’s book (which is great by itself), but this looks like an amazing course for L&D folks who want to learn the why and the how of developing accessible learning experiences.
Cost: £675 (approx. $869)
Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC)
The International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) offers several certification programs. The CPACC credential is the IAAP’s foundational certification. In order to get certified, you must pass a 100 question exam. You are given 2 hours to complete the exam.
Whereas the aforementioned programs focus on digital accessibility and accessible learning content, the CPACC certification “…demonstrates a person has a broad, cross-disciplinary conceptual knowledge about: disabilities, accessibility and universal design, and accessibility-related standards, laws, and management strategies.”
There is a Body of Knowledge PDF that you can study to prepare for the exam. IAAP suggests planning to spend 5-10 hours a week for 6-8 weeks to prepare for the exam. The certification itself is valid for three years. You receive a certificate and also a Credly credential. The CPACC Certification is valid for three years and can be renewed by earning 45 Continuing Accessibility Education Credits (CAECs).
Cost: Member/Retake: $385/$230.
Non-Member/Retake: $485/$290.
Emerging and Developing Economy/Retake: $170/$100.
IAAP Certification Application Fee: $25 for all applications begin September/October 2024
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