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Create Accessible Interfaces

Learn how to program inclusive, creative interfaces for disabled users while meeting legal accessibility requirements.

2,541 enrolled on this course

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Create Accessible Interfaces

2,541 enrolled on this course

  • 4 weeks

  • 2 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

Discover how to program interfaces that work for disabled users

Accessibility is a requirement laid out by EU and UK government legislation.

All public websites and digital services must comply with WCAG 2.2 – guidance to those creating and serving digital content. The deadline for websites to meet this guidance is fast approaching.

On this course you’ll discover the issues that disabled users face when using creative technology, exploring how to follow accessibility guidance and compliance.

Ultimately you’ll learn how to use JavaScript and CSS to allow users to customise their experience, and design clear, creative interfaces.

Skip to 0 minutes and 14 seconds Hello and welcome to this course on accessible interfaces. My name is Marcus Ophir. I’m a digital media creative and I specialise in accessible technology. In order for people to be able to use technology it must be accessible. Accessibility guidelines are important for all creative developers and technologists. If your website and mobile application aren’t accessible you are excluding a lot of people who need your technology. This is not a choice about the law. Looking at the potential impact of accessible interfaces, it is clear we need to make changes to how we design technology. One in five people in the world live with a disability. 2.2 percent have a very significant disability. I’m registered with Usher Syndrome and dyslexia.

Skip to 1 minute and 8 seconds Usher syndrome is a hereditary condition that affects your eyes and hearing. In the UK totally deaf blindness is about 374,000. But in terms of Usher Syndrome, there are about 9700 plus people who have it. In this course we will explain some of the things you need to do in order to make technology more accessible. What will you do on this course? You will have the opportunity to develop a basic user interface for a website. You will produce an accessible website for a specific audience. We will provide you with a template that you can work from and show you how you can make a website more accessible using simple programming.

Skip to 1 minute and 54 seconds After following the course, you should have a better understanding of the issues affecting people with disabilities when using technology. Accessibility should be about a total immersive and engaging experience. We all have our own independent personalities and characters. We all like to dress ourselves a certain way and enjoy life in a certain way. And I believe this should be the same for digital media and technology.

What topics will you cover?

  • What issues impact disabled users using creative technology?
  • How can interfaces be made more accessible for those with sight, hearing and cognitive impairments?
  • What kinds of experiences do people with visual and hearing impairments have when using the internet, mobile devices and streaming services?
  • What guidance is available for those attempting to make their websites and services more accessible?
  • What forms of compliance are necessary when creating websites and services?
  • How can CSS and JavaScript be used to allow users to customise their experience?
  • How can you create customisable interfaces with clear navigation?

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explore the issues that impact disabled users using creative technology
  • Describe how interfaces can be made more accessible for those with visual, hearing and cognitive impairments
  • Reflect on the kinds of experiences people with visual and hearing impairments have when using the internet, mobile devices and streaming services
  • Engage with the guidance available for those attempting to make their websites and services more accessible
  • Explore the forms of compliance necessary when creating websites and services
  • Describe how CSS and JavaScript can be used to allow users to customise their experience
  • Describe how you can create customisable interfaces with clear navigation

Who is the course for?

This course is for those interested in a career in user experience, who lack programming experience or knowledge of WCAG or accessibility requirements.

It would benefit people designing websites who want to know more about the issues disabled users face when using the internet, mobile devices, and streaming services.

It would be also ideal for those considering a master’s degree in creative computing, who want a taste of what would be involved.

You might also be interested in the other courses in the Essential Creative Technologies collection from UAL Creative Computing Institute, Lancaster University and the Institute of Coding.

What software or tools do you need?

During the course we’ll be using the MIMIC platform.

Who will you learn with?

Mick Grierson is Professor of Creative Computing at UAL Creative Computing Institute.

Who developed the course?

UAL Creative Computing Institute

The UAL Creative Computing Institute (CCI) offers innovative new courses, research opportunities and a public platform to explore computer science and creative practice.

Institute of Coding

The Institute of Coding (IoC) is a national collaboration of employers, universities, and charities, on a mission to provide people from all walks of life with access to digital learning and career opportunities.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$39.99

For your first month. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$79/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 8 Jan 2025

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 29 December 2024 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 29 December 2024 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

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  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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