As part of the Educational Assistant course I teach at RDP, we utilize an online resource where students complete free, short professional development sessions through the Alberta Mental Health Collaborative. This self-contained site is accessible to anyone and offers online certification in about an hour. I will be evaluating this resource against the WCAG principles of perceivability, operability, understandability, and robustness.
Perceivable – According to the Simply Said video, perceivability means users must be able to access information in ways that accommodate their unique needs (3:30). The course content is delivered through video format with closed captions, allowing multiple modalities for access. Additionally, clear instructions are provided for keyboard navigation.
Operable – The Simply Said video explains that being operable means users can navigate and interact with the content (3:47). The modules feature an interactive slideshow with straightforward navigation, allowing students to move forward or backward as needed, ensuring ease of use.
Understandable – The third guideline emphasizes understandability, meaning the content should be presented in a logical, clear manner (3:54). The material is structured in a coherent way that gradually builds towards comprehensive understanding.
Robust – Finally, robustness ensures the resource is compatible with a variety of devices (4:15). I tested the site on my phone, Apple laptop, Microsoft computer at work, and iPad, and it was accessible on all platforms.
Overall, I found this resource successfully meets all the WCAG guidelines for accessibility, making it a valuable tool for professional development.
Resources
Alberta Mental Health Collaborative. (2025). Recovery Alberta. https://ahsmore.mhcollab.ca/all-courses/
National Center on Accessible Educational Materials. (2015, March 3). Simply said: Understanding accessibility in digital learning materials. YouTube.
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