“A11Y” stands for “accessibility,” with the 11 representing the number of letters between the “A” and the “Y.” It’s more than an abbreviation, though. For educational institutions, A11Y ensures students can engage meaningfully with digital learning content, regardless of their abilities.
According to The A11Y Project, one in four people in the United States has a disability, including visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, and neurological disabilities. With 1.3 billion people worldwide living with disabilities, accessible educational materials aren’t just good practice; they’re critical for reaching all learners and meeting accessibility mandates set in place to ensure people can interact with content.
“Accessibility compliance allows access to print, audio, and visual media for users to choose the best medium for their learning needs,” said Amanda Rosenzweig, Ph.D., Canvas Administrator, Biology Professor, and Department Chair at Delgado Community College in a case study. “Accessibility allows for inclusion of all users by all people being able to perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the electronic information.”
Why A11Y is Important in Education
Students with diverse needs rely on accessible platforms every day to:
- Participate in online discussions.
- Access multimedia content.
- Complete assignments independently.
- Navigate learning management systems without barriers.
When accessibility is missing, learners can be excluded from opportunities to engage, collaborate, and succeed. When it’s present, the learning environment becomes richer and more equitable for everyone.
In another case study, Kate O’Hara-Goergen, who works in Instructional Development with the Teaching and Technology Center at Aiken Technical College, explained: “The YuJa Video Platform has helped us simplify workflows and improve accessibility not just for those who require captions, but for all students. Even students who are not hard of hearing have told us that captioning makes it easier for them to absorb content.”
Accessible design benefits all students, not just those with disabilities. Features like auto-generated captions help deaf and hard-of-hearing students while also supporting English language learners and students in noisy environments. Clear navigation structures and consistent layouts improve usability for everyone.
“By making courses accessible, faculty are providing courses built more on universal design … They don’t have to ask for any accommodations or requests with disability services; it’s already built within the course,” said Pellissippi State Community College’s Dr. Stephanie Markowitz, Ed.D, Instructional Technology Specialist, in a case study.
The Regulatory Landscape
Accessibility is also shaped by evolving policy. In the United States, the Department of Justice requires public agencies, including schools, colleges, and universities, to ensure digital content meets WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.
Globally, regulations are also expanding. For example, the European Accessibility Act took effect in June 2025, requiring businesses serving EU customers to comply with WCAG 2.1 AA.
Beyond Compliance: Building an Inclusive Culture
Effective A11Y implementation requires more than technology; it demands a cultural shift. Educational institutions can foster inclusion by training faculty on accessibility principles, establishing accessibility requirements in technology procurement, and including students with disabilities in user testing processes.
By making A11Y a priority, educational institutions can not only meet legal requirements but also create better learning environments for all students and expand their reach to underserved populations.
