As an edtech company, compliance with accessibility standards is crucial for creating inclusive learning environments. But what if I told you that simply meeting compliance requirements is not enough? Inclusive design goes beyond compliance, aiming to create products that are accessible, intuitive, and delightful for all learners, regardless of their abilities or disabilities.

Designing for inclusivity requires an empathetic approach, understanding and addressing the diverse needs and challenges of learners. It involves going beyond the minimum requirements of accessibility standards and striving for excellence in user experience, engagement, and retention. In this post, we'll explore how edtech companies can go beyond compliance and design for inclusivity in UX design, with examples of companies leading the way.

Embrace universal design principles

Universal design is a framework that aims to create products that are accessible and usable by as many people as possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. Edtech companies can apply universal design principles to create products that work for all learners, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. For example, Duolingo, a language-learning app, offers audio, visual, and text-based learning modes, catering to diverse learning styles and preferences.

Conduct user research and testing

User research and testing can help edtech companies understand the diverse needs and challenges of learners and design products that cater to their unique requirements. Companies like Quizlet and Khan Academy conduct user testing regularly to ensure that their products are accessible and intuitive for all learners.

Prioritize accessibility and inclusive design from the start

Inclusive design should be an integral part of the product development process, from ideation to launch. Edtech companies can prioritize accessibility and inclusive design by involving users with disabilities in the design process, incorporating accessibility requirements into design briefs, and ensuring that all team members have a basic understanding of accessibility principles.

Leverage emerging technologies

Emerging technologies, such as machine learning and AI, can offer new opportunities for creating inclusive UX designs in edtech. For example, Google's Teachable Machine allows educators and students to create their own machine-learning models without any coding knowledge. By using Teachable Machine, students can develop inclusive applications and projects that cater to various learning styles and accessibility needs.

Collaborate with accessibility experts

Collaborating with accessibility experts can help edtech companies stay up-to-date with evolving accessibility standards and best practices. Companies like Microsoft and Apple work with disability advocates and accessibility experts to ensure that their products are accessible and inclusive for all learners.

As often stated, designing for inclusivity goes beyond compliance, instead, offering edtech companies an opportunity to create products that cater to the unique needs and challenges of diverse learners. By embracing universal design principles, conducting user research and testing, prioritizing accessibility and inclusive design, leveraging emerging technologies, and collaborating with accessibility experts, edtech companies can create truly inclusive learning experiences for all learners.

Examples of companies like Duolingo, Quizlet, Khan Academy, Google, Microsoft, and Apple demonstrate how designing for inclusivity can drive success in edtech by enhancing user engagement, retention, and brand image. Let's embrace the challenge of designing for inclusivity by creating a more inclusive education ecosystem for all learners.