Accessible systems training

Hi TomAllpress​ I've had some experience building accessible simulation training. I think it is some of the more challenging content to build when trying to determine how much detail is included.

In the training, we focussed on the steps to complete a process and ensured that information was covered in the text content and anything visual was supplementary to the text content.

Where extra information was needed, I would use off screen (Screen Reader Only) text to provide any additional context or information that might be needed, that may be presented visually, for example, when a view changes, explaining the change that has occurred if the change is not discussed in the caption, e.g "The 'Location' combo box is opened, showing a list of Australian states".

I would try and include as much information as you can for everybody and using off screen text only where that further context/information is needed.

When it comes to testing using the Try/Test modes, just be aware that people using a keyboard can't select an incorrect response, as there is usually only a single hotspot to select and the incorrect answer is based on clicking (mouse click) anywhere but the hotspot, and so you are not testing keyboard and keyboard + screen reader users in the same way you are people using a mouse pointer. The only way you could address that, if you have the scope, it to add other hotspots that trigger the incorrect/try again feedback.

When it comes to ALT text, be aware that mouse pointer animations have ALT text on them that you need to remove unless you put meaningful ALT on them.

Try and get the ALT text to match the name of the actual system buttons on anything that is clickable. It makes sense that the training should have buttons controls of the same name.

For longer animations, you should provide a text transcript of what is occurring on the slide or an audio description, otherwise the content can feel broken for screen reader users as it might appear that nothing is happening.

Regarding the system accessibility, whilst it does impact the training you are building, they have to be treated individually and your training should be accessible even if the system itself is not.