Accessible & mobile eLearning – here is how!

Digital learning offerings should convey knowledge – not exclude. Yet that is exactly what happens when eLearning is not accessible or is barely usable on mobile devices. The good news: With a bit of know-how and the right planning, you can create content that is inclusive AND flexible. A real win for everyone – and a must for modern learning offerings.

Accessibility – more than just an extra

Accessibility in eLearning means that everyone can use content independently – whether they have physical impairments, learning barriers, or specific technical requirements. At the same time, other users benefit as well: subtitles help, for example, in noisy environments or with content in a foreign language.

The 6 most important requirements for accessible eLearning:

1. Subtitles & transcripts:
   Written alternatives should be available for all audio and video content. This helps with hearing impairments, language barriers, and also makes it easier to quickly look things up.
   
   
2. Keyboard navigation:
   All functions – navigation, buttons, quizzes – must be usable entirely without a mouse. The Tab and Enter keys are essential.
   
   
3. Screen reader compatibility:
   Text, alt text, a clear heading structure – so screen readers can work reliably. Important: no images without descriptions and a semantically clean HTML structure.
   
   
4. Colour contrast & font sizes:
   Light text on a light background? Better not. High contrast and scalable font sizes make content easier to read for everyone.
   
   
5. Do not rely on colour alone for visual cues:
   Phrases such as “Click the green icon” are problematic. Colours should always be combined with shapes, symbols, or text.
   
   
6. Accessibility testing:
   Tools such as the WAVE Accessibility Checker, Axe, or Storyline’s accessibility mode help with testing.

Our tip: The international WCAG 2.1 guidelines (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) are a good reference framework.

Mobile use – a must, not optional

Over 70% of learners now access content on mobile devices. If you are planning eLearning modules, you should therefore ensure that everything is easy to read, navigate, and click – even on a smartphone or tablet.

What matters in responsive design:

• Content automatically adapts to different screen sizes
• Interactive elements are easy to use with a finger
• Font sizes and spacing are adjusted for smaller displays
• Media (e.g., videos) is automatically scaled
• No zigzag scrolling – mobile navigation must be intuitive

Tip: Test your eLearning on real devices – not only in a desktop simulator.

Compatibility – the quiet success factor

Accessibility and mobile optimisation are of no use if the eLearning does not run technically. Pay attention to the following points:

• Browser compatibility: Does the course work in Chrome, Edge, Safari & Co.?
• LMS compatibility: Are SCORM or xAPI supported correctly?
• Device diversity: Test on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
• Loading times: Short loading times are especially crucial on mobile
• Error messages: Clear, easy-to-understand guidance when issues occur (e.g., “Please rotate your device” instead of technical gibberish)

Conclusion: Inclusive eLearning reaches more people

Accessible and mobile-optimised eLearning is not a “nice-to-have”, but the standard in any professional learning environment. If you truly want to reach learners, you need to consider diversity, usability, and technical compatibility from the very beginning. The result: satisfied users – and eLearning that delivers.