Resource

AccessAbility Course

This is a free, self-directed course developed by RGD to help designers and communication professionals understand and implement accessible design practices.

Drawing from AccessAbility 2: A Practical Handbook on Accessible Graphic Design, this course is intended for anyone involved in creating communication materials—designers, clients, educators and students. The course introduces key principles of accessibility and offers practical guidance on how to design content that works for everyone, including people with disabilities or older adults.

The course supports recent legislative changes, including the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and Manitoba’s new requirements for accessible websites by 2025. It encourages inclusive thinking while equipping learners with the tools to integrate accessibility into every stage of the design process.

Key topics include:

Designing for screen readers and diverse users
Structuring content for readability
Applying accessibility principles to web, print and environmental design
Creating accessible PDFs and digital content
Planning and managing accessible projects over time
The course is fully open (no login required), designed for flexibility and takes approximately three hours to complete.