The Teach Access Fundamental Concepts and Skills Framework provides educators with core accessibility topics, goals, and learning objectives to support teaching inclusive design across disciplines.
Accessibility skills involve the intentional design, evaluation, and procurement of digital products that conform with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and are fully usable by people with disabilities. These skills vary widely across disciplines, functions, and roles.
Teach Access, in collaboration with academia, industry, and disability advocacy groups, has identified a core set of fundamental concepts and skills essential for understanding and implementing accessible design. This framework provides guidance for educators on integrating accessibility topics into their courses, enabling students to develop a foundational understanding of accessibility.
Our programs and resources are intentionally aligned with this framework to support educators and learners in understanding and applying its concepts and skills. They provide practical guidance and real-world examples of how accessibility topics can be taught across different disciplines. Whether through resources, curriculum materials, or professional development opportunities, our offerings illustrate how the framework can be put into practice in educational settings.
Need support adopting this framework? Contact Rolando Méndez, Director of Education, at [email protected].
The concepts and skills in this framework are structured into six (6) knowledge areas:
Expand an understanding of disability by covering a broad range of disabilities and their impact on independence and participation in everyday life. By exploring disability identity, cultural norms and attitudes, and language, students will gain an appreciation of the broad range of experiences of people with disabilities.
Provide a historical understanding of key frameworks shaping disability rights and accessibility, along with an overview of relevant regulatory requirements and standards.
Establish an understanding of assistive technologies (AT), their evolution, practical use, and their intersection with accessibility.
Develop a strong understanding of accessibility standards and best practices for inclusive product development, with a focus on factors that enhance or impede accessibility.
Integrate accessibility at every stage of the product development process, using the stages of the software development cycle as a framework for guidance.
Provide guidance on applying accessibility principles across various scenarios, disciplines, and contexts, while introducing accessibility as a professional practice and emphasizing skills for navigating organizational dynamics, managing change, and fostering effective practices.
The Knowledge Areas are organized by the type of understanding or skill they represent:
These foundational concepts are crucial for understanding and applying accessibility principles across all disciplines. They include knowledge about disability, assistive technology, accessibility needs, and accessible design.
In accessibility, dispositional knowledge refers to understanding why accessibility is important and developing the mindset, values, and habits to prioritize it. It goes beyond knowing accessibility guidelines; it’s about committing to creating inclusive experiences and consistently considering the needs of people with disabilities in every decision. This includes understanding the historical, legal, and regulatory context.
“Know-how” refers to the practical skills needed to apply knowledge effectively in real-world situations. In the context of accessibility, it means being able to make products and experiences inclusive for everyone. It also involves recognizing accessibility as a shared responsibility that must be managed strategically. While many of these skills apply across disciplines, educators may need to adapt the content to fit the specific needs and context of their field.
Professional skills are crucial for navigating collaboration, problem-solving, and communication in the workplace. In the context of accessibility, these skills are vital for advocating accessible design, understanding user needs, and working effectively with cross-role, diverse teams and stakeholders. While these skills are broadly applicable, educators should tailor them to the specific context of their discipline.
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