Accessible Learning Labs: Accessibility Education Through Experiential Learning

Yang Liu, Xiaofan Que, Dingrong Wang, Samuel A. Malachowsky, Daniel E. Krutz

Abstract: Accessibility is a key aspect in ensuring the development of inclusive software. Unfortunately, research demonstrates that a large portion of software today is not created in an accessible manner. Problematically, students may not understand how to create accessible software, additionally misunderstanding the importance of creating accessible software. To fill the gap in accessibility education, we have created a comprehensive collection of labs, collectively referred to as Accessible Learning Labs (ALL). They have the primary objectives of educating participants on how to properly create accessible software, simultaneously illustrating the need to create inclusive and accessible software. In addition, the lab activities enable students to experience the implications of inaccessible software and make repairs based on their experience, making the software in the labs accessible. This will benefit many members of the software engineering community, ranging from beginning-level students to experienced practitioners who want to ensure that they are properly creating accessible and inclusive software. Complete project material is publicly available on the project website: https://all.rit.edu