Here's How To Choose The Best Accessible Learning Management Systems
Are you adamant about ensuring your training meets everyone's needs? Then an accessible learning management system is your ideal solution. Organizations that are genuinely committed to creating a positive and inclusive work environment take all the necessary steps to cultivate a workplace where everyone feels welcome. So, by offering LMS accessibility, individuals with auditory, visual, cognitive, and mobility difficulties can have easy access to Learning and Development content. Thus, by having all the tools they need, diverse trainees can achieve successful learning outcomes.
Thankfully, accessible LMS software creates inclusive experiences that take diversity and inclusion seriously. However, LMS accessibility doesn't rely on a single feature. In fact, it consists of a variety of features and design principles for User Experience (UX) and interactivity. Besides, the LMS UX matters for every user. In addition, it should generate consistent learner outcomes across your entire organization. And the way to do so is by flexibly accommodating the needs of all users, including learners with diverse abilities and barriers.
So, to help you choose, we created a top list featuring the best solutions for learning accessibility.
Even if you are not familiar with terms like Section 508 LMS compliance, ADA, and WCAG, you'll find plenty of tips on this special list.
Read on as we analyze the characteristics of an inclusive LMS and which steps you have to take to choose the ideal tool for your organization's training needs.
These Are The Best Accessible LMS Tools
If your company is listed among the top LMS solutions for learning accessibility in 2024, feel free to add this badge to your website.
360Learning's learning platform fosters internal mobility to solve the talent shortage by empowering companies to upskill from within. Using collaborative learning, companies turn their experts into champions for growth.
Learn more about 360Learning's learning accessibility features.
For more on the User Experience, explore 360Learning reviews in our directory.
Highlights
- Videos
- Video Subtitles
- Video Assessments
Highlights
- Videos
Authors can upload videos for learners instead of using only text in courses.
- Video Subtitles
Authors can choose to automatically generate subtitles (recordings, native videos) or upload them via the video settings.
- Video Assessments
Authors are able to add video assessments to courses to assess learners' proficiency by asking them to submit a video via the mobile app.
Plans And Pricing
360Learning's video capabilities make it an ideal choice for customers looking for learning accessibility. Upload videos of any format to a course, auto-generate subtitles, and quiz learners using video assessments.
Adobe Learning Manager is a learning platform driven by experience. The LMS allows learners to navigate the platform and use key accessibility capabilities like screen reader, keyboard, and closed captions based on the learner role. Powered by Artificial Intelligence, it offers personalized training to employees and customers. Plus, you can use this LMS to scale your learning programs at ease. Best of all, it allows you to work both on self-paced learning and hybrid modes.
Would you like to transform your training like some of the world's best brands do?
Start your Adobe Learning Manager free trial!
Explore Adobe Learning Manager reviews.
Highlights
- Accessibility Standards (WCAG 2.1)
- Fluidic Player For Accessible Learning
- Great Low-Vision Technology
Highlights
- Accessibility Standards (WCAG 2.1)
Adobe Learning Manager uses a branding theme that is dedicated to accessibility standards. The color palette in this theme is compliant with WCAG 2.1.
- Fluidic Player For Accessible Learning
Fluidic Player helps learners consume content with an engaging experience irrespective of the content format, making it easy for differently-abled learners to navigate in a single interface.
- Great Low-Vision Technology
Learners with low vision who rely on keyboards can skip content on the learner homepage interface by jumping straight to the section of their interest with a few clicks.
Plans And Pricing
If you're looking for an LMS that sets you up for success, you can't go wrong with this one. Adobe Learning Manager allows you to focus on your use case by offering active user or monthly user plans. What I like most about this LMS is that you can start off your courses with a few simple clicks. You'll find designing learning paths to be pretty easy. The same goes for making learning plans to register your learners automatically.
Docebo's multi-product learning suite equips enterprises to tackle any learning challenge all around the world. From creating content to delivering training to hybrid or internal audiences, managers and trainers can build a true learning culture within their organization.
Request a demo and get your accessibility and WCAG compliance resources now!
Read Docebo reviews in our directory.
Highlights
- Robust Forms
- Easy Navigation And Interactivity
- A Clear And Consistent Journey
Highlights
- Robust Forms
Form elements include clear labels that tell you exactly what to do when there is something wrong or provide you with the right information to prevent any possible mistakes.
- Easy Navigation And Interactivity
Interactive elements that are easy to identify and provide clear feedback tell users if they've successfully deleted or added something. Also, color contrast makes it easy to navigate without straining your eyes.
- A Clear And Consistent Journey
Users can navigate with clickable options and enjoy learning (anywhere, anytime) by using the site on a computer or smartphone, without any added challenges.
Plans And Pricing
Accessibility supports workplace inclusion for all and is a fundamental human right. But that's not it, as learning-content accessibility overlaps with other best business practices. For example, some of these include multimodal interaction, device independence, mobile web design, usability, and design for older users. For more information on pricing plans, visit their website.
For learning that feels right for everyone, go with the LMS trusted by 70K+ teams. Feature-rich, but with none of the bloat, TalentLMS comes with all the tools you need to create and offer WCAG 2.0-compliant training.
See for yourself how you can meet all your users' needs with a forever-free account. Get started today!
For more info, explore TalentLMS reviews and see what other users have to say.
Highlights
- Train Without The Strain
- Offer Accessible Courses
- Keep The Conversation Flowing
Highlights
- Train Without The Strain
Focus on learning, not fighting the platform. Train your teams on a user-friendly platform. Navigable, searchable, and keyboard-accessible, it's the LMS that's always a joy to use.
- Offer Accessible Courses
Create inclusive learning with accessible course formats. Provide text alternatives for visual or audio content and adapt courses into recognizable compositions.
- Keep The Conversation Flowing
Cater to different learning styles with asynchronous communication. Open up the discussion in forums and connect with direct messaging so learning welcomes everyone.
Plans And Pricing
Try for free, upgrade when you're ready. Sign up for a forever-free account to ensure TalentLMS meets all your users' needs, no strings attached. And, when you're ready, you can scale across 8 price plans without paying for users or features you don't need.
If you're looking for an innovative, open-source, and future-proof LMS, this is an excellent solution. With Stream LXP, you can use the L&D function to maximize performance and help your people to help themselves. From high levels of engagement and effective learning to getting full compliance and robust analytics tools, it has it all.
Find out why Learning Pool's LMS is trusted by more than 530 brands across the globe.
Go ahead and read reviews for Stream LXP in our directory.
Highlights
- Scalable Learning
- Leading Open Standards
- Exceptional Learning Delivery
Highlights
- Scalable Learning
LXP Stream boasts some of the best-in-class components for those who need to deliver learning at scale.
- Leading Open Standards
Their technology is based on leading open standards. Thus, it manages to simplify training for everyone. Learners, managers, and administrators can enjoy its ease of use.
- Exceptional Learning Delivery
Built by learning professionals, this LXP can flex around any learning delivery prerequisite. What's more, it is a proven digital replacement for any classroom environment.
Plans And Pricing
By teaming up with Learning Pool, you can easily cover everything from initial onboarding to leadership training. Best of all, you get to increase engagement and performance by leveraging 360 feedback. All the above, combined with powerful reporting, empower you to achieve your organizational goals. All you have to do is agree upon a tailored program or learning plan.
iSpring Solutions is a US-based vendor that helps companies remove the obstacles to quality online training. Designed with users in mind, its products facilitate seamless user and learning experiences globally.
Accomplish goals faster with the crystal clear iSpring Learn LMS. Get 100% employee buy-in for training and ensure its smooth launch within days.
Go ahead and visit our directory to explore iSpring Learn LMS reviews.
Highlights
- A Completely Intuitive Mobile App
- WCAG-Compliant iSpring Suite Authoring Tool
- Multilingual Interface
Highlights
- A Completely Intuitive Mobile App
The iSpring Learn app is available for free on iOS and Android. Access courses and take quizzes anytime and anywhere, even offline. The app supports 11 languages.
- WCAG-Compliant iSpring Suite Authoring Tool
It comes bundled with iSpring Learn and helps you create accessible and engaging courses, quizzes, and narrations with minimal effort.
- Multilingual Interface
Learners can select a preferred interface language on their own in a few clicks and see training dates and deadlines in their local time zone.
Plans And Pricing
Companies of any size can access the opportunities that iSpring Learn provides with one of the two pricing plans tailored to specific needs: Start and Business.
Depending on the plan the customer selects, the price ranges from $2.00 to $3.14 per active user per month.
ELB Learning offers a broad suite of products and services worldwide. Their LMS is uniquely designed to fit modern learner behavior and drive ROI. Thus, they ensure businesses deliver more immersive and impactful learning.
Get a free account or schedule a demo at elblearning.com.
Highlights
- Microlearning Module Builder
- Automatic Enrollments
- Customization By Region/Group
Highlights
- Microlearning Module Builder
Author product training quick guides and microlearning on the fly right inside the Rockstar Learning Platform.
- Automatic Enrollments
Learners can be re-enrolled into compliance training on a set recurring schedule.
- Customization By Region/Group
Customize and publish training for different groups of users to comply with regional requirements and regulations.
Plans And Pricing
The Rockstar Learning Platform scales to accommodate any size organization, including large enterprises with globally dispersed offices. Pricing plans are based on the learner and admin count and can be upgraded with authoring tools, courseware, and data migration.
Top List Ranking: eLearning Industry's LMS Selection Criteria
Globally recognized LMS experts, including C. Pappas and our editorial team, did a thorough review of each vendor's eligibility and relevant published content (articles, eBooks, webinars). Our committee ranked the top LMS solutions for learning accessibility on the following 9 criteria:
- Customer support
- Customer experience
- Software features
- Software innovation
- Customer reviews
- Economic growth potential
- Company's customer retention
- Employee turnover
- Company's social responsibility
Now that you've gone through our top LMS list ranking, please make sure to read our tips and insights. All the information shared below will help you choose the best tool for your needs.
Learning Accessibility: The Best LMS Features For Designing Accessible Learning Content
When talking about LMS accessibility, you must be wondering what such a platform looks like. First off, an accessible LMS solution, like the ones in this list, should be able to support WCAG. This certification allows accessible Learning Management Systems to drive success among all employees, LMS admins, and external learners.
The WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) framework is of great importance. It defines how software experiences can be inclusive for individuals with disabilities. By understanding the WCAG criteria, L&D leaders can foster improved learning technology experiences for a diverse workforce. The main goal remains to offer universally positive UX and outcomes.
To clarify, LMS tools that follow the WCAG framework have:
- The ability to offer distinguishable information and User Interface (UI).
- A knack for utilizing usable navigation experiences that are broadly interoperable.
- Input agents for assistance to make things easier for all users.
- An inclusive ease-of-understanding UX, language, operations, and diverse input requirements.
- The capacity to be robust by offering content interoperability, utilizing assistive technologies as well as current and future user agents.
So, here are some things to look out for when choosing accessible LMS tools:
- Use of high-contrast colors
- Consistent UI and icons
- Accessible multi-select lists
- Accessible text editors
- Screen-reader-accessible instruction information
- Support for accessible course content
Hence, learning solutions that strive to be at the top of their game for LMS accessibility conform with current WCAG standards. Both for learner and administrator experiences. Plus, they usually offer a range of features and UX designs to accommodate diverse accessibility scenarios.
Evaluating The Usability And Learning Accessibility Of LMS Tools
If your organization is in the process of adopting and implementing an LMS, focus on creating a shortlist of features you'll need. Then you can begin your LMS free trials.
Generally, LMS platforms have useful tools that make the creation and management of course content easier. Also, collaborative learning support systems, test-authoring systems, and virtual classroom management systems are widely used. Yet, giving the opportunity to access course materials anywhere and anytime is not enough.
Accessible learning platforms allow trainers and learners access to the course content by having the end user in mind. As diversity and inclusion training becomes mandatory, offering easy access and determining the accessibility and usability of the eLearning software are vital.
Therefore, an accessible LMS allows diverse trainers and staff from different departments to access, upload assignments, send quizzes, download content, etc. Plus, it offers accessibility and usability of eLearning.
Here are some steps you can carry:
- Read LMS accessibility reviews
- Focus on the design user interface
- Test navigational features and ease of use
- Evaluate elements using questionnaires
However, you might still have to customize the eLearning software depending on the needs of your trainers and learners. For example, you might need to add another language. Or maybe the navigation menu could use a bit of improvement. Customization can help increase and enhance the accessibility and usability of the software.
Next Steps
Indeed, training managers should base their critical evaluation of accessible LMS solutions on the instructional management component. First and foremost, the learning platform must be flexible. And it must allow the trainer to have free interaction with the users.
For example, there should be key interaction support features like:
- Discussion boards and groups
- Grade center and course reports
- Edit mode on/off
- Drag-and-drop features
- Course management
- Tests/surveys/polls
- Assignment and form assessments
Most importantly, an LMS for learning accessibility must have interactive and user-friendly features. Simultaneously, it should eliminate barriers in the User Experience when diverse users interact with the tool.
Of course, there are several standards and regulations for technology accessibility. As you can understand, this also affects LMS accessibility. For example:
In simple words, Section 508 is a federal U.S. standard. Compliance usually applies to nonprofit service companies and public sector agencies.
This is a civil rights law that guarantees equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities.
In short, this is a set of independent, formal guidelines for developing accessible digital content. It is also known as ISO/IEC 40500:2012.
Therefore, all the above-noted standards share a common goal: they are set to accommodate individuals with cognitive, auditory, visual, and mobility impairments.
So, LMS users must have easy access to instructions, course management items, and management safety without problems. Likewise, access authentication, identification, and password management must work flawlessly.
Above all, an LMS for accessible learning must enable all users to interact and easily navigate through the platform. In addition, it needs to have clarity of direction and consistency. Most importantly, it should enable learner control. Providing enhanced intuitive access and appropriate multimedia for diverse audiences is vital.
What are your thoughts on accessible learning management systems? Let us know in the comments!
