Gain essential accessible content skills in 5-7 hours

Learn the essentials of accessible content in 5 short online courses — alt-text, captions, accessible links, accessible PDFs, and how to use your content management system well. This Certificate is the equivalent of a one-day workshop, and the fastest way to start publishing accessible content.

The Certificate in Accessible Content is a convenient way for writers to meet the web accessibility standards that apply in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US — WCAG 2.2, and the accessibility, disability and equality laws such as Section 508 that are built on it. It focuses on the WCAG standards that affect content creators — no jargon, no coding experience required — and gives you the confidence to work alongside your web developers.

What you'll learn: core digital accessibility skills

How to meet accessibility requirements: Learn the WCAG 2.2 and Section 508 standards that affect content creators — and the ADA Title II deadlines that apply to US state and local governments, public schools and universities from April 2027.

How to make multimedia accessible: Learn how to write alt-text, captions and transcripts that make every image, graph, video and audio file accessible.

How to write accessible links: Learn how to write descriptive link-text that people, search engines and screen readers can find, understand and use.

How to make 508-compliant PDFs: Create an accessible document and convert it to an accessible PDF.

How to protect built-in accessibility: Learn how to use your CMS without undoing the accessibility your web technology and design already provide.

How accessible content serves every citizen: Citizens have rights, benefits and services they're entitled to — and your content is how they find, understand and use them. Accessible content also gives students information equity: equal access to online learning materials at school.

How to work confidently with technical teams: Learn the standards and shared vocabulary to work alongside your web developers, IT teams and accessibility experts.

Who is this accessibility training course for?

The Certificate in Accessible Content is designed for busy professionals who need digital accessibility skills at work:

• Content Teams: Web teams, intranet teams, content owners, content managers,  content strategists, content designers, content creators of all kinds
• Technical & IT: IT professionals, technical writers and web developers
• Writers: Subject experts, copywriters, and general staff who write as part of their job
• Education: Teachers, educators, instructional designers and e-learning developers — so every student, including neurodivergent students, can access what they need to learn online
• Compliance and legal teams: Government teams bound by accessibility, disability and equality law — like Section 508 and ADA Title II in the US, or equivalent rules in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK.
• Multimedia: Graphic designers, video producers, audio creators and marketing teams who make public brochures
• Upgraders: Graduates of the Diploma in Web Content Writing who want accessibility skills next.

Why choose Contented's Certificate in Accessible Content?

15,000+ learners in 52 countries, with 20 years training public sector and business writers — a specialist credential, not a generic course

Written by digital content experts with 20-year track record consulting to federal government and local government clients

Repeat clients for decades across government communications and web teams in the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand — pre-requisite content and AI training in some government agencies before staff can touch digital content

Tailored for government and local government: Covers accessibility with before-and-after examples from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US

Widely useful: Written to work for novices and intermediate writers alike

Recently updated to include AI search visibility skills: Learn how keywords and metadata have changed for AI search, in our updated Using keywords and metadata course

Recognised certification that graduates say opens doors in the job market

Curriculum for the Certificate in Accessible Content

Which WCAG 2.2 and Section 508 standards affect web writers?

1. Writing for WCAG 2.2: Understand the standards in WCAG 2.2 Level AA and Section 508 that affect digital content creators, and how to meet the standards.

How do you write links that are accessible, findable and trusted?

2. Writing useful hyperlinks: How to replace vague phrases like click here with descriptive link-text that improves accessibility, boosts search visibility, and earns trust.

How do you make images, video and audio accessible?

3. Using images and graphs online: Use graphics appropriately, and write alt-text, captions and transcripts that make every image, graph, video and audio file accessible.

How do you make an accessible, 508-compliant PDF?

4. Making accessible PDFs: Create accessible documents and convert them to accessible, 508-compliant PDFs.

How do you use your CMS or web editor to improve accessibility?

5. Using a content management system or web editor: Use your CMS templates or web editing tool correctly, so you improve accessibility instead of destroying it.

Ready to make W3C-compliant content that citizens and students can access with ease?

Whether you need alt text skills or accessible PDF training for your whole team, you can start today.

Enrol in the Certificate in Accessible Content today — or save big by booking for your whole team!

What's included in the Certificate in Accessible Content?

5 courses and materials: 5 microlearning courses and 5 tests (1–1.5 hours each) plus takeaway materials

Practical, example-led lessons: real before-and-after examples, not theory

CPD accredited: 5 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits from the CPD Standards Office, UK, equivalent to a 1-day workshop

A recognised certificate: valued by public and private sector employers in the US, UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

Course details and payment options

Format: 100% online, self-paced distance learning.

Duration: 90 days of access from your first log-in. Equivalent to a 1-day professional workshop.

Prerequisites: None, beyond computer and internet access. Most content authors benefit from doing the Diploma in Web Content Writing first.

Trainer: Produced by digital content expert, Alice Hearnshaw.

Price: US$135 per learner — price unchanged since 2006.

Bulk discounts: Save up to 50% for a group of 20 or more.

Secure payment options: Pay by credit card online, or by invoice in any major currency.

Guarantee: 100% money-back guarantee within 10 days. No questions asked.

Start the Certificate in Accessible Content today

Earn a certificate. Meet the standards. Publish with confidence.

You can start any time and study at your own pace, with 90 days of access from your first log-in. If the Certificate isn't right for you, Contented's 100% money-back guarantee has you covered.

Enrol in the Certificate in Accessible Content

Buying to align a whole team? Save up to 50% for a group of 20 or more, and pay by card or invoice in any major currency.