Gain essential accessible content skills in 10–15 hours

 

Create accessible content for people with different access needs, reading levels and technologies. Know what you can fix yourself and when to ask an accessibility specialist for help.

Learn to write accessible digital content that people can find, understand and use. Write clearly for people with different access needs, including neurodivergent readers and people who use screen readers, keyboards and other assistive technology.

Learn practical skills for accessible web pages, intranet content, images, graphs, video, audio, documents and PDFs. Write useful alt-text, captions and transcripts, and review AI drafts for accessibility issues before you publish.

This Diploma is for web teams, intranet teams, technical writers, instructional designers, content managers, content creators and copywriters in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US. It explains WCAG 2.2 and the accessibility, disability and equality laws and standards that use or relate to WCAG. It also helps you work confidently with accessibility specialists, web developers and IT teams.

Turn accessibility requirements into everyday content practices. Learn what to check before you publish and when to ask an accessibility specialist or developer for help.

Accessible content skills you will learn

Understand digital accessibility requirements

Learn about the accessibility standards, laws and guidance that affect content creators. Understand WCAG 2.2 content practices, US Section 508, and ADA Title II requirements for state and local government — including key compliance dates in 2027 and 2028 — as well as relevant rules in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. 

Write accessible content for real people

Write people-first, scannable content in clear language. Help people with different access needs find information, understand it and take the next step.

Make web and intranet content accessible

Use meaningful headings, clear page structure, descriptive links, readable text and accessible tables. Learn how these choices help people using screen readers, keyboard navigation, magnification and other assistive technology.

Make images, graphs, video and audio accessible

Write useful alt-text, captions and transcripts to make visual and audio content accessible — and easier to find through search and AI search..

Create accessible documents and PDFs

Create accessible source documents and convert them into accessible PDFs. Learn how to structure documents so people can navigate, read and listen to them using a keyboard, screen reader or other assistive technology.

Use your CMS without undoing accessibility

Learn how to publish content without unintentionally breaking the accessibility features built into your website and CMS templates, so people can navigate and use your pages with a keyboard, screen reader or other assistive technology.

Review AI-generated content for accessibility

Review AI-generated content to make sure it is clear, well-structured and usable for people who use a keyboard, screen reader or other assistive technology. Know when an AI draft needs accessibility fixes before you publish.

Work effectively with accessibility and technical teams

Work confidently with developers, IT teams, designers and accessibility specialists to make content accessible. Use practical checks to identify issues you can fix yourself and know when to ask for expert help.

Work towards more equitable access to information

Use accessible content to reduce barriers and help more people find, understand and use services, rights, benefits, learning materials and public information.

Who is this accessibility training course for?

The Diploma in Accessible Content is designed for busy, non-technical professionals who need digital accessibility skills at work:

Who is the Diploma in Accessible Content for?

The Diploma in Accessible Content is designed for busy, non-technical professionals who need digital accessibility skills at work.

• Government and policy teams: Government content writers, policy analysts, public information officers, communications advisers and public-sector staff.
• Content teams: Web content writers, content managers, content designers, content strategists and online publishers.
• Communications and marketing teams: Communications professionals, copywriters, social media managers and SEO writers.
• Learning professionals: Instructional designers, e-learning developers, teachers and educators who create online learning materials.
• Specialists: Technical writers, documentation writers, business writers, plain-language writers, accessibility advocates and knowledge-base writers.
• Academics and researchers: Professionals who publish complex information for online audiences.
• Multimedia and publishing teams: Graphic designers, video producers, audio creators, and teams that publish documents, images, video, audio and public information.
• Government, compliance and legal teams: Teams that support accessibility, disability and equality obligations, including US federal teams working with Section 508 and US state or local government teams working with ADA Title II requirements, as well as teams working with relevant rules in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK.

Why choose Contented's Diploma in Accessible Content?

• 15,000+ learners in 52 countries. Contented has trained public-sector and professional writers for more than 20 years.
• Government-focused expertise. The Diploma draws on two decades of digital content consulting with government and local-government clients.
• Practical, example-led lessons. Learn from before-and-after examples relevant to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US.
• Accessibility and plain language together. Learn how clear writing, useful structure and accessible publishing practices work together.
• Skills for different experience levels. The course supports newer writers and gives experienced writers a clear framework for creating accessible content.
• Career value: Graduates say Contented qualifications help them build confidence, demonstrate their skills and open doors in the job market.

Curriculum for the Diploma in Accessible Content

Each course takes around 1 to 1.5 hours. Study online at your own pace.

How do you find out what your audience actually needs?

1. Writing for online audiences: Learn how to gather and use audience insights to design content that helps people find answers and complete tasks. Accessibility starts with knowing who needs the information and how they will use it.

How do you write headings that help everyone navigate a page?

2. Writing web headlines: Write clear, descriptive headings that help people scan a page, understand the topic and navigate with a screen reader.

How do you write summaries that give people the key message quickly?

3. Writing web page summaries: Master 5 types of web summary that get your message across. Use answer-first summaries that support readers with limited time, attention or cognitive capacity.

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

4. Writing useful hyperlinks: Replace vague phrases such as “click here” with meaningful link text that tells people where a link goes and what they can do there.

How do you make images, graphs, video and audio accessible?

5. Using images and graphs online: Write alt text, captions and transcripts that make visual and multimedia content available to more people.

How do you check readability and write in plain language?

6. Writing plain language, part 1: Check readability, organise information clearly and understand the plain language requirements and guidance that support accessible communication in your country.

How do you review and edit your own writing and AI drafts?

7. Editing and reviewing web content: Use a four-step review process to check content for clarity, accessibility, accuracy, tone and consistency. Review AI-generated drafts before publication.

How do you use your CMS or web editor without breaking accessibility?

8. Using a content management system or web editor: Use templates and web-editing tools in ways that protect accessible design and avoid common publishing errors.

Which WCAG 2.2 and Section 508 requirements affect content creators?

9. Writing for WCAG 2.2: Understand the WCAG 2.2 content requirements that affect writers and publishers. Learn how US Section 508 and ADA Title II requirements relate to your content work, and apply practical checks to headings, links, images, tables, video, audio and downloadable files.

How do you make accessible PDFs?

10. Making accessible PDFs: Create accessible source documents and convert them to accessible PDFs. Learn the practical checks that make files easier to navigate, read and use.

Accessibility standards and US ADA Title II deadlines

The Diploma in Accessible Content teaches the WCAG 2.2 content practices that help writers and publishers create more accessible digital information. It also explains how accessibility requirements affect content creators in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US.

For US state and local government entities, ADA Title II requires websites and mobile apps to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA. The compliance deadline is 26 April 2027 for entities serving populations of 50,000 or more, and 26 April 2028 for smaller entities and special districts.

Section 508 applies to US federal agencies and currently aligns with WCAG 2.0 Level A and AA. This Diploma teaches the practical content work that supports these requirements. It is not a technical accessibility audit or a formal WCAG conformance certification.

Ready to create accessible content for citizens and students?

Whether you need WCAG content training, Section 508 guidance or accessible PDF skills for your whole team, you can start today.

Enrol in the Diploma in Accessible Content today — or save when you book for your team.

What's included in the Diploma in Accessible Content?

• 10 courses and materials: 10 microlearning courses and 10 tests, each taking around 1 to 1.5 hours, plus takeaway materials
• Practical, example-led lessons: Real before-and-after examples, not theory alone
• CPD accredited: Earn 10 Continuing Professional Development credits from the CPD Standards Office, UK. The Diploma is equivalent to a two-day professional workshop.
• A professional-development diploma: Earn a Contented diploma when you complete the course and assessments. Graduates say it helps them demonstrate their skills to employers.

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 2-day professional workshop.
• Prerequisites: None, beyond computer and internet access. You don't need any IT or accessibility background.
• Trainer: Produced by digital content expert, Alice Hearnshaw.
• Price: US$230 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 Diploma in Accessible Content

Earn a diploma. Build accessible content skills. Publish with confidence.

Start any time and study online at your own pace. You will have 90 days of access from your first log-in. If the Diploma is not right for you, Contented offers a 100% money-back guarantee within 10 days.

Enrol in the Diploma in Accessible Content

Buying for a team? Save up to 50% for 20 or more learners. Pay by card or request an invoice in a major currency.