Gain essential accessible content skills in 5-7 hours

Create accessible content for people with different access needs, reading levels and ways of using technology. Learn what you can fix yourself and when to ask an accessibility specialist or developer for help.

Start with the essentials in five short online courses drawn from the Diploma in Accessible Content. Learn to write useful alt text, captions, transcripts and accessible links; create accessible PDFs; and publish through your content management system without unintentionally introducing barriers.

The Certificate is equivalent to a one-day workshop and is the fastest way to build practical accessible-content skills. All five courses are included in the Diploma in Accessible Content, so you can begin with the Certificate and step up to the full Diploma later.

The Certificate explains the WCAG 2.2 content practices and accessibility requirements most relevant to content creators in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US. No coding experience is required. You will be better equipped to work with web developers, IT teams and accessibility specialists.

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 useful, accessible links

Replace vague phrases such as "click here" with meaningful link-text that tells people where a link goes and what they can do there.

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 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.

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

• Content teams: Content authors, intranet authors, web content writers, content designers and online publishers.
• Multimedia and publishing teams: Graphic designers, video producers, audio creators, and teams that publish documents, images, video and audio.
• Learning professionals: Instructional designers, e-learning developers, teachers and educators who create online learning materials.
• 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.
• Upgraders: Graduates of the Diploma in Web Content Writing who want accessibility skills next.

This Certificate covers practical content responsibilities. It does not replace a formal accessibility audit, legal advice or technical conformance testing.

Why choose Contented's Certificate 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 Certificate 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.
• Trusted by public sector teams: Contented has trained government communications and web teams in the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand for more than 20 years.
• 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 Certificate in Accessible Content

Each course takes around 1 to 1.5 hours. Study online at your own pace. These are five of the ten courses in the Diploma in Accessible Content.

Which WCAG 2.2 and Section 508 requirements affect content creators?

1. Writing for WCAG 2.2: Understand the WCAG 2.2 content practices that affect writers and publishers. Learn how US Section 508 and ADA Title II requirements relate to your content work, and use practical checks to spot common accessibility barriers before you publish.

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

2. 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?

3. Making images, graphs and media accessible: Write alt-text, captions and transcripts that make visual and multimedia content available to more people.

How do you make accessible PDFs?

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

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

5. 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.

Ready to start creating accessible content?

Whether you need WCAG content training, alt-text skills or accessible PDF training, 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, 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 5 Continuing Professional Development credits from the CPD Standards Office, UK. The Certificate is equivalent to a one-day professional workshop.
• A professional-development certificate: Earn a Contented certificate 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 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. Build accessible content skills. 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.

Want the full qualification? The Diploma in Accessible Content includes all five Certificate courses, plus five more on understanding online audiences, writing headlines and summaries, plain language, and editing and reviewing AI drafts.

Already completed the Diploma in Web Content Writing? Add this Certificate and you qualify for the Diploma in Accessible Content.