How long will the course take to complete?
The course is self-paced, providing you with the flexibility to learn at your own pace, on your own schedule. The course will take up to 3 hours to complete from start to finish.
WCAG, ARIA, and Beyond
This web accessibility mini course is designed for digital creators who are ready to move from theory to practice. You'll learn how to build websites and applications that work for everyone.
About This Course
Price: $25.00 USD Members
This targeted mini-course, "WCAG, ARIA, and Beyond," is designed for digital creators who are ready to move from theory to practice. In today's digital-first world, accessibility is not just an ethical ideal, it is a technical necessity and a legal requirement. Through structured sections based on the Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS) Body of Knowledge, you'll learn how to build websites and applications that work for everyone.
This course moves beyond checklists and abstract concepts. You'll gain practical, actionable skills: writing semantic HTML, managing keyboard focus, implementing ARIA roles correctly, and evaluating digital products for compliance. Whether you're a developer, designer, content creator, or project manager, this course will empower you to reduce legal risk, enhance user experience for all users, and demonstrate genuine corporate social responsibility.
For current IAAP Certification holders, this course serves as an excellent refresher and includes dedicated content on the European Accessibility Act (Directive (EU) 2019/882).
This course was developed by the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP).
Course Topics
Section 1. Core Web Accessibility Standards 1
This section covers the W3C guidelines that shape modern digital accessibility. You'll explore WCAG, ATAG 2.0, and EN 301 549, including key updates in version 3.2.2 and the European Accessibility Act.
Section 2. Core Web Accessibility Standards 2
This section continues with ATAG principles, WAI-ARIA 1.2, and EN 301 549. You'll also learn how the European Accessibility Act influences global accessibility requirements.
Section 3. Basic Knowledge of Programming for Accessibility
This section bridges general development knowledge with accessibility. You'll learn how JavaScript interacts with accessibility APIs, why semantic HTML matters, and how to build custom controls responsibly.
Section 4. Using ARIA
This section walks you through ARIA step by step, including five basic rules every developer should know. You'll also learn about accessible names, the ARIA Authoring Practices Guide (APG), and the accessibility tree.
Section 5. Accessible Digital Experiences: From Screen Readers to Dynamic Web Apps
You'll explore how screen readers interpret code and the differences between standard and custom controls. The section also covers ARIA best practices for custom controls, single-page applications (SPAs), and dynamic content updates.
Requirements
There are no formal prerequisites for this course. However, a basic familiarity with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript will be helpful for the technical sections. If you are new to coding, you can still benefit from the conceptual and analytical portions of the course.
Who is this course for?
This course is ideal for:
- Web developers, front-end engineers, and software developers
- UX/UI designers, content creators, and product managers
- Anyone looking to build a more inclusive world
- Quality assurance (QA) testers and accessibility auditors
- IAAP certification holders looking for a practical refresher
- Anyone committed to building inclusive, compliant, and user-friendly digital experiences
Education Credits
This course is eligible for the following IAAP Education Credits:
- CPACC: 3 Education Credits
- WAS: 3 Education Credits
- CPWA: 3 Education Credits
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have access to the course material?
After purchase, you will have 6 months to access the course material. After this, material will need to be purchased again to continue learning.
Will I receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of the course?
No, you will not receive a separate certificate of completion for this course.
I am having an issue accessing or navigating the course, who can I contact?
Please send a detailed e-mail to iaapsupport@accessibilityassociation.org outlining the issue you have found in the course. Our team will work as quickly as possible to have it resolved. The course discussion boards are not regularly monitored, so adding issues there will not prompt a quick response.
What web browser should I use?
The Open edX platform works best with current versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari.
See our list of supported browsers for the most up-to-date information.