SCORM Accessibility: Making E-Learning Content Available to Everyone

Approximately 15% of the global population lives with some form of disability. When e-learning content isn't accessible, you're excluding a significant portion of your learners—and potentially violating legal requirements. This guide covers both accessibility best practices for SCORM content and how extraction can improve accessibility.

Understanding Accessibility Needs

Accessible e-learning accommodates various types of disabilities:

SCORM Accessibility Challenges

SCORM courses present unique accessibility challenges:

• Flash/JavaScript interactivity: Complex interactions may not work with assistive technologies
• Timing requirements: Timed interactions may be difficult for some learners
• Audio without transcripts: Narration and videos often lack text alternatives
• Mouse-dependent navigation: Drag-and-drop and click interactions exclude keyboard users
• Insufficient color contrast: Text may be difficult to read for low vision users

How Content Extraction Improves Accessibility

Extracting SCORM content to alternative formats can significantly improve accessibility:

1. Text-Based Alternatives

Screen readers work best with well-structured text. Exported PDF, Word, or Markdown provides:

• Proper heading hierarchy for navigation
• All text content in accessible format
• Tables with proper structure (in Word/Markdown)
• Image alt text preserved when available

2. Flexible Consumption

Text-based exports allow learners to:

• Adjust font sizes to their preference
• Use text-to-speech tools
• Apply custom color schemes or high contrast
• Print physical copies if needed

3. Self-Paced Learning

Extracted content removes timing pressures:

• No timed interactions or auto-advancing slides
• Learners can read at their own pace
• Content can be reviewed multiple times without restarting

WCAG Compliance Basics

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide the standard for accessible digital content. Key principles (POUR):

Best Practices for Accessible SCORM

1. At Development Time

• Add alt text to all images
• Include captions and transcripts for audio/video
• Ensure keyboard navigation for all interactions
• Use sufficient color contrast (4.5:1 minimum)
• Provide alternatives to drag-and-drop

2. At Deployment Time

• Test with screen readers (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver)
• Verify keyboard-only navigation works
• Check with accessibility evaluation tools
• Provide alternative formats (extracted documents)

3. As Accommodation

When SCORM content can't be made fully accessible, provide alternatives:

• Export course to accessible PDF or Word
• Offer text transcripts of all content
• Allow extended time for assessments
• Provide human support for complex interactions

Creating Accessible Exports

SCORM Converter creates exports with accessibility in mind:

PDF Export

• Tagged PDF structure for screen readers
• Proper heading hierarchy
• Alt text preserved when available in source
• Text remains selectable and searchable

Word Export

• Native heading styles for navigation
• Accessible tables with header rows
• Can be further processed with Word's accessibility checker
• Easy to customize for specific needs

Markdown Export

• Clean semantic structure
• Can be rendered with any accessible viewer
• Easy to process with text-to-speech tools
• Compatible with braille displays

Accessibility Workflow

A recommended workflow for accessibility:

1. Audit: Review SCORM content for accessibility issues
2. Extract: Export to text-based formats
3. Enhance: Add missing alt text, structure, and descriptions
4. Offer: Make alternative formats available to learners who need them
5. Document: Keep records for compliance