Accessible User Experience Design

New Course!

Course ID:: DIGI 042
Type:: Micro-Credential More info on credential type
Prerequisites:: Yes

Mandatory requirements

To register for this course, you must meet the eligibility requirements and upload supporting documentation during checkout. See prerequisites and eligibility for details.

Overview

Digital products that exclude a large percentage of the population with accessibility challenges, whether visible or non-visible, aren’t just missing opportunities; they’re creating business risks. As accessibility legislation expands across Canada, with Ontario, BC, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland leading the way with provincial compliance requirements, UX designers need skills that go beyond traditional design thinking. Accessible User Experience Design is a hands-on micro-credential course that helps designers move from accessibility awareness to advocacy, through practical, real-world learning.

In this 40-hour course, you’ll learn how to design with inclusion in mind and apply accessibility principles to real-world digital experiences. You’ll develop the skills to evaluate digital accessibility, lead inclusive discovery sessions, conduct meaningful usability testing, and communicate the value of accessible design to teams and clients. You’ll also analyze websites using screen readers, create low-fidelity prototypes that meet accessibility standards, and build business cases that highlight accessibility's impact on brand, compliance, and customer satisfaction.

Delivered virtually by an industry-experienced instructor, the course is organized into six units covering the business case for accessibility, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) standards, stakeholder engagement, ethical considerations, usability testing, and prototyping. You’ll engage in hands-on learning through real-world case studies, interactive challenges, and guided simulations. Activities include stakeholder role-plays, usability sessions, and prototyping exercises that help transform WCAG from a set of rules into a practical framework for creating inclusive user experiences.

The course concludes by strengthening your ability to advocate for accessibility, helping you communicate design rationale and accessibility considerations to developers, clients, and decision-makers with clarity and confidence.

This course is ideal if you:

are a UX/UI designer looking to expand your skill set and gain a competitive edge
want to future-proof your career as accessibility requirements become mandatory across industries
need practical tools to evaluate, design, and advocate for accessible digital experiences
want to grow your client base and improve usability through inclusive design.

You must complete DIGI 019 Applied User Experience Design before registering for this course; OR
We will accept successful completion of:
- Any one of the following SAIT credit-based courses:
  - DSGN 227 Introduction to User Experience (UX)
  - DSGN 312 Intermediate User Experience (UX)
  - DSGN 314 User Research; OR
- An equivalent course from another educational institution, taken in the past two years, with a minimum pass grade of 65%; OR
Alternatively, we will accept a document (employer letter or your personal summary as a freelancer/contractor) outlining your relevant experience as it pertains to the learning outcomes outlined in the DIGI 019 Applied User Experience Design course. Contact ConEdAdvising@sait.ca for more information.

Upon successful completion of this course, you'll be able to:

explain the importance and impact of accessibility in User Experience (UX) design on business, users, and society
evaluate designs for accessibility compliance (WCAG 2.0-2.2, etc.)
analyze accessible and inclusive design requirements to create excellent user experiences.
facilitate discovery sessions with stakeholders to surface risk and opportunities of accessible and inclusive design
examine ethical issues and promote responsible design practices to avoid legislative repercussions
conduct a simulated usability testing for accessibility
develop a low fidelity prototype of one component to meet inclusive design and accessible standards best practices
advocate for accessibility and inclusive design best practices to support business growth and branding.

To request a course outline, contact ConEdAdvising@sait.ca.

Upcoming dates

Select an available section and add it to your cart. When you're ready, proceed to check out to sign into your student account and complete your registration.

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Registration closes seven days before the start date for on-campus, online scheduled, and blended courses, and one day before the start date for online self-paced courses.

After you've completed this course

Upon successful completion of this course, you'll be able to self-print a proof of completion document from your Continuing Education student account.

Micro-Credential

Aligned to current industry standards, SAIT’s micro-credentials develop practical, real-world skills and include competency-based testing. Earning a SAIT micro-credential demonstrates to employers you have the required competencies — both skills and knowledge — to get the job done.

Students who successfully complete this course with a final grade of A- (80%) or higher will earn a micro-credential and receive a shareable digital badge.

Costs

Textbook and reading list

Included in the purchase of this course, you’ll receive course curriculum accessible online in Brightspace (D2L).

Technology

To be successful in this course, you’ll need:

Access to your own computer or laptop with standard hardware/software requirements.
Functional webcam and microphone
Internet access

Financial support

Financial opportunities are available to help pay for your course fees. Learn more about how to reduce your education or training costs with available awards, bursaries, loans and grants including the Canada Alberta Productivity Grant.

Learn more

Train your team

Interested in group training opportunities for this course? Tell us about your organization's needs, and one of our training consultants will contact you within one business day.

Fees

Fees are subject to change without notice.


SAIT fees	Cost (CAD)
Campus athletic and recreation fee: supports the provision of recreation and fitness facilities,movement classes, wellness programs, events, intramural activities, varsity sports programs, and a variety of initiatives offered throughout the academic year.	$103
Student technology fee: supports improvements to cybersecurity to protect student and institutional information, access to learning material outside the classroom, and technology to enhance your experience.	$105.50
UPass: provides you with unlimited access to Calgary Transit. Additional eligibility requirements apply to obtain a UPass.	$165
Saitsa fees
Saitsa fee: supports the student-led, non-profit organization representing students. Fees support the operation of various student services, activities, and programming.	$146
Health and dental plan: provides access to thousands of dollars in coverage for prescription medication, dental treatments, paramedical services, and multiple other benefits. Find more details at saitsa.com/benefits.	$165

Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.

SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.

We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.