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 will help you move from accessibility awareness to advocacy, through practical, real-world learning.
In this SAIT Micro-credential 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 current or aspiring 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.
There are no course prerequisites or eligibility requirements to enroll in this course.
While not mandatory, a foundational understanding of UX design will help you get the most out of the learning experience.
Want to strengthen your UX research and design skills? Check out our online DIGI 019 Applied User Experience Design bootcamp.
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
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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
SAIT Micro-credentials develop practical skills aligned to current industry standards and include competency-based testing. Earning a SAIT Technical Skills Micro-credential demonstrates to employers that you have the required competencies — combining knowledge, skills and abilities — to get the job done. Learn more.
Students who complete this course with a final grade of A- (80%) or higher will earn the Micro-credential and receive a shareable digital badge that validates their achievement.
Costs
Textbook and reading list
Included in the purchase of this course, you’ll receive course content 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.
Related courses you may like
This course applies to the following certificate programs:
- Certification type
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Micro-Credential,
Bootcamp Course
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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.