From general training to certification programs, there are many training options to help you improve your accessibility skills. Learn how to build digital tools that conform to the Revised 508 Standards.
General Training
Visit the Training page for general training on Section 508 and IT Accessibility.
Certifications
The International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) offers two accessibility certifications:
Visit IAAP’s Prepare page for more information about how to prepare for the various IAAP certifications.
If you complete both certifications above, you’ll also receive a Certified Professional in Web Accessibility (CPWA) designation.
Education Initiatives
- Teach Access - Aims to expand the quality and quantity of undergraduate programs that teach accessibility fundamentals in fields such as design, computer science, and human computer interaction
- Teach Access Tutorial - learn about mobile app and website accessibility
Web Accessibility Training
These resources (including some no-cost offerings) can help you understand how accessibility is achieved in certain specialized environments. You must understand your development environment to determine what, specifically, you’ll need to know.
Original 508 Standards
A number of organizations offer training based on the Original 508 Standards. Though the Standards have been revised, many are still valuable, including:
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Trusted Tester Certification
- Accessibility Community of Practice (ACOP) Best Practices Library
Web Accessibility
More modern resources include:
- Rob Dodson from Google has a great introductory talk
- Google’s Udacity course on Web Accessibility introduces tools and techniques for web developers to easily ensure that websites are more accessible
- Web Accessibility Udacity offers hands-on experience to make web applications accessible
- The Code4Lib Journal – A Practical Guide on Developing Accessible Websites
- Making Microsoft Office Documents Accessible
Reviewed/Updated: May 2018
