Why edtech MUST be accessible
For the past year, I’ve been working on the web accessibility of Vittascience, an inspiring french edtech startup that makes coding, robotics and AI accessible and engaging for students and teachers. And this work made it clear for me: when we make edtech accessible, we are shaping the way an entire generation learns, thinks, and understands digital tools.
Edtech is where many children first discover what a right way of coding is, and how learning materials should feel. Edtech shapes tomorrow’s standards. If these platforms are accessible, we teach equity, clarity, and respect long before these words appear in any curriculum.
Accessibility directly impacts learning speed and frustration levels
It sounds obvious, but many teams underestimate it:
poor color contrast = increased cognitive load
unclear navigation = slower comprehension
inaccessible videos = missed content
dense text without structure = reduced retention
Research from CAST (Universal Design for Learning) shows that accessible design improves learning outcomes for every student, not just disabled ones.
In the 2022/23 survey, 58% of students reported that they “experienced some sort of issue that made it difficult to learn using digital technology”.
Many disabilities affecting learning are invisible
Dyslexia, ADHD, DCD, low vision, processing disorders… In every classroom, these students exist and most do not ask for accommodations.
Edtech becomes their primary teacher, especially for self-learning. If the platform is inaccessible, they face a double barrier: the subject and the interface.
EdTech companies silently teach design standards
A child who grows up working with accessible digital tools will, later in life, expect accessibility, without a thought that an exclusion is normal.
Edtech shapes future designers, engineers, researchers before they even know what UX means and this is why I believe edtech has a special responsibility.
The world’s best EdTech companies already invest heavily in accessibility
Here are some examples:
🟦 Khan Academy has published its accessibility principles and commits to screen-reader optimization & inclusive formatting: https://www.khanacademy.org/about/accessibility-statement
🟥 Coursera provides captions, screen-reader support, accessible assessments: https://www.coursera.support/s/article/learner-000001052?language=en_US
🟩 Microsoft Education is probably the strongest global leader with Immersive Reader, dictation, captions, dyslexia-friendly tools: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/educator-center/?source=mec
🟧 Moodle runs an entire accessibility initiative based on WCAG & ATAG: https://moodle.org/mod/page/view.php?id=8753&forceview=1
❤️ Why this matters to me personally: working with Vittascience reminded me how meaningful accessibility is. We are improving someone’s ability to understand the world, express themselves, succeed and for me this is the best part of my job.