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Inclusive Training: Creating Learning Spaces Where Everyone Can Thrive

Jun 24 / Hazel Gregory
Understanding the Barriers

Even before training begins, individuals with disabilities may carry unspoken concerns. These might include:

Deaf or Hard of Hearing Participants:
  • Worrying about missing information, struggling to follow group discussions, or feeling exposed when asking for repetition.

Individuals with Learning Disabilities:
  • Feeling anxious about keeping pace or hesitant to ask clarifying questions for fear of standing out.


People with Visual Impairments:
  • Including those with colour blindness or those who rely on glasses or screen magnifiers — often worrying they’ll miss visual details or be unable to follow screen content.


Anyone with a Disability: Wondering:
  • “Has this experience been designed with my needs in mind?” Inaccessible environments, unfortunately, are still too common — reinforcing feelings of exclusion.

How Trainers Can Create Inclusive Learning Environments

The key to supporting all learners is to design training that is inclusive by default. That means assuming someone in the room (or on the call) may have a disability — even if you’re not aware of it.

Trainers and facilitators can't always rely on others to surface accommodation needs. So instead, proactive inclusion becomes best practice.


Step 1: Create Accessible Training Materials

Screen Reader Compatibility:

Ensure all materials can be interpreted by screen readers or text-to-speech tools.


Fonts and Readability:

  • Use sans serif fonts such as Arial, Verdana, Calibri, or Open Sans. Maintain a minimum font size of 12–14 pt (or 16–19 px). Use clear spacing and avoid cluttered text.



Visual Accessibility: 

  • Use high-quality, undistorted screenshots. Provide alt-text for all images to describe visual content for screen reader users. Ensure directions in training materials match actual names of buttons or menu items.


Thoughtful Colour Use:

  • Avoid overstimulating colours such as bright red and yellow. Avoid red-green or green-pink combinations. Choose calming colours like muted blues and greens. Keep patterns and backgrounds simple and clean.


Step 2: Deliver Training in an Inclusive Way

Communication:

  • Speak clearly, slowly, and at a steady pace. Pause frequently for processing and questions. Use plain language and explain acronyms or jargon.



Engagement:

  • Encourage interaction through polls, questions, or chat. Record virtual sessions for later review.



Visual Presence:

  • In virtual settings, keep your camera on. In person, maintain eye contact with the room.


Step 3: Provide Personalised Support When Needed

Before or After Sessions:

  • Offer optional one-on-one support for previews or recaps.



Private Check-Ins:

  • Use chat tools for discreet check-ins.



Breakout Rooms:

  • Support peer comfort and shared learning in small groups.


Building Confidence and Belonging

Inclusive training isn’t just about compliance or accommodations — it’s about empowering every learner.

By planning with accessibility in mind, we remove barriers not just for people with disabilities — but for everyone.

Let’s create training environments where nobody has to ask, “Was I considered?” — because inclusion was built in from the start.