At Cengage, we consider each pupil deserves entry to high-quality instruments and significant instructional experiences. That’s why accessibility greatest practices are an ongoing course of built-in into our product growth lifecycle.
We not too long ago spoke with Justin Tumelaire, Senior Supervisor of Accessibility at Cengage, to debate the work our groups are doing to advance instructional fairness.
Describe your position at Cengage
As Sr. Accessibility Supervisor, I work with a workforce that helps totally different teams throughout Cengage to guage our merchandise towards accessibility necessities, together with WCAG 2.2 tips. We consider merchandise, create accessible paperwork and take part in cross-functional working teams to plan and implement enhancements. That is throughout a portfolio of 1000’s of digital sources. The work is complicated and dynamic, however central to what we do.
Equally essential, we instantly assist our prospects once they have questions or expertise challenges associated to accessibility.
What do you would like folks higher understood about accessibility?
Accessibility work is greater than only a process — it must be a mission. There are standards that information the event of accessible merchandise. Nevertheless, individuals are the driving pressure that makes these merchandise come to life. That is solely potential after we’re conscientious and deliberate in our efforts. Accessibility should not be an addition to workflows, however an built-in a part of them.
Accessibility isn’t nearly compliance. The query shouldn’t be, “Are you accessible?” It ought to be, “Do you present college students and educators with the instruments they want for a significant classroom expertise?” Whereas compliance is essential, usability can get misplaced within the quest to conform. It’s not simply compliance we have to obtain. It’s additionally about enriching instructing and studying for all.
What’s Cengage’s strategy to studying experiences?
If studying isn’t accessible for everybody, we are able to’t obtain our targets. And worse, we’d be stopping college students from attaining theirs. Our purpose is to create an impactful expertise for all our college students and instructors who depend on us to assist present high quality studying.
How is Cengage working to enhance accessibility?
Throughout our merchandise and movies, we embody options like different textual content, closed captions and transcripts to assist numerous studying types. We additionally embed accessibility greatest practices all through product growth, backed by clear tips, ongoing coaching and built-in accessibility checks, as a part of our ongoing course of for evaluating alignment with Cengage tips and WCAG requirements.
Moreover, our nationwide Analysis Advisory Board, made up of accessibility professionals from increased training establishments, opinions our options and helps information our technique. This evaluate course of gives suggestions on how our options align with WCAG 2.2 Stage AA standards, whereas repeatedly enhancing the general person expertise. We even have a devoted workforce of Digital Accessibility Specialists who companion intently with Incapacity Help Companies workplaces to raised perceive and handle learner wants.
We stay dedicated to enhancing accessibility throughout Cengage’s Studying Platforms, together with MindTap, WebAssign and CNOWv2. Up to date Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs) will even be out there in the summertime of 2026 for every platform.
What are you enthusiastic about in the case of Cengage’s accessibility efforts?
The future. As we progress in our journey, I’m thrilled with our transformation from accessibility being one thing we “do” to being who we’re, a part of our identification. It’s greater than checking a compliance field. It’s about creating transformative studying experiences that may positively affect our college students and future generations.
Eager about studying extra about accessibility and academic fairness at Cengage? Go to our accessibility web page.
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