With CPACC certification towards clear, effective accessibility

The CPACC certification (“Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies”) is awarded by the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) and is recognized worldwide. It provides a deep understanding of the funda­mentals of accessibility. The aim is to enable individuals to create accessible and inclusive solutions. This not only covers the digital world, but also includes theoretical models of disabilities, legal frameworks, and Universal Design for Learning.

Accessibility in the digital space is not a secondary issue, but a requirement for ensuring that all people, regardless of their individual abilities, can use digital services. As Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, said back in 1997: “The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect.”

Design plays an essential role in this. Are the color contrasts sufficient? Are the fonts large enough? And is the user flow intuitive and understandable? These are just a few of the questions that should be asked in order to design products that are as accessible as possible. But I was already familiar with these requirements before I started learning — so what could the CPACC certification teach me?

The path to certification was intense but rewarding. I spent countless hours reading and researching, and thoroughly familiarized myself with the contents of the so-called “Body of Knowledge.” The three domains are:

• Disabilities, challenges, and assistive technologies: Theoretical models of disability; categories of disabilities, associated barriers, and assistive technologies and adaptive strategies; demographics and statistics; disability etiquette

• Accessibility and universal design: WCAG 2.1; universal design; the relationship between accessibility, usability, and user experience; universal design for learning

• Standards, laws, and management strategies: International conventions and treaties on the rights of persons with disabilities; laws and regulations for digital accessibility; governance, organizational strategies, and management in the field of accessibility

In addition to the materials provided by the IAAP, a variety of resources, including courses, YouTube learning sessions, and blogs, helped me internalize the concepts.

The exam itself consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and requires that the domains have been thoroughly understood and internalized. It is clear that memorization is not enough; a deeper understanding is required. This is also reflected in the certificate itself: within three years of passing the exam, sufficient education credits must be earned, for example through lectures, workshops, etc., in order to retain the certification.

Thanks to CPACC certification, I was able to build a solid foundation of knowledge in the field of accessibility. I am now able to think outside the digital box and approach projects with in-depth knowledge of various aspects of accessibility.
In my role at UXMA, I look forward to actively applying the knowledge I have gained to projects and working with the team to design accessible, user-centered solutions. And, of course, to continue learning!

Our goal is to create digital experiences that are accessible and truly helpful to everyone — and thus to bring about lasting positive change in the digital landscape. The CPACC certificate strengthens our ability to specifically promote inclusion and further develop innovative solutions.

If you would like to embed accessibility into your projects from the outset or use our expertise to make existing products more inclusive, you will find an overview of our services on our “Accessibility” service page.