Top Ten Tips for... Making Learning More Inclusive
Inclusive learning isn’t just about accessibility. It’s about ensuring everyone has a fair chance to succeed. It’s important to create an environment where every learner feels seen, supported and respected.
Here are some of our top tips to help you make your learning environment more inclusive and engaging for all learners.
1. Your Mindset Matters
Inclusion begins with you. The way you think, speak and plan sets the tone for the whole learning experience. Celebrate differences as opportunities for richer discussions and deeper understanding.
2. Accessible Materials
Accessible materials make learning equitable. By designing and adapting content for everyone to use, you’re removing barriers before they appear. Accessibility benefits all learners!
- Use clear, consistent layouts and readable fonts.
- Provide alt text for images and captions for videos.
- Structure documents with headings so screen readers can navigate easily.
- Offer materials in multiple formats such as text, audio and video.
3. Evaluate your Learning Space
Inclusion also depends on type of environment you create. Whether physical or virtual, your learning space should make everyone feel welcome and able to participate.
- Are classrooms or online spaces easy to navigate?
- Is the lighting, sound and temperature comfortable and not overwhelming?
- Ensure discussion boards are moderated safely.
- Provide flexible seating arrangements if in a physical classroom.
4. Be Flexible and Adaptive
Flexibility is the key to inclusion. Every learner has different needs, responsibilities and ways of processing information.
- Consider allowing extensions or flexible deadlines if appropriate.
- Provide a variety of learning options, such as live and on demand.
- Adapt your approach to delivering learning if necessary.
5. Seek Feedback
Inclusion improves when you listen to learners. Regular feedback helps you identify what’s working well, how you can improve, and where learners may be struggling. Offer short anonymous surveys after sessions and one to one check ins for learners who may not like to speak up in groups.
6. Design for Neurodiversity
Neurodiverse learners often think and process information differently. Designing learning with neurodiversity in mind benefits everyone.
- Break information into smaller, structured blocks.
- Provide visual aids and clear instructions.
- Don’t overload slides with too much colour and text.
- Offer quiet spaces or breaks during longer sessions.
- Use a variety of ways to participate such as written, spoken or visual.
7. Use Inclusive Language
Inclusive language signals that all identities, backgrounds and experiences are respected. Avoid the use of ‘jargon’ where possible to help reduce confusion. Use positive phrasing that focuses on strengths, and avoid assumptions about gender, family, culture and ability.
8. Utilise Technology
Technology can be a great help. Digital tools can make learning more flexible and accessible, and ultimately more engaging for learners. Be mindful that technology should support learning, not complicate it. Choose learning platforms that support screen readers and keyboard navigation and utilise captions and transcript tools for video content.
9. It’s a Continuous Journey
Inclusivity isn’t just a box to tick, it’s a mindset to nurture for life. Keep learning, adapting and improving based on feedback, evidence and empathy.
- Reflect after each workshop/session. What went well, and what didn’t?
- Stay open to feedback.
- Keep up with inclusive practices.
- Recognise that inclusion takes time, empathy and commitment.
10. Train Yourself and Your Team
The more awareness and skill your team has, the more consistent and authentic your inclusive practices will be. Take part in training and webinars, share your tips at team meetings, observe each other’s sessions and give feedback. When inclusion becomes a shared value, it moved from being a policy to being part of your learning culture.
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