Books
Published books by Susi Miller exploring accessible and inclusive learning design.
The story of Designing Accessible Learning Content
When I was working as an instructional designer in local government, I was given the opportunity to watch a screen reader user use one of my online courses. I was horrified. It was the 'accessibility spark' that prompted me to find out everything I could about digital accessibility. But when I turned to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) I was horrified all over again! The standards were so technical, and so far removed from the world of learning design, that I nearly gave up several times. But I kept going, pulling them apart, reorganising them and working out how they applied to the learning I was creating.
As I struggled to make sense of the guidelines and how they applied to learning, I kept wondering how many other learning practitioners were experiencing the same frustrations, and how many had simply given up because it all felt too difficult. I wanted to find a way to make accessibility easier to put into practice, because equal access to learning is just too important for complex guidance to stand in the way. That's what inspired me to turn the eLaFramework I had developed in my own practice into a book that eventually became Designing Accesible Learning Content (DALC): A practical guide to applying best-practice accessibility standards to L&D resources.
Publishing the first edition with Kogan Page in 2021 was terrifying. My imposter syndrome was overwhelming and I kept thinking 'Who am I to be writing this book?' But when it was released, practitioners used it, recommended it and told me it was helping. When the WCAG standards were updated in 2023, it gave me the opportunity to revisit the eLa Framework and bring in everything I had learned from working directly with clients. The result was a more comprehensive second edition I was much happier with which was published in 2025.
Between editions, I was also diagnosed as dyslexic, which had a profound impact on how I saw myself and, unexpectedly, how I saw the book. I began to recognise that two of the dyslexic thinking skills identified by Made By Dyslexia, Simplifying and Explaining, were at the heart of what I had done. I had taken something highly complex, broken it down, reorganised it for a learning context and found a way to explain it so other practitioners could use it. For years I had thought I had written the book despite being dyslexic. I now realise that my dyslexic thinking was one of the reasons I was able to write it at all.
Five years on, DALC has had more impact than I ever could have imagined. It has received fantastic reviews, is rated 4.8 out of 5 on Amazon and has been described by one of the L&D industry's leading voices as the 'standard work in our field'. But what I am proudest of is that it has become something of a handbook for the people I call 'quiet accessibilisers'. These are the learning practitioners who are making accessibility happen, often without formal support, because, like eLaHub, they believe everyone deserves equal access to learning and that accessible, inclusive design helps create excellent learning for everyone.
Books by Susi Miller
Designing Accessible Learning Content, Second Edition
Published in 2025, the second edition builds on the original with updated WCAG 2.2 standards and new guidance shaped…
Design for All Learners
Design for All Learners brings together expert perspectives and practical guidance for creating more accessible and inclusive learning experiences.…
Designing Accessible Learning Content, First Edition
Published in 2021, Designing Accessible Learning Content was a first-of-its-kind practical guide created specifically for Learning and Development professionals.…
Praise for Designing Accessible Learning Content
We work with organisations across the public, private and charity sectors to create more accessible and effective learning. Find out what our clients say about working with us and the difference it has made.
Kristoff Vandermeersch
Founder
This is an indispensable guide for L&D professionals navigating the complexities of accessibility in the modern learning landscape. As new legislation, such as the European Accessibility Act, prioritises accessibility across private and public organisations, this book equips practitioners with the knowledge and practical tools they need to comply with standards and go beyond mere compliance to create truly inclusive learning experiences. The book highlights the critical role of accessibility in advancing DEI, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to learn and thrive. It also shows how by embedding accessibility into learning design, organisations can maximise their return on training investments and future-proof their workforce development strategies.
Stimulearning
Tom McDowall
Founder
This is that rarest of things, a book you not only read, but keep perched on the edge of your desk for reference. Susi has created the definitive translation and guide of the WCAG standards for L&D professionals. Having these guidelines, that often feel like they were deliberately written to be unintelligible, translated and explained in plain English is an invaluable resource for creating genuinely accessible experiences. This second edition builds on the success of the first, clarifying, distilling and expanding to include new success criteria. This is the book I ensure every member of my team has to hand. If you work in L&D, create digital content, or are simply interested in accessibility, you need to read Susi's book asap.
Evolve
Diane Elkins
Co-owner
This book needs to be on the shelf of every e-learning instructional designer and developer. No wait, not on the shelf—that’s too far away—always within arm’s reach. Susi’s go-to Bible for digital accessibility just got better. If you’ve ever stared at the WCAG guidelines and gotten overwhelmed, started implementing them but wondered if you were doing it right, or had trouble connecting the dots between what we do and these guidelines that don’t seem to be written for our industry, then this is the book for you. Susi shares the technical guidance you need and uses her compassion and personal perspectives to keep you inspired as you continually elevate your designs.
Artisan Learning and E-Learning Uncovered
Todd Cummings
Chief Operating Officer
Designing Accessible Learning Content is a game-changer for anyone looking to create truly inclusive learning experiences. As a learning professional, I’ve seen firsthand how this book helps bridge the gap between understanding accessibility standards like WCAG 2.2 and putting them into practice. Susi Miller does more than just explain the rules; she gives real-world strategies and examples that make designing accessible content attainable and effective.
elb Learning
Jane Bozarth
Director of Research
Among the many reasons I'm a longtime fan of Susi Miller is that she is an authentic voice still working and in touch with the practical reality of L&D. Her extensive, ongoing first-hand experience with instructional design helps her move past the common problem among lesser-skilled practitioners of overcorrecting for accessibility by stripping out interactivity. Instead, Susi offers a view of understanding the complexities of applying the standards to a learning experience rather than a website - and ultimately creating better learning content for everyone.
The Learning Guild
Neil Milliken
VP Global Head of Accessibility
At a time where everything is changing, acquiring new skills is of paramount importance. Now more than ever learning is being delivered online and remotely. If we want everyone to have an equal chance of acquiring new skills learning content needs to be accessible. In this book Susi demystifies and explains what learning and development professionals need to know in order to make their content work for the widest possible learner base. The work recognises the difference between standard web content and learning materials and offers practical and pragmatic advice on accessible content creation.
Atos
Michael Vermeersch
Accessibility Go To Market Manager
Susi combines her own and others’ lived experience into an empathy-fuelled work that creates clarity and removes barriers for anyone seeking to understand why and how to produce accessible learning content. Her book has a compelling and comprehensive approach to digital accessibility and disability inclusion, which really brings the subject to life. This is recommended reading for any professional, producing digital content.
Microsoft
Kellie Mote
Accessibility Programme Lead
Nowhere does digital accessibility have the power to transform lives more, than in the area of learning. Susi Miller provides all the essential information in one clear, trusted resource. With a focus on applying principles, whichever product or platform is being used, having this book to hand will save time and provide reassurance to anyone who wants to create high quality learning materials in a rapidly evolving technology and legislative landscape.
JISC
Cammy Bean
Author
Susi Miller has done the seemingly impossible task: making the complex topic of accessibility actually accessible. Susi lays it all out - from basic terminology to the ethics of accessibility to frameworks and how to's. If you're a learning practitioner looking to become more confident in applying accessibility principles to your work, be sure to add this essential resource to your library.
The Accidental Instructional Designer
Amy Low
Chief Executive
Practical, insightful and packed with advice and tips to ensure your learning is accessible and engaging for the widest audience. This is a ‘must buy’ manual for any learning designer that believes in equitable and inclusive learning provision. There is particular value in the storytelling and sharing of ‘real life’ best practices.
AbilityNet
Julie Dirksen
Author
Making learning accessible can feel overwhelming at first, but Susi Miller serves as your invaluable guide, turning complex guidelines into practical steps you can apply. Her approach is both supportive and compassionate, and helps you make learning that is more equitable and available to all.
Design for How People Learn
Donald H Taylor
Chair
This is an invaluable guide for L&D practitioners giving the how and why of making learning content accessible. It brings together an extensive range of resources and practical advice in one place, and will likely become a standard work in our field.
Learning Technologies Conference
Explore our accessibility services
Our extensive experience and passion for accessible and inclusive learning make us industry leaders in providing practical services that improve the learner experience for everyone.
eLearning accessibility training
Industry-leading training designed and delivered by Susi Miller, shaped around your organisation, your content and your tools. Designed to help teams build capability and apply accessibility in the real world.
Designing Accessible Learning Content Programme
Building capability for individuals and teams, the Designing Accessible Learning Content (DALC) Programme uses real-world experience to bridge the gap between accessibility standards and day-to-day learning design.
eLearning accessibility audits
A unique service for organisations that need to audit and improve existing learning content. We identify accessibility issues and provide clear, practical guidance to improve usability, effectiveness and learner experience.
Accessible learning consultancy
Expert consultancy to help organisations embed accessibility into learning strategy, design and quality standards. Practical, tailored guidance that builds confidence, reduces barriers and supports inclusive learning at scale.