New initiative pushes equal access to learning for all corporate staff

Everyone within a workforce must have equal access to learn and gain new skills.

This is the word from Skillsoft, which announced a new initiative today that supports equal access to its content and technology for corporate learners.

Skillsoft will invest $2 million annually into its Access for All initiative, which will also see the value of 'accessibility' incorporated into the development and design stage of its' platforms and content like any other major component of design architecture.

"Equity of access for all goes beyond being compliant, to striving and setting new standards of excellence," says Bill Donoghue, chairman and CEO of the Skillsoft Group.

"At Skillsoft, we believe that everyone has an equal right to use our content and learning platforms. Accessibility is a core component of our corporate DNA.

"Our government customers have expected us to meet accessibility standards for many years. Increasingly, our corporate customers also recognise the importance of equity of access to their learning solutions.

"We make sure that all employees are supported and empowered to learn so our corporate customers can confidently deploy a best-in-class learning solution.

Additionally, Skillsoft has established an Accessibility Program Office to ensure that all learners with physical disabilities, regardless of their company size or industry, can effectively use Skillsoft's learning content and technology.

The Accessibility Program Office will stay abreast of the latest global accessibility standards, including the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, to ensure that Skillsoft meets those laws.

Furthermore, Skillsoft has established a strategic partnership with accessibility consultants The Paciello Group (TPG), which supports accessible design, auditing and user testing.

"Skillsoft's significant investment to establish its Accessibility Program Office demonstrates the company's commitment to making accessibility a core value. We continue to be involved in every step of the development of their new content and the Percipio platform," comments Michael Paciello, founder of The Paciello Group.

"Ensuring Skillsoft's award-winning, world-class content and technology are accessible to all users will impact learning across all organisations.