Digital Accessibility Guide

Navigating Learn Blue & Rise 360 Courses

We are committed to providing an inclusive learning environment for everyone. This guide provides step-by-step instructions and practical keyboard shortcuts to help you navigate our learning management system (Learn Blue) and complete your courses (built in Articulate Rise 360) using screen readers, keyboard-only navigation, and standard assistive technologies.

Access Learn Blue

General Accessibility & Browser Tips

For the best experience while using assistive technology:

  • Recomended Browsers: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge
  • Screen Readers: NVDA or JAWS (Windows), VoiceOver (macOS/iOS), TalkBack (Android).
  • Zoom & Text Resizing: You can resize text up to 200% using standard browser controls (Ctrl + + / Cmd + +) without losing functionality or screen content.

Navigating the Learn Blue Dashboard

When you log into Learn Blue, you will land on the Learner Dashboard.

Basic Keyboard Navigation

  • Tab: Moves focus forward to the next interactive element (links, buttons, form fields).
  • Shift + Tab: Moves focus backward to the previous element.
  • Enter / Spacebar: Activates the currently focuses button or link.

Key Sections of the Home Page

  • Skip to Main Content: Press Tab twice as soon as the page loads to reveal the "Skip to Main Content" link, allowing you to bypass top navigation menus.
  • Global Search Bar: Press Tab to reach the search field to quickly find specific courses or catalog items by keyword.
  • Navigation Menu: Contains links to My Courses, Catalog, Transcript, and Profile Settings.
  • Dashboard Tiles/Widgets:
    • Enrolled Courses: Displays courses you are currently enrolled in.
    • Transcript: Access completed courses, certificates, and learning history.
    • Catalog: Browse available self-enrollment courses.
    • Resources: Review available navigation guides and other helpful resources

Learn Blue Player Settings

Learn Blue offers various settings for its iFrame player.

  1. Expand Course Details: Opens the course description and other details.
  2. Choose View: Offers several layout options, including a "Sidebar" view that contains module information and a "Compact" view that hides everything except the training.
    1. The "Compact" view has been helpful for screenreader users.

NOTE: Learn Blue trainings are built up to standard with Title II and WGAC 2.2 AA guidelines. As an extra layer of accessibility, plain-text Word documents are provided on all mandatory trainings.

Launching and Navigating a Rise 360 Course

Once you select a course in Learn Blue, find and select "Start" or "Resume". The course will open either within an embedded player or in a new browser window/tab.

Course Structure Overview

Rise 360 courses are structured vertically:

  1. Course Title & Overview Page: Contains the course description, lesson outline, and the "Start My Learning" button.
  2. Left Sidebar Navigation Menu: Lists all modules and lessons.
  3. Lesson Content Area: The main region where text, media, interactive blocks, and knowledge checks are displayed.

Navigating Rise 360 with a Keyboard & Screen Reader

Global Rise Shortcuts

  • Tab / Shift + Tab: Cycle through links, accordions, buttons, and media controls.
  • Spacebar: Toggle audio/video playback or open/close interactive elements.

Using Screen Reader Landmarks & Headings

Rise 360 content uses semantic HTML to make jumping through content efficient:

  • Headings (H1, H2, H3): Use your screen reader's heading shortcut (e.g., key H) to skip directly between major lesson sections and titles.
  • Landmarks: You can jump between the Navigation Menu sidebar and the Main Content region using standard landmark navigation (key D in NVDA/JAWS).

Toggle the Sidebar Menu

  • If you prefer a full-screen view or want to reduce distraction, navigate to the Menu toggle button near the top of the course to collapse or expand the left sidebar.

Audio Feature

  • Mandatory courses include an audio track at the beginning of each module. When you press the play button, you can listen to an AI voice read the content contained within the page. However, listening to the voiceover does not complete the module. Once you've completed listening to the audio feature, you will need to tab through all of the content to reach the bottom of the module manually.

Interacting with Rise 360 Content Blocks

Articulate Rise 360 uses interactive "blocks." Here is how to navigate common block types accessibly:

Content Block Type How to Navigate & Interact
Text & Audio/Video Use standard screen reader reading keys. Media players feature accessible play/pause, volume, and closed caption toggles accessible via Tab.
Accordions & Tabs Press Tab to reach a tab or accordion header. Press Enter or Spacebar to expand/collapse and reveal the hidden text.
Process / Carousel Blocks Use Tab to reach the Previous and Next arrow buttons, then press Enter to advance through the steps.
Flashcards Tab to the card and press Enter or Spacebar to flip the card over and read the back side.
Labeled Graphics Tab to each pin icon on the image and press Enter to pop open the descriptive pop-up box.
Knowledge Checks / Quizzes Use Tab or arrow keys to select answer choices. Tab to the Submit button and press Enter to receive immediate feedback.

Completing a Course and Returning to Learn Blue

  • Course Progress Bar: Located at the top of the course to track your overall completion percentage.
  • Exit Course: When you reach the end of the final lesson, look for the Exit Course button. Selecting this safely sends your completion status back to Learn Blue and returns you to your LMS dashboard.

Need Accessibility Assistance?

If you encounter an accessibility barrier or need content in an alternative format, please reach out to our team: