Research Foundation

Why The Centralized Course Template Direction Is Defensible

This shareable brief summarizes the accessibility, usability, responsive-design, and design-system research behind the move from image-heavy one-off course pages to reusable HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and component patterns.

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Executive Summary

The project is moving in a research-aligned direction

Accessibility Foundation

Essential course text should be real HTML text, not flattened into images. This supports resizing, reflow, translation, selection, and assistive technology.

Learner Clarity

Cleaner visual hierarchy, consistent patterns, and simpler icon use reduce unnecessary interpretation work for learners.

Operational Scale

Central CSS, JavaScript, snippets, and documentation allow improvements to be maintained once and reused across course pages.

What Changed

The work is more than a visual refresh

The redesign shifts course production from page-by-page visual decisions to a reusable course design system. That matters because every repeated pattern can carry accessibility, responsiveness, and brand consistency forward.

  • Real headings and instructional text replace text-heavy images where possible.
  • Reusable components standardize callouts, cards, tabs, knowledge checks, activities, and page structure.
  • Centralized CSS and JavaScript make global updates easier to govern and deploy.
  • The generator prototype shows how structured fields can produce copy-ready D2L HTML.

Evidence Map

Research and standards support the design direction

W3C WCAG

Use real text instead of images of text

WCAG Images of Text guidance supports using CSS-styled text instead of bitmap text when technology can achieve the presentation.

Source
WCAG Reflow

Design for zoom and small screens

Responsive layouts help learners read content without horizontal scrolling at mobile widths and browser zoom.

Source
web.dev

Put text in markup

Responsive-image guidance recommends placing text in HTML rather than embedding it in images.

Source
NN/g

Reduce visual noise

Aesthetic and minimalist design helps users focus on relevant information and avoid unnecessary cognitive effort.

Source
Design Systems

Manage design at scale

Design systems reduce redundancy, create shared language, and support consistent visual and interaction standards.

Source
USWDS / GOV.UK

Reusable components are a proven pattern

Large public design systems use reusable components and guidance to support accessibility, consistency, and reduced repeated work.

USWDS GOV.UK Components

Shareable Claims

What we can say safely

Safe Claims

  • The approach is aligned with WCAG guidance around images of text and reflow.
  • The approach is aligned with usability best practices around consistency and reduced visual noise.
  • The approach is aligned with design-system best practices around reusable components and centralized standards.
  • The approach creates a stronger foundation for accessibility review and governance.

Claims To Avoid Until Audited

  • Do not claim full WCAG compliance without a formal audit.
  • Do not claim every component is final or production-ready without QA.
  • Do not claim images are bad. The better claim is that images should be purposeful and accessible.

Source List

Primary references