Inclusive Learning Hub
Overview
The National Disability Center provides accessibility resources for faculty and staff across higher education.
However, faculty and staff struggled to find relevant learning resources efficiently. The existing platform presented content in long, unstructured lists, making it difficult for users to identify what to learn, where to start.
Challenge
Navigation confusion
Users confused Research and Learning Hub.
Information overload
Long lists of academic content slowed scanning.
Unclear progression
Users didn’t know what to learn next.
Phase 1 — Website Usability Evaluation
To understand where uncertainty came from, we conducted a usability study evaluating how faculty and staff navigated the existing website through 7 representative tasks.
Findings
57% usability score
Navigation ambiguity — Users confused Research with About.
Ineffective filtering — Academic categories slowed scanning.
High cognitive load — Dense terminology slowed comprehension.
Simplifying Resource Filters
Problem
Filters relied on long lists of academic terminology, making it difficult to quickly identify relevant resources.
Design Improvement
We simplified terminology and reorganized filters into three clear inline groups.
Outcome
Users were able to scan options more quickly and identify relevant resources with less effort.
Improving Content Control
Problem
The homepage carousel auto-rotated before users finished reading.
Design Improvement
We removed auto-play and added manual navigation controls.
Outcome
Users gained control over reading pace and could process information more comfortably.
Key Insight
Users struggled not because of motivation, but because the site did not clearly support how they searched, interpreted, and acted on information.
This revealed a deeper need: a structured learning experience.
Phase 2 — Online Learning Platform
To support users throughout the learning journey, we designed a structured learning platform that guides users from discovery to completion.
STEP 1
Discover Courses
When users first arrived at the learning platform, their primary goal was simple:
quickly understand which courses were relevant to their needs.
Problem
Users struggled to scan long lists of content and identify which resources applied to their needs.
Design Decision
We introduced a card-based layout with clear tags (level, topic, and content type)t o improve scannability.
This allows users to quickly compare options and identify relevant courses without reading through dense content.
Outcome
Users were able to identify relevant courses at a glance and select learning paths with greater confidence.
STEP 2
Low-Friction Course Entry
Once users chose a course, they wanted to start learning immediately without committing to a long registration process.
Problem
Users hesitated when asked to create an account before knowing whether they would complete the course.
Design Decision
We simplified the sign-up flow to reduce friction.
This helps users start learning faster without being blocked by unnecessary steps.
Outcome
Users felt more comfortable starting courses, reducing hesitation and early drop-off while still supporting progress tracking for returning learners.
STEP 3
Supporting Focused Learning
Once inside a course, users wanted to stay oriented and understand their learning progress.
1
2
3
Problem
Long videos and repurposed webcast materials made it easy for users to lose track of their progress or re-enter after breaks.
Design Decision
We introduced a structured learning path with clear progression.
The course interface was redesigned to support focused learning:
a visible progress tracker
segmented content structure to support pausing and resuming
transcripts and playback controls for different learning preferences
This guides users step by step, reducing uncertainty about what to learn next.
Outcome
Users reported feeling more in control of their pace and were able to resume lessons without losing context.
STEP 4
Reinforcing Understanding
As users progressed, they wanted reassurance that they were understanding the material rather than passively consuming content.
Problem
Traditional quizzes functioned as final checkpoints and did little to support reflection.
Design Decision
We designed quizzes to reinforce key concepts.
This helps users validate their understanding and stay engaged throughout the learning process.
Outcome
Users described the quiz as a helpful learning tool rather than a test, which reduced anxiety and supported course completion.
To reinforce learning after quizzes, we added a review summary that highlighted key concepts and correct answers before course completion.
STEP 5
Completion & Recognition
As users finished a course, they wanted confirmation that their effort mattered and could be referenced later.
Problem
The center initially assumed that public sharing (e.g., LinkedIn) would motivate users.
Design Decision
We added a practical certificate to mark course completion.
This provides a sense of achievement and motivates users to finish the learning journey.
Outcome
Users valued having a clear, official record of completion.
Impact & Outcomes
100%
task success rate
4.7 / 5
usability score
user feedback
The learning platform transformed static accessibility resources into a structured learning journey, helping faculty and staff navigate, track progress, and complete learning with greater confidence.
My Role
I led usability testing and research synthesis, co-designed the learning platform experience in Figma, and translated user insights into iterative design decisions across the learning flows.
Reflection
This project reinforced the importance of testing assumptions rather than designing based on expectations. For example, we initially assumed users would value public certificate sharing, but research showed they prioritized official downloads for internal verification.
It also highlighted that accessibility goes beyond compliance. Designing for learning means supporting focus, progress, and confidence, not just meeting technical standards.
Seeing elements of the learning platform structure later reflected on the live site further reinforced the value of grounding design decisions in user research, even as systems continue to evolve beyond the initial project scope.
