communicATor

The Center for Innovative Design and Engineering (CIDE) partners with CompTIA – one of the world's leading IT certification providers – to improve the accessibility of their exams. The collaboration contributes to eliminating barriers to certification that these exams can present to otherwise qualified professionals with disabilities. 

Exam accessibility does not compromise the integrity and validity of the assessments. Each project involves detailed reviews of scenarios and simulated questions for accessibility compliance. CompTIA software developers participate in these reviews as well as iterative development and testing. 

How CIDE Supports Certification Accessibility 

Our thorough process combines technical review with real-world feedback. CIDE evaluates all the exam content, provides detailed feedback to fix accessibility issues, and makes updates directly to the test platform when needed. We conduct tailored end user testing with people with disabilities to uncover usability challenges that standard compliance reviews may overlook. 

Based on user feedback, we address findings and collaborate with CompTIA to implement the necessary adjustments to prepare the exams for accessible publishing. The collaborative approach ensures the certification meets both technical accessibility requirements and real-world usability needs. 

Why Accessibility in Certification Matters

In May 2025, 22.7% of individuals with disabilities were employed, compared with 65.3% of people with no disability. The unemployment rate is more than twice as high among people with disabilities.

Certification exams are more than assessments—they’re gatekeepers to the skilled workforce that modern industries rely on. But when these exams aren’t accessible, organizations risk missing out on a deep pool of qualified talent.

At CIDE, we help organizations align their certification programs with accessibility best practices—not only to meet standards, but to unlock business value. 

Here’s what’s at stake: 

The employment-population ratio for people with at least one disability is drastically lower than for those without a disability while the unemployment rate for people with a disability is about twice as high as for those without a disability. These statistics indicate a large pool of talent that is either unemployed or not participating in the labor force (US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

• A larger qualified workforce: When certification exams are accessible, more individuals can enter and grow in high-demand fields like IT.
• Improved talent acquisition and retention: Accessible certification opens more consistent pathways to career advancement—helping industries find and keep skilled professionals.
• Reduced legal and reputational risk: Inaccessible exams expose organizations to complaints or litigation. Proactive accessibility minimizes this risk and reinforces credibility.
• Higher usability means better performance for all users: Accessible exam design often leads to clearer instructions, cleaner interfaces, and fewer errors—benefiting every test-taker, not just those with disabilities.
• Alignment with global standards and procurement requirements: Many enterprise and government clients now expect accessibility compliance. Organizations that embed accessibility into certification workflows stay competitive. 

By ensuring that certification programs are designed for everyone, organizations don't just meet a mandate—they gain a strategic advantage.  

Make Your Program More Accessible

Our work ensures that skilled professionals with disabilities can fully demonstrate their knowledge without barriers posed by inaccessible exam formats. These certifications are critical career advancement tools that should be available to everyone who has completed the necessary training. Our work with CompTIA represents just one example of CIDE's partnerships with certification providers across multiple industries.  

Beyond certification testing, CIDE offers a comprehensive range of accessibility services, including user testing by people with disabilities, product accessibility evaluations, and consultations on digital inclusion strategies. Our human-centered approach places the needs of people with disabilities at the core of everything we do. 

Author: Jim Sandstrum

Want to make your own products or services  more accessible?  

CIDE offers accessibility evaluations, user testing with people with disabilities, and inclusive design consultations tailored to your goals. Reach out to us at CIDE@ucdenver.edu.