Most conversations about accessibility focus on alt text, captions, and color contrast—but what if the real barrier is culture?In this episode, Maryam Abdulkadir shares how her background as a UK-born, Nigerian learning designer reshaped how she thinks about accessibility, learning, and design. Her story begins with developing educational materials for children in conflict-affected areas and leads to a powerful insight: learning isn’t truly accessible if it’s not culturally relevant.We dive into what “contextual accessibility” means, how language and cultural nuance shape comprehension, and why empathy—not just creativity—is key to inclusive design.Whether you’re creating global training, supporting a diverse workforce, or rethinking your own approach to accessibility, this conversation will expand your perspective and offer ideas you can apply right away.🔑 TakeawaysAccessibility isn’t just about impairments—it’s about cultural relevanceCultural context impacts how learners interpret and retain informationLanguage carries emotion, not just meaning—translation needs to reflect thatLiteracy and comprehension are not the sameLearning cultures don’t emerge by accident—they’re designed (or neglected)Assumptions about what learners need can derail your designExposure to different cultures builds empathy and insight for inclusive designSelf-reflection helps instructional designers avoid bias and oversights📚 Resources MentionedWe Make Change – Global volunteering platformWhy Western Humanitarian Designs Fail Maryam Abdulkadir on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryam-abdulkadir/⏱️ Chapters00:00 Cultural Influences on Learning Design06:32 The Importance of Contextual Accessibility14:42 Understanding Learning Needs21:50 Creating a Culture of Learning24:55 Understanding Cultural Perspectives in Learning25:46 How to Stay Connected with Maryam🎙️ Subscribe to Talk Learning With Me for more conversations like this!📢 If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to:✅ Subscribe to the podcast✅ Leave a review – your feedback helps us grow!✅ Share this episode with your networkThanks for tuning in—and we’ll talk soon!

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