The power of lived experiences in driving accessibility
Advancements in technology have revolutionized education, from the advent of online learning to the surge in remote classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic to the introduction of ChatGPT in 2022. Despite the near constant evolution of online learning, there are still barriers. These range from physical barriers like accessing campus facilities to digital barriers in online learning environments.
Consider that approximately 20% of undergraduate students report having a disability, and this figure is likely an underrepresentation, as many students choose not to disclose their disabilities. As a professional in educational technology and a disabled person, I've spent a lot of time reflecting on both the immense potential—and the lingering gaps —in digital accessibility.
As a community of educators, we need to be better at considering the student's needs and experience. And, as someone who teaches digital accessibility at universities and also oversees the accessibility of Anthology's own solutions, I can confidently say accessible content is better content. Student needs and preferences are changing, and accessible content delivers the more flexible, personalized experience they value.
Inclusive design begins with inclusive environments
Many people equate accessible digital content with meeting the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), a set of internationally recognized standards that help developers, designers, and organizations create websites, apps, and digital tools that are perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for all users. But it's so much more than that—it's about understanding real user experiences.
When we design our products, our team of accessibility specialists doesn't just focus on the technical guidelines—we bring our own lived experiences with disabilities to the conversation. The team's lived experiences with disabilities provide firsthand insight into the challenges disabled people face, leading to the development of more inclusive and user-friendly applications for everyone.
This personal perspective is vital, allowing us to share both our stories and the real-world challenges we encounter daily. When I show faculty how something as seemingly simple as joining a virtual meeting can create significant challenges for someone with a visual impairment, it shifts their perspective. By making these barriers personal and tangible, we foster deeper connections and drive meaningful change.
Lived experience helps the team recognize obstacles that might not be obvious to designers and others in the product development team without disabilities. It's not enough to create solutions for people with disabilities; we need to ensure that those people are involved in the creation process from the very beginning.
Technology as a tool for equitable learning and teaching
With the help of new technologies, we can steadily break down accessibility and productivity barriers, and it's not just the students that benefit. As someone with mobility issues, I find that leveraging AI tools provides significant benefits. For example, I use Blackboard's AI Design Assistant when building courses. The tool takes a task that was once very manually intensive and difficult for me due to mobility limitations with my hands and allows me to achieve the same results with far less effort. AI doesn't do the work for me—it empowers me to be more efficient, while still ensuring that my creativity and expertise drive the outcome.
On days when cognitive or memory challenges make it harder to focus, AI tools like Copilot and ChatGPT feel like a personal assistant, helping me summarize information and stay on track. With AI handling the administrative load, I can work faster, with greater confidence, and dedicate my energy to what truly matters—critical thinking, decision-making, and the human side of my role.
Students have access to a wealth of new apps and tools to improve their experience navigating digital content. Accessibility tools like Anthology Ally provide content in multiple formats—such as audio files, braille and large print —empowering students to engage with materials in the way that works best for their learning needs.
AI-powered apps like Otter.ai or Microsoft OneNote can transcribe spoken lectures into written notes, ensuring students with hearing impairments or attention challenges don't miss crucial information during class.
A path forward
Creating an environment where all learners can succeed requires more than just following technical guidelines. It requires a thoughtful understanding of the diverse needs of individuals. Ensuring accessible digital content remains a critical, non-negotiable priority to create opportunities for all students, including students with disabilities.
Educators play a crucial role in actively building inclusive learning environments and integrating accessibility practices into their everyday work. Through the use of new tools, advocating for inclusive practices, and continuing to learn how to meet the needs of all learners, we can help foster a more equitable educational experience.