Accessibility in higher education

Advice on tackling accessibility challenges in higher education to ensure all students and staff can fully participate in their studies and work. These resources explore topics such as digital accessibility, remote and in-person working, course design, technology use and assessment practices through an accessibility lens, alongside insight on widening access to higher education for more diverse populations.

By Eliza.Compton, 12 July, 2023

Grow your own accessibility allies

The steps to making learning content accessible include identifying areas that need attention, overcoming barriers and recruiting allies to get the job done, writes Luke Searle

Reading time

4minutes

By Eliza.Compton, 7 July, 2023

Making an inclusive ‘unconference’

Many people in minority communities within our universities do not have enough opportunities to be platformed or validated, or to share their lived expertise within our institutions. An ‘unconference’ could cultivate these voices for positive impact

By Eliza.Compton, 4 July, 2023

A colour matrix to make visual content more accessible

“Feedback” appears in white text with a yellow background, with a contrast ratio of 1.7:1. The image has a reflection of an open window on it, making the text much harder to read. In some places the contrast of the text is as low as 1.0001:1

Accessible content is better content. One way to boost accessibility in visual materials is paying attention to colour contrast during the design process. Here’s a tool to make that simpler

By Miranda Prynne, 5 May, 2023

A simple way to improve navigation in online learning

Woman's hands holding a fan colour palette

Five simple steps to use colour to design an engaging menu and navigation system that enhances digital learning environments and platforms

Reading time

4minutes

By dene.mullen, 8 March, 2023

Those of us with dyspraxia are frequently affected by academic ableism

The actions, inertia and discretion of individual academics can be a key driver of ableism – here’s what you and your institution can do to help, says John Macklin

Reading time

4minutes

By Miranda Prynne, 8 March, 2023

Listening, learning and responding to disabled students

A group of young researchers talking, one of them is in a wheelchair.

Lessons from a group of disabled postgraduate researchers on steps that every university and tutor can take to better support disabled students

Reading time

4minutes

By Miranda Prynne, 7 March, 2023

Ten steps to recruitment equity for disabled academics

A young man in a wheelchair heading towards a university building

Disabled academics are under-represented across university departments. Becky Alexis-Martin and Jennifer Leigh share 10 strategies to enhance disability inclusion throughout the academic recruitment process

Reading time

4minutes

By dene.mullen, 6 March, 2023

10 ways universities can reject ableism

10 ways your university can reject ableism

William E. Donald and Larisa Yarovaya outline 10 clear ways universities can tackle ableism to create a sense of belonging for disabled students and staff

Reading time

5minutes

By dene.mullen, 2 March, 2023

I’m a disabled student – this is what I worry about when applying to your university

How to help disabled students applying to your university

Phoebe Allen, an A-level student with cerebral palsy and full-time wheelchair user, outlines how universities can better accommodate disabled students

Reading time

4minutes

By Miranda Prynne, 2 March, 2023

Campus design for access and inclusion

Students sitting outside on campus chatting

Advice for institutions to develop more accessible and inclusive campuses for students and staff with disabilities, by Jon Roylance

Reading time

4minutes

Accessibility in higher education