Innovative Accessibility Practices in Higher Education
Lucy Woodcock | 03 Jan 2025With advancements in artificial intelligence and adherence to accessibility standards, innovative accessibility practices are transforming higher education, ensuring that all students, have equal opportunities to succeed and thrive.
At AbilityNet’s TechShare Pro 2024 conference, I hosted a spotlight panel on Teach Access. The event brought together thought leaders, accessibility champions, and innovators to exchange strategies, stories, and solutions shaping the future of a more inclusive digital world.
I had the privilege of speaking with the panel featuring: Kate Sonka, Executive Director of Teach Access, and Regine Gilbert, a faculty member at New York University and trustee of Teach Access. Both have been leading the charge in embedding accessibility within higher education. It was an opportunity to explore how their collaborative and practical approaches could serve as a blueprint for others - and to dream of a world where this work becomes the norm, not the exception.
What Is Teach Access?
Kate kicked off the conversation by explaining the heart of Teach Access’s mission: bridging the accessibility skills gap. This collaborative initiative brings together industry, academia, disability organisations, and government to ensure that graduates enter the workforce equipped with a foundational understanding of accessibility.
“We’re not trying to create experts,” Kate noted. “We will always need experts but imagine the impact if new hires simply knew that accessibility existed, that it was critical, and that it needed to be part of every design or development process. That alone would be transformative.”
Real-World Impact: Regine’s Classroom
Regine’s perspective as a UX design educator added a dynamic, practical layer to the discussion. Her students don’t just learn about accessibility—they live it through real-world projects.
For example, Regine’s classes have collaborated with organisations like NASA to develop accessible solutions for blind and partially sighted users. Recently, her students even learned to use a screen reader, guided by someone who relies on it daily.
“You should’ve seen their faces,” Regine said with a laugh. “At first, they were overwhelmed, but as they got the hang of it, they began to realise the profound challenges—and the immense impact—they could have by designing with accessibility in mind.”
The feedback Regine receives highlights how this immersive approach changes perspectives. Many of her students carry these lessons into their careers, where they speak up and take action to improve accessibility in their workplaces.
AbilityNet’s Higher Education Maturity Model
Closer to home, AbilityNet’s Higher Education Maturity Model is playing a critical role in supporting accessibility within UK universities. This framework helps institutions evaluate their current accessibility practices and identify areas for growth.
The model provides a structured way to assess how accessibility is embedded across various aspects of university operations, from digital services to teaching and learning practices. By identifying strengths and gaps, the model empowers universities to take targeted actions toward creating more inclusive environments.
The maturity model aligns with the vision of Teach Access by emphasising the importance of making accessibility a natural and integral part of education - whether that’s in faculty training, course design, or the digital tools students and staff rely on every day.
Many UK institutions are already making fantastic progress using this approach, supported by AbilityNet’s expertise, and are beginning to see tangible results in their accessibility journeys.
Check out our HE and FE Accessibility Maturity Model, a guided accessibility maturity evaluation session with AbilityNet and McNaught Consultancy where we will evaluate your current maturity using an evidence-based scoring framework and provide you with a detailed roadmap of recommendations. As an accessibility consultant, I can work with you to support you with the planned next steps in your accessibility journey.
Key Takeaways from the Panel
The session was packed with valuable insights, but here are a few standout points:
Start early:
Embedding accessibility into education at all levels ensures students see it as a natural, essential part of their learning - and equips them to become advocates in the future.
Move beyond awareness:
Awareness is just the beginning. Practical action is what drives change, and that’s exactly what Teach Access is empowering students to take into their careers.
Small steps, big impact:
Kate emphasised the importance of incremental improvements. Tackling one aspect of accessibility, like colour contrast, can build confidence and create a ripple effect across departments and institutions.
Student Feedback and Cultural Shifts 
The impact of Teach Access extends far beyond the classroom. Students leave empowered to identify and address accessibility gaps in their professional environments. Over time, this growing base of accessibility-aware professionals contributes to larger cultural shifts within organisations and industries.
As Regine put it, “It’s not just about knowing something isn’t accessible - it’s about doing something to fix it.”
A Vision for the UK and beyond
One of my favourite parts of the discussion was imagining how Teach Access’s collaborative model could take root in the UK. Combined with tools like AbilityNet’s Higher Education Maturity Model, there’s immense potential to make accessibility a cornerstone of education.
The message was clear: accessibility isn’t a daunting mountain to climb all at once - it’s a journey of consistent progress.
A Community of Changemakers
As the panel wrapped up, I couldn’t help but feel energised by the wealth of ideas and experiences shared - not just by our speakers but by the audience at TechShare Pro. Many attendees have already started their accessibility journeys, supported by initiatives like AbilityNet, and are making fantastic progress.
Events like these remind us that we’re part of a vibrant, passionate community working toward the same goal: creating a more accessible digital world. There’s still so much to discuss, but the momentum is here. Let’s keep the conversation - and the collaboration - going.
How can AbilityNet support you to drive accessibility forward in your work or organisation?
AbilityNet’s expert consultants can help you ensure your higher education (HE) or further education (FE) website, apps and other digital services are usable, accessible and complied with the new UK accessibility regulations.
- Are you a web developer or digital editor at a college or university?
- Does your role focus on inclusion or looking after the 'student experience'?
- Do you need advice about the new public sector digital accessibility regulations?
- Are you stretching your budget to improve accessibility at your organisation?
We can help.
Our specialist services help you ensure that every student can access information and services on each of your platforms. By working with our experts, you can rise to the challenge of offering an accessible experience for all your users and complying with accessibility regulations.