On May 15, Johns Hopkins University joins institutions around the world in recognizing Global Accessibility Awareness Day, an annual observance focused on removing barriers in the digital world for people with disabilities.
"Accessibility is not just about compliance; it's about equal access," says Kathy Cahill, the university's digital accessibility coordinator. "When we design with everyone in mind, we create better experiences for all users, including those with disabilities."
The Digital Accessibility Working Group, a cross-divisional team of faculty and staff charged with advancing accessibility across the university's digital landscape, has developed and is now implementing a Digital Accessibility Plan that sets clear goals and processes for improving access to:
- Websites (both public-facing and internal)
- Course materials and learning management systems
- Multimedia content (live and prerecorded)
- Software tools, platforms, and procurement practices
The plan also includes an awareness campaign and the creation of a training toolkit to empower faculty, staff, and students to build accessible materials.
"The Digital Accessibility Working Group is helping embed inclusion into every layer of our digital environment," Cahill says. "This work is only possible through the shared commitment of IT leaders, instructional designers, communications teams, and student services professionals across the university."
Whether designing a course, building a website, or creating a flyer, everyone has a role to play in advancing digital inclusion, Cahill says. Here are ways you can help create a more accessible Hopkins:
- Visit accessibility.jhu.edu to find training resources, toolkits, and accessibility standards
- Join Open Office Hours hosted by the Digital Accessibility Team on the fourth Thursday of every month (except May 22)
- Learn to create accessible content with step-by-step guides and LinkedIn Learning modules
- Use tools such as Siteimprove to check your websites for accessibility
- Review your communications, documents, and presentations to ensure they meet accessibility guidelines
Nathan R. Stenberg, the university's first director of disability, says that creating an accessible digital environment is a shared responsibility. "By taking direct, intentional steps," he says, "we can make a significant impact on the inclusivity of our community."
Posted in News+Info
