ASU Accessibility Awareness Day advocates a more inclusive digital future
As technology continues to drive learning and research innovations, so do efforts to ensure digital products and environments are accessible by all.
Last week, Arizona State University (ASU) hosted Accessibility Awareness Day – an annual event put together by the Universal Design and Accessible Technology Working Group. Nearly 750 individuals — including faculty, staff, students and community members — registered to attend in-person or online.
Attendees had over 30 presentations to choose from, featuring 50 presenters from around the digital accessibility space. Presentations covered topics such as web accessibility standards, assistive technology, personal experiences in the workplace, upcoming requirements for accessibility in digital spaces and inclusive design practices.
“Our intent is to keep the event focused on a growth mindset, and to expand people's perspectives,” said Dr. Krista Puruhito, a teaching faculty member at ASU’s T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics.
Puruhito co-chaired this year’s event alongside Mary Loder, who works as a manager with EdPlus at ASU. Both Puruhito and Loder expressed the importance of an enterprise-wide effort to ensure all corners of the university are involved.
“Accessible design affects everyone,” shared Loder. Puruhito agreed, noting that all students – both with disabilities and without — benefit from more accessible design techniques. “Rising tide lifts all boats,” said Puruhito.
Shared experiences, a common goal
One goal of universal design is to develop digital products and environments that are accessible without specialized adaptation.
Common universal design web accessibility features include alternative text (alt-text) for images, captions for audio and video content and compatibility with screen readers. According to recent data, over 96 percent of homepages failed to meet the standards set by governing bodies. For example, the average webpage contains 56 accessibility errors along with a high percentage of images lacking alt-text.
“Much of universal design for learning principles are foundationally based on accessible design,” observed Loder. “Having a universal design mentality benefits everyone, and we all shoulder the responsibility to meet people in the way they succeed, not just in the way we think they might.”
And while accessible design benefits all, it is important not to lose sight of those whose ability to access meaning learning experiences is dependent on these techniques. This includes creating digital environments that meet the needs of those who include, but are not limited to, visual and hearing impaired, learning disabilities and even those with diverse learning styles.
“While this conference is enhancing accessibility, it is also about centering the voices of people who have disabilities,” continued Loder. She went on to note that many of the presenters have disabilities themselves, highlighting “we have four blind presenters who shared their daily experiences.”
Session spotlights and key areas of focus
One highlight of this year’s event was the opening keynote address by Belo Miguel Cipriani, Ed.D., a renowned digital inclusion strategist, author and instructor. Cipriani, who is visually impaired himself, shared his personal journey and insights into the importance of accessibility for all, noting that “compliance [with mandated accessibility regulations] meets just the very bare minimums.” In turn, he expressed hope in a paradigm shift toward a mentality that embraces a more inherently accessible digital landscape for everyone.
“Accessibility, like writing, is a skill that anyone can choose to develop,” Cipriani shared. “And it will become invaluable for those with this skill; ideally those who master this skill will not just become users, but also producers and content creators.”
An update on legal requirements: ASU’s strategy for compliance and culture
One session in particular, The ADA’s New Digital Accessibility Regulations: Legal Overview & How ASU Is Implementing, focused on new technical standards for digital accessibility under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The discussion was led by Enterprise Technology’s Itzel Morales Lizarraga, director of web and user experience, and Chelsea Sage Gaberdiel, from the ASU Office of General Counsel and faculty associate with the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law.
Gaberdiel and Morales Lizarraga provided a legal overview of new upcoming digital accessibility regulations requiring websites and mobile applications to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards.
Morales Lizarraga shared her team’s approach: "We want to make accessibility part of our culture at ASU, integrated within our workflows, our processes and our activities.”
With an implementation deadline of April 2026, the two presenters noted that ASU is actively working to address these requirements, including conducting audits, developing training programs and implementing technical solutions.
Session attendees also received a preview of the work that lies ahead, including ongoing challenges like ensuring accessibility in online STEM courses and navigating the complexities of managing content with legacy technologies.
Personal experiences shine a light on gaps that need to be addressed
A panel discussion titled Disability Lasts Beyond Graduation: From Student to Employee highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in academia. Panelists Sarah Bolmarcich, Terri Hlava and Montreux, Jacob Bunch, Ed.D.and Jordan Claire shared personal experiences of discrimination, miscommunication and inaccessible environments, emphasizing the need for increased awareness, support and systemic change.
One key issue surfaced during the discussion was the importance of self-advocacy and disclosure. Panelists stressed the need for individuals with disabilities to assert their needs and advocate for accommodations, while also acknowledging the potential risks and challenges associated with disclosure.
A guide to make the learner experience more accessible
In one of the final sessions, presenters Courtney Ellsworth of the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College and Senior Instructional Designer Kyle Wagner shared details of a course, titled Empowering Learners through Universal Design. The course aims to equip faculty with the knowledge and skills to apply Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to their teaching practices.
UDL is an educational framework that focuses on creating flexible learning environments that meet the needs of diverse learners. By incorporating UDL principles, instructors can design courses that are accessible to all students, regardless of their abilities or learning styles.
“We believe that exercising an equitable, inclusive, and thoughtful approach to instruction, not only benefits students but positions you as a forward-thinking faculty member," Ellsworth shared.
The course, which is available to all ASU faculty, covers a range of topics, including UDL basics, identifying barriers to learning, designing inclusive assessments, and using technology to enhance accessibility.
An enterprise-wide approach
ASU Accessibility Awareness Day takes place every year during the fall semester and involves many participating departments across campus. By bringing together experts, advocates and practitioners, this year’s event fostered a community dedicated to promoting more widespread digital accessibility.
In addition to gratitude to tremendous volunteer support for the day of events from individuals across campus and online, the conference organizers would particularly like to thank the following:
Adero Allison; Alejandra Dashe; Amy Pate; Casey Evans; Charleigh Reid; Courtney Ellsworth; Dannielle Jensen; Gemma Garcia; Jacob Bunch; Joanna Simone; Jordan Claire; Jordyn Kush; Heather Ward; Karen Grondin; Kathy Marks; Krista Puruhito; Kyle Bowen; London Skiles; Mary Loder; Michael Miller; the Enterprise Technology’s AV team: Seth Levine, Bayan Wahid and Riley Milner; and Vice Provost of Inclusive Excellence, Amalia Pallares.