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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.

Image depicting barriers to digital access

How to improve digital accessibility at your institution

Actions institutions can take to improve the digital accessibility of their websites and online materials and comply with relevant legislation, by Baba Sheba

Baba Sheba

St George’s, University of London

We should create an army of university student volunteers to help with levelling up and social mobility

We need to create a tutoring army to level up education

Getting student volunteers to tutor less-privileged children would boost fundamental education for those who need it most and provide a national social mobility service, says Lee Elliot Major

Lee Elliot Major

The University of Exeter

Mature students and other non-traditional students are often overlooked by university recruitment teams

How to attract and support non-traditional students in higher education

Hurdles and obstacles are created from the outset and then vice-chancellors wonder why their student population is not diverse, says Dilshad Sheikh

Dilshad Sheikh

Arden University

Opening the door to higher education requires a holistic approach for students from disadvantaged backgrounds

Universities must take a more holistic approach to social mobility

Financial support is only part of the equation – human and social capital are also crucial for helping students from disadvantaged backgrounds, says Andrew Burke

Andrew Burke

Trinity College Dublin

Man working with laptop, pen and paper and coffee, OERs

A guide to using open educational resources: an experiential case study

The benefits of OERs to researchers and students in the Global South affect all levels of scholarship, from teaching to publishing, writes Innocent Chirisa

Innocent Chirisa

The University of Zimbabwe

University libraries and academic publishers need to find a long-term solution to the issue of e-textbooks

We must end the ‘us and them’ standoff between libraries and publishers

University libraries and publishers remain at a damaging impasse over digital textbooks – the solution requires communication, collaboration and openness to big ideas

Libby Homer

Anglia Ruskin University

Black, Latinx and first-generation students need help garnering social capital if their higher education investment is to pay off in terms of a career

If we truly want a level playing field, we must focus on social capital

For minoritised students to really benefit from HE, they need support to understand the world of work, build connections and activate networks

Andy Chan, Kristina Francis

Wake Forest University, JFFLabs

The university library needs a dramatic pivot to online to help academics and students alike in the new normal

The academic library requires digital evolution

As we face our post-Covid reality, library services need a new vision, becoming ubiquitous and available no matter the challenges of time and space

José Vladimir Burgos Aguilar

Monterrey Institute of Technology

Refugees from Afghanistan are arriving in the US and other nations, and higher education has a huge role to play in the national response

‘Making it’ in the US: education and employment for Afghan refugees

With war and displacement atop most news agendas right now, higher education has a huge part to play in the US’ national response

Emal Dusst, Colleen Thouez

Cintana Education, The New School

Illustration of hands holding puzzle pieces

Intersectionality and why in 2022 inclusion must allow for multiple identities

University diversity policies must include intersectionality, and now is the time make it happen. Paul Harpur, Dino Willox and Brooke Szucs offer five strategies for using diversity as a source of strength and opportunity

Paul Harpur, Dino Willox, Brooke Szücs

The University of Queensland

The way university teachers and lecturers speak to first-generation students can make a huge difference to how they get on in higher education

Gatekeepers or greeters? We must demystify university for first-gen students

Stone Meredith gives advice on using positive introductory phrases and how this can help first-generation students navigate university

Stone Meredith

Colorado State University Global

New rules for lecture subtitles and transcripts are creating huge amounts of extra work for time-poor academics

New rules on lecture transcripts give academics an impossible choice

Higher education leaders must engage on new transcription requirements post-pandemic to ensure academics don’t have to choose between inclusion or increased workload

Emily Nordmann, Wilhelmiina Toivo , Rachel O’Neill

University of Glasgow, The University of Edinburgh

Advice on providing evidence-based support for adults with ADHD in higher education

Adult ADHD and higher education: improving the student experience

Alex Conner and James Brown explain why adult ADHD is linked to underachievement in higher education and what institutions can do to support better outcomes for those with the condition

Alex Conner, James Brown

University of Birmingham, Aston University

Man with a laptop computer over his head and a Help! sign

What to do when technology fails: an educator’s survival guide for online classrooms

Jack Wang offers seven solutions to common tech problems during online teaching – from slow internet connection to lack of resources

Jack Wang

The University of Queensland

paper boats illustrating different pathways to PhD

Fostering freedom in PhD students: how supervisors can shape accessible paths for doctoral research

Clive Palmer looks at alternative approaches to PhDs that open postgraduate research to more candidates – for professional development, career change or just love of learning

Clive Palmer

University of Central Lancashire

Tempting back adults who left college early without a degree could be key to higher education's recovery

Re-engaging adult learners is key to a sustainable HE recovery

Winning back those who left college without a degree will be key in reversing the declines of the past year, say Kai Drekmeier and Amanda Winters

Kai Drekmeier, Amanda Winters

InsideTrack, National Governors Association

Advice on why and how teaching using your voice only can be effective to reach remote students

How to teach online with voice only

Yutthana Srisavat explains why and how he adapted his teaching to instruct using just his voice via a messenger app, as a way to keep classes accessible to remote students

Yutthana Srisavat

Siam University

Obliterating the academic calendar is just the start for universities if they are to best serve their students

Obliterating the academic calendar is the easy part

More money for US community colleges and new thinking on semester lengths must be accompanied by cohesive pathways to degrees, say Karen A. Stout and Tom Shaver

Karen A. Stout, Tom Shaver

Achieving the Dream, Ad Astra Information Systems

Advice on how institutions should ensure digital inclusion for all students

There’s no room for complacency: act now to improve digital inclusion

Sue Bennett outlines a call to action for academics and institutions to recognise inequalities in access to, and proficiency with, technology among students and to help extend digital inclusion to all

Sue Bennett

University of Wollongong

Leaks and holes: beyond the pipeline versus process debate on diversity

A pipeline does exist in higher ed, but process and structural violence in education writ large keep puncturing the pipe, says Pardis Mahdavi

Pardis Mahdavi

Arizona State University

A mixed group of students of varying demographics. This is becoming the norm in HE and the sector must listen to and respect the challenges these students face

If we want non-traditional results, we need non-traditional approaches

We must listen to − and respect − the needs and aspirations of learners as they are, not as we wish them to be, say Gregory Fowler and Kate Smith

Gregory Fowler, Kate Smith

University of Maryland Global Campus, Rio Salado College

Students need effective information, advice and guidance to make informed post-18 decisions

Targeted advice and guidance is crucial for widening participation

Especially post-Covid, pupils need a strong foundation that prepares them for future post-18 decisions

Billy Huband-Thompson

Centre for Education and Youth

Most students need a helping hand, but giving every student the same thing does not necessarily equate to good support

Do we need equity or equality to make things ‘fair’? Actually, we need both

Fair, to some people, means everyone getting the same thing. But that’s only fair if everyone begins at the same place and needs the same things to succeed, says Todd Zakrajsek

Todd Zakrajsek

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Podcast discussing building resilience and protecting well-being among university staff and students

THE podcast: what’s needed to successfully scale higher education?

How can universities meet the growing global demand for higher education, increasing access to a wider pool of students while maintaining the quality of their teaching and learning?

Ian Jacobs, Jude Sheeran

UNSW Sydney

Indian students on campus. It seems unlikely that online or blended learning would find an environment to thrive in India

Is blended learning just a pipe dream for Indian HE?

It’s unlikely we are ready for a seismic shift while simultaneously trying to improve the quality of university education in general, say Gunjan Rajput and Swapnarag Swain

Gunjan Rajput , Swapnarag Swain

Rishihood University, International Management Institute Kolkata

Global education. Utilising the capabilities of online and blended learning could make education more accessible for people all over the world

Blended learning should be embraced for the benefit of all

By using online capabilities, higher education could be transformed from a privilege into a basic human right for anyone who wants it, says Sir Tim O’Shea

Tim O'Shea

Kortext

Advice on creating accessible inclusive reading lists for students

How to develop inclusive reading lists for distance and blended learning

Jude Wilson offers advice on how academics can work with their university library teams to ensure course reading lists are accessible and inclusive for all students

Jude Wilson

Arden University

Not all broadband access is created equal and universities must take their student demographics into account when deciding on levels of online teaching

Don’t forget that not all internet access is created equal

Broadband quality, and thus suitability for online tuition, varies greatly depending on where students come from, say Darragh Flannery, Dónal Palcic and John Cullinan

Darragh Flannery, Donal Palcic, John Cullinan

University of Limerick, National University of Ireland Galway

Distance learners deserve better than HE’s latest bait and switch

Remote learning is the latest scapegoat being used to justify returning to the ‘normal’ of rising tuition costs and sky-high student debt, says Zachary Michael Jack

Zachary Michael Jack

North Central College

Advice on overcoming barriers to accessibility and inclusivity in digital learning

Overcoming barriers to accessible and inclusive digital learning

Tim Coughlan offers three key strategies that help to make digital learning more accessible and inclusive, each relating to technology, study support and pedagogy

Tim Coughlan

The Open University

The shift online will have positive side effects that we haven't realised yet

The digital shift will have many (positive) side-effects

In the not-so-distant future, we’ll realise the digital transformation has changed higher education for the better, in ways we never expected, say Rick Shangraw and Wayne Bovier

Rick Shangraw, Wayne Bovier

Cintana Education, Higher Digital

Campus talks: making teaching more inclusive and equitable

How can academics ensure their teaching strategies meet the needs of diverse students and create inclusive, equitable classrooms

Jason Arday, Tazin Daniels, Chiara Horlin, Amanda Irvin

Durham University , University of Michigan, University of Glasgow, Columbia University

Digital poverty is becoming as important an issue as housing, healthcare and education, especially with universities pivoting online

Digital resources now rank alongside housing, healthcare and education

Universities, government, business and local communities must come together and provide strategic action to tackle digital poverty effectively, says Julian Thomas

Julian Thomas

RMIT University

Guidance on designing online learning to support more diverse learners to fuel the workplace

Designing online learning to fuel a more diverse workplace

Anthony Tattersall outlines online course design strategies that support greater diversity of learners and fuel a more varied workplace

Anthony Tattersall

Coursera

How to use technology to offer disadvantaged students pathways to higher education

Using tech to connect refugees with pathways to higher education: an emerging case study

Kate Symons and Georgia Cole share key lessons from a pilot project aiming to support refugees and learners from disadvantaged communities in Uganda into higher education

Kate Symons, Georgia Cole, Foundations for All team

The University of Edinburgh, Foundations for All

Asian student learning about virtual exchange. There is a need to be clear on the outcomes of virtual exchange as it becomes more common.

Virtual international exchange needs a sharpening of practice

For committed international educators, there is a need to clarify the purpose of virtual exchange before the trend takes hold, says Benjamin Tak Yuen Chan

Benjamin Tak Yuen Chan

Hong Kong Metropolitan University

A photograph of a war zone. When teaching to diverse groups overseas, there are many circumstances to consider.

Lessons learned teaching online, from wi-fi woes to war zones

Human issues, particularly willingness to contribute to discussions, were more significant than tech issues when teaching across borders to diverse audiences, says David Mould

David Mould

Ohio University

Rural America suffers from a lack of high-speed internet access, which in turn hinders social mobility

Biden’s next big deal must include expanded broadband access

The pandemic helped expose an insidious digital divide that imperils efforts to reduce inequality and promote social mobility, says Jem Spectar

Jem Spectar

University of Pittsburgh Johnstown

Making your online course content accessible and clear for all students

Five steps to making your digital course content more accessible for all

Drew McConnell describes some straightforward techniques to make your digital course content more accessible and improve the overall user experience for students

Drew McConnell

University of Glasgow

Lessons in improving online teaching and learning from a survey of Hong Kong students

Lessons on improving online teaching from a survey of students in Hong Kong

A survey of students in Hong Kong highlighted concerns relating to the efficacy of online teaching. Ka Ho Mok runs through key lessons for universities looking to improve their digital education

Ka Ho Mok

Lingnan University

Online course design and delivery tips that ensure accessibility for disabled students

Making online learning accessible for students with disabilities

Online learning offers opportunities to widen accessibility for disabled students through careful course design and delivery. Clare Mullaney shares three tips to ensure your digital teaching is accessible to all learners

Clare Mullaney

Clemson University

How to ensure your online assessment is accessible and relevant for all students

Assessing your assessment: creating inclusive and meaningful assignments

Online teaching has forced a major rethink of exams, so how can academics ensure they make the new-style assessments accessible and relevant to all students? Kimberly Wilder-Davis explains

Kimberly Wilder-Davis

University of Glasgow

Propelling higher education to a digital future

Recommendations on improving digital higher education from Sir Michael Barber’s review – and the resources to help

THE Campus has worked with the team behind Sir Michael Barber’s digital teaching and learning review to create a toolkit, presenting their key recommendations for improving digital education alongside practical advice and insight from academics to help institutions meet the proposals

Joshua Fleming, Lara Bird, Miranda Prynne

Office for Students, Campus

Designing online courses with accessibility and inclusivity in mind

Online alone is not the answer – how to design remote courses with accessibility and inclusivity in mind

Digital accessibility is crucial in online teaching, says Amy Low. Here, she outlines what universities need to consider when designing inclusive online courses

Amy Low

AbilityNet

Create online courses with equity at their heart to bridge the digital divide

Bridging the digital divide: online courses with equity at their core

Otito Iwuchukwu talks about how to take an equity-first approach to delivering online courses to ensure all students can access the resources they need and have their voices heard

Otito Frances Iwuchukwu

Fairleigh Dickinson University

Reimagining higher education teaching and learning for remote and online courses

THE Digital Transformation Forum: Reimagining higher education teaching and learning

Four academics offer practical advice on different aspects of online teaching and learning based on lessons from the rapid pivot to remote courses triggered by Covid-19

Alexandra Mihai, Angus Cheung, Maha Bali, Tom Wigham

UCL, The University of Edinburgh, American University in Cairo, University of Groningen

Designing online classes for students with ADHD

Making online classes work for students with ADHD

Online learning can be particularly challenging for students with learning difficulties such as ADHD. Kate Lister offers some simple steps every instructor can take to help students with ADHD stay engaged

Kate Lister

Leeds Trinity University

Advice on reaching remote students with limited access to learning technology

How to reach remote students with limited access to technology

Angela Owusu-Ansah of Ashesi University in Ghana explains how her institution has tackled this problem to ensure all students can access teaching online

Angela Owusu-Ansah

Ashesi University

Improving students' digital literacy for remote learning

The natural tech savviness of Generation Z doesn’t necessarily extend to remote learning tools. Here are three tips from the Open University of Hong Kong to train students to use collaborative working platforms

Heidi Cheng, Maurice Choi, Sylvia Sze, Candy Law, Kan Cho, Samuel Hong