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Building a Culture of Access at Â鶹Æƽâ°æ

As Â鶹Æƽâ°æ’s digital accessibility specialist, I am proud to reflect on the progress our community has made as we approach the April 2026 Title II ADA compliance deadline. In only a year and a half, I have seen meaningful growth in how accessibility is understood, discussed, and practiced across campus. 

While measurable improvement matters, what has stood out most to me has been something simpler: the questions. The clearest sign that accessibility is taking root is when people begin asking, “How do I do this well? Where do I start? When should this be built-in?” 

Over the past 18 months, I’ve been privy to thoughtful comments such as, “I want to make sure I do this right so my students have access,” and “I’d like to make my newsletter accessible so our alumni can fully engage.” Those conversations reflect genuine care — and that care is the foundation of digital accessibility at Â鶹Æƽâ°æ. 

Our collective progress is visible. Over the past year and a half, faculty and academic staff’s engagement with Blackboard accessibility tools has led to more than a 90% increase in content fixes and nearly a 30% rise in conversion rates. As a result, over 800 courses have been improved, with more than 14,000 accessibility fixes implemented. Hundreds of faculty and staff have attended trainings, consultations and roadshows, and taken steps to strengthen their digital content. During our inaugural participation in Blackboard’s global Fix Your Content Day, the campus community completed more than a thousand accessibility improvements in just 24 hours, ranking 22nd worldwide. 

What has been equally powerful is the collaboration behind that progress. Partnerships between IT, University Web & Design, The Office of Compliance and Equity, Libraries, STLI, and Student Accessibility Services have created a strong network of support, making it easier for individuals to ask questions, try something new, and learn along the way. People are asking what better looks like. Staff are thinking about accessibility when drafting emails and newsletters. Faculty are turning to resources earlier in course planning and sharing tips with colleagues. Students are more working with instructors and support offices to find solutions. 

And yet, the phrase I hear most often, after trainings, presentations, and consultations, is this: 
“This was easier than I thought.” 

That statement captures the true essence of digital accessibility. It is not about perfection. It is about small, intentional adjustments, practical tools, and the willingness to start somewhere. As we move closer to the April 2026 deadline, what gives me the most confidence is not a number, it is the steady curiosity, engagement, and commitment I see across Â鶹Æƽâ°æ. 

Filza Khan 
Digital Accessibility Specialist