State of Digital Accessibility in Higher Education
Concept3D recently conducted a survey to assess the perception of both current college students and higher education professionals with regards to digital accessibility on their campuses. We asked the important questions, and survey respondents gave us honest, and eye opening, responses.
Summary of Findings
Summary of Findings
The data is clear. College students, along with those working on college and university campuses, believe strongly that accessibility should be a priority and campuses should invest in order to attract and support students with special needs.
- 55% of current college students and 64% of higher education professionals either have a disability or know someone close to them who has a disability.
- Almost 80% of both students and professionals believe digital accessibility should be a priority.
- 50% of students and 40% of professionals believe their own institution is not doing enough to support digital accessibility.
- 1 in 2 students, and 1 in 3 professionals, believe that their college or university talks about digital accessibility but doesn’t take any action.
- Almost half of both groups believe there are too many barriers for students with disabilities, indicating that access to resources should be easier than it is now.
Student Perception
Student Perception
How important is it that your school prioritizes removal of barriers that prevent interaction with, or access to websites, digital tools and technologies, by students with disabilities?
The overwhelming majority of student respondents clearly view digital accessibility as an important initiative at the school they have chosen to attend.
How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statement: A more diverse and inclusive student population creates additional opportunities for learning and improves the quality of my experience overall.
Once again the overwhelming majority of student respondents believe that a diverse and inclusive student body is a top priority for their education.
How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statement: To attract and support those with special needs my college/university should invest what is required to meet their needs.
The large majority of student respondents feel that their college or university should back up their commitment to digital accessibility with financial investment to ensure students with disabilities needs are met.
Which answer below best describes how you feel about your school’s efforts to digitally accommodate those with special needs – specifically access to websites, digital tools and technologies?
While the majority of students surveyed (56%) feel that their school prioritizes digital accessibility and takes action to improve the digital experience, the remaining 44% of students surveyed feel that their college or university has room to improve their approach to digital accessibility.
- Digital accessibility is an important priority at my school and action is taken to improve the digital platforms students use – 56.2%
- My school talks a lot about digital accessibility but does not take action to improve the digital platforms students use – 28.4%
- Digital accessibility is a low priority at my school, limited or basic actions are taken to improve the digital platforms students use. – 13.2%
- Digital accessibility is a low priority at my school, limited or basic actions are taken to improve the digital platforms students use. – 2.2%
How effective is your school at removing barriers that prevent interaction with, or access to websites, digital tools and technologies, by students with disabilities?
A significant portion of the current student population believes in the importance of digital accessibility, but approximately half of them question their college or university’s commitment and effectiveness.
How would you describe your school’s approach to providing access to accessibility tools and features for students with disabilities?
Do students with disabilities have to make requests for accommodations or are they readily available on campus? Half of respondents believe that to be true. However 45% of respondents feel that accessibility tools and features must be requested, with another 5% of respondents indicating that their school makes no effort to provide accessibility tools or features.
- Digital accessibility is an important priority at my school and action is taken to improve the digital platforms students use – 56.2%
- My school talks a lot about digital accessibility but does not take action to improve the digital platforms students use – 28.4%
- Digital accessibility is a low priority at my school, limited or basic actions are taken to improve the digital platforms students use. 13.2%
- Digital accessibility is a low priority at my school, limited or basic actions are taken to improve the digital platforms students use. 2.2%
Which of the following digital accessibility tools and features are available to students at your school that may have a disability? (Select all that apply)
Students are clearly aware of digital accessibility tools and features on campus with keyboard accessibility, screen readers, and consistent navigation being identified as the most common.
What do you feel could be improved in your school’s approach to removing barriers that prevent interaction with, or access to websites, digital tools and technologies, by students with disabilities?
“If there was a way to help them without making them feel too dependent on a person such as developing technology that would fit for them to at least get them around. Wether it be a self driven chairs, or talking navigator that has the blue print of the entire school like a gps.”
Anonymous Student, Canyon Idaho University
Perceptions of Higher Ed Professionals
Perceptions of Higher Ed Professionals
Does your school provide an accessibility statement or overview that is easily accessible to students?
At the most basic level, is digital accessibility a topic that is addressed and presented to students? More than ¾ of respondents believe their school has prepared an accessibility statement.
Yes – 79% No – 21%
How important is it that your school prioritizes removal of barriers that prevent interaction with, or access to websites, digital tools and technologies, by students with disabilities?
A large majority of faculty respondents clearly view digital accessibility as an important initiative at the school where they have chosen to work.
How important do you believe it is to prospective students that your school prioritizes removal of barriers that prevent interaction with, or access to websites, digital tools and technologies, by students with disabilities?
Current university and college faculty surveyed clearly understand that digital accessibility is an important topic when recruiting prospective students.
How effective do you feel that your school is at removing barriers that prevent interaction with, or access to websites, digital tools and technologies, by students with disabilities?
While the majority of respondents feel their institution is effective, it is notable that 40% believe their school to be average, or not effective at all, at removing barriers to accessibility.
Which answer below best describes your school’s approach to providing access to accessibility tools and features for students with disabilities?
- 73% – Digital accessibility is an important priority at my school and action is taken to improve the digital platforms students use.
- 12% – My school talks a lot about digital accessibility but does not take action to improve the digital platforms students use.
- 12% – Digital accessibility is a low priority at my school, limited or basic actions are taken to improve the digital platforms students use.
- 3% – Digital accessibility is a low priority at my school, limited or basic actions are taken to improve the digital platforms students use.
How effectively do you feel your school meets student expectations for removal of barriers that prevent interaction with, or access to websites, digital tools and technologies, by students with disabilities?
29% feel their college or university is only moderately effective at meeting expectations.
Which answer below best describes your school’s approach to providing access to accessibility tools and features for students with disabilities?
Less than half of faculty respondents feel that their college or university takes a proactive approach to digital accessibility. The majority of respondents feel that accessibility tools and features are available to students who request them.
- My School Takes a Proactive Approach – 46%
- My School Makes Accessible Tools Available – 47%
- My school does not make any effort to provide accessibility tools and features to students with disabilities 7%
Which of the following digital accessibility tools and features are available to students at your school that may have a disability? (Select all that apply)
Faculty are aware of digital accessibility tools and features on campus with screen readers, image alt text, and keyboard accessibility being identified as the most common.
Has your school implemented a systemic framework and staff training to ensure accessibility across all digital tools, platforms and technologies utilized by students?
82% of those surveyed recognize a framework and training on their campus to ensure accessibility. However, 18% of faculty respondents are at colleges and universities that have no framework or training to ensure accessibility for students.
Yes – 82% No – 18%
To your knowledge, has your school ever been involved in litigation around digital accessibility?
22% of respondents are aware of previous litigation around digital accessibility at their institution.
Yes – 22% No – 78%
In what specific areas do you feel that your school has excelled in removing barriers that prevent interaction with, or access to websites, digital tools and technologies, by students with disabilities?
“We have a digital campus that has no barriers anywhere. It offers student experience”
“Our school will organize video talks and activities to raise the awareness of students with disabilities on the use of technology and encourage them to actively participate in the digital age so that they can better interact with society.”
“Our accessibility department uses the latest technology and works in conjunction with IT Services to keep up on new products and information.”
What do you feel could be improved in your school’s approach to removing barriers that prevent interaction with, or access to websites, digital tools and technologies, by students with disabilities?
“I feel that much of what my school has learned in term of improving access barriers has no practical application.”
Improve onsite navigation
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Demographics of Respondents
Demographics of Respondents
Students
Students
Do you or anyone close to you have a disability?
We wanted to know just how close to each student respondent the subject of disabilities was/is. Over 50% of students surveyed either have a disability themselves or know someone close to them that does.
Yes – 55.2% No – 44.8%
Which answer below best describes where you currently are in your undergraduate educational journey?
All survey respondents were undergraduate students at the time they completed the survey. The largest percentage of students that completed the survey were Sophomores (41%) with the smallest percentage being Seniors (13%).
Higher Ed Professionals
Higher Ed Professionals
Which answer below best describes your higher education institution?
Faculty survey responses were collected from community colleges, public colleges/universities, as well as private colleges and universities.
Do you or anyone close to you have a disability?
We wanted to know just how close to each higher education faculty respondent the subject of disabilities was/is. Over 60% of students surveyed either have a disability themselves or know someone close to them that does. However, more than ⅓ of respondents …
Yes – 22% No – 78%
