This blog post was authored by Dr Sylwia Frankowska-Takhari, Educational Technologist specialising in Digital Accessibility at City St George's, University of London. The original article is available here.
3 December marks the United Nations’ International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), an annual opportunity to reflect on and promote the rights, well-being, and inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of life. Established in 1992, the IDPD seeks to raise awareness of disability issues and mobilise support for creating a more inclusive world. This year’s theme highlights the leadership of people with disabilities, which invites us to focus on and amplify the voices of disabled students and staff in our university community.
The IDPD is a perfect moment to commit to practical actions that uphold accessibility and inclusion. Here are a few ways staff can get involved this year:
- Commit to teaching accessibly
Whether you’re delivering lectures, facilitating group work, or designing online content, consider how your approach can be more inclusive. Simple changes like ensuring videos are captioned, using accessible presentation formats, or sharing materials in advance can make a significant difference. - Improve the accessibility of your resources
Review the digital materials you create or use in your teaching and administrative roles. Ensure documents, PDFs, and slides meet accessibility standards and are usable for everyone, including screen reader users. - Learn more about accessibility
City's Digital Accessibility Guide provides clear, actionable advice on creating accessible resources. We have also curated a selection of accessibility and inclusion related resources.
By taking these steps, we can build a more inclusive university where disabled students and staff feel valued and empowered. Let’s use this IDPD not just to celebrate progress but to commit to improving accessibility and inclusion across our institution. Hope you feel inspired!
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