About the Episode
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About the Episode:
In this episode, Dustin chats with Kate DeForest, Web and Digital Content Coordinator at SUNY Oswego, about the importance of digital accessibility in higher education. Kate shares her journey into accessibility work, the transformative lessons she’s learned along the way, and practical strategies for making these improvements less overwhelming. From leveraging James Clear’s Atomic Habits to launching campus-wide accessibility initiatives, Kate emphasizes the importance of small, consistent changes and fostering empathy in the digital realm. This conversation is packed with actionable insights for anyone looking to create more inclusive digital experiences.
Key Takeaways
- Digital accessibility goes beyond visibility – It ensures that users with disabilities have an equivalent experience when accessing digital content.
- Small changes create big impact – Implementing structured headings, alt text, and color contrast adjustments can drastically improve website accessibility.
- Education is key – Many accessibility barriers exist simply because people don’t know what they don’t know. Awareness and training are crucial.
- AI and automation can help but aren’t perfect – Built-in accessibility checkers in platforms like Microsoft Word and AI-generated alt text are helpful, but they still require human oversight.
- A proactive approach is better than reactive remediation – Instead of fixing accessibility issues after they arise, institutions should prioritize accessible design from the start.
- Change starts small – A 1% shift in mindset and habits, as inspired by Atomic Habits by James Clear, can lead to long-term accessibility improvements.
- Accessibility benefits everyone – Features like captions, structured content, and clear navigation aid not only those with disabilities but also users in different situations (e.g., mobile users, people in noisy environments).
How Did Kate DeForest Get into Digital Accessibility?
Kate’s journey into digital accessibility was unexpected. After facing career setbacks, she returned to grad school at SUNY Oswego to study graphic design and digital media. There, she realized her strengths were in web design, information architecture, and content strategy rather than traditional graphic design.In 2017, a complaint from the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) highlighted accessibility issues on SUNY Oswego’s website, prompting a campus-wide effort to improve digital accessibility. By 2018, Kate was hired as a Digital Accessibility Analyst, aligning her newfound skills with the university’s urgent need for accessibility expertise.
What is Digital Accessibility and Why Does It Matter?
Many people assume accessibility means simply making something available online. However, true digital accessibility ensures that individuals with disabilities can navigate and engage with digital content in a way that mirrors the experience of non-disabled users.Kate paraphrases the Department of Education’s definition: Digital accessibility means that a person with a disability can access content in a “same or similar manner” as a person without a disability. This includes considerations for screen readers, keyboard navigation, color contrast, and more.
What Are the Biggest Challenges in Making Digital Content Accessible?
- Lack of Awareness – Many faculty and staff don’t realize their content is inaccessible. Common assumptions, like "I uploaded it, so it must be accessible," need to be corrected through education.
- Overwhelm and Resistance – When people feel like they have to make everything accessible all at once, they get discouraged. The key is breaking it down into manageable steps.
- Reactive vs. Proactive Approach – Initially, accessibility efforts at SUNY Oswego were reactive, with Kate remediating content on demand. By 2020, when online learning surged due to the pandemic, this approach became unsustainable, leading the university to focus on proactive accessibility training instead.
How Can Institutions Tackle Digital Accessibility Without Feeling Overwhelmed?
Kate shares a strategy inspired by Atomic Habits by James Clear: focusing on 1% improvements rather than tackling everything at once.At SUNY Oswego, they launched a 10-day accessibility challenge, breaking down key accessibility tasks into simple, daily steps. Each day, participants learned and applied one aspect of accessibility—such as structuring headings, embedding links, or adding alternative text to images.This incremental approach makes accessibility feel achievable, builds long-term habits, and creates a culture of continuous improvement.
How Do Built-in Tools and AI Impact Digital Accessibility?
Platforms like Microsoft Word and Google Docs now feature built-in accessibility checkers, making it easier to flag and correct common issues. However, these tools are not foolproof—they don’t catch everything, and they sometimes overlook key accessibility concerns like proper heading structures.AI-generated alt text is improving, but it still requires human review to ensure descriptions are accurate and meaningful. Kate emphasizes the importance of using AI as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for human judgment.
What Are Some Practical Accessibility Best Practices?
- Use Proper Headings – Screen readers rely on headings to navigate content efficiently. Formatting sections correctly makes a document or webpage significantly more accessible.
- Ensure Strong Color Contrast – Many website builders now flag poor color contrast, which helps users with visual impairments or color blindness.
- Provide Text Alternatives – All images should have alt text, and videos should include captions.
- Optimize for Low-Bandwidth Users – Websites filled with large graphics or videos should offer simplified versions for users with slow internet speeds.
- Design with Flexibility in Mind – Accessibility features like transcripts, captions, and alternative text benefit a broad audience, not just those with disabilities.
Why Is Digital Accessibility Critical for Higher Education?
Higher education institutions serve diverse populations—including prospective students, current students, faculty, alumni, and parents. Failing to make content accessible means missing out on engagement opportunities and creating unnecessary barriers for users.Kate also points out that accessibility improvements often benefit everyone, not just individuals with disabilities. Features like captions help students studying in noisy environments, structured text aids readability for all users, and accessible navigation makes content easier to find.
How Can Individuals Advocate for Accessibility at Their Institution?
Even if you’re not in a leadership role, you can make an impact:
- Start Conversations – Talk to colleagues about accessibility and share best practices.
- Lead by Example – Implement accessible design in your own work and encourage others to do the same.
- Join or Start an Accessibility Group – SUNY Oswego’s accessibility task force started as an informal conversation and grew into a campus-wide initiative.
- Use Resources and Training – Many organizations offer free accessibility guides and courses to help individuals and institutions improve.
About the Show: The Higher Ed Geek Podcast explores the impact of edtech on the student experience by speaking with diverse leaders from institutions, companies, and nonprofit organizations. Each week we aim to provide an engaging, fun, and relevant dose of professional development that honors the wide range of work happening all across the higher ed ecosystem. Come geek out with us! The Higher Ed Geek Podcast is hosted by Dustin Ramsdell and is a proud member of the Enrollify Podcast Network.
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About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Geek is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!
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