PROJECT ROCKIT’s Post

🌍 Digital Accessibility is More Than a Trend—It's a Responsibility! 💻 With over 1 billion people globally living with disabilities, ensuring safe digital spaces are accessible to all is essential for true inclusion. Websites, apps, and online content need to be designed with everyone in mind—visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive challenges must be considered. Solutions? Start small, like Darren Denham's approach, by empowering advocates across teams. Use existing tools, improve alt text, caption videos, and ensure screen reader compatibility. Every step counts toward creating a more accessible world. 💡 💬 How is your organization tackling digital accessibility challenges? #DigitalAccessibility #InclusionMatters #A11y #AccessibilityForAll #ProgressNotPerfection

Here is a new interactive tool to examine 18 years of data trends related to the Kalamazoo Promise. Check it out!

"Every day, many [students] come across images and videos they can’t see, documents that their screen readers can’t interpret, audio they can’t hear, and sites that they can’t navigate effectively..." Taylor Swaak from The Chronicle of Higher Education details the challenges many institutions will face to create more accessible learning experiences for their students. If you'd like to explore more about accessibility and learn how to create amazing digital experiences for learners of all abilities check out the Aptly-designed Introduction to Accessibility and Universal Design on Coursera: https://lnkd.in/eqsycxub https://lnkd.in/eAUxuYce

Impact of COVID-19 in the web accessibility of higher education institutions: a pending challenge via Universal Access in the Information Society: https://lnkd.in/dxGuE2Ku 🌐 Web Accessibility in Education: A Lesson from the COVID-19 Pandemic 😷 The COVID-19 pandemic transformed education worldwide, pushing institutions to rapidly shift to online learning. While this transition impacted all students, it hit vulnerable students—especially those with disabilities—the hardest, exposing gaps in web accessibility. ♿ 🔍 Our recent study reviews how universities around the globe adapted their websites for accessibility during this time. While many made commendable strides to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 immediately following the pandemic outbreak, the momentum has unfortunately slowed. 📉 📚 By evaluating university websites from 2018 to 2024, we found that although accessibility initially improved, these gains are not being maintained. This highlights the need for a long-term commitment to inclusive online education. ✨ 🌟 Let’s ensure the lessons learned during the pandemic aren’t lost—web accessibility should be a priority, not a temporary fix! 🌟 #WebAccessibility #InclusiveEducation #DigitalInclusion #COVID19 #OnlineLearning #HigherEducation #AccessibilityMatters

Impact of COVID-19 in the web accessibility of higher education institutions: a pending challenge via Universal Access in the Information Society: https://lnkd.in/dxGuE2Ku 🌐 Web Accessibility in Education: A Lesson from the COVID-19 Pandemic 😷 The COVID-19 pandemic transformed education worldwide, pushing institutions to rapidly shift to online learning. While this transition impacted all students, it hit vulnerable students—especially those with disabilities—the hardest, exposing gaps in web accessibility. ♿ 🔍 Our recent study reviews how universities around the globe adapted their websites for accessibility during this time. While many made commendable strides to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 immediately following the pandemic outbreak, the momentum has unfortunately slowed. 📉 📚 By evaluating university websites from 2018 to 2024, we found that although accessibility initially improved, these gains are not being maintained. This highlights the need for a long-term commitment to inclusive online education. ✨ 🌟 Let’s ensure the lessons learned during the pandemic aren’t lost—web accessibility should be a priority, not a temporary fix! 🌟 #WebAccessibility #InclusiveEducation #DigitalInclusion #COVID19 #OnlineLearning #HigherEducation #AccessibilityMatters

Calling all #FurtherEducation professionals. Please come and sign up to a brilliant webinar hosted by nasen and supported by Thomas Pocklington Trust and UCL. Come and hear from students talk about why accessibility is so important and what you can do and need to think about to ensure the college you work for has #AccessibilityByDesign embedded in everything that you do. Find out more 👇 Twilight Talks: Accessibility by design for FE Colleges, why does it matter and how do you do it? Online 06 Nov 2024 (16:00 - 17:00) Twilight Talks Assistive Technology You will leave understanding: - The benefits that assistive technology and accessible design has for all students by hearing from real life users with different disabilities and learning differences - the legal requirements around accessibility for your college  the basics of making materials accessible for all - where to access useful and free resources for staff and students how signing up to the Access and Assistance For All pledges will help improve accessibility across your college and outcomes for your students Audience: Anyone working in further education including tutors, senior leaders and web developers Speakers: Ben Watson (Head of Accessibility at UCL) Sydney May (Education Technology Coordinator at Thomas Pocklington Trust) Champions from the Access and Assistance For All Campaign A big shout out to Catriona Jamieson for managing the Access and Assistance for All campaign! #accessibility #AssistiveTechnology #VisionImpaired #Blind #PartiallySighted #College #Lecturers #IT #Students

In the ever-evolving landscape of college admissions, a new trend has emerged: top colleges are now providing a space for applicants to upload the URL of their personal website directly onto their application. This development opens up a world of opportunities for students to showcase their unique talents, experiences, and personality beyond the traditional application components. 🌟 A well-crafted personal website can serve as a powerful tool for students to differentiate themselves from other applicants and leave a lasting impression on admissions officers. By curating a collection of their best work, whether it be artistic portfolios, research projects, or entrepreneurial ventures, students can provide a more comprehensive picture of who they are and what they have to offer. 🔍 Moreover, a personal website allows students to tell their stories in a creative and engaging way, bringing their passions and aspirations to life. Through a combination of text, images, and multimedia elements, students can create a dynamic and immersive experience that captures the attention of admissions officers and sets them apart from the crowd. 💫 As this trend gains traction, it's essential for college-bound students to start thinking about how they can leverage this opportunity to enhance their applications. By investing time and effort into creating a compelling personal website, students can give themselves a competitive edge and increase their chances of being accepted into their dream schools. 🏫 #CollegeAdmissions #PersonalWebsite #StandOutApplicant

🟣Why Students Join, Stay, or Leave: The Power of Branding and Reality🟣 Recently, I found myself reflecting more and more on the growing competition among schools, driven largely by their branding and online presence. In today’s digital world, a school’s ability to market itself can have a huge impact on attracting students. However, it got me thinking—while branding can bring students through the door, what truly keeps them there? Too often, there’s a gap between the image a school projects and the actual experience students encounter, leading to a cycle of unmet expectations and departures.  👉This article explores the key reasons why students choose, stay, or ultimately leave a school. Key Reasons: 👉 Branding Vs Reality  👉 Unresolved Conflicts & Lack of Support 👉Social Media Presence & Branding: In an age dominated by digital content, showcasing student achievements, promoting extracurricular activities, and highlighting academic successes can draw attention from families looking for a well-rounded educational experience. However,  it's crucial for schools to ensure that their branding aligns with the authentic experience they offer, otherwise the risk of students leaving increases. 👉Expectations vs. Reality: The promise of an exceptional education, facilities, or a nurturing environment is often what gets students in the door. However, if what is promised doesn’t materialize, students and parents may quickly become disillusioned.  For instance, a school might boast about cutting-edge technology, but if students encounter outdated equipment, their enthusiasm may fade. Similarly, promoting personalized learning while offering rigid, one-size-fits-all instruction can lead to frustration. This mismatch between expectations and reality is one of the primary reasons students/parents reconsider their choice and ultimately decide to leave. 👉Unresolved Conflicts & Lack of Support: Another major reason students leave is unresolved conflicts within the school community. These can stem from interpersonal issues between students and teachers, or even from administrative policies that fail to support student growth. If students or parents feel that they are unsupported, they may seek out schools where they feel heard and valued. Moreover, if  schools fail to provide emotional and social support for struggling students,  despite advertising a nurturing environment, it causes disillusionment and frustration. 👉Ultimately, while social media and branding may play a vital role in attracting students, retaining them requires consistent, transparent communication and delivering on promises. Schools that align their external image with their internal practices are more likely to build trust, leading to long-term student engagement and satisfaction. What are your thoughts?? #EducationMatters #StudentRetention #SchoolBranding #EducationLeadership #StudentEngagement #SchoolMarketing #DigitalPresence #EducationTrends #authenticity #studentsmatter

As the digital accessibility deadline approaches, it’s crucial for schools and edtech companies to ensure they are equipped to meet these standards. This article provides insights into readiness and compliance. Read more here: https://okt.to/SVGLJR

As educational institutions gear up for compliance with accessibility standards like Colorado's HB21-1110, the role of VPATs (Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates) becomes pivotal. But what exactly is a VPAT and why are they crucial? Dive into our latest article to discover why VPATs matter in education procurement and how they benefit both vendors and universities. Plus, explore our new offering, ProcureEnsure, designed to streamline accessibility reviews in procurement. Stay informed, stay inclusive! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eFuMHS5B #AccessibilityForAll #InclusiveWeb #DisabilityInclusion #WebAccess #WebAccessibility #DigitalAccessibility #InclusiveContent #AccessibilityCompliance #DocumentAccessibility #AccessibilityStrategies #PreciseMetrics #RealWorldExamples #InclusiveDesign #AccessibilityInsights #WebAccessibility #InclusiveLearning #AccessibleContent #DigitalInclusion #AccessForAll #WebAccessibilityTips #LearnAccessibility