How Accessibility Strengthens Your University Brand: A Holistic Approach from Creative to Code

University web developers and designers know that accessibility isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s fundamental. But, often, when we’re in the weeds of making our sites and digital experiences accessible, we lose sight of the forest for the trees. In other words, while we’re heads-down focused on WCAG guidelines, we sometimes overlook the fact that building with accessibility at the forefront enhances both the digital experiences of our users and the university’s overall brand. Accessibility isn’t a constraint on your university’s brand—it’s a catalyst for clarity, creativity, and connection. 

 

In this tactical, example-filled session, we’ll explore how prioritizing accessibility across design and development not only expands your reach but strengthens the integrity of your institution’s brand and breaks down siloes. 

 

We’ll tackle common higher ed challenges—like legacy brand colors that don’t meet contrast standards—and share real-world strategies for preserving visual identity while prioritizing inclusion. You’ll gain a behind-the-scenes look at how our focus on inclusive and accessible design fuels our creativity in everything from typography to interactive components, and how design systems can make accessibility sustainable across departments. Whether you’re working on a full redesign or maintaining an existing site, this session will provide tactical takeaways and a unified perspective on how accessibility reinforces your university’s values, mission, and message—online and off.

 

After this session, attendees will walk away with… 

 

1. An understanding of how governance in design, content, and code helps enforce accessible best practices and brand standards across non-technical users.

2. Tips for how content and brand guidelines can be built into your process to encourage (and train) staff to create content that is accessible from the start

3. Tools and platforms that you can use to monitor quality and accessibility on your sites