Webinar: “Awareness Session on Disability Inclusion and Digital Accessibility in Higher Education”

Sometimes awareness begins with simple, practical questions: what makes a learning environment accessible, and where do barriers still exist?

This webinar created a space to explore those questions through shared discussion, practical insights, and collaborative reflection. Delivered as part of the partnership between the University of Dundee School of Business and NUST Business School, the session brought together participants to consider how digital accessibility can be strengthened in higher education.

The session opened with a warm welcome from colleagues at NUST, setting a supportive and engaging tone for the conversation.

Key contributions included:

• Dr Seemab Farooqi introduced the project and reflected on what inclusion means in higher education. She emphasised the importance of moving beyond compliance towards more meaningful and embedded inclusive practices.
• Dr Ying Wu explored common digital accessibility barriers, including image-only PDFs, missing alternative text, and poor contrast. Practical, easy-to-implement suggestions were shared to support immediate improvements in teaching materials.
• David Millar delivered a live demonstration of digital tools, including AI-supported platforms and built-in accessibility features. The session showed how these tools can support more inclusive learning experiences, particularly for neurodiverse learners.

Beyond the presentations, the discussion brought valuable perspectives from participants. Reflections highlighted the importance of designing resources that are not only accessible, but also realistic and adaptable across different contexts. Considerations such as low bandwidth, offline access, and local translation emphasised that inclusion must remain flexible and responsive.

What emerged from the session was a shared understanding that accessibility is not only about tools or guidelines. It is about awareness, intention, and continuous improvement in everyday practice.

By creating opportunities for open dialogue and practical exchange, webinars like this help move inclusion forward in ways that are both meaningful and achievable.