#43476
Speaker(s)
- Heidi Blaisdell, Instructional Designer, Marshall University - Huntington, WV
Session Details
- Length of Session: 1-hr
- Format: Lecture
- Expertise Level: Intermediate
- Type of session: General Conference
Summary
Marshall University rapidly improved digital accessibility in courses, achieving 10,000+ content fixes in one semester, but quickly recognized the limits of a "fix-it" approach. This case study explores how Marshall leveraged early wins to build momentum toward a cultural shift, including the creation of a College Accessibility Liaison Program, in which nine liaisons collaborate with Marshall Online to address subject-specific accessibility challenges.
Abstract
Many higher education institutions are navigating increased urgency around digital accessibility due to federal regulations and institutional commitments. At the same time, faculty often experience accessibility work as overwhelming, especially when they don't understand the why behind remediation efforts.
This session presents a case study of rapid institutional progress paired with intentional culture change at Marshall University. Over a short period, the institution achieved measurable gains through large-scale initiatives, including accessibility-focused events that generated hundreds of fixes within a single day and over 10,000 content improvements within a semester.
While these efforts produced immediate impact, they also revealed a key limitation: remediation alone is not sustainable. In response, Marshall Online shifted its strategy to emphasize accessibility as everyday habits—a model built around small, repeatable practices that faculty can integrate into their daily workflows rather than treating accessibility as a one-time project.
This session will examine how Marshall is turning short-term gains into long-term culture change by:
-Designing all-day events (e.g., Fix-It Day, Fix-A-Thon) as entry points for engagement -Translating accessibility standards into six core habits that simplify expectations and reduce cognitive load -Framing accessibility through a human-centered lens, emphasizing student experience alongside compliance -Creating a College Accessibility Liaison Program to enlist nine faculty champions to represent their colleges and contribute to subject-specific accessibility resources at Marshall
Participants will gain insight into how institutions can balance urgency with sustainability—leveraging early wins to build momentum while developing a culture that supports lasting change.
Keypoints
- Accessibility practices must be sustainable to move from compliance to culture.
- Accessibility is a shared responsibility and benefits from cross-sector collaborations.
- Digital accessibility contributes to students' sense of belonging and community.
Disability Areas
Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Vision
Topic Areas
Accessible Course Design, Campus & System-wide initiatives, Faculty Development & Support, Uncategorized
Speaker Bio(s)
Heidi Blaisdell
Heidi Blaisdell, PhD, is an instructional designer at Marshall University, where she supports faculty in creating inclusive, student-centered online learning experiences. She brings over a decade of teaching experience in composition and writing studies, along with a background in rhetoric and pedagogy, to her work in course design and faculty development.
Her work focuses on digital accessibility, Universal Design for Learning, and sustainable teaching practices that promote empathy, belonging, and student success. She is particularly interested in helping faculty move from compliance-driven approaches to accessibility toward practical, human-centered habits embedded in everyday teaching workflows.
Heidi’s recent projects include developing faculty resources, coordinating mini-conference events around digital accessibility, and contributing to cross-institutional initiatives such as microcredentials in inclusive advising.