When I talk about creating a hub, I envision a dedicated page on the UAL website or SharePoint that students and staff can easily access. While UAL already has extensive accessibility-related resources, such as this page on Canvas, it doesn’t address certain critical needs. For instance, it doesn’t clearly outline which software students can download or install on their personal laptops or PCs, nor does it specify which software is already installed on university machines—such as those available in the various rooms at the East Bank building, for LCF.
The hub I propose would serve as a centralised starting point, providing detailed information about digital accessibility tools. It would guide users on software availability, whether it’s free or requires a purchase, and where it can be accessed or installed. Additionally, the hub would act as a gateway, redirecting students and staff to the appropriate departments for further support or training. This streamlined approach would help bridge the gap in accessibility tool awareness and usage, ensuring a smoother and more inclusive experience for everyone.
Figure 1: Preliminary Draft of Digital Accessibility Hub
While exploring the accessibility tools available at UAL in general and LCF in particular, I noticed a significant gap: there isn’t a dedicated page where students and staff can easily search for software used across UAL. Such a resource would make it simpler for users to find the right software based on their specific needs.
To address this, I’ve drafted a rough idea for a filtering system that would enhance accessibility and usability. This feature would allow users to narrow down their search by categories, such as software purpose, cost and availability. Additionally, it would indicate whether the software is compatible with Windows, Mac, or both, ensuring users can quickly determine which tools suit their personal devices. It would also help them identify where the software is installed on university networked machines, streamlining the process and making it much easier to locate and access the tools they require.
Figure 2: Digital Accessibility Tools Filtering option