Digital Accessibility Coordinator at Carnegie Mellon University

Brian Fodrey

Brian has over 15 years of experience in higher education IT. Having previously served as CIO and Vice Provost at Stevenson University, Fodrey is currently the Assistant Vice President for Business Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University. He oversees strategic efforts in enterprise-level process improvements, innovation, organizational efficiency, project management, and digital accessibility.

Kimberly Norris

Kimberly Norris is the Digital Accessibility Coordinator at Carnegie Mellon University. The International Association of Accessibility Professionals recognized her with the 2023 Impact Award for promoting accessibility awareness and education. Before joining CMU, Norris’s career included website development and marketing for several higher education and non-profit institutions in the Pittsburgh region. She has been advocating for accessible code and universal design for more than 15 years.

Digital accessibility is about designing and fostering digital environments—websites, applications, documents, and platforms— inclusive and usable for everyone, including individuals with disabilities. Ensuring equitable access to digital tools and resources is not only a moral and ethical imperative but also a strategic advantage that enhances engagement, broadens reach and drives institutional or organizational success. A foundational step toward achieving this goal is the development and implementation of a comprehensive digital accessibility policy.

A strong digital accessibility policy underscores an organization’s commitment to inclusion, supports regulation and compliance, and improves the overall user experience. Such a policy should also not stand alone— it must complement and integrate seamlessly with other operationally minded policies.

Creating a digital accessibility policy requires a thoughtful approach that balances strategic priorities, legal standards, and operational reinforcement. It should define clear guidelines, reference industry standards, and include mechanisms for implementation and continuous improvement.

When writing a digital accessibility policy, it is important to consider its purpose and how it will serve the organization's overall mission. While often included with human resource initiatives, accessibility offers its return on investment and should be communicated broadly across the organization as a critical success factor. 

"Digital accessibility is not only a moral and ethical imperative but also a strategic advantage that enhances engagement, broadens reach and drives institutional or organizational success."

Digital accessibility is vital to fundamental areas such as software procurement, document creation, website development, and equal-opportunity employment. Existing policies that touch these and other areas should be reviewed for alignment with the digital accessibility policy. Considerations should include scope, application, and adoption. 

It is important to note that commonly used standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and PDF/UA (ISO 14289-1) have been revised over time. Therefore, it is recommended to write the policy in two pieces, a formal statement that defines roles and responsibilities and expresses the institutions’ desire to align with existing laws and regulations, and a less formal guidance document that points to the current recommendations for remediation. This will ensure the guidance is kept nimble with changing technology and best practices. A governing body responsible for updating the guidance should be identified in the formal policy. 

For lasting impact, digital accessibility practices must be “baked in” daily workflows, similar to how organizations think about information security. This proactive integration ensures digital accessibility becomes a natural part of the organization’s culture and processes, avoiding the pitfalls of retrofitting solutions.

A well-designed digital accessibility policy has the power and influence to strengthen an organization's overall IT posture thereby fostering innovation, enhancing organizational reputation, and promoting inclusivity.