University Housing ยท 2023
Housing Website Accessibility & Design Feedback
Using accessibility reviews and design feedback to improve digital experiences while building long-term accessibility awareness.
Challenge
A campus unit launched a new website using the shared Illinois Drupal template while also introducing custom content types and design modifications.
Although the implementation met many project goals, several accessibility and usability issues were unintentionally introduced during customization.
Common challenges included:
- Accessibility violations introduced through custom code
- Design patterns that deviated from established standards
- Inconsistent interactive states
- Reduced usability for keyboard and assistive technology users
- Missed opportunities to align with accessibility best practices
The goal was not simply to identify issues, but to help the team understand why the issues mattered and how they could avoid similar problems in the future.
Approach
Rather than providing a list of defects, I approached the review as an educational opportunity.
Each finding was documented using visual examples, accessibility standards, and practical recommendations that connected technical requirements to user impact.
The feedback was designed to be actionable, approachable, and easy to implement.
Whenever possible, recommendations focused on helping teams build accessibility considerations into their process rather than treating accessibility as a final review activity.
What Was Created
Accessibility Review
A detailed review of the website that evaluated color contrast, focus states, keyboard navigation, interactive elements, heading structure, link behavior, visual hierarchy, and WCAG compliance considerations.
Visual Documentation
To make feedback easier to understand, I created annotated screenshots that clearly identified the issue, why it mattered, relevant accessibility guidance, and recommended improvements.
The visual format helped stakeholders quickly understand both the problem and the proposed solution.
Standards-Based Recommendations
Each recommendation was connected to established accessibility standards and best practices.
This helped teams move beyond simply fixing a defect and provided context for future decision-making.
Documentation included WCAG references, design recommendations, interaction guidance, and implementation considerations.
Future-Focused Guidance
The review was structured to support future projects as well as the immediate remediation effort.
By documenting patterns and recurring issues, the team gained resources they could reference during future design and development work.
Outcomes
The review helped identify accessibility and usability improvements while reinforcing the importance of accessible design practices.
Benefits included:
- Increased awareness of accessibility requirements
- Improved understanding of WCAG standards
- Clear remediation guidance
- Better alignment with design system standards
- Stronger foundation for future accessibility efforts
The project also demonstrated how accessibility reviews can serve as both a quality assurance activity and a teaching opportunity.
My Role
Accessibility
- Accessibility evaluation
- WCAG review
- Design assessment
- Usability analysis
Documentation
- Annotated specifications
- Accessibility guidance
- Recommendation reports
- Standards mapping
Communication
- Stakeholder feedback
- Design consultation
- Accessibility education
- Best practice recommendations
Key Takeaways
One of the most effective ways to scale accessibility is through education.
While identifying issues is important, helping teams understand how and why accessibility problems occur creates longer-lasting improvements.
This project reinforced the value of pairing accessibility expertise with clear communication, practical guidance, and a collaborative approach to problem solving.