From “accessible enough” to actually accessible: Email in higher ed

Accessibility conversations in higher education often center on websites and learning management systems. But one of the most widely used — and most overlooked — digital channels is email.

In this session, we will explore the unique accessibility challenges of email communications in higher education, from long-term communication campaigns to newsletters. Attendees will learn why email accessibility is both legally significant and mission-critical for equitable communication.

Through real-world examples and before-and-after comparisons from Purdue’s Mitch Daniels School of Business, this session will highlight common accessibility pitfalls in higher education emails, including:

• Poor color contrast and brand constraints
• Image-only emails and missing alternative text
• Improper heading structure
• Ambiguous link text
• Inaccessible buttons and layout tables
• Overuse of emojis and special characters

Participants will walk through a practical email accessibility audit framework that can be used immediately, regardless of technical skill level. We will also review testing tools such as Litmus, screen readers and contrast checkers.

This session is designed for both technical and nontechnical professionals and will provide actionable guidance for communications teams, marketers, CRM administrators and accessibility advocates seeking to strengthen inclusive digital communication across their institutions.

Presenter

Kelsey Smith — Purdue University