Coalition on Accessibility in Higher Education Releases “Accessible By Design: A Comprehensive Playbook for Higher Education”

WASHINGTON, DC (May 7, 2026) – Making higher education accessible on campus and across digital platforms for learners with disabilities is possible for all colleges and universities. This new practice-based playbook, developed by the Coalition on Accessibility in Higher Education, provides best practices and real-world examples to support institutions of higher education in making changes to create more accessible higher education experiences for learners with disabilities and all learners. The playbook builds on the foundation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Intended for higher education leaders, this open access playbook contains eight chapters, focused on improving accessibility across higher education systems, including the accommodations process, faculty instruction and training, procurement, and building belonging. Throughout, it features case studies, links to additional resources and reports, and provides key takeaways that higher education leaders should consider.

“Too often learners with disabilities face barriers completing their higher education. Many are forced to pause their education – or never enroll at all – because they don’t have or receive the support they need. We know colleges and universities can and need to continuously improve to ensure their schools are accessible to all. This playbook provides colleges and universities with real solutions to meet the needs of these learners so they can complete their degrees,” says Jamie Fasteau, Executive Director, Center for Higher Education Policy and Practice at Southern New Hampshire University.

“At NCLD, we’ve long advocated for improving higher education access and removing barriers for students, especially the process of accessing reasonable accommodations,” says Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez, CEO of the National Center for Learning Disabilities. “We are proud to have worked in partnership with the Coalition to develop and publish this new playbook, which gives institutions a practical resource to strengthen accessibility for higher education students, supporting both academic success and overall student well-being.”

Creating lasting change in higher education hinges on implementing accessible practices across systems. This shift must be grounded in data as well as the lived experiences of students, ensuring that their perspectives guide the decision-making process, rather than relying on assumptions.

To learn more about the playbook and our coalition’s work, and hear directly from stakeholders about their perspectives on accessibility, join us virtually on May 13, 2026, from 2-4 p.m. ET for our event “Higher Education Accessibility in Action: Partnership and Progress.” Register for the livestream here. ASL and CART will be provided on the livestream.

To learn more about the coalition, visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/higher-ed-access/