Driving Inclusive Design in Higher Ed Communications

In this episode, GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom sits down with Beth Noel, Director of Communications & Creative Services at Middlesex Community College, to talk about accessibility and inclusive design in higher education. What started with a compliance letter about inaccessible PDFs became a turning point in Noel’s journey toward building a culture of belonging for students with disabilities. She shares how her institution formed a cross-college accessibility team and began embedding inclusive practices into all communications.

Noel also offers practical guidance on how to write and design with accessibility in mind, showing how these shifts can positively impact student success and retention. This conversation explores the business case for accessibility, how to build buy-in, and how to lead change, even in environments where “we’ve never done it that way before.”

What You’ll Learn:

• What sparked one communicator’s journey into accessibility
• How to start building accessible communications and teams
• Practical tips for inclusive writing and design
• The connection between accessibility, retention, and student success
• How to navigate resistance to inclusive practices

Beth Noel's NCMPR Presentation

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