by Ratna Selvaratnam, Luke Butcher and Justin Brown

Digital accessibility, a mixture of technology, policy and empathy needs critical consideration. More work is needed to develop

* the policy environment

* faculty awareness

* accessibility support roles

* critical nature of IT procurement.

A procurement process that emphasises accessible technologies for learning is important, for example, tools and processes which allow electronic content and systems to be consumed.

Physical learning spaces must have accessible infrastructure to optimise access and equity to promote student success. A specific case study is interface casting, whereby any electrically controlled environment or device can broadcast digital information regarding its operation to mobile devices such as phones and tablets. This is low-hanging fruit for incorporation within spaces.

AI-advanced learning environments provide a wide range of choice, activities, resources, tools and platforms, within collaborative and personalised learning spaces. They open-up accessible learning opportunities impossible before.

Specific priority areas to consider for technology procurement in higher education in WA include:

* instituting responsibility for accessibility at senior leadership level, at least until significant gains are made and sustained and accessible procurement is genuinely business as usual

* reporting university progress on achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG targets 4.4(a), on extending inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life-long learning opportunities for all

* aligning procurement policies and guidelines with principles and standards set out in university Disability Access and Inclusion Plans (DAIPs) (or equivalents)

* adoption of Australian Standard for Accessible IT (AS EN 301 549) in all relevant procurement activities

Any review of universities (in WA or elsewhere) should consider the core public and national interest the sector serves. The stark reality in Australia is that a lived experience of disability is predominantly linked to underemployment, poverty and a lack of self-agency.

Higher education is key to breaking this negative cycle, an outcome that will remain largely unobtainable while students with disability are expected to overcome additional digital and curriculum barriers created through inaccessible procurement processes.

Ratna Selvaratnam (Edith Cowan U), Luke Butcher (Curtin U) and Justin Brown (Edith Cowan U)