Dr Josh Lim, Learning Technologist and Digital Accessibility Leader, shares a festive poem on the gift of digital accessibility this Christmas.
With thanks (and apologies) to Clement Clarke Moore and Microsoft CoPilot.
Read this poem without hyperlinks, for a smooth screen reader experience.
Twas the night before teaching, and all through our site,
Every detail was checked to make accessibility right.
The headings were structured, the fonts were all clear,
Alt-text on each image - no barriers here!
The colours were chosen with contrast in mind,
So text and backgrounds were easy to find.
No GIFs flashing or flickering to cause any strain,
Just calm, steady visuals to help and sustain.
Captions were ready for videos to play,
Transcripts for podcasts to guide the way.
Clear language was sprinkled through every line,
So meaning was simple, and clarity fine.
Tables were tidy with headers in place,
No merged cells to puzzle or slow down the pace.
Links had descriptions that made sense alone,
No “click here” confusion - just context well shown.
Slides were accessible, text left aligned,
Instructions were clear and easy to find.
Keyboard navigation was smooth as could be,
For those who don’t use a mouse easily.
We tested with screen readers, checked every page,
Ensuring inclusion for learners of age.
The checklists were ticked, the standards all met,
So no one would struggle, no learner upset.
So onward we teach with inclusion in sight,
Happy learning to all, and to all a fair right!
As the year draws to a close and the festive season approaches, it’s a natural time to pause, reflect, and look ahead. This poem presents an optimistic picture of what fully accessible learning could look like. While we’ve seen some excellent practice here at Bath, there’s still more to do to make sure our learning environments are truly inclusive and consistently meet accessibility standards.
Although the poem is light-hearted, the principles behind it are serious and vital for improving digital accessibility for both students and staff. I hope you enjoy reading it - but more importantly, I encourage you to explore the resources linked in the text and take a moment to reflect on how you create your own digital content. Every small step brings us closer to an inclusive experience for all.
