Gilbert Presents on Digital Accessibility for Student Success Symposium

Student Media Associate Director Jamie Lynn Gilbert joined 43 colleagues from across the University to present at the Student Success Symposium on May 13 in Talley Student Union. The inaugural event was designed to bring faculty and staff together across NC State to share their best practices for student success.

Gilbert, who advises student radio station WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1/HD-2, presented “Digital Accessibility for Student Success.” She spoke on the importance of digital accessibility and how to create accessible content for websites and social media. Specific topics included audio/video transcripts, descriptive link text, alt text, color contrast and color blind design guidelines.

The presentation material is derived from training Gilbert regularly provides for student content creators, including those who produce blogs, videos, podcasts and social media for WKNC.

“I always joke with my students that they may not have been expecting a lecture on copyright law and digital accessibility, but that’s what they are going to get,” Gilbert said. “The Centers for Disease Control reports that more than a quarter of the adult U.S. population has some type of disability, so it is imperative our content creators understand how to make their work available to all populations. I’m honored to have been chosen to share this information with individuals across NC State.”

Gilbert has studied digital accessibility for more than a decade, presenting on the topic multiple times at the College Broadcasters, Inc. annual National Student Media Convention. She was named an Accessibility Champion in April 2021 by the NC State IT Accessibility Office and in April 2024 was one of three outstanding staff finalists at the Chancellor’s Creating Community Awards.

More information on digital accessibility is available from Accessibility at NC State.