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Leading the Charge: How Nexis Uni is Making Strides to Improve Accessibility

April 22, 2025 (8 min read)
Accessibility in technology is essential and cannot be viewed as simply an additional feature. Imagine a visually impaired student struggling to navigate an online research database because the text-to-speech function doesn’t work properly. Or a student with mobility challenges unable to use a platform because it lacks keyboard navigation. Unfortunately, these barriers are all too common when it comes to technology.
 
Today’s librarians and educators understand the critical role that accessible software plays in ensuring all students can engage with educational resources effectively. With new accessibility legislation on the horizon, it's more important than ever for technology providers to prioritize inclusive design. One such tool, Nexis Uni® – is paving the way with its recent enhancements, setting an example for others to follow.
 

The Importance of Accessibility in Tech

Accessibility in software and technology is fundamental for creating inclusive environments where everyone can access information and resources. For academic institutions, this means ensuring that all students, regardless of their abilities, can fully use the digital tools for learning and research without barriers. Unfortunately, many platforms still fall short in this area, leaving students at a disadvantage.
 
According to the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, nearly 1 in 5 undergraduates reported having a disability in 2020—double the rate from two decades ago. Without accessible digital resources, these students face unnecessary hurdles that impact their ability to learn and succeed.
 
“Accessibility is not just a legal obligation; it’s a fundamental part of building inclusive technology that serves all users. Failing to prioritize accessibility is a missed opportunity to expand your user base and improve the experience for millions of people, including those with disabilities” says Nathaniel Perera, Associate Product Manager for Nexis Uni.
 

Legislation Driving Change

The push for accessible technology is also being driven by legislative updates. In April 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice finalized new regulations under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), requiring all digital content and mobile apps used by state and local governments to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards by April 24, 2026. This creates a clear mandate: educational institutions—and the technology partners that serve them—must ensure their products are compliant. For many organizations, failure to act could result in legal, financial, and reputational risks. The urge to foster an inclusive learning environment makes it clear: accessibility can no longer be an afterthought as echoed by Perera who says: “It’s about genuinely understanding the diverse needs of your audience and designing products that are usable by everyone, regardless of their abilities.” 
 

Nexis Uni's Commitment to Accessibility

Nexis Uni has taken significant strides in improving accessibility, setting an example for others in the industry. So far in 2025, the platform implemented over 20 accessibility enhancements, including:
 
• Improved visual contrast for users with low vision
• Enhanced keyboard navigation for users with mobility impairments
• Screen reader compatibility updates for smoother navigation
• Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) labeling improvements to provide better context for assistive technologies
 
But the Nexis Uni team’s commitment goes beyond technical updates. “Accessibility and usability have always been core principles in product development at LexisNexis.” says Perera.
 
To maintain this standard, Nexis Uni has committed to yearly VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) assessments, ensuring ongoing compliance and providing year on year visibility on improvements. The assessments also help the product development team to gain an understanding of where Nexis Uni is meeting or falling behind accessibility standards. The team also employs automated accessibility trackers like A11ycat – an accessibility testing framework designed to help teams identify and resolve accessibility issues in digital products – and manual assessments via tools such as WAVE Web Evaluation Tool, which can highlight errors, contrast issues, missing alt text, and structural problems and AXE which identifies accessibility violations and provides guidance for fixing them.
 

Overcoming Accessibility Challenges with a Proactive Approach

Even with this strong foundation, improving accessibility at scale comes with challenges. Many of the tools used for compliance—like JAWS 2021, WAVE, AXE, and FastPass—are essential for identifying issues, but they’re not flawless. The Nexis Uni team encountered false positives and missed issues, particularly in complex environments involving assistive technologies.
 
To overcome these gaps, the team adopted a multi-layered testing strategy, combining automated tools with real-user input:

• Partnering with accessibility specialists at schools and universities to incorporate expert feedback
• Conducting hands-on keyboard testing and screen reader walkthroughs for every major feature
• Using a range of tools—including A11ycat and manual assessments via WAVE and AXE to catch issues like color contrast, missing alt text, or improper structure
 
While automated tools like JAWS, WAVE, and AXE are invaluable in identifying accessibility issues, the Nexis Uni team acknowledges their limitations. As Perera emphasizes, they balance these tools with hands-on testing and direct feedback from education partners.
 
This proactive, collaborative approach helps Nexis Uni identify and address issues early, ensuring the platform is not just technically compliant—but genuinely accessible to the people who rely on it most.
 

Looking Ahead: Accessibility Beyond 2025

While 2025 has been a milestone year for accessibility enhancements, Nexis Uni’s vision extends beyond the current regulatory horizon. The team is committed to embedding accessibility at every stage of product design and development, not simply as a requirement, but as a guiding principle.
 
“We’re focused on staying proactive—anticipating and implementing new accessibility requirements as they emerge,” Perera says. 
 
That means continued investment in user-centric testing, especially with individuals who use assistive technologies. By gathering feedback directly from users with disabilities, Nexis Uni is building a platform that reflects real-world needs—not assumptions.
 

Your Role in Improving Accessibility

Librarians and educators are at the forefront of ensuring that all students have equal access to educational resources. The improvements made by Nexis Uni can directly benefit your students by providing a more accessible and user-friendly platform. For example, enhanced screen reader functionality and improved keyboard navigation can significantly aid students with visual impairments or mobility challenges, ensuring they can engage with content just as effectively as their peers.
 

Why Tech Providers Should Follow Nexis Uni’s Lead

The April 2026 ADA compliance deadline is fast approaching—but accessibility is about more than checking a box.
 
Organizations that follow Nexis Uni’s lead will:
 
• Ensure compliance and reduce legal risk
• Deliver a better experience for all users, not just those with disabilities
• Demonstrate leadership and social responsibility in a fast-evolving digital space
 

Practical Steps for Librarians and Educators: How You Can Champion Accessibility on Campus

Librarians and educators are in a unique position to advocate for accessibility. To advocate for and implement similar accessibility improvements, consider conducting regular accessibility assessments of the digital tools you use.
 
Here are steps you can take:
 
• Request VPAT reports from software vendors to ensure compliance with WCAG 2.1 standards
• Use free accessibility testing tools (e.g., WAVE, AXE) to assess the platforms you use
• Engage with vendors and ask about their accessibility roadmaps
• Provide feedback to tech companies on accessibility gaps that affect students
 
By taking these steps, you contribute to a more inclusive academic environment and help drive industry-wide change. 
 
Together, let’s ensure that all students have the tools they need to succeed.
 
To learn more about Nexis Uni, visit www.LexisNexis.com/NexisUni
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