Aims Community College has been named a finalist for the 2027 Bellwether Award for Aims All In on Accessibility, an innovative collegewide initiative that helps employees identify, remove and prevent barriers in digital content.
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Aims Community College Named Bellwether Award Finalist for Digital Accessibility Initiative
November 06, 2026
This nationally recognized award honors outstanding and innovative programs in U.S. community colleges.
Aims is one of 10 finalists in the planning, governance and finance category, which recognizes innovative approaches to college planning, management and resource use.
Digital accessibility helps ensure that people with disabilities can access online information and services. As Shawn Lawton Henry, W3C Web Accessibility Initiative Program Lead, said, "Accessibility is essential for some, and useful for all." Meeting web accessibility standards offers everyone an improved learning and web experience by removing barriers. In a college setting, that can include making documents readable with assistive technology, providing text descriptions for images and organizing online materials so they are easier to navigate.
“Every barrier we remove gives learners more room to succeed,” said Dr. Leah L. Bornstein, Aims Community College CEO and President. “That is what drives this work.”
Aims established a Digital Accessibility Task Force in 2024. The group developed a shared plan, clarified responsibilities and created a Digital Accessibility Hub with guidance, checklists and resources for employees. Faculty and staff received workshops, consultations and other support to apply accessibility practices to the materials they create and manage. In 2026, Aims transitioned its task force into a standing Digital Accessibility Oversight Committee to guide ongoing work. Accessibility is also part of the college’s 2024–2027 Strategic Plan.
The initiative has a unique approach, as most of it has been carried out through existing employees, systems and reallocated resources, supplemented by a temporary full-time accessibility position supporting academic affairs. The approach offers other colleges a model they can adapt to their own staffing and resources.
Aims will present its project during the 33rd Annual Community College Futures Assembly, February 21–23, 2027, in San Antonio, Texas. Finalists will compete before a panel of judges, and one Bellwether Award recipient will be selected in each category.
“This is thoughtful stewardship in action, equipping our employees to make lasting improvements for the people we serve,” said Heidi Windell, Treasurer of the Aims Board of Trustees.
Visit aims.edu/accessibility to learn more about digital accessibility at Aims.
