Blackboard’s Global Fix Your Content Day Challenge Made 108,546 Files More Accessible

Smashed single-day record for number of files fixed, nearly doubled number of participating institutions

RESTON, VA – On May 20, Global Accessibility Awareness Day, 115 universities from around the globe competed to make digital course content more accessible in Blackboard’s second annual, Fix Your Content Day Challenge. Using the company’s digital accessibility solution, Blackboard Ally, institutions across four continents improved over 108,000 course files, nearly doubling the total achieved in 2020.

“We were so inspired to see that around the world, institutions took up the challenge and shined a light on digital accessibility in the classroom,” said Dan Loury, Senior Product Management Director at Blackboard. “As a community, we know one day and one competition isn’t the end, rather the beginning of an ongoing journey toward learning experiences that are more inclusive, equitable and accessible.”

Winners were determined by the number of files fixed per number of students enrolled on campus, and by region. The institution that fixed the most files was also recognized. Each campus had 24 hours to fix as many files as possible.

Ogeechee Technical College in Statesboro, Georgia claimed the top spot, fixing 3.53 files per every student enrolled, or more than 5,480 files. Florida International University Online, based in Miami, Florida, fixed 16,364 files, setting the mark for highest number of file fixes. Charles Darwin University in Darwin, Australia took top honors in the Asia Pacific region, York St. John University in York, England finished first in Europe and the British University in Dubai claimed the top spot in the Middle East region.

Global Fix Your Content Day Winner:

• Ogeechee Technical College – Statesboro, GA – 3.53 files fixed per student (5,480 files)

Second Place Fix Your Content Day Winner:

• Coastal Pines Technical College – Waycross, GA – 3.30 files fixed per student (6,284)

Third Place Fix Your Content Day Winner:

• Wiregrass Georgia Technical College – Fitzgerald, GA – 2.35 files fixed per student (5,966)

REGIONAL WINNERS

Asia Pacific:

• Charles Darwin University – Darwin, Australia -- .31 files fixed per student (2,504 files)

Europe:

• York St. John University –York, England -- .20 files fixed per student (1,229 files

Middle East and Africa:

• British University in Dubai – Dubai, United Arab Emirates -- .71 files fixed per student (1,422 files)

North America:

• Ogeechee Technical College – Statesboro, GA – 3.53 files fixed per student (5,480 files)

Highest Number of Files Fixed:

• Florida International University Online (FIU) – Miami, FL – 16,364 files

State College System Award:

• Technical College System of Georgia (6 colleges in the top 10)

The Fix Your Content Day Challenge comes at the conclusion of Blackboard’s four-week, online course that analyzed key issues in accessibility and is a part of the company’s mission to deliver dynamic, personalized experiences.

“A personalized learning experience adapts to meet learners’ unique needs, devices and preferences,” said Loury. “Course content that meets students where they are is a critical element of a more inclusive learning environment. That institutions from around the world can join together in a friendly competition to demonstrate that need and commit to making their campuses more inclusive is a powerful statement and a mission we are proud to be a part of.”