UW–Madison’s Taekyeom Lee, an assistant professor in the School of Education’s Art Department, is spearheading a new course that is titled, “Graphic Design for Accessibility.”

According to the syllabus, enrolled students will learn how to design for accessibility with various prototyping skills using digital fabrication and user testing.

Lee’s creation of this class was inspired by his own struggles with vision during his graduate study. He unexpectedly had to go through multiple eye surgeries that required a two-month long, face-down recovery, in which he had to remain looking downward during all daily activities.

“The experience changed my personal and professional life forever. I learned to appreciate the difficult experience and find a silver lining in a dark cloud,” Lee says.

Lee adds that “creating visual communication for accessibility is required for people with low vision and vision impairment; fostering accessibility in graphic design education is necessary and enables us to embrace the entire people.”