Goals

This project bridges gaps in access through storytelling and information design. Approximately 28.7% of the population has a disability, according to a 2022 CDC report, and 20.5% of undergraduate students reported having a disability in 2019-2020 (National Center for Educational Statistics).  However, the National Disability Center for Student Success reported that only 41% of surveyed students disclosed disability information to their instructors (and only 30% to staff). Furthermore, starting in April 2026, the Department of Justice will require all online communication at state institutions such as KSU to align with WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards. Successful compliance will require full participation from all members of the university community. 

This project thus aims help students navigate the process of seeking accommodations more transparently in order to access the resources they need. Additionally this project will help faculty understand the reasons, stories, and people behind accessibility requirements so as to meet these design goals more purposefully and effectively. 

team picture with three students and faculty

Our research focuses on user experiences, information design, and user advocacy, for which comics provide one strong solution as narrative medium (Bahl et al.). Requesting disability accommodations often involve complex procedures, specialized language, and emotionally charged interactions that can be difficult to navigate. This project seeks to translate these experiences into visual stories that make access pathways clearer and more tangible. Graphic narratives combine images, words, sequencing, and pacing to communicate information in multiple ways, accommodating diverse learning styles and cognitive needs. Through this approach, abstract policies are transformed into concrete, relatable narratives that reflect how students actually experience access, accommodation, and support.

Ultimately, this project positions graphic and comic narratives as a powerful method for making accessibility experiences vividly concrete and transparent, bridging the gap between policy and experience, and reaffirming access as a shared responsibility within the academic community for all stakeholders involved. 

Experience Gained

This project is designed as a collaborative, research-based initiative that actively involves students at multiple stages of development, analysis, and implementation. All participating students will complete formal certification through the Institutional Review Board (IRB), ensuring that they are trained in ethical research practices, informed consent procedures, and the responsible handling of human-subject data.

The project will begin with a small team so students can be connected to all elements of the project, and then grow and expand sustainably from there. After completing IRB certification, students will conduct interviews and surveys with participants (with initial participation invited from outreach to KSU’s Student Disability Services), then adapt the data shared into graphic narrative form through close iterative revision conversations with participants. Drawing from collected user experiences, students will help translate survey findings into graphic narratives and comics that make accessibility processes more comprehensive and tangible. This dual role allows students to engage with both analytical research methods and creative interpretation, reinforcing interdisciplinary learning.

Students will also participate in the user testing phase of the project. This includes observing how audiences interact with the completed graphic narratives, gathering feedback on clarity and accessibility, and identifying areas for improvement. Their involvement in user testing supports iterative design practices and ensures that the final outcomes are informed by real user interaction. This testing will ensure accessibility of the graphic narratives and accompanying resources, effectiveness in informing course design practices, and potential impact to build empathy and break down barriers in working toward designing accessible learning environments. 

Students will also be involved in editing and publishing the graphic narratives as print and online resources, as well as conducting university and community workshops, sharing findings at conventions and conferences, designing exhibits, and promoting the resources developed by the team. 

Majors and Interests Needed

  •  Anthropology
  • Art
  • Biology
  • Digital Animation
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Elementary Education
  • English
  • English Education
  • Information Technology
  • Integrated Health Science
  • Interactive Design
  • Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Journalism and Emerging Media
  • Learning, Design, and Technology
  • Media and Entertainment
  • Middle Grades Education
  • Nursing
  • Psychology
  • Public Health Education
  • Sociology
  • Technical Communication

Team Advisors

Erin Bahl
Social Media and Branding Coordinator, Department of English 
Associate Professor of English
Email: ebahl@kennesaw.edu


Shuchita Mishra
Assistant Professor of Illustration and Sequential Art
Email: smishra2@kennesaw.edu