Deep Dive in Five: The Importance and Value of Accessible Education with SJSU Online Student Jade Steele

SJSU online offers many possibilities for learners who require flexibility. Photo courtesy of Brian Cheung Dooley.

It is vital to ensure that higher education is as accessible as possible for all learners, whether they also work, care for children, live in a remote area, have a disability or experience other circumstances that make in-person learning difficult. Fortunately, SJSU Online creates valuable, affordable and flexible opportunities for people to complete their bachelor’s degrees 100% online, no matter where they are in life.

For Jade Steele, ‘26 Information Science and Data Analytics, SJSU Online has been instrumental in helping her pursue her long-term goal of becoming a digital accessibility specialist. Learn more about her experience so far and how she was recently recognized by NASA’s Science Activation program for her work in evaluating websites for accessibility.

Can you tell us about significant moments in your life that have shaped who you are and led you to becoming an SJSU Online student?

Jade Steele (JS): A significant experience in my life that contributed to me attending SJSU Online was remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. As someone who is autistic, I learned through that experience how much online schooling was a better match for my sensory sensitivities.

I have more control over my environment in remote schooling, as opposed to in-person classrooms, where there are many sounds I cannot turn off and visuals I cannot avoid, such as hearing my classmates sniffling or seeing them bouncing their legs.

SJSU Online helps me to be successful because remote learning works really well for me. SJSU Online also offers a lot of support and accommodations available for autistic and otherwise neurodivergent students. I know that if I do not understand something or if I get stuck, there is someone there to help me.

What have been some of the highlights of the online Information Science and Data Analytics degree-completion program? How is the program enabling you to make progress towards your hopes, dreams and goals?

SJSU Online student Jade Steele, ’26 Information Science and Data Analytics.

JS: I appreciate the flexibility and convenience of the program. I require more time to complete the program because I only take two classes at a time. The online ISDA is very flexible and has different road maps for completing my degree in two or three years, so I knew it was possible to spread out my classes in different ways. SJSU Online also has many asynchronous classes, which is very convenient for someone like me who has an unusual schedule. I also don’t have to worry about not getting into the classes that I need for the major, because the online ISDA program helps make sure that I can get into my required classes. 

A second highlight of the program is that this major can prepare its students for web careers involving UI/UX.  My dream job is to become a web accessibility specialist, so learning UI/UX skills is very important. The online ISDA program is a perfect match for my career goals. I was also hoping to find a major that is not only about computer science and not too math-heavy, but would still prepare me for a web career, which this major has also been good for. 

Another big highlight is that I feel very well supported and set up for success. My SJSU Online Enrollment Counselor Reuel Evangelista has been checking in regularly to make sure that things are going smoothly. Randy Rodriguez, disability management specialist in the SJSU Accessible Education Center (AEC), has introduced me to other students in the SJSU Autism Support Group (ASG), which is providing me with a campus peer support group. My SJSU Online Student Success Advisor Ryan Ploch-Branscum has also helped me to choose the right classes to stay on track every semester. Finally, Jimma Cortes-Smith in the Accessible Education Center (AEC) has set me up with the accommodations that I need to be successful.

Have you utilized any SJSU campus resources to support your online learning? What has the experience been like to access those resources as an SJSU Online student?

JS: I recently visited the SJSU campus and enjoyed my first in-person event for a Halloween activity. Through this I was able to meet other students in-person, which is helpful for community-building. 

I also got a student ID on campus. This is also helpful for feeling more connected and welcomed, since I can use my ID to access campus spaces and feel less like an outsider.

You have been recognized by NASA’s Science Activation Group for your work evaluating the accessibility of various websites. Why is web accessibility so important and what does the recognition from NASA mean to you?

JS: Web accessibility is important for many reasons! 

It is a human right that is protected by law under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and it became necessary for even more people when the pandemic pushed everyone online. But there is still a lot of work to do, as a 2024 report showed that 94% of websites have accessibility failures.

I use assistive technology like screen readers. Without digital accessibility, it would be very hard or impossible for me and many others to attend our classes, fill out forms, find jobs, access doctors, chat with friends and otherwise access products and services. Digital accessibility is necessary for many people with disabilities, but it is also necessary for people who don’t have disabilities. For example, a properly-made image description can help someone who cannot see the screen, and can also help someone who can see the screen but for whom the image isn’t loading. 

Recognition from NASA is important to me! I would like to work for NASA someday as a digital accessibility specialist. As a digital accessibility specialist, I break down barriers in the digital space, which I think complements NASA’s mission to break down barriers in outer space.

What advice do you have for anyone who is interested in completing their bachelor’s degree with SJSU Online?

JS: SJSU Online has many features and benefits if you need convenience, flexibility, support and quality teaching. Online students also have access to many campus activities, so you can build community there as well. There is so much help available when you need it, so you can get your bachelor’s degree in your own way and on your own timeline. SJSU Online can help you feel and become successful!

SJSU Online creates valuable, affordable, and flexible opportunities to earn the same bachelor’s degree as SJSU on-campus students with the same faculty, curriculum and accreditation. With three rolling application cycles and five eight-week terms each year, students are able to begin when it’s most convenient for them and make continuous progress towards their degree. Additionally, students can maximize the number of credits they transfer to minimize their overall cost and time to completion.

Visit sjsu.edu/online to get started. Apply by November 15 to begin in January 2025 or between December 1 to April 1 to begin in June 2025.