What is TAG?
TAG (Teachers Accessibility Guidelines) is the creative component of Libby Arnold’s PhD research, Disabled by Design: Enhancing Accessibility Guidelines for Education. The research aims to develop an interactive, visually-driven accessibility guideline to help educators create inclusive learning materials for K–6 students with autism or additional support needs.
TAG simplifies the complexity of accessibility by using visuals, interactivity, and intuitive design. Unlike traditional guidelines, it’s built to be usable—not just readable. It helps teachers make small, impactful changes without needing hours of training or specialist knowledge. TAG is grounded in community, collaboration, and approachability. It’s a practical tool with a big heart—because every teacher should be able to support every student.
Why TAG?
Libby Arnold’s journey through education has been shaped by both struggle and insight. As a neurodiverse designer, she knows firsthand how traditional learning environments can feel overwhelming, even alienating. School was never quite built for minds like hers—curious, nonlinear, deeply visual. It wasn’t until university, while studying graphic design, that she discovered how design could unlock understanding. And when she stumbled into the world of accessibility, everything shifted.
TAG was born from that moment of clarity. It’s not just a tool—it’s a response to years of feeling unseen, and a way to make sure others don’t have to. TAG reflects Libby’s belief that accessibility shouldn’t be complicated, and that every student deserves to feel understood. It’s built for educators who care deeply but are stretched thin. It’s built for students who learn differently and deserve better. And it’s built from lived experience, backed by research, and designed with empathy.
Phases of research
This research project follows three key phases that align with the data collection points that engage with educators. This is to make the research project easier to follow and manage. Currently we are in Phase Three: Usability Testing
Phase one: Survey
This phase of the research focuses on gathering information on educators' current application of accessibility in their learning material development. As well as gaining an understanding of their mindset around accessibility.
Phase two: Co-design workshop
Phase two is where we collaborate with educators to develop of the structure of TAG so that it matches what they want from this tool.
Phase three: Usability Test
Phase three is where educators get to test TAG after it has been developed to see if it is easy to navigate, understand and apply in a one hour face to face session.
The Research Team
PhD Researcher
Primary Supervisor
Education Supervisor
Design Supervisor
If you want to participate or know more about the research contact Elisabeth Arnold on: