Implementing Impact: A Lesson on mySQL Databases and Accessibility

15% of the world's people have a disability that could potentially hinder their access to digital information such as bank portals and medical insurance. Digital accessibility, the practice of creating user-friendly technology, helps mitigate these challenges. Despite this fact, college Computer Science (CS) programs fail to recognize the importance of including digital accessibility courses as a degree requirement. Consequently, these CS graduates lack sufficient knowledge to build accessible software when they enter the technology industry, leading to potential company lawsuits for the unethical design of technology. Our research aims to bridge the gap between accessibility knowledge and the CS college curriculum. To achieve this goal, we have created a programming assignment that fuses accessibility knowledge areas without compromising the core learning objectives CS courses. Specifically, we have designed an assignment intended for CS instructors that teach database classes, requiring students to make queries on statistics regarding the experiences of people with disabilities. Through this assignment and many others, we desire to showcase the real-world impact of fusing CS and accessibility knowledge, ultimately fostering the development of accessible technology.