UA Little Rock Professor Works to Improve Accessibility in Cybersecurity

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock professor is pioneering research to improve accessibility in the field of cybersecurity. 

After more than two decades of service in the U.S. Air Force as a cyber warfare operator, William Cox, assistant professor of cybersecurity and information technology, knows what it takes to defend critical systems from attack. Now, his work in the classroom has acquainted him with a new kind of threat entirely — the barriers faced by blind and low-vision individuals in the cybersecurity industry.

Cox’s personal connection to his area of research began right here on UA Little Rock’s campus. His experience teaching a blind student opened his eyes to the flaws in current systems often deemed accessible.

“I relied on all the tools we’re told to trust when it comes to accessibility and they failed us — failed me,” Cox said. “The software would say the material was accessible, but what took my sighted students 10 minutes to read took my blind student three to four hours.” 

That experience helped Cox learn the crucial difference between accessibility and usability. His current research focuses on improving the usability of software to create more equitable learning and working environments for people with low vision. 

Many cybersecurity platforms depend heavily on visualizations such as charts and color-coded alerts. Even when software meets formal accessibility standards, these visual indicators create interpretation barriers for those who are blind or have low vision. To address this issue, Cox is designing artificial-intelligence-powered tools to evaluate and improve how software communicates with users who cannot rely on visual observation. These tools will scan websites, using AI to flag accessibility gaps from a blind user’s perspective and suggest specific, usable solutions. 

In addition to his work improving industry tools, Cox is developing classroom technology that helps faculty automatically convert documents and coursework into formats such as real-time audio. The goal is to enable blind and low-vision students to follow along in class just like any other student.

While most existing research in this area focuses on improving daily living activities, Cox’s work is aimed at industry and workforce development. He hopes to highlight and build on the strengths of the blind and low-vision community, empowering people to not only access cybersecurity education but also thrive in professional environments.

“Many blind individuals have an exceptional ability to absorb, retain, and recall information. It makes sense when you think about it. They’re often able to process information in unique ways because they’ve learned to adapt and overcome,” he said. 

Not only does Cox aim to develop a new standard for accessibility in cybersecurity, but he hopes to challenge stigma in the industry. He believes that true accessibility will boost local industry in a critical time for our state. By broadening the talent pipeline, stronger cybersecurity infrastructure in Arkansas will follow. He noted that while cyberattacks are often associated with major cities or federal agencies, Arkansas also faces similar vulnerabilities.

“People sometimes think, ‘We’re in Arkansas, so who cares about us?’ But that mindset is dangerous,” Cox said. “We have major industries here — Walmart, Tyson, and growing lithium production facilities — that the rest of the world is watching.”

As state leaders increase investment in cybersecurity education and research, Cox sees an opportunity to protect Arkansas while creating new career pathways. With much of Arkansas’s cybersecurity talent drawn to opportunities out of state, increasing accessibility would expand and enrich the talent pool, and in turn, the local workforce.

Cox’s research transforms roadblocks into breakthroughs, showcasing a pivotal opportunity for Arkansas to take the lead in accessible cybersecurity education and development. He is proving that accessibility and innovation aren’t opposing goals — they’re essential partners in shaping the future of a rapidly growing industry. His work provides a roadmap strengthening Arkansas’s workforce, economy, and digital security.