South East Technological University (SETU) and its digital agency partner, Kooba, have proudly taken home the Best in Universal Design award at the 28th annual Spider Awards, held last week at the Mansion House in Dublin.
Often dubbed ‘Ireland’s Digital Oscars’, the Spider Awards celebrate excellence and innovation in digital platforms across the country, and SETU’s win is a significant moment for inclusive web design in the higher education sector.
Prioritise accessibility
The Best in Universal Design award, presented in association with the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design (CEUD), recognises digital products and platforms that prioritise accessibility, usability, and inclusivity for all users - regardless of ability, age, or background.
Inclusivity
Celebrating websites that go beyond basic compliance to deliver genuinely barrier-free, intuitive, and thoughtful user experiences, the award shines a light on the importance of designing for everyone, ensuring that no one is left out of the digital experience.
Partnership with Kooba
The newly designed SETU.ie platform is a strong embodiment of these values. Speaking after the award Ed Kelly, Creative Director at Kooba remarked: “As an agency Kooba have enjoyed a long-term partnership with SETU and we are absolutely thrilled to see the website win the Best in Universal Design award at this year's Spider Awards.
“Kooba and SETU are passionate about digital accessibility, and we are both committed to delivering a website experience that excels in offering accessible and inclusive user experiences.”
Built with accessibility at its core, our website is crafted to serve the diverse needs of students, staff, researchers, and the wider community across the South East region and beyond.
Brian Hackett Webmaster, SETU
Value our community
Brian Hackett webmaster at SETU added, “This award is not just about a website - it’s about how we value every individual who interacts with our university.
“Built with accessibility at its core, our website is crafted to serve the diverse needs of students, staff, researchers, and the wider community across the South East region and beyond,” Brian explained, “From easy-to-navigate layouts and clear content structures to compatibility with assistive technologies and responsive performance across devices, the site stands out as a model of inclusive design. We are proud to lead by example and champion digital inclusion as part of our wider mission.”
Milestone
This award also marks an important milestone in the evolution of Ireland’s digital landscape, as more institutions and organisations place an increasing focus on accessibility, sustainability, and thoughtful user experience design.