In a recent conversation with University Libraries staff, we learned from Perry Yee and Elliott Stevens how their team is helping the UW community build a culture of digital accessibility and Universal Design through collaboration and practical training. The Accessibility Working Group (AWG) was founded in 2017 and has expanded in the years to include three types of regular meetings: a Community of Practice (CoP) for general conversations, a speaker series that includes voices from inside and outside the UW, and subcommittees that focus on accessibility training, communications, web pages, facilities, and e-resource compliance.
The focus for each subcommittee is as follows:
- Training: Delivery of accessibility training for library staff
- Communications: Keeps library staff informed about accessibility efforts
- Web pages: Updates web pages about the libraries’ accessibility work
- Facilities: Conducts audits of library branches to check them for ADA compliance
- E-resource Compliance: Inspection of databases and e-reading platforms for accessibility
One standout initiative is the “Quick Tips” workshop series—bite-sized, 30-minute training sessions focused on practical topics like accessibility for documents, presentations, email, and social media. Designed for library staff, these sessions offer micro-learning and hands-on practice in a low-pressure setting. What started as internal workshops has since evolved into the Quick Tips for Accessibility Pressbook, a publicly available resource that helps support accessibility learning within UW and beyond.
“It’s a pretty practical book,” said Perry Yee. “You can implement these things as you go. It’s great for on-boarding or for library workers who don’t have access to this type of training.”
In addition to supporting working groups and hands-on training, staff members also coordinate podcast listening sessions. When new episodes of the AccessUW podcast are released, they host informal group discussions afterwards in which participants reflect on the themes and challenges discussed—creating a valuable space for dialogue and connection.
Stevens noted that while the initial focus of these efforts has been on UW Libraries staff, there’s a broader vision at play. “In the future, the Pressbook could be adapted more for folks outside UW,” he said, adding that the Accessibility Working Group is continually thinking about how to scale its impact.
Together, these initiatives show how a combination of practical tools, open conversation, and thoughtful design can foster a deeper commitment to digital accessibility—not just as a compliance measure, but as a shared value.
“It’s about holding space,” Yee said. “When we do, the conversations that happen are often really enlightening.”
Explore the Pressbook: Quick Tips for Accessibility
Interview by Melissa Albin (UW-IT Communications) for Global Accessibility Awareness Day