On June 9, 2026, UW’s Digital Accessibility Initiative shared a newsletter with all UW supervisors to support accessible digital practices across teams. Supervisors were encouraged to share updates and connect staff with available tools, training, and resources.
The following are key highlights from the June issue.
Planning Accessible Course Materials for Fall
Faculty are encouraged to prepare fall quarter materials early, especially PDFs that may not yet be accessible. The newsletter highlights the Little Forest PDF Remediation Tool, which can:
- Add structure tags
- Suggest alternative text
- Improve usability for assistive technologies
Because processing can take time, early submission is recommended, especially for materials that will be reused. Faculty are also advised to evaluate whether older documents should be archived rather than remediated.
Use Video Captioning Services by September
The newsletter emphasizes the importance of ensuring that videos are accessible, including accurate captions and audio descriptions when needed. UW’s partnership with 3Play Media provides these services, but the current contract expires in September 2026. Content creators are encouraged to:
- Submit un-captioned videos as soon as possible
- Prioritize high-impact content
- Use available support for platforms like YouTube, Panopto, Vimeo, and Canvas
Early action ensures materials are ready for future use before service changes occur. Visit the Making UW Videos Accessible page on the ATS website for more information about this service.
Embedding Accessibility in Employee On-boarding
Supervisors play a crucial role in establishing accessibility expectations from day one. The newsletter recommends incorporating digital accessibility into new employee orientation, including:
- Sharing UW accessibility policies and standards
- Directing staff to online training and events
- Promoting tools like Quick Cards for Microsoft applications
- Connecting employees with Digital Accessibility Liaisons
Integrating accessibility early helps reduce future remediation work and supports a more inclusive environment for students, staff, and the broader UW community.
Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) 2026 Recap
UW’s GAAD 2026 event was highlighted as a strong example of campus-wide collaboration. Key takeaways included:
- Cross-unit partnerships driving accessibility improvements
- Progress in accessible websites, learning environments, and student services
- Ongoing discussions around challenges such as accessible math
The event underscored a shared commitment to embedding accessibility into everyday work, with leadership reinforcing its alignment with UW’s mission and values.
Training, Events, and Ongoing Learning Opportunities
Supervisors are encouraged to promote summer learning opportunities:
- Digital Accessibility Progress Over Perfection (POP) Sessions : topics include readability, alt text, tables, and accessible presentations
- Monthly UW Web Accessibility and Usability Meetups : ongoing discussions on web accessibility and usability for the UW community
- UW also offers free online training for all skill levels
Looking Ahead
This June issue marks the last newsletter before a summer pause. Updates to supervisors will resume on a quarterly schedule in the fall, with ongoing news and resources available through this Digital Accessibility News & Events blog.