On January 20, 2026, the UW Digital Accessibility Initiative team shared an update with all UW supervisors outlining the April 26, 2026 deadline for digital accessibility requirements and the tools, training, and events available to support this work. This post provides a summary of that message for the UW community; the message is also available online.
Ongoing updates to supervisors will continue through spring 2026 to help make digital accessibility part of everyday practice across the University.
How Supervisors Can Support This Work
Supervisors play an important role in helping teams plan for the deadline and for a more accessible and inclusive UW. In our January 20 message, supervisors were invited to:
- Share accessibility resources and updates with their teams
- Encourage participation in training and community events
- Reinforce accessibility as part of everyday digital work
- Help teams prioritize accessibility for websites, documents, videos, forms, and course materials
Tools: Accessibility Checkers
Accessibility checkers can help identify common issues such as missing alternative text, low color contrast, and structural problems. UW-supported options include:
- Built-in checkers, such as those in Microsoft Office applications
- Course accessibility tools such as Ally and TidyUP
- DubBot, UW’s web accessibility checker (available by request), along with other tools and extensions
Accessibility checkers are most effective when paired with manual review and informed judgment. Additional accessibility checkers and extensions are listed on Accessible Technology’s Tools web page.
Learn and Connect: Events
Community learning is an important part of UW’s accessibility efforts. UW hosts regular events that offer practical guidance and opportunities to connect with colleagues.
Recurring and upcoming events include:
- Digital Accessibility Liaisons quarterly meetings
- Sessions focused on Progress Over Perfection in addressing digital accessibility barriers
- Course Accessibility Lunch & Learn events, such as Seven Practical Moves Toward Disability Justice in the Classroom (Feb. 3)
- Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) on May 21 (UW details coming soon)
Visit the Digital Accessibility calendar for full details.
Guidance and Training
UW offers free digital accessibility training and practical guidance for all roles, from beginners to advanced practitioners. The Digital Accessibility Training page brings together recommended learning paths, role-based courses, and how-to resources to help teams get started and build skills over time.
Together, we will make accessibility a shared, sustainable practice for creating and delivering digital content, for the April 26 deadline and beyond.