New Procurement Standards: What You Need to Know
June 4, 2025
In support of the University of Washington’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion, we want to inform you of the University's outreach to technology vendors, suppliers, and contractors regarding digital accessibility requirements and our institutional compliance plans. Recent regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services require that…
Digital Accessibility Benefits Everyone
May 22, 2025
At the University of Washington, we are committed to fostering an inclusive digital environment that serves our entire community. Making sure we meet the most recent requirements for digital accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will remove barriers that prevent people with disabilities from fully participating in our community. These updates also improve…
University Libraries: Support for Accessible Design
May 14, 2025
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…
Tim Knight: A Lifelong Journey in Accessibility
May 13, 2025
In anticipation of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), we interviewed Tim Knight, retiring web developer at the University of Washington School of Public Health and this year's recipient of the UW 2025 Accessibility Spotlight Award for his longtime commitment to digital accessibility. In this wide-ranging conversation, Tim shared how a passion for science, teaching, and…
Spotlight on Faculty: Jennifer Mankoff
May 12, 2025
In honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) on May 15, we sat down with Dr. Jennifer Mankoff, a professor in the Information School and the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering at the University of Washington, to discuss the intersection of computing, accessibility, and disability studies. She shared personal reflections, insights…
Celebrating Accessibility: AccessUW Podcast GAAD Episodes
May 9, 2025
In observance of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), the University of Washington’s Office of the ADA Coordinator has published two AccessUW podcast episodes focusing on practical strategies and resources for creating a more digitally inclusive campus. Whether you're a web developer, content creator, or instructor, these conversations provide invaluable insights on making digital environments and…
Supporting Digital Accessibility at UW with DubBot
May 6, 2025
At the University of Washington, ensuring our digital content is accessible to all is a shared responsibility and a legal obligation under the recent ADA Title II rule requiring compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA standards by April 2026. To meet this challenge, UW has adopted DubBot, an automated web accessibility checker,…
Celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day on May 15
April 11, 2025
Join the Pack, Learn New Skills, Be Inspired Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) is celebrated annually on the third Thursday in May to highlight the importance of digital accessibility and its impact on over one billion people worldwide with disabilities. Since its launch in 2012, GAAD has encouraged communities to build more inclusive digital spaces—and…
Spotlight on faculty: Amy J. Ko
April 9, 2025
To kick off a new series spotlighting digital accessibility experts and champions at the University of Washington, we spoke with Amy J. Ko, a professor at UW's Information School, adjunct professor in the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, and a member of the Digital Accessibility Initiative's Innovation & Research Action Team.…
DOJ Digital Accessibility Rule: What Faculty & Staff Need to Know
March 10, 2025
With the Department of Justice’s ADA Digital Accessibility Rule set to take effect in April 2026, it’s crucial for UW faculty and staff to stay informed and proactive. This blog will provide ongoing guidance and provide resources to support compliance with state policy and federal regulations. Although questions related to federal oversight of the rule have…
UW Advances Digital Accessibility
March 6, 2025
Advancing Digital Accessibility with New Tools and Training The University of Washington is taking significant steps toward a more inclusive digital future, calling on faculty, staff, and administrators to prioritize accessibility in their digital spaces. With new federal regulations impacting web and course content, UW is taking proactive steps to ensure compliance and foster a…
Starting an Accessibility Journey: 5 Easy Tips
February 27, 2025
Learning and applying accessibility skills to your digital content doesn’t have to be overwhelming! In a February 24th presentation, Instruction Accessibility Specialist Mary-Colleen Jenkins shared five simple yet powerful tips to make course materials more inclusive. From using structured headings to ensuring proper color contrast, these small changes can significantly improve accessibility for all users.…
Digital Accessibility Meet-Ups
February 21, 2025
Web Accessibility and Usability Instructional Accessibility Join UW’s Monthly Accessibility Meetups: Web Usability & Instructional Accessibility Accessibility is a key part of creating inclusive digital experiences, whether you're designing websites or developing accessible courses. To support these efforts, UW-IT's Accessible Technology Services hosts two monthly meetups: one focused on Web Accessibility and Usability and another…
Coffee and Compliance
February 6, 2025
Begin 2025 with a spirit of collaboration and join the ADA Office and UW-IT Accessible Technology for a “Coffee & Compliance” conversation on February 11, 3:00-4:00, in observance of Compliance & Ethics Week. UW’s Records Management Office is hosting the Coffee & Compliance series in partnership with offices across UW campuses to provide training to…
DubBot Accessibility Checker
February 4, 2025
We want to share some exciting news about a no-charge tool that will help the UW community build a digitally accessible future. UW-IT is now offering an automated website accessibility checker, DubBot, for UW websites. A website accessibility checker is an essential tool that helps ensure your website is usable by everyone. It scans your…
Power of the Pack
January 28, 2025
Digital Accessibility at UW At the University of Washington, we all play a vital role to play in advancing digital accessibility. Whether you’re a faculty member creating course materials, an IT professional designing systems, or an administrator managing web content, your contributions help build an inclusive, welcoming digital environment. Together, we can create a campus…
Get started with digital accessibility
January 22, 2025
The new Title II Rule on digital accessibility is about transforming how we create, share, and interact with digital content. Embracing this change means undergoing a University wide effort to foster an inclusive digital environment where everyone can access and benefit from our digital presence. Here are some steps that faculty and staff can take…