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On June 9, 2026, ±«°Â’s Digital Accessibility Initiative 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. ±«°Â’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

±«°Â’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 ±«°Â’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.

As part of the ÌìÃÀÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½â€™s ongoing Digital Accessibility Initiative, we recently shared important February updates in  to help units prepare for the upcoming ADA Title II compliance deadline on April 24, 2026.

This month’s guidance highlights several priority areas that will support more accessible and inclusive digital experiences across the UW:

Digital Product Accessibility Reviews: Supervisors are encouraged to ensure teams follow the UW review process before purchasing or renewing software or web applications, confirming products meet the UW .

Accessible Videos: With all video and audio content required to meet accessibility standards by April 2026, UW teams should consult Accessible Technology’s Videos webpage for guidance on captioning, audio descriptions, transcripts, and the use of accessible media players.

Social Media Accessibility: A new  outlines requirements for alternative text, captions, and color contrast across all UW‑affiliated accounts.

All in the UW community are encouraged to attend upcoming accessibility events and to explore ±«°Â’s free online training. These resources support every role in building more accessible and inclusive digital environments.

As a community, we can embed digital accessibility into our everyday work, prepare for the April deadline, and build sustainable practices for an accessible future.

The co-sponsors of the Digital Accessibility Initiative reached out to ÌìÃÀÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½ leaders on December 8 to share a message about the role we all play in supporting digital accessibility across the UW.

UW leaders were encouraged to help their teams build accessibility into everyday work flows by taking advantage of training opportunities, following guidance from the Digital Accessibility Initiative (DAI) teams, and staying connected to digital accessibility news, tools, and events. The message also highlighted the importance of creating a culture where digital accessibility is encouraged, supported, and embedded into how we work at UW.

Read the for more details about the expectations, resources, and ways to get involved. The Digital Accessibility Initiative team will continue to connect with University leaders, supervisors, and managers through spring 2026 as we prepare for the April 2026 deadline and a more inclusive, accessible UW.

As we head into the new year, there are opportunities for everyone to get involved and stay connected to this work, starting with the Digital Accessibility Liaisons Community of Practice.

Save the Date: Digital Accessibility Liaisons Meeting

Wednesday, January 21 | 10:00–11:00 a.m. (online)

Want to connect with others working on digital accessibility at UW? Join the Digital Accessibility Liaisons Community of Practice — a space for UW staff and faculty to share knowledge, ask questions, and learn practical ways to make digital content more accessible.

You don’t need to be an official liaison to participate—anyone with an interest in digital accessibility is welcome.

Learn more about the Community of Practice on the Digital Accessibility Liaisons page.

Register for the January 21 meeting on the Digital Accessibility calendar.

We hope you’ll join us and stay connected as we continue this work together.