In observance of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), the 天美影视传媒鈥檚 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 course materials accessible to all, and the AccessUW podcast is a great way to stay tuned for information and tools that will help members of the UW community meet digital accessibility requirements for the April 2026 ADA Title II deadline and beyond.
Episode 15: Making Websites Accessible
In this episode, hosts Toby Gallant and Bree Callahan sit down with Terrill Thompson, Manager of the IT Accessibility Team in Accessible Technology Services (ATS). With over 25 years of experience at UW, Terrill outlines both the “why” and the “how” behind digital accessibility.
He reminds us that if websites are not built with accessibility in mind, users with disabilities鈥攕uch as those relying on screen readers or keyboard navigation鈥攃an be excluded. Terrill offers a host of practical tips:
- Use proper heading structures (H1, H2, etc.) for screen reader navigation.
- Provide descriptive alternative (alt) text for images.
- Avoid vague link text like 鈥渃lick here鈥濃�攂e specific.
- Ensure good color contrast between text and background.
Terrill also addresses the myth that you need to be a tech expert to create accessible web content. Tools like the WordPress Boundless theme offered by University Marketing & Communications (UMAC) make accessible design achievable for most content editors, not just developers.
The highlight of the conversation is the introduction of DubBot, UW鈥檚 enterprise web accessibility checker tool. DubBot helps site owners monitor and improve website accessibility over time鈥攕canning for issues like broken links, spelling errors, and accessibility gaps. And best of all, it鈥檚 free and available to all UW departments.
鈥淎ccessibility is a journey, not a destination,鈥� says Bree. 鈥淭he tools are here. The community is here. Start where you are.鈥�
Episode 16: Making Course Content Accessible
In the second episode, the focus shifts to the classroom as the hosts chat with Mary-Colleen Jenkins, an Instructional Accessibility Specialist at ATS. Drawing from her years of teaching experience, Mary-Colleen speaks candidly to fellow instructors鈥攅specially those who might be unsure how accessibility fits into their teaching.
She emphasizes that accessibility isn鈥檛 just about compliance; it鈥檚 about aligning with UW鈥檚 mission to provide equity and inclusive in the classroom. From structured headings to captioned videos, many accessibility best practices are straightforward, highly impactful, and beneficial to all students鈥攏ot just those with disabilities.
Key takeaways for course design include:
- Learn and apply five foundational skills: heading structure, meaningful link text, color contrast, alt text, and using accessibility checkers.
- Use the built-in accessibility checkers in Canvas to scan your content.
- Avoid over-reliance on PDFs; build directly into Canvas pages where possible
- Take small, consistent steps鈥攖rack your progress and celebrate wins.
Mary-Colleen also outlines two models for collaborative learning: summer/fall accessibility working groups and mini-lessons. These models offer a peer-supported space to set achievable goals and make progress together. Anyone interested in exploring these community learning options is invited to contact Mary-Colleen at mcj6@uw.edu.
How You Can Get Involved
The AccessUW podcast episodes are just one part of a larger campus-wide celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day. Events include hybrid workshops, hands-on “Fix Your Accessibility” sessions, and live guidance from accessibility experts. Whether you’re maintaining a department website or building out a syllabus, these episodes are packed with tools, encouragement, and a sense of shared purpose. Accessibility isn鈥檛 just a technical requirement鈥攊t鈥檚 a commitment to equity.
Listen Now鈥�:聽鈥�Stream the AccessUW podcast and view full transcripts
Things to do
- Enroll in with your UW NetID
- Explore resources at Accessible Technology Services
- Request access to DubBot to start scanning your site
- Join GAAD workshops and sessions (details on the GAAD event page)
- Attend monthly UW Web and UW Instruction Accessibility Meetups
Join the Pack and make the 天美影视传媒 accessible for all鈥攖oday and every day!