This Thursday, the University of Washington will mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) with a full-day hybrid event (in person and online) celebrating progress, partnerships, and the future of digital accessibility at UW. Members of the UW community can join individual sessions or attend them all.
Event details
Date: Thursday, May 21
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m
Location: HUB 250 and online (Zoom)
Agenda & registration link: UW GAAD 2026
Registration is required, and in-person space is limited.
Agenda
UW GAAD 2026 will feature presentations, lightning talks, a panel on accessible math content, and an afternoon keynote from Provost Serio. The program brings together 24 speakers from across the UW community—including academic units, administrative teams, libraries, student services, leadership, and UW Medicine—highlighting collaborative work in teaching, operations, communications, and technology.
UW’s Digital Accessibility Initiative
The Digital Accessibility Initiative has helped the UW expand our tools and training while also clarifying shared expectations through the Digital Accessibility Policy (APS 9.0). This year’s event reflects a shift from compliance with the ADA Title II deadline (extended from April 2026 to 2027) toward building sustainable, long-term practices that improve online experiences across the University.
Together, we’re building a more accessible and inclusive UW.