There’s a new accessibility community centered around improving teaching and learning across the UC system and you should join. It is called the UC A11Y Project and it is funded by a UC Online grant. While it is currently in a pilot stage, founder Katie Healey, an education specialist for hybrid/online pedagogies with the Center for Educational Effectiveness at UC Davis, has big plans.

“We aim to cultivate a collaborative learning community around accessibility, disability justice, and Universal Design for Learning through asynchronous Canvas modules, synchronous Zoom meetings, and monthly newsletters,” Healey said. “We hope to establish a robust, UC-wide anti-ableist task force and helpful resources for instructors, students, and staff in the University of California system.”

The Digital A11Y Project got its start in fall 2024 after securing grant funding from UCOP. The pilot has shifted into high gear by launching a new website and offering educational opportunities. According to the site, “A11Y is shorthand used in tech circles for the word 'accessibility,' as there are 11 letters between the A and Y. But A11Y also resembles the word ally, which we strive to be through our commitment to inclusion and accessibility.”

Visitors to the new A11Y Project website will find Canvas courses, and monthly newsletters and Zoom meetings. A quick look into the November newsletter uncovers a wealth of knowledge—a description of and link to the most recent Canvas module on disability definitions and other topics, a link to the November 6th educational webinar on audio description, upcoming disability and accessibility dates, plus a profile on disability hero, Dr. Paul Longmore. Healey leans into her historian background to provide context to accessibility issues we face today.

“A lot of people don’t know that the disability rights movement in the US started at UC Berkeley,” said Healey. “We have a rich disability history across the UC. So many amazing folks in this community have attended or worked at UCs.”

Through monthly webinars, Healey also elevates current accessibility champions across the UCs, highlighting the unique methods they’re using to make digital spaces more inclusive. At UC Davis, she is building an accessibility community, which includes campus partners like Joshua Hori, who also conducts monthly accessibility webinars. At the Center for Educational Effectiveness, Healey works with faculty members to identify gaps and barriers for students and helps make courses more accessible.

Accessibility requirements ahead

Accessibility is gaining more attention and seeing a bigger focus across higher education. If you haven’t heard about digital accessibility best practices, you likely will very soon. A recent Department of Justice ruling requires public entities, like UC Davis, to ensure their web content and mobile apps meet the technical standard established in the rule within two or three years, depending on population size.

In summer 2025, UC Davis required web content editors with publishing ability in SiteFarm to complete a web accessibility module, and a campus-wide accessibility program is on the horizon.

UC A11Y Project Resources & Events

Join the accessibility conversation by exploring the UC A11Y Project website or attend an upcoming virtual event.