UC A11Y Project Graphic

Become an Accessibility A11Y

Quick Summary

  • The UC Accessibility (A11Y) Project is piloting a new UC-wide learning community to foster collaboration on accessibility, disability justice, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
  • This initiative, led by UC Davis' Katie Healey, uses Canvas modules, Zoom meetings, and newsletters to facilitate cross-campus collaboration.
  • The project complements the work of the new UC Davis Digital Accessibility Program Manager, Brad Starkey-Owens, who is focused on ensuring all campus web and mobile content complies with expanded federal accessibility mandates.

There’s a new community centered around equity and access in teaching and learning across the UC system and you should join. The UCOP-funded, UC Accessibility (A11Y) Project, is currently in a pilot stage, but 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 task force and helpful resources for instructors, students, and staff in the University of California system.”

UC Accessibility (A11Y) Project 

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 in Focus at UC Davis

As accessibility continues to draw a greater focus, Aggies have another resource to help them navigate the ever-changing digital landscape. 

Brad Starkey-Owens is the new Digital Accessibility Program Manager for the UC Davis Office of Compliance and Policy. His role is to ensure all new and existing web and mobile app content at UC Davis is accessible to all students, including those who use screen readers or voice navigation. These and more are included in new federal mandates, effective April 2026, that state large universities must comply with expanded accessibility standards.

“The bottom line is that we all want what’s best for our students. Disabled people are the largest minority group and the only one we could become a part of at any time," Starkey-Owens emphasized. 

While new accessibility guidance and training are still being developed, Starkey-Owens hopes campus partners will turn to him as a resource. He encourages anyone with accessibility questions and ideas to reach out to him via email at bstarkeyowens@ucdavis.edu.  

Accessibility Resources & Events

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

Learn more about digital accessibility by checking out the UC Davis Accessibility website and Web Accessibility Requirements in the UC Davis Brand Communications Guide.