Digital Accessibility

Bellevue College operates under many accessibility laws, rules, and policies.

• ADA Title II
  Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act requires accessibility of digital content used by the public or large portions of our campus community.
  • DOJ fact sheet: A high-level summary of the new rule provided by the Department of Justice.
  • Final DOJ Rule: The full length rule on web and mobile app accessibility as published in the Federal Register.
• Section 508 Information
  Section 508 requires accessibilty of digital content and systems in areas that receive federal funding
• Washington State Technology Policy USER-01
  USER-01 requires accessibilty of digital content and systems at WA state agencies, including higher education institutions.
• Bellevue College Policy 5110
  First approved in 2013, Policy 5110 requires accessibility in all technology services provided by Bellevue College.

Minnesota State IT Services has compiled an excellent sent of ‘Digital Accessibility Quick Cards’, which provide guidance on how create accessible content in many different programs, including Acrobat, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, and major social media networks. Explore Quick Cards from MN IT Services.

Bellevue College’s Interactive eLearning department provides extensive resources and training for faculty on making course materials accessible.

Overview of Digital Accessibility

Introduction to digital accessibility for faculty, including links to the many resources Interactive eLearning provides, including reference course shells, accessibility coaching, and numerous guides.

Accessibility in Canvas

Canvas specific resources from Interactive eLearning, including a list of available tools and resources

Videos used on the Bellevue College website must follow accessibility standards, including:

• Video with audio should include accurate synchronized captions, as well as a descriptive transcript. Note that auto-generated captions may not meet this requirement if they are not accurate.
• Video without audio should be accompanied by descriptive text or a transcript to allow blind and low-vision users to access the contents of the video.
• Videos with visual elements should also include audio descriptions of those elements for context.
• Avoid video that flashes or strobes faster than three times per second, especially if there is a high level of red, as this can trigger seizures in some people.

The most effective way to ensure accurate, compliant captioning and audio-description services is by utilizing a third-party captioning service. Digital Media Services can assist you with procuring these services; employees can submit a ticket to request assistance.

Bellevue College Publication and Style Guide

BC’s Style Guide provides accessibility resources guidance for website managers on how to create accessible content using our website’s content management system.

• Website Accessibility Standards
• Website Tips

Training for Website Managers

Accessibility-focused training is required for website managers. This training is slightly different depending on what parts of the Bellevue College website you manage.

The How to Get Website Manager Training Knowledge Base Article will walk you through how to enroll in training best suited to your website.

Welcome back to Academic Year 2025-2026! We are excited to share information with you all about the upcoming accessibility initiative and the significant positive impact it will have on our campus community, particularly for our students.

Over this past spring and summer quarters, Information Technology Service (ITS) established an Accessibility Task Force composed of faculty and staff representing departments and constituents across campus. The task force conducted a self-assessment of the current state of accessibility at BC and has formed a collection of working groups to address identified areas for improvement.

Our goal is to advance greater accessibility for everyone within our BC community. These efforts will not only enhance our ability to serve our students more effectively but also ensure we meet the expectations of the updated federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II requirements and the updated WA State digital accessibility policy (USER-01).

The upcoming Title II and USER-01 changes require that we all proactively ensure the accessibility of communications, website content, course materials, and other technology used by our campus community. The updated Title II requirements are scheduled to go into effect starting April 24, 2026. USER-01 introduces additional requirements around training and additional categories of systems, effective July 1, 2029.

While these changes are going to be a work in progress for all of us as we endeavor to meet the expectations that have been laid out, we are continually focused on our Bellevue College’s Vision to “empower every learner, regardless of background, to shape their future, improve their industries, and strengthen our community.” Title II will do this for our community as we will forever improve how we reach people through education.

We know there is an upcoming deadline for Title II, and this is on all of our minds. We are diligently working to meet this goal. Our focus remains on making informed decisions to ensure that the tools we select best support our students, faculty, and staff. Education is a constant that will continue to make a difference to all of the students we reach, and Title II will help us continue on that path of Bellevue College’s Mission to “innovate boldly, remove barriers, and equip students with the skills, knowledge, and resilience to thrive in an evolving world.”

We recognize that there are many questions about this accessibility work, and the Accessibility Task Force will provide ongoing updates to campus as part of their work developing a roadmap to greater accessibility.

Thank you all for the work you do as we change lives through education.

Rodger Harrison | Vice President
Information Technology Services

Campus Community,

The Accessibility Task Force is excited to invite you to Digital Accessibility Awareness Week 2025, taking place from November 17th to 21st. This special week is dedicated to fostering a more inclusive digital environment, one where everyone can fully participate and thrive.   

Throughout the week, you will have the opportunity to attend a variety of workshops to gain practical tools, fresh insights, and everyday strategies to make your digital content, communications, and courses more accessible for all.    

Whether you’re creating materials for students or collaborating with colleagues, you’ll discover how small changes can make a big impact across Bellevue College. 

Featured Sessions

Monday, Nov. 17 | 12:30–1:30 PM

Accessibility for All: An Introduction to Disability and Universal Design

Facilitators: Christine Lew and Ali Steenis

Audience: Everyone

(sign up link removed as event is past – see training section for recording)

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Tuesday, Nov. 18 | 12:30–1:00 PM

Presenting Accessibly

Facilitator: Christine Lew

Audience: Anyone developing and delivering presentations

(sign up link removed as event is past – see training section for recording)

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Wednesday, Nov. 19 | 12:30–1:30 PM

Check it Before You Share It: Accessibility Tools in Microsoft Office

Facilitators: Christine Lew and Liv Miller

Audience: Anyone creating digital content in MS Office

(sign up link removed as event is past – see training section for recording)

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Thursday, Nov. 20 | 12:30–1:30 PM Building Balance: Strategies for Sustainable Accessibility Work
Facilitator: Warda Zaman
Audience: Anyone creating digital content

(sign up link removed as event is past – see training section for recording)

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Friday, Nov. 21 | 12:30–1:15 PM Access Granted: Building Accessible Canvas Content
Facilitator: Morgan Olson
Audience: Canvas content creators

(sign up link removed as event is past – see training section for recording)

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Accessibility Info

All sessions will be held online via Microsoft Teams. Automated captions will be available, and recordings will be accessible for up to 90 days for those who register. If you need additional accommodations, please contact hraccommodations@bellevuecollege.edu at least five business days before the event.

Let’s make accessibility a shared commitment—not an afterthought.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Accessibility Task Force | Training Working Group

• Christine Lew
• Elizabeth Zahrt Geib
• Morgan Olson
• Warda Zaman

Rodger Harrison | Vice President

Information Technology Services

Campus Community,

We had an excellent Digital Accessibility Awareness Week 2025 recently! Throughout the week, we explored practical tools, strategies, and insights to make our content and communications accessible for all.

If you missed any sessions or want to revisit the material, you can access the recordings and related information on our new Digital Accessibility site.

Accessibility is an ongoing practice. Let’s continue applying what we learned and share these best practices with colleagues and students. Together, we can ensure Bellevue College remains a place where everyone can fully participate and thrive.

If you have questions or need additional support, please reach out:

• Faculty: elearning@bellevuecollege.edu
• Staff: training@bellevuecollege.edu

Thank you for making accessibility a shared commitment!

Accessibility Task Force | Training Working Group

• Christine Lew
• Elizabeth Zahrt Geib
• Morgan Olson
• Warda Zaman

Rodger Harrison | Vice President

Information Technology Services

Good afternoon colleagues, 

I am writing to share Winter Quarter guidance related to accessible course content as part of our ongoing work to meet Title II requirements and, more importantly, to remove barriers for students. 

I want to begin by thanking the Digital Accessibility Taskforce for its leadership on this work, along with their Executive Sponsor, Vice President Rodger Harrison, and the Instructional Subgroup whose careful and collaborative efforts shaped this guidance. I am grateful for the time, expertise, and care invested in supporting both students and faculty. 

Our approach to accessibility centers on students first and recognizes that building and sustaining accessible course materials is a shared, long-term effort. The guidance below is intended to support progress this quarter through practical, manageable steps. 

Winter Quarter Focus for Faculty

This winter, faculty are encouraged to focus on the following: 

1. Remove outdated or unused content
   Review courses and remove materials that are no longer used. Running “Tidy Up” processes in Canvas and reducing duplicate content helps create clarity and reduces barriers. Multiple versions of the same assignments, particularly when older versions include inaccessible content, can make it more difficult to accurately understand and address accessibility barriers. Content in past courses is archived and does not require remediation. 
2. Understand current accessibility and identify priorities
   Use accessibility checkers in Canvas and centrally supported tools such as Microsoft Word to understand where barriers exist. These tools provide a helpful starting point, while recognizing their limitations. 
3. Begin updating high-priority content
   When teaching multiple courses, faculty may wish to begin with courses that are prerequisites, have high enrollment, are required for degree completion, are taught regularly, frequently include DRC-supported students, or will go live in Spring Quarter. 

Priority actions may include creating an accessible syllabus using the eLearning template, reviewing issues labeled as “severe” by accessibility checkers, enabling auto-captioning in Panopto and Zoom, adding alt text to simple images, and using centrally supported platforms such as Canvas, Panopto, and Zoom. 

This guidance is intended to be flexible and responsive to different course contexts. Faculty should use professional judgment to focus efforts where they will have the greatest impact for students. 

Shared Responsibility and Support

Faculty play an important role in creating accessible learning environments. At the same time, digital accessibility is an institutional responsibility, and the college remains committed to providing training, tools, and shared systems to support this work. 

Resources available this quarter include SBCTC Accessibility Micro-Courses and Bellevue College Digital Accessibility Taskforce Training Resources.

In partnership, 
Jess

Jessica “Jess” Clark, PhD | Provost and VP of Academic Affairs (she/her/hers) 
Academic Affairs

Good afternoon,

I hope everyone’s quarter is off to a good start!

As a follow-up to the Title II update the Provost sent on Monday, I’d like to share information about accessibility training that is available from Interactive eLearning during January, beginning next week. All registered participants will have access to the session recording after the session ends. Each topic is offered twice, so choose the date that works best with your schedule.

To learn more and register, click on a date below. 

Tools and Methods for Creating an Accessible Syllabus 

• Tuesday, Jan. 13th, 2-3 p.m.
• Friday, Jan. 16th, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

TidyUp and Link Validators in Canvas 

• Tuesday, Jan. 20th, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
• Friday, Jan. 23rd, 2-3 p.m.

Accessibility Checkers in Canvas 

• Tuesday, Jan. 27th, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
• Friday, Jan. 30th, 2-3 p.m.

Interactive eLearning will offer additional accessibility training in Winter Quarter. In the meantime, check out the Bellevue College Digital Accessibility website and enroll in the Guidance for Accessibility Materials in Education (GAME) resource site. 

For more information about the January Digital Accessibility sessions, please reach out to eLearning@bellevuecollege.edu, or Betsy Zahrt Geib at elizabeth.zahrtgeib@bellevuecollege.edu. 

Best regards,

Amy

Amy J. Kinsel, PhD | Dean (she/her/hers)
Connected Learning Division

Campus Community,

As we begin winter quarter, we strongly encourage everyone to focus on actions that strengthen accessibility and improve the experience across Bellevue College.

1. Review, Remove, or Archive Outdated Content

Take time to review digital materials and remove items that are no longer relevant. Streamlining content, such as reducing duplicates and outdated files, helps create clarity and minimize barriers.

2. Check Accessibility and Identify Areas for Improvement

For content that you plan to continue to use or content that you create after April 24, 2026, use accessibility checkers. These checkers can be found in Canvas (Link to training video), Microsoft Word (Link to training video), PowerPoint (Link to training video), and other supported tools to identify potential barriers. These tools provide a helpful starting point for improving access.

3. Update High-Priority Resources

Focus first on digital content that has the greatest impact, such as:

• Shared content used for high-enrolled courses or otherwise frequently viewed
• Prerequisite or required content for degree completion
• Resources regularly accessed by users
• Content that will be used in upcoming quarters

Examples for Faculty:

• Syllabi and course templates
• Assignments and assessments
• Lecture videos and recordings

Examples for Staff:

• Frequently used forms and documents (e.g., student intake forms, advising checklists, HR onboarding materials)
• Departmental webpages and online resources (program info, event announcements)
• Shared templates and guides (orientation materials, advising guides)
• Communication materials (email newsletters, announcements, PDFs)
• Training and support resources (staff manuals, FAQs)

Resources and Support

Additional accessibility training will be offered this quarter. In the meantime:

• All Employees: Visit the Digital Accessibility website for resources, information and training opportunities.
• Faculty: Enroll in the Guidance for Accessible Materials in Education (GAME) resource site. Schedule a 1-on-1 Accessibility coaching session with one of Interactive eLearning instructional designers.

Need Help?

• Staff: Contact training@bellevuecollege.edu for general support
• Faculty: For Digital Accessibility sessions, email eLearning@bellevuecollege.edu

Thank you for your commitment to creating an inclusive and accessible learning environment for all.

Accessibility Task Force
Rodger Harrison | Vice President
Information Technology Services

Dear Campus Community,

As part of our ongoing commitment to digital accessibility and compliance with Title II and ADA requirements, Bellevue College will be launching a comprehensive series of training courses for all employees. These courses are designed to help us create accessible digital content for our students, employees, and community members.

Time will be available on Campus Community Day (April 16) to work on these trainings.

Below is an overview of the training plan, including timelines and expectations based on your role.

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Required for All Staff and Faculty

Launching week of March 30, 2026
Platform: Bridge

Training required for all employees will be assigned via Bridge. You will receive a notification from notifications@bc.bridgeapp.com.

Digital Accessibility Fundamentals Series (3 courses)

• Why Digital Accessibility Matters: Title II and ADA Overview (50 minutes)
• Digital Accessibility Fundamentals (10 Best Practices) (45 minutes)
• Email Accessibility Training (30 minutes)

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Required Based on Supervisor Determination

Now Available

Platform: Canvas

For employees who create Canvas content:

• Faculty Canvas users self‑enroll in Canvas training
• Non‑faculty Canvas users submit a registration form

Launching Soon

Platform: Bridge

For employees who create digital documents:

• Word
• PowerPoint
• Excel

To Be Announced

Training for employees who:

• Create, assign, or share PDFs
• Create videos (including lectures) and audio content
• Create content for college‑sponsored social media accounts

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Ongoing Training

Website Managers

Training is available through Bridge. Website managers may self‑enroll in the training most relevant to the type of site they manage via the How to Get Website Manager Training Knowledge Base article.

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Visit the BC Digital Accessibility site for guidance, resources, and updates to help you create accessible and compliant digital content.

Questions?

• Faculty: elearning@bellevuecollege.edu
• Staff: training@bellevuecollege.edu

SBCTC Online Accessibility Office Hours: Fridays, 1–2 pm (Zoom)

Thank you for your continued commitment and support in making Bellevue College a more accessible and inclusive community.

Accessibility Task Force
Rodger Harrison
Vice President, Information Technology Services
(425) 564‑2224
bellevuecollege.edu

Campus Community,

Bellevue College is committed to providing a high-quality educational experience within an accessible, inclusive, and equitable learning and working environment. Advancing digital accessibility is essential to supporting the success of our students, faculty, staff, and the communities we serve.

Federal and State Updates

The U.S. Department of Justice recently published an Interim Final Rule extending the compliance deadline for updated Americans with Disabilities Act Title II digital accessibility requirements.

• New federal Title II policy timeline: April 26, 2027
• Washington State USER-01 policy timeline:
  • Phase 1 is currently in effect, and requires our public and student-facing content to be accessible to WCAG 2.1 level A and AA
  • Phase 2 will take effect July 1, 2026, and raises the standard to WCAG 2.2 level A and AA
  • Phase 3 will take effect July 1, 2029, and expands the requirement to “All tools that employees use to perform their job duties”

What this means:

The Title II extension does not change the accessibility requirements, only the timeline. Institutions remain legally obligated to ensure that websites, mobile applications, course materials, and digital services are accessible to all individuals.

The extension reflects national capacity challenges, including staffing limitations, remediation costs, and the complexity of updating existing digital content.

Moving Forward

We will continue advancing this work. The additional time allows us to strengthen a sustainable, long-term approach to accessibility while reducing near-term compliance risk.

Over the coming year, we will continue to focus on:

• Ensuring employees understand and are trained to carry out accessibility responsibilities within their roles
• Inventory web and instructional content
• Prioritizing high-impact and student-facing systems
• Refining procurement and vendor accessibility standards and review processes
• Integrating accessibility into instructional content creation workflows

Progress to Date

This work reflects a sustained, institutional effort. Over the past several years we have:

• Launched the Online Excellence Teaching Academy (OETA), equipping faculty with accessible online teaching practices
• Implemented required website accessibility training for site managers
• Formed the Digital Accessibility Task Force to strengthen coordination and accountability
• Expanded Digital Accessibility Fundamentals training

These efforts reflect our shared commitment to removing barriers and ensuring equitable access. This is ongoing and important work.

Thank you for the work you have done, and will continue to do, to ensure digital content is accessible at Bellevue College.

Accessibility Task Force
Rodger Harrison, Vice President, Information Technology Services
Consuelo Grier, Ed.D. (she/her), Vice President, Office of Community Care and Institutional Transformation

Dear Supervisors,

As a public institution, we’re responsible for making sure our courses and materials are accessible. That means building accessibility into our content from the start, especially anything we share digitally. 

Your leadership is critical to integrating digital accessibility into everyday work. You don’t need to be an expert, but focusing on a few key practices like using headings, adding alt text, and using captioned videos goes a long way. Because this effort touches routine processes, we request that you provide clear and consistent guidance to your direct reports for successful adoption.

As a supervisor, please keep a few key points in mind:

• Create an environment where accessibility is part of standard work. Anyone who creates or shares digital content is responsible for meeting accessibility expectations. Building accessibility into planning and timelines reduces rework and last‑minute challenges.
• Set clear expectations and address issues early. Reinforce within your teams that accessibility is a shared responsibility and that learning is expected. Most concerns can be resolved through early clarification and constructive guidance. 
• Lead by example. Create accessible digital content.
• Ensure that any required Digital Accessibility training is completed. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring employees use required training and available resources. Encourage questions and problem‑solving, especially for more complex situations. 
• Assess your own gaps on digital accessibility knowledge. Take measures to update your knowledge and skills.

Accessibility requirements exist to remove barriers and support full participation. Keeping this purpose in view helps teams prioritize effort and apply standards consistently.

Support and Training

Please review the Digital Accessibility training website for Bellevue College support and training options at this time as well as regular communications we send via email. 

Please reach out to Interactive Elearning (Faculty) and Training (Staff) for questions and guidance related to digital accessibility. We are here to help. Although we are unable to remediate content, we can offer support on what an employee might consider while making their documents digitally accessible.  

Thank you for supporting your team through this work.

Warda Zaman
Director of Talent and Organization Development 

Hello,

We are excited to share new updates regarding Digital Accessibility Training. Our goal is to help you stay aligned with digital accessibility standards, strengthen your ability to create inclusive digital experiences, and to better support your day-to-day work.

Review digital accessibility training and skill-building opportunities at Bellevue College:

1) NEW! Office Hours Support for Staff

Audience:  Bellevue College Staff

Date: Wednesdays, starting May 20 through August 26th

Time: 12:30 – 2:30 PM

These sessions are designed as a space for staff to bring questions and get guidance on creating more accessible content and materials. HR talent development staff and Morgan Olson, Digital Learning Technologist with Interactive eLearning, will:

• Answer your questions
• Demonstrate practical tools, methods, and techniques
• Share resources and recommended next steps for continued learning

What we can help with:

• Understanding Title II accessibility expectations in practice
• Improving accessibility in documents (Word, PDF, PowerPoint)
• Canvas and general digital content accessibility
• Captioning, alt text, and media considerations
• Using accessibility tools (e.g., Contrast Checker, Adobe Acrobat, etc.)
• General design strategies

Important note:

This is a guided support space, not a drop-off service. Moreover, guidance provided during these sessions is design-focused and does not include legal review or formal compliance certification. 

Faculty have live support through Interactive eLearning Services (please review elearning website for timings and meeting link)

2) NEW! Word, Excel, PowerPoint Accessibility Training 

For employees who create digital documents. Required based on supervisor determination.

Enroll in Bridge

3) Training Reminders

Required for all staff and faculty

Digital Accessibility Fundamentals Series (3 courses)-Bridge:

• Why Digital Accessibility Matters: Title II and ADA Overview (50 minutes)
• Digital Accessibility Fundamentals (10 Best Practices) (45 minutes)
• Email Accessibility Training (30 minutes)

For employees who create Canvas content

• Faculty Canvas users self-enroll in Canvas training
• Non-faculty Canvas users submit registration form

For website managers

• Training is available to website managers through Bridge.
• You can self-enroll in the training that is most relevant for the type of site you manage via the How to Get Website Manager Training Knowledge Base Article

4) In Development

• Rethink Your PDF Workflow
• Accessible Videos Training 

Visit the BC Digital Accessibility site for guidance, resources, and updates to help you create accessible and compliant digital content. Bookmark the BC Digital Accessibility Training site to access updated training information and checklists to support your work.

For questions, please reach out to training@bellevuecollege.edu

Warda Zaman
Director of Talent and Organization Development 

Dear Colleagues,

Thursday, May 21st 2026, we recognize Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) as an opportunity to reflect on our shared commitment to creating digital experiences that are accessible and inclusive for all.

This day is especially meaningful for our campus, as it also marks one year since the formation of our Accessibility Task Force. Over the past year, this collaborative, cross-campus effort has helped elevate awareness, establish guidance, and support ongoing remediation work. Thank you to all who have contributed your time, expertise, and dedication to this important initiative.

We also want to take this moment to reaffirm our commitment to sustained momentum:

While the DOJ Title II compliance deadline has been extended to April 26, 2027, this extension is not a pause or slowdown. The volume and complexity of remediation across webpages, documents, and instructional materials require continued, steady progress at full pace.

Fix One Thing Today!

As we recognize GAAD, we encourage you to continue integrating accessibility into your daily practices:

• Use heading styles to create clear structure
• Add alt text to images in documents and Canvas
• Ensure videos include accurate captions
• Run the Accessibility Checker before sharing materials
• Continue remediating existing content as part of regular workflows

If you’re looking for a way to participate in GAAD, choose just one item — a document, webpage, syllabus, or course element — and improve its accessibility. Sustained, incremental efforts across campus are what will drive meaningful progress.

Available Free Virtual Events for GAAD

If you would like to participate in live learning opportunities on May 21, we suggest the following free virtual conferences:

GAAD 2026 Design, Develop, Deliver

May 21 | 8:00 AM–1:00 PM Pacific Time

Hosted by the University of Minnesota, University of Illinois System, and University of Michigan. This event offers multiple learning tracks for beginners through advanced practitioners, including keynote presentations and breakout sessions.

Recommended sessions include:

• Designing and Building Accessible Email Communications
• Supporting Accessibility Across Languages
• Math Accessibility
• Where Did My (Keyboard) Focus Go? — an introduction to keyboard navigation and foundational webpage accessibility testing

Interagency Accessibility Forum (IAAF) Future-Ready Accessibility: Preparing Government for What’s Next

May 21–22 | Programming in Eastern Time

This conference is designed for accessibility professionals and leaders focused on policy, procurement, and implementation practices.

Recommended sessions include:

• Evaluating Accessibility Conformance Reports from Vendors
• Video Accessibility Remediation Demonstrations
• Navigating Section 508 Exceptions: Best Practices

Raising the Floor: Building a Culture of Access and Equity (Virtual)

21 May 2026 | 09:00 AM–04:30 PM PST

Join the California Community Colleges Accessibility Center for their annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) workshop. It is all about shifting from basic compliance to a true institutional commitment to our learners. Featuring a collaboration with presentations representing all three California Higher Education systems (CCC, CSU, and UC).

Digital accessibility fundamentals training – North America (Virtual)

21 May 2026 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM PST

In celebration of the 15th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), Deque is offering a FREE two-hour training event. Who should attend? Our fundamentals training is great for those who are just starting to learn about digital accessibility. This training is intended for all audiences, including policymakers, management, content creators, developers, designers, testers, and everything in between. Training agenda: What is digital accessibility, and why is it important? What are the most important North American digital accessibility laws and guidelines? How do people with disabilities navigate the web? How can you champion accessibility to make a difference in your organization today? How do I get started with accessibility?

Navigating maps with a screen reader: a conversation (Virtual)

21 May 2026 | 11:00 AM–12:00 PM PST

The State of Minnesota’s Office of Accessibility will host a conversation between a screen reader user and a map maker to discuss key accessibility questions including: Are some types of web maps easier to use than others? What are common barriers for screen reader users when using web maps? How can map designers/creators make maps more accessible? Are there certain “cheat codes” that assistive technology (AT) users can use when navigating web maps? Is it ok for web map creators to create custom navigation for their maps?

Need Additional Support?

• Office hours Support for Staff: Wednesdays, starting May 20 through August 26th 12:30–2:30 PM. (Teams Link). These sessions are designed as a space for staff to bring questions and get guidance on creating more accessible content and materials.
• Live Faculty Support Hours: Through eLearning via Zoom or in person. Mon-Fri, 11 AM–3 PM
• SBCTC Accessibility Micro Courses
• Books on Disability Inclusion available through our BC Library:
• Gilbert, R.M. (2025) Inclusive Design for a Digital World: Designing with Accessibility in Mind. Apress. O’Reilly link
• Wong, A. (2020) Disability visibility: 17 first-person stories for today: Adapted for young adults. Delacorte Press. This title is part of our Equity Reads Collection, which means we have multiple copies available to enable a self-paced book club.

Visit the BC Digital Accessibility site for guidance, resources, and updates to help you create accessible and compliant digital content. Bookmark the BC Digital Accessibility Training site to access updated training information and checklists to support your work.

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Accessibility is not a one-time effort, it is an ongoing responsibility and a core part of how we support equitable access for our students, colleagues, and community. GAAD is a reminder to both recognize progress and maintain momentum.

Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to this work.

Accessibility Task Force
Rodger Harrison | Vice President
Information Technology Services

Consuelo Grier, Ed.D. (she/her) | Vice President
Office of Community Care and Institutional Transformation