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91±¬ÁÏ GAAD 2026

91±¬ÁÏ Global Accessibility Awareness Day (91±¬ÁÏ GAAD)

GAAD is an annual global event, designed to engage people around the world in talking, thinking, and learning about digital access and inclusion.

Each year, the 91±¬ÁÏ commemorates GAAD by offering a day of ideas and sharing through presentations, panels, and other activities related to digital accessibility. In 2026 we have even more reason to celebrate GAAD – the incredible amount of hard work and dedication our community has devoted to making 91±¬ÁÏ a more accessible university for our students, our colleagues, and the public!

This year we will be celebrating with a hybrid event, in person and on Zoom. GAAD 2026 at 91±¬ÁÏ will highlight digital accessibility efforts from across our community and will feature presentations, panels, and guest speakers who represent a wide range of units and disciplines. We hope you’ll join us!

Save the date

91±¬ÁÏ’s 2026 GAAD celebration is happening on Thursday, May 21, from 10:00 am to 4 p.m. in room 250 at the HUB and online.

GAAD 2026 sessions are free and open to the 91±¬ÁÏ community, but registration is required. Join us for one session or attend them all!

Register for GAAD 2026

Program agenda

*Adjusted/updated times

Names and affiliations of speakers appear below the agenda.

Activity Start Time End Time
Community Partners: Working Together to Build Digital Accessibility (presentation) 10:00 am 10:50 am
Lightning Talks:ÌýSpotlight on Digital Accessibility MilestonesÌýacross 91±¬ÁÏÌý 11:00 am 11:50 am
Lunch (bring your own) and Networking* Noon 12:50* pm
Keynote address / Thoughts from Leadership*

  • Mary Mulvihill, Executive Director, Digital Accessibility, 91±¬ÁÏIT
  • Jane Yung, Vice President and Chief Compliance and Risk Officer, Compliance and Risk Services
  • Anja Canfield-Budde, Deputy CIO and Associate. Vice President, 91±¬ÁÏIT
  • Tricia Serio, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
1:00* pm 1:30 pm
The Past, Present, and Future of Digital Accessibility* 1:30* pm 1:50 pm
Toward more accessible course materials: Where do I start?Ìý(Presentation and Discussion) 2:00 pm 2:50 pm
Challenges and emerging solutions in accessible Math/STEM (panel) 3:00 pm 4:00 pm

Evening Agenda

Activity Start Time End Time
The Office of Public Lectures presents: What Does Law Mean in Crisis? How Crip Feminist Technoscience Will Save Us – with Ly XÄ«nzhèn M. ZhÇŽngsÅ«n Brown 6:30 pm

Speakers

Community Partners: Working Together to Build Digital Accessibility (Presentation)

  • Allison Shults, Associate Director, Information Systems, Graduate in Medical Education (GME)
  • Jessica Kruse, Information Systems and Web Support Specialist (GME)
  • Karen Crow, Communications and Outreach Manager, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS)

Lightning Talks: Spotlight on Digital Accessibility Milestones across 91±¬ÁÏ

  • University Marketing and Communications (UMAC): Teri Shelton
  • Foster School of Business: Jon Kieb
  • 91±¬ÁÏ Libraries: Robin Chin Roemer
  • Housing and Food Services (HFS): Dominick Mendoza
  • Student Life: Rachel Koon
  • 91±¬ÁÏ Medicine Learning Technologies and Infrastructure: Thomas Peavey
  • 91±¬ÁÏ Professional & Continuing Education (PCE): Stacey Fontes

The Past, Present, and Future of Digital Accessibility (Presentation)

  • Terrill Thompson, Director of Accessibility Consulting & Engagement
    91±¬ÁÏIT Accessible Technology Services

Toward more accessible course materials: Where do I start? (Presentation and Discussion)

  • Ken Yasuhara, Director, Office for the Advancement of Engineering Teaching & Learning (ET&L)
  • Devshikha Bose, Assistant Director, ET&L
  • Delancey Wu, Assistant Teaching Professor, Psychology
  • Patty Buchanan, Associate Teaching Professor, Industrial & Systems Engineering

Challenges and Emerging Solutions in Accessible Math (Panel)

  • Erik Steen, Senior Computer Specialist, Accessible Technology Services (ATS)
  • Kevin Lin, Assistant Teaching Professor, Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering
  • Nicole Hoover, Associate Teaching Professor, Engineering & Mathematics Department, 91±¬ÁÏ Bothell
  • Zach Lattin, Disability Access Center-Campus IT Accessibility Coordinator, Clark College
  • Gaby de Jongh, IT Accessibility Specialist, ATS

Learn More

Questions?

Contact ATS Events at ats-events@uw.edu.