On May 21, 2026, join colleagues from across the University of California for our Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) event, From Policy to Practice: Strengthening Accessibility Across UC.
From 10-11:30 a.m. (PT), you’ll hear how accessibility is being operationalized across campuses and build skills that support inclusive digital experiences. Register for the event and add it to your calendar!
Let’s work together to ensure our digital environments are accessible to all.
What to Expect: Key Topics and Speakers
As the UC system advances digital accessibility and prepares for upcoming regulatory milestones, this event will explore what it takes to move from policy to implementation. Through a panel discussion, real-world AI use cases, and practical trainings, you’ll gain insights that you can use in your day-to-day work.
Here’s what to expect from the event program:
Operationalizing ITAP Panel
Speakers: Adam Hills-Meyer (UCSC), Bradley Starkey-Owens (UCD)
Accessibility and AI: Innovation from the Field
Speakers: Jessica Hilt, Jayson Jaynes and Daniel Tjandra (UCSF Remediate), Scott Kirkland (UCD Readable)
How To: Top PDF Issues People Don’t Know They’re Making
Speaker: Doug Harriman (UCOP)
How To: Audio Description
Speaker: Brian McNeilly (UCOP)
More about UC GAAD 2026 and its theme: From Policy to Practice
Approximately 1.3 billion people worldwide – about 16 percent of the population – live with significant disability, yet 98 percent of the top 1 million websites fail to meet web accessibility standards. Looking ahead, it’s projected that 1 in every 3 people will experience a temporary or permanent disability within the next decade.
As the world’s reliance on digital technologies grow, these realities highlight the need to address digital inaccessibility and the importance of awareness initiatives like GAAD.
The UC community, made up of more than 2.5 million alumni, staff, students, and faculty, has a far-reaching global impact. Our work can bridge the accessibility gap and ensure equitable access for all. That means listening, learning, and building with intention.
When accessibility is embedded as a fundamental component rather than treated as an optional add-on, the impact is clear: greater confidence, productivity, and sense of belonging within our community.
Event Details: Register Now
UC GAAD 2026 Webinar [Registration Link]
From Policy to Practice: Strengthening Accessibility Across UC
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 10-11:30 a.m. (PT)
After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email with information about joining the webinar. Please add the event to your calendar! The event will be recorded and will feature live-captioning and American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation. If you have another accommodation request, please send it to digitalaccessibility@ucop.edu by May 14th, 2026.
About the UC Electronic Accessibility Committee
The UC Electronic Accessibility Committee upholds UC’s commitment to supporting an IT environment that is accessible to all, and in particular to individuals with disabilities, by facilitating systemwide coordination of, and communication about, IT accessibility-related issues. Members, who include representatives from every UC location, identify and lead systemwide initiatives and projects that support and align the implementation of the UC IT Accessibility Policy and help the university provide an accessible electronic environment.
Visit the UC electronic accessibility webpage to learn more about UC’s commitment to digital accessibility and to explore an array of best practices and tools to inform your work. You can also explore past years’ GAAD webinars on the Electronic Accessibility Committee website.
