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| January 27, 2026 |
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In light of our ongoing commitment to accessibility, and to support our community in addressing federal guidelines that require web content to conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards by May 9, 2026, we want to highlight accessibility-themed events and resources from across campus. Accessibility means creating learning experiences where everyone can fully participate, which aligns with our university's values. As we build more inclusive communities, it opens meaningful opportunities to address real needs. Our headliner event this quarter explores both the impact of thoughtful design and the growing career paths in this field. You’re also invited to take advantage of trainings, collaborative conversations, and resources that will help us all take practical steps toward building a community where every person can thrive. As shared by our colleagues in the Disabilities & Chronic Illness Network (DCIN), when interfacing with persons with disabilities, it's helpful to know that you don't need to be an expert. You're not on the hook to have all the right answers or to say the correct things. Just remember these three words: ask and listen. When you don't know, ask and listen. Rather than making assumptions or rushing ahead, take the time to ask and listen. To approach your work with accessibility in mind, here are some first steps: For course instructors, you can start by scanning your Camino course content with UDoit, which will walk you through a series of steps to make your content more accessible. Other tools to make your Camino page more accessible can be found online, including tips for making your Word documents and Google documents, sheets, and slides (and the PDFs you export from them) accessible. For those planning events, you can start by ensuring your event is accessible by reviewing the accessible events checklist from OAE found online. You can also ensure your event communications are accessible. All faculty and staff are invited to attend events this quarter to learn from experts, help connect students with accessibility-focused career opportunities, or join collaborative conversations about inclusive practices. Headline Event: Joshua Miele Guest Speaker February 25th - In collaboration with the School of Engineering, Silicon Valley Reads,and the Santa Clara City Library, the University Library is delighted to bring Joshua Miele to campus. Joshua is a blind author, designer, disability scholar, and Macarthur Fellow. Joshua will be in conversation with Maria Kyrarini, Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Join us on February 25th at 6pm for this conversation. Event details and RSVP are available here. Ongoing events and resources can be found across campus: The University’s ADA/504 Resources are available online, including links to the University’s Access and Accommodations policy. The Office of Accessible Education (OAE) offers monthly newsletters addressing best practices and frequent questions about accommodations, a new quick reference guide covering common accommodations, and watch for upcoming training modules on accommodation implementation. For personalized support, faculty can schedule one-on-one sessions with the OAE leadership during Faculty Consultation Hours (Monday -Thursday, via the OAE webpage), or contact the OAE to request an OAE representative to join department meetings for an Accommodations 101 presentation or case-study discussions. Faculty Development and the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) offer resources, practical working sessions, and facilitated conversations that support faculty in enhancing the accessibility of their courses. Upcoming opportunities include workshops on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and a winter panel series, organized by the Accessibility Learning Community, with announcements to follow that include dates and registration details. The CTE’s accessibility resource page and Tuesday Teaching Tip emails highlight evidence-informed pedagogical strategies, such as transparent assignment design and UDL, that advance accessibility while improving learning for all students. Academic Technology will continue to offer a three-part workshop series on digital accessibility throughout the quarter to support you in ensuring your course documents and media are fully accessible to all students. Read more about these workshops and other available resources from academic technology or view the training calendar. Disabilities & Chronic Illness Network (DCIN) provides a welcoming space for SCU faculty and staff to support and celebrate people with disabilities. Learn more about this Employee Resource Group. Career Center: Each year, the Career Center hosts the Diversity Works Expo & Awards, a flagship event sponsored by Enterprise Mobility that celebrates the theme of diversity in the workplace. This year, the event will be hosted on Thursday, February 12 from 4-7 p.m. in Locatelli. Faculty/staff may register to attend. Additionally, the Career Center maintains and regularly updates the Career Resources Directory for Diverse Populations, which includes a section of resources to support job seekers who have disabilities. These resources and opportunities reflect our shared commitment to ensuring every student can fully participate in the learning experience. We encourage you to take advantage of these resources to enhance your practice and deepen your understanding of accessibility. In service, Nicole Branch Riley Caldwell-O’Keefe Nancy Cutler Mo Lotif Amy J. Lueck James Marik Bill Stevens, Laura Ellingson, & Noel Kreidler, Co-Facilitators Korin Wheeler |
| Santa Clara University |