Digital Accessibility Assessment and Strategic Plan

Overview

In 2024, UC Santa Cruz (UCSC) will develop a strategic plan to improve digital accessibility support and reduce the barriers that exist for individuals with disabilities. These barriers can impact students, faculty, staff, members of the public and really anyone who relies on UCSC services and our digital environments. As part of this effort, Information Technology Services (ITS) has engaged Access4All to conduct an assessment of UCSC’s digital accessibility. 

Objectives

• Determine the current state of digital accessibility, including risk and gaps. 
• Prioritize areas for improvement, and identify needed resources. 
• Establish benchmarks and metrics for digital accessibility. 
• Improve the digital experience for students, faculty and staff with disabilities and foster an inclusive campus climate that embraces and values diversity and equity.
• Improve compliance with UC systemwide policy.

Timeline

• February/March - assessment and campus listening sessions 
  
• April/May - report of findings and recommendations complete 

• June/July  - share draft digital accessibility strategic plan with key stakeholders

Project Sponsors 

• Aisha Jackson, Vice Chancellor of Information Technology  and 
• Anna Finn, Associate Chancellor and Chief of Staff
• Phyllis Treige, Associate Vice Chancellor - Experience, Strategy & Design 
• Anju Reejhsinghani, Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Project team

• Jim Phillips, ITS, Digital Accessibility Program Lead
• Mo Shahin, ADA Compliance Officer

Questions?