Dear Bruin Community:
As UCLA prepares for the fall quarter, we are continuing to strengthen digital accessibility across teaching, communications and university operations. This includes expanded tools to help faculty and staff create accessible digital content, along with leadership and accountability for UCLA’s accessibility program.
Digital Accessibility Steering Committee
This fall, we are beginning our work together as co-chairs of UCLA’s Digital Accessibility Steering Committee, which provides campuswide governance for UCLA’s digital accessibility efforts. The Steering Committee is supported by cross-functional action teams advancing work across six priority areas.
Learn more about the Steering Committee and Action Teams
IT Accessibility Policy Program (ITAPP) Roles Confirmed
In alignment with UC Policy IMT-1300, UCLA has formally designated institutional leaders for five accessibility oversight functions:
| Oversight Function | Designee |
|---|---|
| Policy Program Coordination | Lucy Avetisyan, Associate Vice Chancellor & Chief Information Officer |
| Exceptions Approval | Erin Sanders O’Leary, Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning |
| Exceptions Coordination | Gary Stevens, Director of Digital Strategy, Strategic Communications |
| Accessibility Consultation | Yonit Kovnator, ADA/504 Compliance Officer Travis Lee, Disabilities and Computing Program Coordinator |
| Course Content Program Coordination | Jess Gregg, Sr. Advisor to the Vice Provost for Teaching & Learning for Digital Accessibility Nate McKee, Director, Learning Technology Experience |
These designations establish clear campus accountability for coordinating UCLA's accessibility program, providing expert guidance, reviewing exceptions, and supporting accessible course content.
Digital and Technology Solutions (DTS) Program Team
These designations establish clear campus accountability for coordinating UCLA's accessibility program, providing expert guidance, reviewing exceptions, and supporting accessible course content.
Accessibility Tools for Fall Quarter
Several tools are now available to help faculty and staff identify, create, evaluate, and remediate accessible digital content. Below is a brief overview; visit the linked resources for step-by-step guidance.
Grackle Workspace — Now available to anyone with a UCLA Google Workspace (@g.ucla.edu) account. Grackle helps you check and improve accessibility in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, and export accessible PDFs. Learn more about Grackle Workspace
Ally (Bruin Learn) — Reviews course content and files for accessibility gaps, provides guided remediation feedback, and generates alternative formats. Students can also download course files in formats such as audio, electronic braille, or HTML. Learn more about Ally
UDOIT (Bruin Learn, CidiLabs) — Scans course pages, assignments, documents, and embedded media for accessibility barriers, including caption status for YouTube, Vimeo, and Kaltura content. Learn more about UDOIT
TidyUP (Bruin Learn, CidiLabs) — Helps instructors identify and remove unused, outdated, or duplicate course content, reducing the volume of material that needs accessibility review. Learn more about TidyUP
Looking Ahead
The Digital Accessibility Steering Committee continues to evaluate additional capabilities for PDF remediation and accessibility. As new solutions become available, we will share updates and opportunities for campus participation. Visit the Digital Accessibility Hub for the latest resources, training, and information.
Digital accessibility is not a one-time compliance effort. It is an ongoing institutional commitment. It requires us to build accessible practices into how we teach, communicate, and operate. Thank you for helping make UCLA's digital environment more accessible to everyone in our community.
Sincerely,
Lucy Avetisyan
Digital Accessibility Steering Committee Co-Chair
Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Information Officer
Athena N. Jackson
Digital Accessibility Steering Committee Co-Chair
Norman and Armena Powell University Librarian
Erin Sanders O'Leary
Digital Accessibility Steering Committee Co-Chair
Vice Provost for Teaching & Learning