As the administrator of the Princeton Off Campus Housing website,I’ve become more aware of and interested in the subject of digital accessibility and UX in general. Becoming CPACC certified was a good place to start to become educated in the multiple aspects of accessibility.

Accessibility is a human rights issue. An inaccessible world is a non-inclusive world. For all persons to feel connected, involved, and equally seen helps to create more understanding, less discrimination, and ultimately more equality. What drew me to attaining a CPACC certification is a desire to arm myself with the tools I need to serve the underrepresented population of students with disabilities who identify as LGBTQ+. Queer students with disabilities face barriers to learning and multiple challenges with discrimination and bias. Making just one human life more accessible creates change. I intend to use my certification to make this change a reality.

The Project and Technology Consulting Office is instrumental and influential in the planning and execution of many university-wide initiatives. CPACC certification provides a foundation for understanding the access needs and experiences of our diverse population. In turn, this awareness helps to support the selection and implementation of effective and accessible technology solutions impacting stakeholders across the university. It also allows me, as an individual, to be a more impactful ally to people with all kinds of disabilities, at work and in our community.

While our larger global society continues to be divided by our many differences, I believe it is my personal and professional responsibility to help bridge at least one gap by promoting and practicing web accessibility. I’m proud to be a part of the effort to give all members of our community equal access to digital resources for teaching, research, and learning. And I’m grateful that Princeton University has encouraged us to be leaders in this movement toward inclusive, user-oriented design with CPACC certification. 

I now look at the digital world with a new perspective, and I’m eager to build websites and applications to minimize barriers to information and demonstrate both empathy and respect.

The CPACC certification has increased my knowledge regarding disabilities, accessibility, universal design, management strategies, and laws. The challenges and solutions will help bridge the digital divide. I am honored to be part of the initiative to close the gap. Each individual is unique, focusing on the diversity of people is vital.

Accessible websites are of great interest to me as the manager of OIT's Web Development Services group. I want to make sure that we build websites that are usable by everyone. No one should be excluded from accessing the public information that we present on the web. This is especially important since more and more information communication is done via a digital format.

Working in Facilities Operations, my primary focus is on making campus more physically accessible. I became aware of CPACC when I was asked to present on campus accessibility during the 2020 class. While discussing my concept for the presentation with Mary, she explained what CPACC was, and the certification sounded like a wonderful option to pursue. I’m thrilled to be able to participate in the course. It’s been eye-opening to realize how much is involved with making digital aspects of our lives accessible for all.

As purveyors of information communication technology, it is our responsibility to minimize barriers that might exclude people from using the web.