Training and Events

Our classes and events help members of the University community build skills and expand their awareness of disability and digital accessibility. From overviews to quick practical tips to deep dives, and opportunities to achieve and maintain professional certification, we offer training throughout the academic year and in the summer.

To keep up between events:

staff members watching a demonstration of text magnification hardware

Upcoming Classes & Events

FULL - CPACC Accessibility Certification Training
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Accessibility Certification CAEC Workshop (2 days)
Wednesday, June 25, 2025, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Accessibility Certification CAEC Workshop (2 days)
Thursday, June 26, 2025, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
View All Events

Don't see the class you're looking for?

Contact us to get on the waitlist for a regularly offered class that does not have the next session scheduled yet, or to request a custom training for your team.

Certification

Princeton staff in any role can earn credentials in accessibility. To date, over 190 staff have earned certifications. Because disability is common, staff can apply accessibility knowledge in their work to make their services and information inclusive to people with disabilities. We especially encourage those who:

  • Work with students
  • Are responsible for supporting people with disabilities
  • Create content
  • Create or manage IT
  • Organize and host meetings

 

CPACC

Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies

The CPACC is a foundational professional credential through the International Association of Accessibility Professionals. The certification represents the ability to apply broad, cross-disciplinary conceptual knowledge about disabilities and accessibility.

OIT's popular CPACC training program is cohort-based, and is offered in the summer. It includes an online course, three in-person training classes, study sessions, and the exam which is proctored onsite. Preparation requires seriousness of purpose and time. 

Course topics include:

  • Disabilities, challenges and assistive technologies
  • Etiquette
  • Accommodations
  • Universal design
  • Standards and laws
  • Integrating accessibility in organizations

CPACC classes are open only to Princeton staff. If you are a staff member, you may contact us to ask about upcoming cohorts.

If you are from outside Princeton, you may take the online portion of our course, which is licensed by the International Association of Accessibility Professionals.

Maintaining CPACC Certification

The goal of IAAP’s certification maintenance program is to support your continued growth and development in accessibility. To maintain your CPACC or other certification, you must:

  • Earn the required number of continuing accessibility education credits (CAEC).
  • Renew your certification with IAAP every three years. Your department should pay for renewal.

What counts as a CAEC?

You can earn CAECs in two ways: either by attending professional development activities, or by sharing your accessibility expertise outside your current job function through formal presentations or trainings.

Be sure to: 
  • Provide proof of your registration. For events sponsored by the Digital Accessibility Program, you should use the confirmation email you received from the Employee Learning Center.

Princeton CAEC activities

Online courses and presentations

Conferences

 

CAT

Certificate in Accessibility Testing

The CAT is our in-house, practical credential, focused on the tools and skills participants need to evaluate and improve the accessibility of websites and applications they edit, build or manage.

Any University employee responsible for content, design or code should find the material relevant and useful.

Topics include:

  • How to structure and format content to be compatible with assistive technologies
  • Design considerations for common disabilities, including low vision and colorblindness
  • Helpful tools that can automatically find many common issues
  • How to test interactive elements using a keyboard and screen reader


The CAT exam is a demonstration of role-relevant skills rather than rote memorization: each participant is asked to evaluate a sample website, identify its issues, and explain what they would do next in their role. A developer might identify which parts of the code need to be rewritten, while a product owner might explain how they would describe each issue to the vendor.

Preparing for the exam involves 6 hours of instruction:

  1. Course: Getting Started with Digital Accessibility
  2. Course: Practical Steps for Creating Accessible Web Content
  3. Workshop: How To Test for Accessibility

Participants are encouraged to practice until they feel confident with each DIY testing step and their chosen screen reader before sitting for the exam.

Contact us to ask about upcoming cohorts.

Community of Practice Meetings

The monthly Digital Accessibility Community of Practice meetings are for staff who are working to make their websites, other IT, and digital information accessible to people with disabilities. Meetings are open to anyone on campus who edits content, manages technology, or who is interested in the topic of digital accessibility.

Meetings are held during the academic year on the second Thursday of the month from 1 - 2 PM via Zoom, and led by OIT’s Digital Accessibility Program staff. Participants are encouraged to bring questions, or examples of their work, so that the group can exchange ideas and learn together. 

To join, email [email protected].