A digital accessibility training session will be held for University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) employees on January 15, from 2 to 4 p.m. The event will take place via Zoom and feature Sharon Goldrup, a corporate accessibility trainer and curriculum design manager at Deque Systems.
The training comes as the University of California prepares to comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 AA by April 2026. These guidelines require that all digital content—including websites, PDFs, presentations, forms, videos, and emails—be accessible to people of all abilities as part of the university’s commitment to equity and inclusion.
The upcoming session is titled “Accessibility Awareness for Everyone.” It aims to build understanding around digital accessibility and highlight how different users interact with online materials. According to organizers, participants will hear from a trainer who uses assistive technology daily, watch a live demonstration using a screen reader, learn about practices that affect accessibility, and take part in an interactive Q&A.
“This training goes beyond concepts and simulations. Participants will learn directly from a native screen-reader user and accessibility experts, offering an authentic, firsthand perspective on how people with disabilities navigate digital environments. Through personal storytelling and a live demonstration using assistive technology, participants will see how design decisions can open doors or create barriers,” the announcement stated.
A recording of the session will be made available for those unable to attend live. Instructions for accessing the recording will be emailed after the event.
Kathy Eftekhari, Interim Associate Vice President for Administrative Services and Chief of Staff to the Vice President at UC ANR, encouraged participation regardless of technical background: “This session is ideal for everyone, regardless of role or technical proficiency. Together, we’ll build a foundation for creating more inclusive digital experiences across ANR.”