Teach Access, a U.S.-based nonprofit, announced it has reached over 1.5 million students. This milestone surpasses its 2020 goal of 1 million students by 2030, almost 5 years ahead of schedule, as they continue to scale.
Teach Access addresses the Accessible Technology Skills Gap, the gap between the demand for accessible products and services and the shortage of recent graduates with digital accessibility skills. Closing this Accessible Technology Skills Gap means equipping the next generation of professionals with essential digital accessibility knowledge. With over 1.3 billion people in the world living with a disability, accessibility is critical for independence and equity. Through strategic partnerships with students, educators, industry, government, and advocacy organizations, Teach Access provides free programs and open educational resources to embed accessibility education into coursework across disciplines.
“We’re proud to hit this milestone so far ahead of schedule, but more importantly, we’re proud of how we did it, by providing completely free access to tools to teach accessibility education,” said Kate Sonka, Teach Access Executive Director. “As the demand for these skills grows, we remain committed to making this knowledge available to all students, everywhere.”
“This isn’t just a number, it’s 1.5 million students who are now more prepared to build a more inclusive digital future,” said Laura Allen, Chair of the Teach Access Board of Directors and Director for Accessibility & Disability Innovation at Google. “This milestone shows what’s possible when educators, industry leaders, and advocates come together to close the accessibility gap. By reaching and exceeding this ambitious goal, we are by no means done; we plan to accelerate the momentum and reach many more millions of students around the world in the years to come.”
Teach Access offers an ecosystem of free and open programs and resources that meet students, educators, and employers where they are:
- Fundamental Concepts & Skills Framework is a foundational guide that outlines core accessibility topics, goals, and learning objectives to help educators teach inclusive design across disciplines.
- Teach Access Curriculum Repository (TACR) is a collection of open educational resources (OER) developed by faculty, including syllabi, slide decks, assignments, discussion prompts, and quizzes to support teaching accessibility across disciplines.
- Online Accessibility Courses are self-paced modules that introduce educators to disabilities and accessible design principles, helping them confidently integrate accessibility topics into their teaching.
- Educator Programs, including the Teach Access Fellowship and By Design train-the-trainer programs, empower faculty to embed accessibility into their courses and lead accessibility efforts on their campuses.
- Student Academy is a free, multi-day learning experience that immerses students in accessibility principles and careers. A recorded version of the 2025 Academy is available online.
- The Accessibility Skills Hiring Toolkit is a practical guide for hiring managers and HR professionals, helping them recruit candidates with accessibility knowledge and build more inclusive teams.
Teach Access expanded its global footprint in 2025 by launching a Teach Access Europe steering committee and providing in-person training in Kenya, bringing accessibility education to new regions. Looking ahead, the 2025–2027 Strategic Plan focuses on expanding international partnerships, growing educator networks, scaling workforce tools for employers and job seekers, and keeping all resources and programs free to ensure broad and equitable access.
Teach Access is only sustainable through sponsorships and donations. To learn more or to support Teach Access, visit www.teachaccess.org.
