As we celebrate 10 years of Teach Access, we’re inspired by the students, alumni, educators, and partners who make this community so vibrant. In this update, you’ll find ways to share your feedback, join milestone events with leaders like Lex Gillette, explore insights from our Student Academy, and celebrate through our Bonfire store. Thank you for helping us shape the next chapter in building more inclusive technology and opportunities.
You’re Invited: A Virtual Event with Lex Gillette
Join us on Tuesday, April 21, from 2-3 pm ET, to hear from Lex Gillette. Lex is an acclaimed speaker, Teach Access Board of Directors member, and the most decorated totally blind long jumper in the U.S. Paralympic history. Together, he invites others to celebrate not just tools of access, but the profound potential unlocked when vision, perseverance, and opportunity rise as one. While attendance is free, donations are encouraged to support our mission as we continue to raise $1.5 million for the next 1.5 million students.
Celebrate our 10th anniversary with a special auction! Bid for a 30-minute 1:1 session, group training, fireside chat, or keynote delivered by Lex Gillette for your next ERG, BRG, or Lunch & Learn. Don’t miss this chance to learn from one of the best! Bidding opens Thursday, April 16, at 9 am ET and closes Thursday, April 23, at 4 pm ET.
Student Academy 2026 Recap
Last month, we hosted our 2026 Student Academy, bringing together students, educators, and industry leaders for two days of conversations about the future of accessibility in technology, design, and innovation.
If you missed the Academy, registration is still open to access the recordings once they are available. We encourage you to sign up and share with students and colleagues committed to building more inclusive technology and workplaces. Student Academy recordings will be available soon.
Alumni Network Feedback
We’re asking for your feedback! The Teach Access Alumni Network hosts quarterly meetups that connect our student and educator alumni with peers and partners across our community. We’d love your input to help design events that are meaningful, engaging, and aligned with what you want to achieve from the Teach Access network. This quick survey takes about 3–5 minutes and includes multiple-choice, checkbox, and two open-ended questions to help shape future alumni meetups. If you have any questions or would like help completing the form, please email [email protected]. Thank you for sharing your perspective!
T-Shirt Design Competition Closing Soon!
The Sunday, April 12 deadline is quickly approaching! To celebrate 10 years of accessibility education, we’re inviting our community to design an accessibility-focused T-shirt that is bold, readable, and inclusive. The top five designs will advance to a public vote, with the winning design announced on GAAD in May and featured in our Bonfire store. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this milestone moment—submit your design and access all materials (rules, logos, and brand guidelines) in Google Drive. Need materials in another format? We’re happy to help—just reach out.
Raising $1.5 for the next 1.5 Million Students
We’re almost halfway to our goal, and we still need your help. Teach Access is a vetted, approved nonprofit on the Benevity and YourCause portals, so if your company offers matching gifts, your impact could be doubled.
Teach Access Merch
Have you checked out the merch in our Bonfire store? To celebrate 10 years, we added a fun “Hot Dog!” mug and shirt to the collection.
