As we near the end of summer, we celebrate our ongoing commitment to accessibility, ethics, and inclusivity in technology. This month, our community has participated in inspiring discussions, reached significant milestones, and prepared for the launch of our 2027 Fellowship Program.
In this newsletter, you’ll find highlights from our recent events, updates on our fundraising campaign, and ways you can support our mission. Together, let’s continue our journey towards a future where technology is born accessible!
Accessibility, Ethics, & AI Webinar Recording
The Teach Access Alumni Network recently hosted a moderated panel discussion on Accessibility, Ethics, & AI. The panel featured:
- Ariana Aboulafia, Disability Rights in Technology Policy Project at the Center for Democracy & Technology
- Jutte Treviranus, Director of Inclusive Design Research Centre (IDRC) and Professor in the Faculty of Design at OCAD
- University in Toronto. Rolando J.Mendez, Director of Education at Teach Access
All three panelists recently contributed chapters to Digital Accessibility Ethics: Disability Inclusion in All Things Tech, published earlier in 2026. Watch the recording to hear the panelists explore the intersection of accessibility, ethics, and AI
2026 Teach Access Student Academy Recordings
Don’t forget, the recordings are now available for the 2026 Student Academy! Watch on demand on YouTube now and share with your friends. Register for a link to watch the recordings at the button below!
Tune in to Teach Access on Podcasts by Dr. Kirk Adams
Dr. Kirk Adams is the former President & CEO of the American Foundation for the Blind, a visionary leader, transformative speaker, and lifelong advocate for disability inclusion. In this episode of Podcasts by Dr. Kirk Adams, he speaks with Teach Access leaders Kate Sonka and Mindy Kolin about accessibility. Kirk recounts his experience with Yahoo, while Kate remembers the 2016 kickoff, and they discuss training initiatives and celebrate reaching 1.5 million students early. The episode finishes with funding updates and European expansion plans.
2027 Fellowship Program Coming Soon!
We’re prepping for our 2027 cohort of Teach Access Fellows and will open applications this fall. The Fellowship is a year-long program for educators seeking strategies to incorporate accessibility into their curriculum. Follow us on social media and watch your inbox for when the application is live!
Campaign Update & 2027 Sponsorship Opportunities
We’ve raised $922,000 of the $1.5 million we’re hoping to raise in 2026. Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far! Now, we’re thrilled to roll out new ways to support our work in 2027, and you can pledge your support today!
Your sponsorship will help Teach Access:
Ensure Free, Open Access to Accessibility Education: By providing an Annual Corporate Sponsorship of $10,000 to $100,000, your investment helps ensure that cost is never an obstacle for educators training the next generation to create accessible technology.
Prepare the Workforce: By sponsoring our Student Academy event for $5,000 to $30,000, you enable us to expand our efforts to reach both current and future technology professionals.
Enhance Teach Access Europe: Your investment in the Teach Access Europe Founders Circle, ranging from €10,000 to €100,000 helps Teach Access reach more educators and students across Europe while strengthening a more inclusive technology workforce.
Join us in making accessibility education available to everyone and building a more accessible future. Pledge your support or email Mindy Kolin, Director of Development & Industry Partnerships, at [email protected] to discuss options. For more information click the button below all the options and perks.
Upcoming Events
We’d love to meet you in person! Check our upcoming travel schedule and let us know if we’ll see you there:
- Dreamforce, San Francisco, CA, September 15-17
- M-Enabling, Washington, DC, October 5-10
- The Harkin Summit, Des Moines, IA , October 21-22
- AFB Leadership Summit, Louisville, KY, October 26
- Accessing Higher Ground, Denver, CO, November 16-20
- TechShare Pro, London, UK, November 18-19
Connect With Us!
Join us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. Or contact [email protected].
Teach Access, 717 Coliseum Drive NW, Winston-Salem, NC 27106
Teach Access is a 501(c)(3) public charity registered in the United States, EIN #86-1697668. Contributions are tax-deductible. Please consult your tax advisor for applicable rules and regulations governing tax deductions.
