May was filled with inspiring conversations and growing momentum for accessibility and inclusion. During Microsoft’s Ability Summit, Teach Access Executive Director Kate Sonka joined LinkedIn’s Rae Hinton, and Jordan Cowe and Kathy Dixon of Microsoft to discuss the skills needed for the workplace of the future, accessible tools and resources for career development, and the importance of scaling accessibility skills through partnerships.
This month also saw incredible energy around Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), with amazing events and campaigns worldwide helping raise awareness of digital access and inclusion, and of the importance of building technology that works for everyone.
10-Year Design T-shirt Winner
On GAAD, we announced Sarah MacFarlane as the winner of our 10-year anniversary T-shirt design contest! Sarah is a student at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), where she studies with Dave Moon, Professor of Art & Design. Dave is a longtime friend of Teach Access and attended the original kickoff meeting in 2016.
Sarah said, “For this design, I wanted to represent Teach Access’s 10 years of impact in a way that felt simple, modern, and meaningful. I used the number 10 as the main focus, with the bridge worked into the “1” to symbolize creating pathways and opportunities through accessibility. The connected orbit lines around the “0” represent technology, collaboration, and the network of people working toward more inclusive digital spaces in education and the workforce. The center icon symbolizes innovation and progress, showing how Teach Access continues to push accessibility forward. Overall, the design is meant to celebrate how far Teach Access has come while looking toward the future.”
Thank you to everyone who submitted their designs; it was a tight race. Sarah’s design is available on a t-shirt, hoodie, or hat and supports the $1.5 million for the next 1.5 million students campaign. Check out our Bonfire store. Congrats, Sarah!
Teach Access Recognized on Forbes’s Accessibility 200 List
We are honored to be included in this year’s Forbes Accessibility 200 list. To be recognized alongside so many organizations advancing accessibility and disability inclusion is truly meaningful. We remain deeply committed to preparing the next generation to design and build inclusive, accessible technology, and we are grateful for this recognition of that work. The full list can be found at the link below.
Teach Access Europe
Teach Access Europe is on a mission to transform accessibility education across the UK and Europe! With a passionate steering committee and three active working groups, supported by over two dozen volunteers, we’re making significant strides.
We’re developing surveys to understand how digital accessibility is taught and the challenges educators face. We’re also launching an Accessibility Skills Gap Survey to assess workforce demand and essential skills across industries.
Additionally, we’re reviewing materials from the Teach Access Curriculum Repository to ensure their relevance in UK and European educational contexts. Together, we’re building a more inclusive future!
If you or someone you know is interested in supporting our efforts, please reach out to [email protected]. For more information, check out this blog by AbilityNet!
Summer Institute
It’s almost time! Notifications will be sent on May 29 to those accepted into the 2026 Summer Institute. Please remember you must confirm your acceptance by Friday, June 5. If you have any questions, contact the Director of Education, Rolando Mendez, at [email protected].
Student Academy
The recordings from the 2026 Student Academy will be released in June! If you registered for the recordings, you will be notified when they are ready in the coming weeks. If you would like to receive notifications, please register using the form below.
Community Happenings
Disability Tech Index Survey
Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation (CPARF) and Remarkable U.S. are building the first free, public, searchable map of assistive technology — what exists, what works, and what’s still missing. They need voices from people with disabilities, caregivers, and professionals to make it real and meaningful. It takes 10–15 minutes, and when it launches, you will get free access to use it to search for your needs:
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
