Accessibility
A page within Accessibility
Access is Everyone's Responsibility
1,089
students registered with the Disability Resource Center in 2025
1 in 4
adults in the United States have a disability.
15%
of students enrolled in Wisconsin public schools have a disability.
Join us in creating an accessible campus!
UWL is committed to creating an accessible campus both digitally and physically. This webpage provides support for instructors and staff to create an accessible university for people with disabilities.
Digital Accessibility Support:
Start early
It's easier to make things accessible during their creation than after the fact.
Deadlines
We're obligated by federal law to have the work done by the following dates.
- April 1, 2026
UW Compliance Deadline - April 26, 2026
Federal Compliance Deadline
Start small
Make one document or course accessible first to get the hang of it before expanding your work.
Affected content
The following content types are required to be made accessible.
- Web content
- Canvas courses
- PDF, Word and other rich text documents
- Videos
Stay Optimistic
If you're having difficulty, know that there are people on campus who are able to assist or guide you.
Contacts
The Digital Accessibility Steering Committee is here to help guide you throughout this process.
- David Kim
Information Technology Services - Jake Speer
University Marketing & Communications - Kristin Koepke
Center for Advancing Teaching & Learning - Andrew Ives
Disability Resource Center - Steven Dennis
Business Services > Purchasing
Learn More
Our work is guided by policies and standards that promote equal access for people with disabilities.
- UW Accessibility of Web Content & Mobile Apps: Guidance | Policy
- UW Guidance on Digital Accessibility Compliance
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1
- Americans with Disabilities Act Guidance on Web Accessibility
UWL is also committed to implementing disability accommodations for our campus community members.
- UWL Students - Disability Resource Center
- UWL Employees - Human Resources Reasonable Accommodations
Report Barriers
We want to know about accessibility barriers you may be experiencing so we can get that information to a university official that can work to remediate that barrier and/or offer a reasonable accommodation.
Grow Skills
The Universities of Wisconsin La Crosse ADA Title II Working Group has put together Canvas courses for instructional and non-instructional staff to increase knowledge and build digital accessibility skills.
Digital Accessibility 101: Non-Instructional Staff
Digital Accessibility Training: UWL Instructional Staff
Remediation
Remediation is the process of taking inaccessible content or structures and making them accessible. Remediation is an essential process in creating an accessible university. Below you will find a responsibility matrix and priority matrix that outline how UWL is moving toward digital accessibility.
Responsibility Matrix
This matrix outlines who is responsible for remediating inaccessible content. Please know that the Digital Accessibility Steering committee is here to support you in the process of remediation.
| Digital Content | Primary Remediator | Secondary Remediator | Campus-wide Oversight |
| Web Content | Content Creator | Department Head | University Communications |
| Digital Content | Content Creator | Department Head | University Communications |
| Purchasing Software | Procurement Initiator | ITS | Procurement |
| Current Software or Mobile App | Primary User | Department Head | ITS |
| Non-contracted Software | Staff or Instructor initiating use | Department Head | ITS |
| Learning Management System (Canvas) | Instructor | Department Head | CATL |
Roles & responsibilities
- Primary Remediator
Tasked with making inaccessible content accessible - Secondary Remediator
Supports the primary remediator in creating accessible documents - Campus-wide Oversight
Catalogs when and how content has been remediated, provides technical support when appropriate
Remediation Priority Matrix
| Level of control | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| High | Low | ||
| Centrality to mission | Central | red | yellow |
| Tertiary | yellow | green | |
High priority, high control
Digital content that is central to UWL's mission and UWL staff or instructors have high levels of control (e.g. UWL website content, UWL created documents, or contracted digital applications) will have the highest priority in remediation.
The Digital Accessibility Steering Committee is working across campus to identify and remediate high priority digital content. This may include working closely with vendors or remediating web content quickly.
Low priority, high control / High priority, low control
Digital content that is either tertiary to UWL's mission though we have high control or is central to our mission but we have little control over will have secondary priority in remediation.
Remediation of this content will be remediated in a decentralized manner utilizing the Responsibility Matrix.
Low priority, low control
Digital content that is tertiary to UWL's mission and UWL has limited control over is given the least priority as we move toward digital accessibility. Examples might include social media posts from student organizations.
Remediation will start with education for content creators and, once our high and medium priority content is remediated, more support and enforcement will be implemented.
Jon Ailabouni Assistant Teaching Professor | Music
Jeannette Armstrong Director - IPSE | Institute of Professional Studies of Education
Saharnaz Babaei Balderlou Teaching Assistant Professor | Economics
Jesimiel Banjiram Student Leadership Development Program Coordinator | Multicultural Student Services
Tracie Banning Academic Dept Associate | Educational Studies
Equity Liaison (not the official Department EL) and making sure students can find resources they need
Marisa Barbknecht Teaching Professor | Microbiology
Creating an inclusive classroom and supporting students with need for ACCESS
Douglas Baumann Professor | Mathematics & Statistics
Marjorie Bazluki Teach, Learn, & Technician Specialist II | Center for Advancing Teaching & Learning
Faith Beckman Human Resources Generalist - Employee Relations | Human Resources
Jennifer Bell Disability Services Advisor | Access Center
Alexis Bergstrom International Programs Manager | International Education & Engagement
Rupsa Bhowmick Assistant Professor | Geography & Environmental Science
Diane Block Lecturer | Educational Studies
Treasurer La Crosse Autism Foundation
Nilakshi Borah Professor | Finance
Beth Boser Associate Professor | Communication Studies
Cord Brundage Assistant Professor | Biology
Annabel Bruton Financial Aid Counselor | Financial Aid
Victoria Carlson Occupancy Coordinator | Residence Life
I support students seeking on-campus housing accommodations.
Sandy Chapman Assistant Teaching Professor | Accountancy
Renee Chrz Marketing Coordinator | Graduate Studies
Sierra Colavito Associate Professor | Biology
I'm committed to accessibility
Caleb Colon-Rivera Program Manager for Center Civil Engagement | Center for Transformative Justice
Kaylie Connaughty Web & Graphic Designer | Advancement
Beth Crosby Associate Professor | Marketing
Leah Davis Academic Advisor | Academic Advising
Tara Delong Associate Teaching Professor | Recreation Management & Recreational Therapy
I'm working to get accessibility right with!
Colleen Dixon Office/Testing Coordinator | Access Center
I will treat all students as individuals and will work with all students to provide the accommodations to which they are entitled .
Brad Dobbs Associate Teaching Professor | Management
Tony Docan-Morgan Professor | Communication Studies
Mehtap Eklund Associate Professor | Accountancy
Faye Ellis Teaching Professor | Biology
Each of us deserve to be listened to and supported in our learning journey, and listen to students with an open mind to help them best.
Graciela Engen Director of Institutional Research | Academic Affairs
Analyzing data to identify Disability Resource Center successes and challenges
Stewart Eskew Assistant Teaching Professor | Philosophy
Garrett Ewing Disability Services Advisor | Access Center
Luke Fannin Director Student Support Services | Vice Chancellor for Diversity & Inclusion
Shanna Felix Assistant Professor | Sociology & Criminal Justice
Jane Fredrick Academic Dept Associate | Psychology
Lisa Giddings Professor | Economics
Carissa Goddeau Executive Assistant II | Vice Chancellor for Administration & Finance
Angela Goethel Lecturer (SS) | Psychology
Taylor Hamblin Assistant Professor | History
Ye Han Associate Professor | College of Business Dean
Penelope Hardy Associate Professor | History
Attended ITI 2.0 UDL
Jacob Hart Associate Director Sdt Engagement & Ldrshp | University Centers
Patricia Hart Lecturer | Sociology & Criminal Justice
Use I use multiple instructional methods and provide multiple ways for students to demonstrate their knowledge
Reg Hawkins Assistant Director for Retention | Multicultural Student Services
Chris Helixon Pre-Health Advisor | Career Services
Jamie Henk Communications Specialist | University Centers
Margaret Henning Academic Advisor | Student Support Services
Amy Hewitt Talent Acquisition Specialist | Human Resources
Sarah Hines Career Development Coordinator | Career Services
Teri Holford Associate Professor | University Library
Library space and online content
Lisa Iverson-Leirmo Clinical Assistant Professor | Health Professions
Andrew Ives Director of Disability Resource Center | Vice Chancellor for Diversity & Inclusion
Coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities at UWL.
Shuma Iwai Assistant Professor | Race, Gender & Sexuality Studies
Sona Kazemi Assistant Professor | Race, Gender & Sexuality Studies
with passion and commitment.
Han Kim Assistant Professor | Exercise & Sport Science
Barrett Klein Professor | Biology
Lauren Klitzke Collection Development & Acquisitions Specialist | University Library
Kristin Koepke CATL Director | Academic Affairs
John Kovari Professor | Political Science & Public Administration
Amanda Krafft Program Coordinator for Community Engagement and Belonging | University Centers
Sierra Krueger Academic Advisor | Academic Advising
KJ Krzyzanowski Youth Program Specialist | Graduate Studies
Sadie Kuhl Assistant Director of College Pathways | Multicultural Student Services
Amy Lein Associate Professor | Educational Studies
Former special ed teacher
Lisa Lenarz Associate Professor | Art
Terry Lilley Associate Professor | Arts, Social Sciences, & Humanities Dean's Office
Megan Litster Associate Professor | Health Professions
Sumei Liu Professor | Biology
Deborah-Eve Lombard Lecturer | Art
Weixu Lu Assistant Professor | Communication Studies
Christine Manno Assistant Professor | Management
I am committed to behaving in a caring manner that protects the safety, interests, & rights of all individuals in the classroom and at UWL.
Andrea Matson Administrative Assistant II | Counseling & Testing
Blythe Mcconaughey Violence Prevention Specialist | Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Maggie Mcdermott Associate Professor | College of Business Dean
Ryan Mckelley Professor | Psychology
Shealyn McMahon Outreach Library Assistant | University Library
Wayne Means Assistant Professor | Recreation Management & Recreational Therapy
Christina Mehrtens Assistant Professor | Exercise & Sport Science
Neal Meier Web Developer | Advancement
By serving on IDAC as well as embracing my identity as a person with a disability, I am committed to accessibility.
Laurie Miller Teaching Professor | Economics
Taylor Cole Miller Assistant Professor | Communication Studies
Hayley Moe Academic Advisor | Academic Advising
Kendall Morgan Assistant Professor | University Library
Thank you for this experience!
Emily Moua Multicultural Admissions Counselor | Admissions & Recruitment
Emily Moua Multicultural Admissions Counselor | Admissions & Recruitment
Eileen Narcotta-Welp Associate Professor | Exercise & Sport Science
Stacy Narcotta-Welp Vice Chancellor | CHANC| Chancellor's Office
Jodie Novak Lecturer | Educational Studies
Ashley Nowak Director Center Civil Dialogue & Engagement | Vice Chancellor for Diversity & Inclusion
Jenny Ottinger Office Manager | Budget Office
I take pride on making time to help anyone that request my support/advice.
Melina Packer Assistant Professor | Race, Gender & Sexuality Studies
Access is key to disability justice!
Chloe Petty Admissions Application Review Specialist | Admissions & Recruitment
Mariah Pfundheller Assistant Professor | Educational Studies
Former Special Education and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Teacher
Sam Pierce Admissions Associate Director (B) | Admissions & Recruitment
Stephanie Pope Vice Chancellor | CHANC| Chancellor's Office
Jackie Reed Teaching Assistant Professor | Communication Studies
Shreya Regmi Development Officer | Advancement
Lisa Savarese Associate Teaching Professor | Recreation Management & Recreational Therapy
I am committed to learning about each unique person and meeting them where they are on their journey.
Laura Schaffer Program Director - Occupational Therapy | Health Professions
Heather Schenck Professor | Chemistry & Biochemistry
I work to support unique needs of individual learners and I test and report on instructional designs to improve equity in learning outcomes
Edward Scholl Facilities Planner | Planning & Construction
Audrey Seitz Assistant Teaching Professor | Public Health & Community Health Education
Kenneth Shonk Professor | Arts, Social Sciences, & Humanities Dean's Office
Corey Sjoquist Assistant Vice Chancellor (Institute) | Academic Affairs
Terence Smith Teaching Professor | Communication Studies
Jake Speer Web & Design Services Director | Advancement
Steph Speer Teach, Learn, & Technician Specialist I | Center for Advancing Teaching & Learning
Amber Strother McNair Scholars Program Coordinator | Vice Chancellor for Diversity & Inclusion
Tori Svoboda Professor | Arts, Social Sciences, & Humanities Dean's Office
As a person with disabilities, I am committed to creating inclusive and accessible online courses.
Sarah Tackett Assistant Teaching Professor | Exercise & Sport Science
Let’s work together to help you be successful!
Erin Teegan Academic Department Associate | Accountancy
Tia Teske Senior Advisor | School of Education
Kerrigan Trautsch Administrative Assistant II | Multicultural Student Services
Eugenia Turov Director of TLC/Teaching Professor | University Library
Through promotion of campus resources for students and sharing my ident
Jenna Umberger Disability Services Advisor | Access Center
Willem Vanroosenbeek Student Affairs Director (C) | Vice Chancellor for Diversity & Inclusion
Crystal Vesperman Lecturer | Mathematics & Statistics
Heather Walder Assistant Teaching Professor | Archaeology & Anthropology
Organization and universal design in my Canvas pages provide multiple paths to success
Daniel Walsh Assistant Professor | Educational Studies
In course design
Maren Walz Chief Communications Officer | CHANC| Chancellor's Office
By ensuring that accessibility is a primary consideration in all we create in UComm, and for establishing a team culture around access.
Tasia Winrow Instructor | Accountancy
Ensuring my students are aware of the support that comes from the Accessibly office
Monica Yang Youth Protection Coordinator | Vice Chancellor for Diversity & Inclusion
Nhouchee Yang Web & Graphic Designer | Advancement
brainstorming to have more support!
Lei Zhang Associate Professor | English
Linli Zou Retention Specialist | Multicultural Student Services
Stay Committed
Making digital content accessible is a huge feat. But don't stop there! We must remain focused on digital accessibility going forward and pave a clear path for our campus community.