5th Annual Digital Equity and Inclusion Week Begins March 2
UMass Amherst Information Technology (IT) will host the fifth annual Digital Equity and Inclusion Week (DEIW) from March 2-6, 2026. This year, the event is presented in partnership with Instructional Design, Engagement and Support (IDEAS) and University Relations with the theme of Equity through Accessibility.
All UMass Amherst faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend free sessions and events throughout the week to learn and engage in improving digital access and inclusion across campus. Events during DEIW will include information sessions on digital accessibility fundamentals, creating accessible courses in Canvas, best practices for social media, accessibility training for websites, and more.
Full schedule:
MONDAY, March 2
Digital Accessibility Fundamentals, 10 to 11:30 a.m., presented by Erica Foley, IDEAS instructional designer
TUESDAY, March 3
Accessibility in Social Media, 10 to 11 a.m., presented by Julia Jackson, executive director of Social Media, Office of News and Media Relations (University Relations)
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) Assistive Technology Roadshow, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, March 4
Canvas Access for All Sprint, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Designed to Be Heard: Web Accessibility for Everyone, 2 to 3 p.m., presented by Gail Gunn, IT digital access and usability analyst, and Tom Howe, IT communications coordinator and designer
THURSDAY, March 5
Meet Pope Tech: See How Accessible Your Canvas Course Really Is!, 10 to 11 a.m., presented by Erica Foley, IDEAS instructional designer, and Wayne Gagnon, Instructional Media Lab academic technologies support specialist
FRIDAY, March 6
Siteimprove Overview, 9:30 to 10:15 a.m., presented by Marcie Savoie, IT digital accessibility and assistive technology specialist, and Bill Leahy, web design manager, University Relations
In addition, IT Student Ambassadors will have a table in the Student Union on Tuesday, March 3, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Drop by to learn more about campus resources and win prizes.
For more information, including the full schedule with registration links, visit DEIW 2026.