Accessibility Spotlight

Individuals and teams across the university are doing their part to make digital information and experiences accessible to everyone at U-M.  

Do you know someone doing great work to improve digital accessibility at U-M? Join us in recognizing and celebrating those who are moving accessibility forward across campus and helping build a more inclusive Michigan. Nominate them for a Spotlight and help us celebrate the people making a difference—one action at a time.

Spotlights below offer examples of people who are leading this work through innovative solutions, unit-level engagement, and coordinated efforts. 

Headshot of Kelsey Arras, professional smiling person with curly brown hair wearing a sweater and a gold necklace against a gray background.
ADVANCE Creates A Culture Of Shared Accessibility

By: Anya Fuller

When the University of Michigan launched the Digital Accessibility Strategic Initiative in 2024, the ADVANCE Program began a comprehensive effort to improve digital accessibility across its research, programming, and communications.

The Law IT software development team, from left to right: Rich Savitski, Callie Masten, Law IT Director Huan Yan, Travis Frasier, Kevin Ross. We’re standing just outside Jeffries Hall, home to the Law IT offices.
From Inventory to Impact: Law School Builds Accessibility Into Every Step

When the Law School IT team faced the challenge of improving the accessibility of dozens of custom applications, Kevin Ross and developers Callie Masten, Rich Savitski, and Travis Frasier knew suc

Head shot of Rebecca Wenrich, who is wearing a black blazer and is framed with a blurred brown background.
Raising the Score for Accessibility in Kinesiology

Rebecca Wenrich is making a major impact in Kinesiology by helping faculty create more accessible Canvas courses for their students. Through hands-on, one-on-one support, Rebecca has partnered directly with instructors to improve course design, fix accessibility issues, and build confidence using accessibility tools and best practices.

Headshot of Naira Tumanyan, a middle-aged woman with curly light brown hair and blonde highlights, smiling at the camera. She is wearing a gray jacket over a dark navy top, with blurred green foliage in the background.
Beyond the PDF: Naira Tumanyan Expands Access Across Campus

Naira Tumanyan is helping the U-M community rethink one of its most common and challenging formats: the PDF. Through her work with the School of Music, Theater, and Dance (SMTD), she has led efforts to educate faculty and staff on when to use alternatives and how to remediate PDFs effectively.

Headshot of the Digital Accessibility Spotlight member, Duke Lorr.
Designed for Access: Duke Lorr Builds It Right from the Start

When it came time to refresh SW 601 in the School of Social Work, Duke Lorr, Learning Experience Designer, saw an opportunity to do more than update content; he rebuilt the course with accessibility at its core. 

Image of Kellie Grassman smiling in a candid shot while standing at an outside podium on a sunny day.
Engineering Access: CRLT-Engineering Builds a Culture of Inclusion

Kellie Grassman and the CRLT-Engin team didn’t just update Canvas content; they created a new standard for accessibility at the College of Engineering.