Digital Accessibility Champions Award
Recognizing UVA Staff Who Advance Digital Accessibility
The University of Virginia's Digital Accessibility Champions Award recognizes staff members who demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to creating more accessible digital experiences for our community.
Across UVA, staff work every day to improve the accessibility of websites, documents, applications, courses, communications, and other digital resources. This award celebrates those who go above and beyond their role to advance digital accessibility and foster a more inclusive digital environment for students, faculty, staff, patients, and visitors.
The award is made possible through funding from Staff Senate's Hoos Making an Impact initiative.
Call for Nominations
Do you know a UVA staff member who has made a meaningful difference in digital accessibility?
We invite members of the UVA community to nominate staff colleagues whose work has improved the accessibility of UVA's digital environment. Self-nominations are welcome.
Nomination Deadline: October 15, 2026
Award recipients will be recognized during the Digital Accessibility for All Lunch & Learn on December 1, 2026.
What to Include in a Nomination
Nominators will be asked to describe:
- The nominee's role and responsibilities.
- The accessibility challenges or opportunities they addressed.
- The impact of their work.
- Examples of innovation or creative problem-solving.
- How the nominee has promoted accessibility within and beyond their area of responsibility.
Supporting materials and links may also be submitted.
Who Is Eligible?
Nominees must:
- Be employed as a staff member at the University of Virginia.
- Have made significant contributions to digital accessibility.
- Demonstrate impact beyond routine responsibilities through leadership, collaboration, innovation, or advocacy.
Award Timeline
Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| Mid-September 2026 | Call for nominations open |
| October 15, 2026 | Nominations due |
| October - November 2026 | Selection committee Review |
| November 2026 | Award Recipients notified |
| December 1, 2026 | Recipients recognized at the Digital Accessibility for All Lunch & Learn |
Selection Criteria
The Selection Committee will evaluate nominations based on the following criteria:
- Impact and Scope (30 Points)
How did the nominee improve the accessibility of UVA's digital environment? Consider the breadth and depth of their impact, including the people, systems, documents, processes, courses, or services affected.
- Innovation (30 Points)
What creative approaches, technologies, tools, or processes did the nominee use to advance digital accessibility?
- Championing Accessibility (30 Points)
How has the nominee gone above and beyond their role to create culture change, increase awareness, collaborate across units, or promote accessibility throughout the University?
- Eligibility (10 Points)
Verification that the nominee is a UVA staff member who has contributed to digital accessibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions?
For questions about the Digital Accessibility Champions Award, please contact: [email protected]
- Can I nominate myself?
Yes. Self-nominations are welcome.
- Who can submit a nomination?
Any member of the UVA community may submit a nomination.
- How are recipients selected?
Nominations are reviewed by the Digital Accessibility Champions Award Selection Committee using the published evaluation criteria.
- What do award recipients receive?
Recipients will be recognized publicly during the Digital Accessibility for All Lunch & Learn and receive a token of appreciation for their contributions.