Stony Brook University’s Finance & Administration Alliance for Culture, Diversity and Inclusion hosted the first session of the year of its “Building Bridges Allyship Series” on January 15, addressing digital accessibility and disability inclusion in advance of new federal requirements taking effect this spring.
The virtual workshop, hosted by the Alliance’s Education sub-committee and co-led by Joessie Mathews from Human Resource Services and Michael Ospitale from DoIT, focused on understanding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II requirements for digital accessibility and the importance of creating an inclusive workplace culture.
Digital Accessibility Support Specialist Daniel Gutz from the Office of Equity and Access served as the session’s panelist, explaining common accessibility barriers in the workplace and the importance of WCAG 2.2 Level AA compliance standards and beyond to support disabled members of the university community. Web Accessibility Manager and EIT Accessibility Officer Glenn Dausch joined the session to answer questions about best practices for ensuring university platforms meet accessibility requirements.
The workshop emphasized the distinction between the medical and social models of disability, highlighting how environmental barriers — rather than individual limitations — create exclusions. Participants learned about the four key areas of accessibility: physical, digital, social and systemic, and explored the difference between accommodations and proactive accessible design.
“As we approach the April 24, 2026 deadline for ADA title II digital accessibility mandates, it is crucial that our entire community understands both the legal requirements and the human imperative behind them,” said Mathews. “This isn’t just about compliance — it’s about ensuring that Stony Brook University is a place where every member of our community can fully participate and thrive.”
The session attracted attendees across the campus and participation satisfied volunteer criteria for the Wolfpack Academy badge.
Part II of the session is scheduled for March 2, with registration details to follow. The second session will delve deeper into technical practices and tools to help the university community move beyond basic compliance and toward building a culture of inclusion.
“Compliance is the floor, but inclusion is the ceiling. Part II will give our community the practical skills and resources to make accessibility the default in everything we do,” said Dausch.
If you missed the first session, watch the recording here.
For more information about the Building Bridges Allyship Series, visit F&A’s Alliance for Culture, Diversity and Inclusion website, and for more information about SBU’s digital accessibility initiatives, contact the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives.
The Finance & Administration Alliance for Culture, Diversity and Inclusion at Stony Brook University was founded in 2021, and aspires to cultivate a transformative environment. It fosters an inclusive community that values and empowers everyone to thrive, while promoting dialogue, a sense of belonging, and celebrating our values and differences.
