Thursday, May 15, is Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), a worldwide event dedicated to digital access and inclusion for people with disabilities. At Missouri S&T, accessibility is more than a legal obligation – It’s a commitment to equity, innovation and community.

Supporting students through accessibility

S&T’s student accessibility and testing office is dedicated to removing barriers and supporting student success. The team collaborates with students, faculty and staff to ensure that everyone can fully participate in the educational experience. Services include:

• Personalized accommodation plans
• Assistive technology, like screen readers and text-to-speech tools
• Accessible course materials
• Testing accommodations, including extended time and distraction-reduced settings.

Students can request accommodation through the MinerAccess portal. Staff are available to answer questions and provide guidance.

Advancing digital accessibility

Digital accessibility ensures that websites, apps and online resources are usable by everyone, including people with visual, auditory, motor or cognitive disabilities. When digital resources aren’t accessible, members of our community can be excluded from learning, services and campus life. By prioritizing accessible design, S&T creates a stronger, more inclusive environment for all.

With new federal ADA Title II regulations requiring accessible digital content by April 2026, S&T has established a Digital Accessibility Task Force. This group leads campuswide efforts to:

• Assess and remediate digital content
• Share resources and best practices
• Organize accessibility training and outreach
• Support departments in making their digital resources accessible.

A new digital accessibility website will soon provide resources, tools and updates for campus.

Looking ahead

Global Accessibility Awareness Day is a reminder that accessibility is a shared responsibility. Missouri S&T is committed to making both physical and digital spaces inclusive for all.

If you encounter any accessibility barriers while using our websites, applications, course materials or digital library resources, we encourage you to report the issue using the online form or contact Student Accessibility and Testing.