Accessible Event Champion Certificate Program

A diverse group of professionals are gathered around a conference room table. Image courtesy of Disability:IN.

Accessible Event Champion Certificate Program

Applications coming soon for the 2026 Cohort!

Sponsored by the Office of Disability Access and Inclusion/Office of Diversity and Outreach, the Accessible Event Champion Certificate Program is a new 5-part training course designed to equip UCSF event planners with knowledge and skills to plan accessible in-person, virtual, and hybrid events at UCSF.

The Accessible Event Champion Certificate Program introduces participants to foundational concepts for accessible event planning through lectures, guest presenters, independent learning, and a unique capstone project.

This course was developed in conjunction with the UCSF Toolkit for Planning Accessible Events created by the Office of Disability Access and Inclusion in partnership with the Committee on Disability Inclusion.

Program Overview

Who is this Certificate Program for?

  • The Accessible Event Champion Certificate Program is open to all UCSF Health and Campus staff and faculty with experience managing events at UCSF (i.e., conferences, meetings, events, and outreach activities, etc.).
  • To enrich the personal experiences and interpersonal interactions of participants, a limited number of applicants are selected to enroll in each cohort.

Program Format and Length

  • Five (5) 1.5-hour virtual training sessions spread across four months January - May 2026 (7.5 hours).
  • Approximately 3-4 hours of independent learning in between sessions (i.e., required readings)
  • A capstone project aimed to leverage knowledge and skills to further an accessible and inclusive campus climate.
  • Trainings will be facilitated once a month on Zoom from 12:00-1:30pm January - May 2026.
  • Attendance is mandatory; participants who are unable to attend the required sessions may be dropped from the program.
  • A certificate will be awarded upon program completion.

Dates

Coming soon!

Accessibility

UCSF welcomes all participants to our events. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event because of a disability, please contact Cecile Puretz at [email protected] as soon as possible.

Learning goals

  • Understand and apply key concepts from the UCSF Toolkit for Planning Accessible Events to design and produce in-person, virtual, and hybrid events to be accessible for all audiences.
  • Understand the roles and responsibilities of an Accessible Event Champion.
  • Learn to apply key concepts from the WCAG (Website Content Accessibility Guidelines) to all digital content, including websites, presentations, registration forms, emails, and marketing materials.
  • Know how to respond when a participant makes a request for a reasonable accommodation, and how to schedule accessibility vendors.
  • Leverage skills and knowledge learned to improve the climate for people with disabilities at UCSF.
  • Gain insight into personal perspectives from disabled accessibility consultants and community leaders.

Schedule At a Glance

Module 1: Foundations of accessible event planning

Module 2: Practical guidance for accessible event planning

Module 3: Effective communication and communication access for audiences with disabilities

Module 4: Digital accessibility: Accessible presentations, websites, and documents

Module 5: Building a community of practice & capstone project presentations

Facilitator 

Cecile Puretz

Cecile Puretz
Assistant Director, Disability Access and Inclusion
UCSF Office of Diversity and Outreach

Disclaimer

Guest Speakers: UCSF endeavors to create greater understanding and supports the exchange of diverse ideas. Views and opinions of guest speakers on campus are their own and may not reflect the perspective of the University.