National Center on Disability and Access to Education (NCDAE)
Introduction
The National Center on Disability and Access to Education (NCDAE) was a federally funded initiative based at Utah State University that worked to improve access to education for people with disabilities through accessible technology, distance education, and inclusive digital learning practices.
Established in 2004 through the Utah State University Center for Persons with Disabilities (now the Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice), NCDAE addressed issues of technology and disability in education through research, policy development, training, technical assistance, and information dissemination. The project brought together a national network of educators, disability advocates, government agencies, researchers, and industry partners to promote equal access to educational opportunities.
WebAIM’s Role
WebAIM staff led the NCDAE project, contributing expertise in web accessibility, digital accessibility evaluation, training, technical assistance, and resource development. Through NCDAE, WebAIM staff helped advance accessibility awareness and implementation across educational institutions throughout the United States.
The work conducted through NCDAE helped shape many of the accessibility resources, training programs, and institutional support efforts that continue through WebAIM and other accessibility initiatives today.
Major Activities and Contributions
Over more than two decades, NCDAE supported a wide range of efforts to improve accessibility in education, including:
Technical Assistance and Training
- Providing guidance to educational institutions on accessible technology and digital learning practices.
- Delivering webinars, presentations, workshops, and consultations for educators, administrators, and disability service professionals.
- Supporting institutions seeking to improve accessibility of online learning environments and educational content.
Resource Development
NCDAE developed and maintained numerous resources designed to help educators and institutions improve accessibility, including:
- Accessibility cheatsheets and instructional materials.
- Articles and guidance documents addressing accessibility in education.
- Institutional planning and benchmarking tools.
- Webcast recordings, newsletters, and educational resources.
- Practical guidance for creating accessible digital content.
Research and Policy
NCDAE explored emerging issues related to disability, technology, and education and helped inform policies and practices that support equal access to educational opportunities. The center served as a national resource on accessible distance education and digital learning.
Community Building
NCDAE maintained a large network of national and international partners representing education, government, nonprofit organizations, and industry. This collaborative approach helped advance accessibility awareness and foster the sharing of promising practices across the education sector.
Notable Projects and Lasting Impact
Among NCDAE’s later initiatives was the Gaining Online Accessible Learning through Self-Study (GOALS) project, which focused on improving web accessibility in higher education through institution-wide planning, self-assessment, and continuous improvement. The project worked with accreditation organizations, educational consortia, and accessibility experts to encourage systemic accessibility efforts across colleges and universities.
NCDAE helped advance understanding of digital accessibility in education during a period of rapid growth in online learning and educational technology. Its resources, training activities, research, and partnerships contributed to greater awareness of accessibility responsibilities and opportunities across educational institutions nationwide.
Many of the principles championed by NCDAE remain central to the work of WebAIM and other accessibility initiatives at Utah State University.
NCDAE Resources
Although the NCDAE project has concluded, many of its resources continue to have historical and educational value. An archive of the NCDAE site can be found from the Internet Archive. Visitors seeking current accessibility guidance are encouraged to contact WebAIM.
Thank you to the many staff members, partners, funders, educators, advocates, and community members who contributed to NCDAE’s success and impact over the years.