Accessibility Professional Certification Grants
About the grant program
Studying for the CPACC and WAS dramatically expanded my knowledge in almost every area of accessibility. I learned more about areas that I thought I knew well and gained depth in areas I didn't know well. TLOS' Accessibility Professional Certification Grant Program is the most rewarding program I've participated in while working in the Division of IT.
- Scott "Chandler" Chandler
Accessible Technologies awards grants to selected candidates throughout the university to become certified accessibility professionals. The program helps individuals deepen their understanding and skills in accessibility to better support people with disabilities. The program is based on the International Association for Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) certification in Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) credential.
The grant pays for exam preparation and exam fees. Those awarded grants participate in a learning community, which meets weekly with an experienced accessibility professional who can answer questions and demonstrate assistive technologies used by those with disabilities. Everyone who completes the program will receive the A11y Core (CPACC) badge. Taking the certification exam from IAAP is optional.
All Virginia Tech faculty, staff, and graduate students can access free membership in the IAAP.
CPACC
The CPACC certfication is a broad introduction into the landscape of disability and developing organizational maturity in accessibility. IAAP says:
The IAAP Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) credential is IAAP's foundational certification, representing broad, cross-disciplinary conceptual knowledge about 1) disabilities, 2) accessibility and universal design, and 3) accessibility-related standards, laws, and management strategies … The CPACC is the ideal credential for those who manage and support accessibility, but who may not personally design, implement, or evaluate the technical details of accessible solutions.
How do I apply?
CPACC grants are awarded twice a year in the fall and spring. A call for applications is published in the VT News Insider daily newsletter as well as a link to the application form will be added to this page.
The IAAP CPACC grants will not be offered during the fall semester 2024. Check back in late November 2024 for the next call for applications.
Grants are no longer offered to complete the Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS) credential.