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UW CREATE

CREATE A11Y Bridge Funding

CREATE has established a small advocacy team and budget to support disabled CREATE students and faculty who are experiencing temporary barriers to accommodations. 

CREATE recognizes that the accommodation process can be frustrating and time-consuming for disabled individuals. Students and faculty may experience a lengthy gap between requesting and receiving accommodations. Professional activities hosted outside the UW may not be able or willing to grant accommodation requests. And, at times, an advocate is needed to help a student get accessible materials (PDFs, spreadsheets, videos, etc.) in a timely manner for their reading and research.

CREATE's icon: a human with a prosthetic arm holding up a lightbulb

This pilot program launched in March 2025 and is subject to change.

CREATE A11Y Bridge Funds may be available to help

A11Y Bridge Funds cover only a brief period of accommodation needs, and only those accommodations needed to participate in educational and professional activities. Any devices or equipment must be returned to CREATE at the specified end date or when the accommodation request has been met.

A11Y Bridge Funds do not substitute for the responsibilities that institutions have under federal and state law. They may be used for things the university has denied or is slow in providing.  

Appropriate uses of funds Funds cannot be used for
  • Services (CART, ASL, note-taking)
  • Supplies (braille paper)
  • Low-cost assistive technology (headphones)
  • Advocacy support such as an advocate attending a meeting or reviewing a request for accommodations
  • Durable medical products (wheelchairs, walkers)
  • Doctor appointments and health care

Some possible situations where this program might be relevant:

  • Accommodations have been applied for but have not yet been reviewed or granted.
  • A disabled student or faculty member has just applied for accommodations that may take some time to be granted.
  • Funding for accommodations to attend a meeting, workshop, or conference for professional development is not available from UW, an academic department, or a research team. 
  • An advocate is needed to help talk to the UW’s Disability Services Office or Disability Resources for Students about timelines and getting accessible materials (PDFs, spreadsheets, videos, etc.).

Applying for A11y Bridge Funding

Make sure you and your request are eligible for these funds

  • You, as the applicant, are a member of CREATE.
  • The accommodation need is short-term and has a clear end date. 
  • The need is for a professional or educational purpose.
  • The accommodation is for services, supplies, or low-cost assistive technology (AT). 
  • An accommodation request is in process with the appropriate UW office. 

Be prepared to discuss:

  • What accommodation is needed, and in what context it is needed
  • What steps you have taken to get your accommodation met, including, if applicable, the status of your accommodation request and how long you expect to need bridge funding. 
  • Other sources of matching funding (e.g., from a department or research team), whether already granted or possible
  • Estimated cost
  • A specific plan for what advocacy, services, supplies, or AT support would meet your need

Contact CREATE’s advocacy team

You may choose to have a conversation over email, or you can set up a time to meet on Zoom, phone, or in person.