Accessibility Professional Certification Grants

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.

Learn more about the CPACC grant program and apply. The deadline for applications is December 4, 2024, at 5 p.m.

Grants are no longer offered to complete the Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS) credential.

How do I mantain my certification?

 IAAP Certifications are valid for three (3) years. Membership in IAAP is required and Virginia Tech provides yearly IAAP membership to all employees. 

IAAP certification recipients can renew by earning Continuing Education Accessibility Credits (CAECs) through Professional Development or Sharing Your Knowledge. Each credential (CPACC, WAS, CPWA) has its own number of required CAECs.