At UC San Diego Library, accessibility isn’t just a goal—it’s a continuous commitment. The Library’s Digital Experience (DX) Team has been recognized by UC San Diego, taking home a prestigious 2024 Inclusive Excellence Award for their outstanding efforts in fostering an inclusive design culture, making the Library’s digital platforms more accessible and mentoring the next generation of design professionals.
This year, the DX Team reached a major milestone: ensuring that the Library’s core web pages comply with UC accessibility policies and meet WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) Level AA standards. This means that essential content is now more accessible to all users regardless of ability. The scope of their work was massive—resolving over 241,000 accessibility issues across 370 of the Library’s most visited web pages.
Behind this achievement is a dynamic collaboration between full-time staff and a dedicated group of student design assistants. Led by Web Manager Jenn Dandle, the team identified accessibility gaps, implemented solutions and developed new workflows that center user needs. The result? A more inclusive digital experience for everyone who relies on the Library’s online resources.
A key factor in the DX Team’s success is their apprenticeship model, which provides student employees with hands-on experience in digital accessibility. Many of these students come from underrepresented backgrounds and gain invaluable skills in design, accessibility audits and cross-functional collaboration. Their contributions are not only shaping the Library’s digital presence, but also preparing them for future careers in inclusive design.
“I learned so much about accessibility through this project,” said Marvin Ochoa Estrada, a recently graduated student employee on the DX design team. “Knowing that our work is making a difference for so many people has been incredibly rewarding.”
The impact of the DX Team’s work extends beyond the Library. Their efforts have influenced other units on campus to integrate accessibility into their digital initiatives, driving lasting institutional change. By embedding accessibility into every stage of the design process, they have set a new standard for how digital experiences should be built—with equity and inclusion at the forefront.
This recognition is a testament to the DX Team’s dedication and the power of collaboration. Together, they are shaping a more accessible future—one webpage at a time. Congratulations to the entire team for this well-deserved honor!
DX Team Members:
Jenn Dandle, Greg Ferguson, Chris Lopez, Tamara Rhodes, Jean Su, David Trujillo, Doug Worsham (DX Manager), Hannah Yick
Student Design Team Members:
Lana Arcinas, Dayrin Gutierrez, Chia-yu (Cindy) Chang, Bella Chen, Ada He, Issac In, Lily Jao, Mia Le, Emmanuel Leyva, Marvin Ochoa Estrada, Samantha Ta, Annie Wen, Aaron Wixson