Digital Accessibility Support & Help

In collaboration with the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity (OEOD), the Division of Teaching Excellence and Innovation has established the Digital Accessibility Support and Help (DASH) Team to promote and enhance digital accessibility across campus. The DASH team works closely with faculty and academic units to foster an accessible learning environment at UC Irvine. They assist faculty, staff, and students in creating accessible Canvas spaces, lecture slides, instructional documents, graphics, and videos for all students via training workshops, one-on-one consultations, and troubleshooting assistance.

Did you know that under the updated ADA Title II regulations, all instructional materials and Canvas courses must be accessible to all students by April 24, 2026? Compliance with these federal standards is critical and the DASH team can help. You can reach us at digitalaccessibility@uci.edu if you have any questions or view the options below to request help.

The DASH Team

Megan Linos (She/Her)

Director of Digital and Online Teaching, Division of Teaching Excellence and Innovation (DTEI)

Megan Linos is the Director of Digital and Online Teaching at UC Irvine's Division of Teaching Excellence and Innovation. She facilitates the campus’ strategic direction in the area of digital learning and online education and supports faculty in delivering quality digital learning spaces for all students. Megan demonstrates a diverse background in faculty development, instructional technology, online education, and organizational development. She has a track record of excellence in cultivating cohort-based faculty learning communities, enhancing teaching with learning technologies, engaging students via digital active learning strategies. She has been serving as the principal learning architect for higher education institutions for over two decades, with several awards and accolades received. Megan’s leadership is recognized by the 2020 Dynamic Womxn of UCI Spotlight Award.

Andrew Berk (He/Him)

ADA Coordinator, Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity (OEOD) 

Andrew Berk is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator at the University of California Irvine (UCI). Andrew is responsible for ensuring that the University of California Irvine and UCI Health are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Fair Housing Amendments Act, and California state disability rights laws. Andrew monitors and improves compliance by working collaboratively with UCI students, faculty, and staff on architectural, programmatic, digital, and housing accessibility issues. In collaboration with UCI’s Emergency Management Department, Andrew rewrote UCI’s Emergency Operations Plan to incorporate accessibility into all levels of planning.

Kalea Conje (She/Her)

Major: B.S. in Cognitive Science

Academic Status: Sophomore (Graduation Year 2027)

Kalea is a sophomore majoring in Cognitive Science with plans to double major in Software Engineering. She is passionate about artificial intelligence and how emerging technologies can enhance human experiences. Kalea enjoys working with people from diverse backgrounds and actively supports international students at UCI by helping them with English and answering their questions about life in America, ensuring they feel welcome. This experience has deepened her commitment to promoting digital accessibility on campus. As a DASH member, she is dedicated to bridging opportunity gaps and ensuring all students have access to the learning resources they need to succeed. Outside of academics, Kalea enjoys playing the violin, traveling, and sharing good food with friends.

Alyas Thomas (He/Him)

Major: B.S. in Software Engineering 

Academic Status: Sophomore (Graduation Year 2027)

Alyas, a Software Engineering student at UCI, is passionate about leveraging technology to create accessible digital environments. Inspired by his experience with ADHD and supporting family members with disabilities, he is driven to design inclusive, usable, and empowering technology for all users. Alyas brings his skills in web development and assistive technologies to support campus accessibility initiatives and inclusive education. He values opportunities to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to make a broader impact. In the future, he hopes to specialize in accessible technology design and pursue advanced education to make a profound impact in this field. Outside of academics, Alyas enjoys working on cars, going to the gym, playing video games, and diving into software passion projects.

Daniel Kim (He/Him)

Major: B.S. in Computer Science

Academic Status: Junior (Graduation Year 2026)

Daniel Kim is a second-year Computer Science major with a minor in Bioinformatics at UC Irvine. He views computing as a tool for positive change—promoting accessibility, sustainability, and efficiency. These values fuel his passion for digital accessibility and his involvement with the DASH team, where he is eager to support efforts that make UCI a more inclusive learning environment. Daniel is driven by the goal of writing code that meaningfully improves people’s lives. Beyond his academic interests, he has a creative side—he enjoys exploring fashion, plays the trumpet in a local orchestra, and captures moments through film photography. Through both his technical skills and artistic passions, Daniel seeks to bridge innovation with empathy and impact.

Paige Townsend 

Major: B.S. in Software Engineering

Academic Status: Junior (Graduation Year 2027)

Paige is a Software Engineering student at UC Irvine with a passion for human-centered design and advancing digital accessibility. She is actively involved in organizing and leading student tech events focused on fostering collaboration and innovation within the campus community. She is eager to build her skills in UX design to support accessibility initiatives and contribute to creating inclusive learning environments. Paige is committed to using technology to make campus spaces welcoming and accessible for all learners. Outside of academics, she enjoys going to concerts, eating out with friends, and camping with family. Paige is excited to apply her creativity and technical skills to real-world challenges that improve user experiences for everyone on campus.

Andreana Kelly

Major: B.S. in Civil Engineering

Academic Status: Freshman (Graduation date: June 2029)

Adreana Kelly is a first-year Civil Engineering student at UC Irvine with a passion for inclusion and accessibility in academic and built environments. In her free time, she enjoys studying and listening to music to stay motivated. Through the DASH experience at UCI, Adreana looks forward to gaining hands-on experience, developing valuable skills, and learning how accessibility initiatives can create more inclusive spaces on campus and learn more about how digital accessibility can impact those in need. She is excited to grow personally and professionally while contributing to meaningful impact at UC Irvine.

Laila Guiterrez

Major: B.S. in Business Information Management (BIM)

Academic Status: Freshman (Graduation date: June 2029)

Laila Gutierrez is a first-year student majoring in Business Information Management (BIM). She has a strong interest in how technology and data can be used to support people and improve everyday experiences. Laila enjoys helping others and values working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, always striving to create a welcoming and supportive environment. Her passion for photography allows her to express creativity and capture meaningful moments, while playing volleyball has taught her the importance of teamwork, discipline, and resilience. Through both her academic and personal pursuits, Laila is motivated to grow, give back to her community, and make a positive impact on campus.

Bryan Diaz

Major: B.S. in Public Health Sciences

Academic Status: Senior (December 2027)

Bryan Diaz is a Public Health Policy student at UC Irvine, working towards their dream of ensuring equity in education and access for all. As a former member of the Calvin E. Bright Success Center, Bryan developed a bright passion for supporting student success by first learning from others and then sharing effective strategies to overcome academic and systematic barriers. Now with the DASH team, Bryan is dedicated to ensuring digital accessibility is seamlessly integrated into the foundation of UCI's learning environments. Bryan is ecstatic to contribute to building a sustainable foundation that champions inclusive practices to support students well after his time at UCI.

Micah Kim

Major: B.S. in Computer Science

Academic Status: Sophomore (Graduation date: June 2029)

Micah Kim is a Computer Science student at UC Irvine with a growing interest in web development and a career in full-stack software engineering. He is also curious about the AI field and how emerging technologies can be used to build more effective and inclusive digital experiences. Passionate about digital accessibility, Micah is eager to learn more about accessible design practices and contribute to creating technology that works for everyone through his involvement with the DASH team. Outside of academics, he enjoys watching and playing basketball and exploring new places to eat with friends.

Amber Cheng

Major: B.S. in Biological Sciences

Academic Status: Sophomore (Graduation date: June 2029)

Alumni