I’m excited to share a significant milestone in my accessibility career: I’ve officially completed all 45 Continuing Accessibility Education Credits (CAEC) required for my CPACC certification renewal, a year and a half before I was required to! It’s hard to overstate how meaningful this journey has been.

When I first earned my Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) credential, I knew it was just the beginning. The field of digital accessibility never stands still—there are always new standards, tools, and perspectives to learn. That’s why maintaining certification through continuing education isn’t just a checkbox for me; it’s a core part of how I grow as a professional and, hopefully, as a better advocate for inclusion.

Each of those 45 credits represents a deep dive into some aspect of accessibility, from the fundamentals of universal design to the latest advances in assistive technology. I spent hours studying the ins and outs of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), exploring new accessibility testing tools, attending webinars on inclusive UX, and engaging with case studies that showed accessibility in action. Some sessions focused on the legal and ethical imperatives behind accessibility, while others were all about practical, hands-on strategies to make digital products more usable for everyone.

Looking back, I’m amazed at how much I’ve learned and how far the field has come. For example, I gained a much deeper understanding of the nuances in WCAG 2.2 and how even subtle guideline changes can impact real users. I learned how to approach accessibility from both a technical and human-centered perspective—how to balance code-level compliance with the lived experiences of people using screen readers, keyboard navigation, head tracking, eye tracking, switch control, voice control, and more. The CAEC journey gave me a front-row seat to emerging trends like AI-powered accessibility tools, mobile-first inclusive design, and the unique challenges of making complex data visualizations accessible.

One of the most valuable takeaways was learning to approach accessibility as a team effort. Collaboration between designers, developers, content creators, and QA professionals is critical. I picked up new strategies for advocating effectively for accessibility within organizations, from building business cases to leading inclusive design workshops. The courses also reinforced the importance of empathy, not just as a buzzword, but as a skill that can be cultivated by listening to the real-world experiences of people with disabilities.

I also explored accessible document creation, learned how to audit web products for accessibility gaps, and discovered best practices for accessible social media and multimedia content. These tangible skills have already changed how I approach project planning and review. Just as importantly, I learned how to keep accessibility at the heart of conversations about innovation, making sure new technologies don’t leave anyone behind.

Throughout this process, I’ve become even more convinced that accessibility isn’t a one-time project or a set of rigid rules—it’s an ongoing commitment. The landscape is always shifting, with new devices, software updates, and user needs constantly emerging. Staying current is both a professional necessity and a personal passion.

I’m grateful to the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) for curating such a rich array of continuing education opportunities. The courses, workshops, and community discussions have challenged me, inspired me, and given me practical skills I can bring to my day-to-day work.

As I look ahead, I’m eager to put what I’ve learned into practice—whether that means helping a team build a more accessible app, training colleagues on inclusive design principles, or simply advocating for users whose needs too often go unheard. Accessibility is more than compliance; it’s about ensuring everyone has equal access to information, technology, and opportunity.

Thanks for celebrating this milestone with me. Here’s to continuing the journey toward a more inclusive digital world—one credit, one project, and one conversation at a time.