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<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en"> <head> <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> <title>WebAIM: Celebrating WebAIM’s 25th Anniversary</title> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="/media/favicon.ico"> <link rel="home" href="/"> <link rel="search" href="/search/"> <link rel="alternate" href="https://webaim.org/blog/feed" type="application/rss+xml" title="WebAIM Blog"> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-Y41PF8WV9X"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-Y41PF8WV9X'); </script> <link href="/styles/main.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"> <link href="/styles/print.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="print"> <script src="/media/scripts/jquery.js"></script> <script src="/media/scripts/main.js"></script> <link href='https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Roboto:400' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css'> <link href='https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Kameron:400,700' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css'> <link href="/styles/documents.css?ver=2" rel="stylesheet"> <link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Open+Sans:400,400i,700" rel="stylesheet">  </head> <body> <div id="headcontainer" class="clearfix" style="background-image: url(/media/banners/community.jpg)"> <header> <div id="skiptocontent"><a href="#maincontent">skip to main content</a></div> <h2><a href="/"><img src="/media/logo.png" width="315" height="83" alt="WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind"></a></h2> <nav> <h2 class="hidden">Main Navigation</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/services/">Services</a></li> <li><a href="/articles/">Articles</a></li> <li><a href="/resources/">Resources</a></li> <li><a href="/projects/">Projects</a></li> <li class="current"><a href="/community/">Community</a></li> </ul> </nav> <div id="search"> <form method="get" role="search" action="/search/" id="sitesearch"> <p class="search"><span><label for="q">Search:</label> <input type="text" name="q" id="q"><input type="image" src="/media/template/search.svg" alt="Submit Search"></span></p> </form> <p class="intro"><a href="/intro">Introduction to Web Accessibility</a></p> <p class="training"><a href="/services/training">WebAIM Training</a></p> </div> </header> </div> <main id="maincontainer" class="clearfix"> <article id="maincontent"> <h1>Celebrating WebAIM’s 25th Anniversary</h1> <p id="breadcrumbs"><span class="hidden">You are here: </span><a href="/">Home</a> > <a href="/blog/">Blog</a> > Celebrating WebAIM’s 25th Anniversary</p> <div class="section post" id="post-2756"> <div class="entry"> <p>25 years ago, in October of 1999, the Web Accessibility In Mind (WebAIM) project began at Utah State University. In the years previous, Dr. Cyndi Rowland had formed a vision for how impactful the web could be on individuals with disabilities, and she learned how inaccessible web content would pose significant barriers to them. Knowing that higher education institutions could be a model for accessibility, she submitted for grant funding to increase awareness and education on this topic. Surprisingly, the Department of Education funded the project and WebAIM was born.</p> <p><a href="https://webaim.org/about/timeline">View a timeline of WebAIM’s 25-year history.</a></p> <p>With 3 staff members and a small budget, they began the work – the <a href="https://webaim.org/">WebAIM.org web site</a> was soon launched, then the <a href="https://webaim.org/discussion/">WebAIM email discussion list</a>. Educational <a href="https://webaim.org/articles/">articles</a> and <a href="https://webaim.org/resources/">resources</a> were created and trainings provided. Over the years the project grew and our online resources greatly expanded. Within a few years WebAIM was providing consultation services – <a href="https://webaim.org/services/training/">training</a>, <a href="https://webaim.org/services/evaluation/">web site accessibility testing</a>, and <a href="https://webaim.org/services/consulting/">other technical assistance</a> – all focused on WebAIM’s mission of <strong>expanding the potential of the web for people with disabilities by empowering individuals and organizations to create accessible content</strong>. </p> <p>As WebAIM proudly celebrates 25 years of advancing web accessibility, we鈥檙e thrilled by the great progress made in this field. Our <a target="_blank" href="https://webaim.org/projects/million/" rel="noreferrer noopener">WebAIM Million</a> work shows that many of the common accessibility issues from 1999 persist, but we remain committed to our vision of the web being universally accessible and we look forward to the next 25 years of achieving this dream.</p> </div> </div> <div class="navigation"> <div class="floatleft"></div> <div class="floatright"></div> </div>  <div id="blogcomments"> <h2 id="comments">Comments</h2> <div class="navigation"> <div class="alignleft"></div> <div class="alignright"></div> </div> <ol class="commentlist"> <li class="comment even thread-even depth-1" id="comment-322091"> <img alt='' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/684b4150c605202579d7a3a2dbf09b54?s=70&d=mm&r=r' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/684b4150c605202579d7a3a2dbf09b54?s=140&d=mm&r=r 2x' class='avatar avatar-70 photo' height='70' width='70' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> <cite class="fn">Paul Bohman</cite> <div class="commentdate"><a href="https://webaim.org/blog/celebrating-webaims-25th-anniversary/#comment-322091"> September 30, 2024</a></div> <div class="comment-content"><p>As one of those first 3 staff members, I have to say that it is both satisfying and surprising that WebAIM has lasted as long as it has, considering its humble origins. Congratulations to all the people who have been a part of WebAIM over all these years!</p> </div> </li> </li> <li class="comment odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1" id="comment-322707"> <img alt='' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/401d24c693f665ba3d2b0a63d0b6c6b7?s=70&d=mm&r=r' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/401d24c693f665ba3d2b0a63d0b6c6b7?s=140&d=mm&r=r 2x' class='avatar avatar-70 photo' height='70' width='70' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> <cite class="fn">Crista Vance</cite> <div class="commentdate"><a href="https://webaim.org/blog/celebrating-webaims-25th-anniversary/#comment-322707"> October 2, 2024</a></div> <div class="comment-content"><p>Congratulations on 25 years! It was incredible to be a part of WebAIM for 6 of those years.</p> </div> </li> </li> <li class="comment even thread-even depth-1" id="comment-322984"> <img alt='' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fb8707b187497444ee32896076b9f57b?s=70&d=mm&r=r' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fb8707b187497444ee32896076b9f57b?s=140&d=mm&r=r 2x' class='avatar avatar-70 photo' height='70' width='70' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> <cite class="fn">Vahid B.</cite> <div class="commentdate"><a href="https://webaim.org/blog/celebrating-webaims-25th-anniversary/#comment-322984"> October 3, 2024</a></div> <div class="comment-content"><p>I appreciate all your efforts to make the web accessible to everyone of all abilities. And I congratulate you on the 25th anniversary of WebAIM. Best Regards</p> </div> </li> </li> <li class="comment odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1" id="comment-323333"> <img alt='' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fac0652cd9e04ae2b81c9ef74973d5d2?s=70&d=mm&r=r' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fac0652cd9e04ae2b81c9ef74973d5d2?s=140&d=mm&r=r 2x' class='avatar avatar-70 photo' height='70' width='70' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> <cite class="fn"><a href="https://toptechtidbits.com" class="url" rel="ugc external nofollow">Aaron Di Blasi</a></cite> <div class="commentdate"><a href="https://webaim.org/blog/celebrating-webaims-25th-anniversary/#comment-323333"> October 4, 2024</a></div> <div class="comment-content"><p>From all of us here at Top Tech Tidbits, congratulations on 25 years!</p> </div> </li> </li> <li class="comment even thread-even depth-1" id="comment-324560"> <img alt='' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6b905e94f8db5ea098cd3395be4b831b?s=70&d=mm&r=r' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6b905e94f8db5ea098cd3395be4b831b?s=140&d=mm&r=r 2x' class='avatar avatar-70 photo' height='70' width='70' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> <cite class="fn"><a href="https://www.makethingsaccessible.com/" class="url" rel="ugc external nofollow">Steve Wilkinson</a></cite> <div class="commentdate"><a href="https://webaim.org/blog/celebrating-webaims-25th-anniversary/#comment-324560"> October 9, 2024</a></div> <div class="comment-content"><p>Congratulations for 25 years, and here’s at least 25 years more!</p> </div> </li> </li> <li class="comment odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1" id="comment-324634"> <img alt='' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a9b13cbee50bdcc059ef6d98a5a710e5?s=70&d=mm&r=r' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a9b13cbee50bdcc059ef6d98a5a710e5?s=140&d=mm&r=r 2x' class='avatar avatar-70 photo' height='70' width='70' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> <cite class="fn"><a href="https://www.popcorn-partyband.de" class="url" rel="ugc external nofollow">Chris</a></cite> <div class="commentdate"><a href="https://webaim.org/blog/celebrating-webaims-25th-anniversary/#comment-324634"> October 9, 2024</a></div> <div class="comment-content"><p>Congratulations on 25 years! Here’s to the next 25 years of success and growth…</p> </div> </li> </li> <li class="comment even thread-even depth-1" id="comment-324649"> <img alt='' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/728840a194acc19bb20a0482b7501851?s=70&d=mm&r=r' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/728840a194acc19bb20a0482b7501851?s=140&d=mm&r=r 2x' class='avatar avatar-70 photo' height='70' width='70' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> <cite class="fn"><a href="https://www.audioeye.com/" class="url" rel="ugc external nofollow">Alisa Smith</a></cite> <div class="commentdate"><a href="https://webaim.org/blog/celebrating-webaims-25th-anniversary/#comment-324649"> October 9, 2024</a></div> <div class="comment-content"><p>WebAIM’s outstanding tools, research, training, and articles, and community resources are peerless. Congratulations on these 25 years, and best wishes for 25 more!</p> </div> </li> </li> <li class="comment odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1" id="comment-325251"> <img alt='' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/b0d12b0d352dee274a06b666e37ef90e?s=70&d=mm&r=r' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/b0d12b0d352dee274a06b666e37ef90e?s=140&d=mm&r=r 2x' class='avatar avatar-70 photo' height='70' width='70' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> <cite class="fn">Priti Rohra</cite> <div class="commentdate"><a href="https://webaim.org/blog/celebrating-webaims-25th-anniversary/#comment-325251"> October 11, 2024</a></div> <div class="comment-content"><p>Huge congratulations on the 25th anniversary!<br /> Webaim has always been a great resource for learning and sharing accessibility knowledge. Your contributions to the Accessibility Industry are unmatched. Kudos to everyone who has been part of this remarkable journey! </p> <p>Wishing Webaim and team rocking next 25 years!!</p> </div> </li> </li> <li class="comment even thread-even depth-1" id="comment-327682"> <img alt='' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ee64a8dd9caff8e64190a8c504d5d179?s=70&d=mm&r=r' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ee64a8dd9caff8e64190a8c504d5d179?s=140&d=mm&r=r 2x' class='avatar avatar-70 photo' height='70' width='70' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> <cite class="fn">Benni E</cite> <div class="commentdate"><a href="https://webaim.org/blog/celebrating-webaims-25th-anniversary/#comment-327682"> October 17, 2024</a></div> <div class="comment-content"><p>Thank you so much for your efforts and congratulations on this milestone! 25 years is awesome!</p> </div> </li> </li> <li class="comment odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1" id="comment-330169"> <img alt='' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/674171d6022102a2a5679830f27b4e17?s=70&d=mm&r=r' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/674171d6022102a2a5679830f27b4e17?s=140&d=mm&r=r 2x' class='avatar avatar-70 photo' height='70' width='70' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> <cite class="fn"><a href="https://runbot.co" class="url" rel="ugc external nofollow">Phil</a></cite> <div class="commentdate"><a href="https://webaim.org/blog/celebrating-webaims-25th-anniversary/#comment-330169"> October 24, 2024</a></div> <div class="comment-content"><p>Congratulations! I鈥檝e learned a lot over the years and often refer back for best practices. Thank you for your dedication!!</p> </div> </li> </li> </ol> <div class="navigation"> <div class="alignleft"></div> <div class="alignright"></div> </div> </div> </article>  <aside id="articlemeta"> <div id="updated">September 30, 2024<br><br> <img src="/blog/authors/1.jpg" alt="" /><br>Jared Smith<br><br> <a href="https://webaim.org/blog/celebrating-webaims-25th-anniversary/#comments"><span class="comments">10 Comments</span><br /></a> </div> <div class="sidebox"> <h2>Search the blog</h2> <form role="search" method="get" id="searchform" class="searchform" action="https://webaim.org/blog/"> <div> <label class="screen-reader-text" for="s">Search for:</label> <input type="text" value="" name="s" id="s" /> <input type="submit" id="searchsubmit" value="Search" /> </div> </form> </div> <div class="sidebox"> <h2>Blog Archives</h2> <ul> <li><a href='https://webaim.org/blog/2025/01/'>January 2025</a></li> <li><a href='https://webaim.org/blog/2024/11/'>November 2024</a></li> <li><a href='https://webaim.org/blog/2024/10/'>October 2024</a></li> <li><a href='https://webaim.org/blog/2024/09/'>September 2024</a></li> <li><a href='https://webaim.org/blog/2024/07/'>July 2024</a></li> <li><a href='https://webaim.org/blog/2025/'>2025</a></li> <li><a href='https://webaim.org/blog/2024/'>2024</a></li> <li><a href='https://webaim.org/blog/2023/'>2023</a></li> <li><a href='https://webaim.org/blog/2022/'>2022</a></li> <li><a href='https://webaim.org/blog/2021/'>2021</a></li> <li><a href='https://webaim.org/blog/2020/'>2020</a></li> <li><a href='https://webaim.org/blog/2019/'>2019</a></li> <li><a href='https://webaim.org/blog/2018/'>2018</a></li> <li><a href='https://webaim.org/blog/2017/'>2017</a></li> <li><a href='https://webaim.org/blog/2016/'>2016</a></li> <li><a href='https://webaim.org/blog/2015/'>2015</a></li> <li><a href='https://webaim.org/blog/2014/'>2014</a></li> <li><a href='https://webaim.org/blog/2013/'>2013</a></li> <li><a href='https://webaim.org/blog/2012/'>2012</a></li> <li><a href='https://webaim.org/blog/2011/'>2011</a></li> <li><a href='https://webaim.org/blog/2010/'>2010</a></li> <li><a href='https://webaim.org/blog/2009/'>2009</a></li> <li><a href='https://webaim.org/blog/2008/'>2008</a></li> <li><a href='https://webaim.org/blog/2007/'>2007</a></li> <li><a href='https://webaim.org/blog/2006/'>2006</a></li> </ul> <p><a href="/community/rss">RSS Feeds</a></p> </div> </aside> </main> <footer> <div id="footerresources"> <div class="footerblock"> <h2 id="copyright">©2025 WebAIM</h2> <p id="contact"> Utah State University<br> 6807 Old Main Hill<br> Logan, UT 84322-6807<br> <a class="phone" href="tel:4357977024">435.797.7024</a></p> <div id="checkpage"> <h2>Check Your Accessibility</h2> <form action="https://wave.webaim.org/report" novalidate> <label for="waveurl">Web site address:</label> <input type="url" id="waveurl" name="url" title="Web site address"> <input type="submit" value="WAVE"> </form> </div> </div> <div class="footerblock"> <h2 id="blog">From the Blog</h2> <ul><li><a href="/blog/join-the-discussion/">Join the Discussion鈥擣rom Your Inbox</a></li><li><a href="/blog/severity-ratings/">Using Severity Ratings to Prioritize Web Accessibility Remediation</a></li><li><a href="/blog/25-tips/">25 Accessibility Tips to Celebrate 25 Years</a></li><li><a href="/blog/celebrating-webaims-25th-anniversary/">Celebrating WebAIM's 25th Anniversary</a></li></ul> </div> <div class="footerblock"> <h2 id="popular">Popular Resources</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/training/virtual">WebAIM Training</a></li> <li><a href="/standards/wcag/checklist">WCAG 2 Checklist</a></li> <li><a href="/newsletter">WebAIM Monthly Newsletter</a></li> <li><a href="/resources/contrastchecker">Color Contrast Checker</a></li> <li><a href="/resources/designers/">Web Accessibility for Designers</a></li> <li><a href="http://wave.webaim.org/">WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool</a></li> </ul> </div> <div id="footerlinks"> <ul> <li><a id="footercontact" href="/contact">Contact</a></li> <li><a id="footerabout" href="/about">About</a></li> <li><a id="footerrss" href="/community/rss">RSS Feeds</a></li> <li><a id="footertwit" href="http://twitter.com/webaim">Twitter</a></li> <li><a id="footercopyright" href="/copyright">Copyright & Terms of Use</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </div> </footer> </body> </html>