Dear Sites@UMBC Community,
We're pleased to announce that Silktide, our new accessibility scanning and web governance platform, is now available for Sites@UMBC users. This marks an important milestone in our ongoing commitment to digital accessibility at UMBC.
What is Silktide?
Silktide is a comprehensive web governance platform that automatically scans your Sites@UMBC websites for accessibility compliance, content quality, and user experience improvements. It provides clear, actionable guidance to help you create more inclusive digital spaces.
The platform tests your website against WCAG 2.2 standards (up to AAA level), offers plain-English explanations for every issue, and includes video tutorials to help you understand and address accessibility barriers.
Phased Rollout Approach
We're launching Silktide in phases to ensure a smooth transition and adequate support for all users:
Phase 1 (Now Available): Initial 200+ Sites users who were previously using Monsido have been automatically migrated to Silktide with their website assignments intact.
Phase 2 (...also Now Available): Additional Sites@UMBC users who did not previously have access to Monsido can request access to Silktide.
Phase 3: (Coming Soon) All Sites@UMBC users will be imported into Silktide as a part of the larger upcoming UMBC Sites Digital Accessibility project. Stay tuned for more information!
How to Get Started
If You're a Phase 1 User (Former Monsido User)
Log in to Silktide at login.silktide.com using your UMBC credentials
Complete the required training "Getting started with Silktide" training, and "The Accessibility Module" in Silktide Academy (~30 minutes total). These trainings will be assigned to your account when it is created and you can find them under "Courses" in the Academy.
Submit a training completion request at umbc.edu/request/ to unlock your full reports
If You're Not Yet in Phase 1
You can request access now!
Request access for your website(s) at umbc.edu/request/
Complete the required training "Getting started with Silktide" training, and "The Accessibility Module" in Silktide Academy (~30 minutes total). These trainings will be assigned to your account when it is created and you can find them under "Courses" in the Academy.
After you've finished training, submit a training completion request at umbc.edu/request/ to unlock access to your website and reports.
Have a new website, or have questions?
Visit umbc.edu/request/ and select "Silktide Accessibility Scanning" to:
Add a new Sites@UMBC website to be scanned
Ask questions about the platform that cannot be answered by Silktide Support
What to Expect from Your Silktide Reports
Your reports have been customized for Sites@UMBC:
Focus on your content: We've mostly excluded template-related elements (headers, footers, etc.) that are managed centrally, so you'll see only issues related to your specific page content.
Head to this wiki page to see a few checks we recommend you ignore.Prioritized recommendations: Issues are ranked by severity and impact
Actionable guidance: Every accessibility check includes clear instructions and often a video tutorial
Progress tracking: Monitor your improvements over time with easy-to-share dashboards
Important Context
While Silktide is a powerful tool, it's important to understand its scope:
A perfect Silktide score doesn't guarantee full accessibility compliance
Manual testing and ongoing attention to accessibility best practices remain essential
Accessibility isn't a checklist; it's an ongoing process of creating content the right way
As we work toward the broad accessibility deadline in April 2026, Silktide will be your primary tool for identifying and addressing accessibility issues for Sites websites.
Training and Support Resources
Silktide Academy: Available within your Silktide account, featuring courses on accessibility, WCAG standards, and platform usage.
University Wiki: Getting started documentation and guides are now available here.
Request System: Submit requests, questions, or support tickets at umbc.edu/request/.
Our Commitment to Accessibility
This transition isn't just about changing tools. It represents our ongoing dedication to ensuring that UMBC's digital spaces are accessible to everyone. As Stephanie Lazarus reminded us, accessibility is everyone's responsibility, and we're taking that mission seriously.
Digital accessibility benefits all users by creating clearer, more usable websites. Whether someone uses assistive technology or not, accessible design improves the experience for everyone.
Looking Ahead
Over the coming months, we'll continue to:
Roll out access to all Sites@UMBC users
Develop additional training resources and documentation
Provide support and guidance as you work toward accessibility compliance
Share best practices and success stories from across campus
Questions or Feedback?
We want to hear from you! If you have questions, concerns, or feedback about Silktide:
Submit a support request at umbc.edu/request/
Reply to this announcement
Thank you for your patience during this transition. Your collaboration and commitment to accessibility are invaluable as we work together to create a more inclusive digital environment at UMBC.
Ready to get started? Log in to Silktide today and take the first step toward more accessible websites.
Sincerely,
Sites Team
Resources:
Silktide Academy: Available through your Silktide login
UMBC Accessibility Resources: Visit our Digital Accessibility homepage
Silktide Documentation: https://help.silktide.com/en/