Introducing Equalify: New Tool, Same Commitment
UIC transitions to Equalify for web accessibility monitoring and reporting
UIC Technology Solutions is entering a new phase in its commitment to digital accessibility and inclusive design. As part of this effort, UIC will transition from Deque to Equalify, a modern, open-source accessibility testing and reporting platform.
As part of this transition:
- Deque will be decommissioned on June 29, 2026.
- Units currently using Deque should plan to transition accessibility testing, workflows, and reporting to Equalify in advance of this date.
- Additional guidance, documentation, and resources will be shared to support a smooth transition.
Equalify will serve as the Accessibility team’s source of truth for determining whether a site meets accessibility requirements.
It will also serve as UIC’s centralized web accessibility testing hub, supporting campus-wide efforts to strengthen WCAG 2.1 AA compliance, improve accessibility monitoring and reporting, and enhance the digital experience for all users, including individuals with disabilities.
Why This Matters
Equalify takes a more targeted, efficient approach to accessibility testing than crawl-based tools like Axe Monitor. Instead of broad site crawls that can generate large volumes of duplicate or low-priority findings, Equalify scans specific, known URLs and CMS-driven pages directly from platforms such as Red and other WordPress-based systems.
This results in cleaner, more relevant reports that reflect actual UIC content, reduce time spent triaging noise, and help teams focus on fixing the issues that matter most. In a recent scan, Equalify reviewed approximately 1,700 pages at a cost of under $100, demonstrating its effectiveness and cost efficiency.
Equalify vs. Axe Monitor
- Equalify: Targeted page scans, high-signal results, lower cost, open source
- Axe Monitor: Broad crawls, more noise, commercial licensing
Timeline
Equalify will be rolled out in phases to support a smooth transition from Axe Monitor and ensure campus teams have time to prepare.
January 2026
The process began on January 9 with an internal release, allowing UIC Technology Solutions to validate functionality and workflows.
February 2026
Selected teams will participate in pilot testing to provide early feedback and help refine guidance and processes.
March 2026
There will be an Equalify soft launch for accessibility liaisons, along with training documentation to support early adopters.
April 2026
Equalify will be made available to the broader UIC accessibility community.
May 2026
The Technology Solutions Digital Accessibility team will gather feedback, address questions, and host Q&A sessions to support campus users and make final adjustments.
June 2026
Transition complete with UIC fully migrating from Axe Monitor to Equalify. Deque (Axe Monitor) will be decommissioned by June 29, marking the completion of the transition.
Timeline
2026 Timeline – Updated 01/2026
Where can I learn more?
Blake Bertuccelli-Booth, Assistant Director of Digital Accessibility Engineering, introduced Equalify, on January 29th. The session provided an overview of what Equalify is, how it supports web accessibility testing and reporting, and how UIC teams can use it to strengthen compliance and improve digital accessibility across campus.
What You Can Do Now
- Watch the January 29th Equalify introduction session recording.
- Begin planning for the transition away from Deque.
- Stay tuned for training opportunities, documentation, and onboarding resources.
- Check out the Equalify User Guide, a helpful resource with instructions on using the platform’s core features — from getting started to managing audits and monitoring compliance.
More information and registration details will be shared soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this happening?
Equalify offers a more targeted, cost-effective, and sustainable approach to web accessibility testing. Equalify allows UIC to scan specific, known URLs and CMS-driven pages, producing cleaner, more relevant results that better reflect real campus content.
Equalify vs. Axe Monitor
- Equalify: Targeted page scans, high-signal results, lower cost, open source
- Axe Monitor: Broad crawls, more noise, commercial licensing
By adopting Equalify, UIC is investing in a scalable, transparent accessibility strategy that better supports campus teams and prepares for the needs of future students.
Equalify will serve as the Accessibility team’s source of truth for determining whether a site meets accessibility requirements.
When will Axe Monitor no longer be available?
UIC’s access to Axe Monitor ends after June 29. Users should plan to transition their accessibility testing and reporting workflows to Equalify before this date.
If you or your team have been using Axe DevTools Pro or Deque University training courses, access to those resources will also end on June 29.
Additional guidance and resources will be shared to support a smooth transition to Equalify.
Will my existing Axe Monitor reports be migrated to Equalify?
No. Axe Monitor reports will not be automatically migrated. Equalify uses a different testing approach and reporting structure. Guidance will be provided on how to establish new baselines and begin tracking issues in Equalify. For additional transition details, including instructions on how to export historical data from Axe Monitor, refer to the article: How to Export Historical Data from Axe Monitor.
Will my accessibility scores change?
Possibly. Because Equalify scans selected pages rather than entire crawls, results may differ from Axe Monitor. Changes in scores do not necessarily indicate regressions—often they reflect more accurate, targeted testing.
How can I get access to Equalify?
Equalify requires a UIC account. Clients are invited to use Equalify by the Digital Accessibility team.
Who should I contact with questions or support needs?
Please reach out to accessiblity@uic.edu for any questions about user support, training or evaluation report.
Feature requests or bug reporting can be submitted directly to http://github.com/equalifyEverything/equalify/issues.