Accessibility Escape Rooms
Why I Created the Escape Rooms
I created the concept to gamify accessibility learning — helping to engage a wider audience with document accessibility. The aim is simple: create allies, raise awareness, and embed key accessibility skills in a way that is memorable, energetic and genuinely fun.
100% of participants said they loved it, found it innovative, and rated it as an excellent team‑building experience. Since the original competition, more than 60 public sector organisations worldwide have used last year’s materials.
The Competition
Virtual Document Accessibility Escape Rooms are a gamified learning experience that blends the thrill of a challenge with accessibility learning and team collaboration.
The first competition (pilot) launched in 2025. DWP and MOJ battled it out in the final to become the inaugural champions. All sessions were run during participants’ lunchtimes to maximise inclusion and minimise disruption. The winning team came from DWP.
With 28 teams and over 170 people taking part, the engagement levels and positive feedback were exceptional — paving the way for a much larger 2026 competition.
This year, twenty‑two (22) public sector organisations will compete across four rounds, with the final taking place on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. UN Website for information on International Day of Persons with Disabilities
2026 is set to be a bigger, better year — with an expected 100 teams taking part.
Key Facts
- No accessibility teams can take part.
- No accessibility specialists can be in teams.
- Focus is on accessible documents, but skills support web accessibility too.
- Teams must be between four and eight people.
- Escape Rooms run at lunchtimes and last 15 - 20 minutes.
- All sessions delivered over Microsoft Teams.
- All rules explained at the start of each room.
- Fully suitable for participants using assistive software and other disabilities.
- Additional support can be requested via the Microsoft Form.
- All teams agree to attend the results session on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Register Your Team
ThHe entry window is now closedThe 2027 registration link will appear here in July 2027.