Celebrating International Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)

By: Prudhvi Mandava

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than one billion people worldwide have visual, hearing, motor, cognitive, or other disabilities and impairments that present accessibility barriers to digital products such as websites, e-documents, and mobile apps. To help raise awareness and inspire practical solutions for addressing this global issue, Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) was born.

Held annually, this day of awareness is highlighted in driving discussions, advancements, and education around achieving digital accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities. Organizations are encouraged to host or attend webinars, presentations, in-person workshops, and courses designed to teach best practices and how to comply with legislation to create a digital user experience accessible by everyone.

According to The Valuable 500, a community of global business leaders and brands dedicated to disability inclusion in business, more than 30 percent of organizations have not begun taking action to address accessibility concerns. In addition, the group’s Valuable Truth 2022 Report found that, although 74 percent of companies advertise that they are an inclusive employer, only 54 percent have a disability inclusion accessibility policy in place.

Let the GAAD season serve as motivation to your organization to examine its current accessibility and inclusion efforts. And keep in mind that, although implementing digital accessibility compliance can be challenging, you don’t have to do it alone. Reach out to the experts at The 508 Institute to guide you along the way.