Celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day

In today’s digital era, accessibility is more important than ever. The internet has become an integral part of our daily lives, serving as a hub for discussion, entertainment, information, and community. It has revolutionised the way we communicate, work, and learn, offering unparalleled convenience and efficiency. As a leading healthcare marketing agency, we recognise the critical role that accessible digital platforms play in connecting people with essential health information and services.

However, amidst the convenience lies a stark reality: approximately one billion people worldwide live with permanent or temporary disabilities. For these individuals, barriers to digital access can create significant challenges, limiting their ability to fully engage with the online world.

According to the WebAIM Million Report, 98.1% of home pages have some form of accessibility problem. Common issues include low-contrast text, missing alternative text for images, empty links, unlabelled form inputs and pages without defined languages.

It’s clear that there is a significant gap between website owners’ and developers’ understanding of digital accessibility and the pressing need for accessible websites and applications. This disparity underscores the importance of increasing awareness, education and the implementation of accessibility practices.

Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) plays a crucial role in bridging this gap.

What is Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)?

Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) is an annual event held on the third Thursday of May, aimed at increasing awareness and understanding about digital accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities and impairments.

It was first launched in 2011 by a group of web developers, designers and accessibility professionals who recognised the need for a global initiative to promote accessibility in digital technology.

GAAD encourages individuals, organisations and communities to engage in activities that promote accessibility, such as:

• Hosting events, workshops and webinars to educate people about digital accessibility best practices.
• Advocating for inclusive design principles and accessible technology standards.
• Providing resources and training materials to empower individuals to create accessible digital experiences.
• Collaborating with disability advocacy groups and organisations to raise awareness about accessibility issues and advocate for policy changes.

Participants in GAAD events have the opportunity to exchange experiences on accessibility, deepen their knowledge of the subject, talk to experts and connect with like-minded individuals who share a common goal: to make digital resources equally accessible to everyone.

If you’d like to participate, visit the Global Awareness Accessibility Day website to see what events are happening in your area or online.

How You Can Help Create An Inclusive Digital World

There’s no doubt that GAAD represents an important initiative when it comes to raising awareness among website owners, users, developers and designers about the importance of prioritising accessibility in the design and development of digital products and services.

However, GAAD is not just about awareness; it’s about moving from awareness to action. Regardless of your industry or role, everyone can contribute to creating a more inclusive digital community. Making your website accessible now not only keeps you competitive and mitigates legal risks but also aligns you with a global movement towards digital accessibility, actively participating in the changes GAAD promotes.

If you’re just getting started, you could see about getting an accessibility audit done. An audit helps you understand your website’s current accessibility status.

At Priority Pixels, we offer WCAG accessibility audit services designed to help your website comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Our audits also aim to enhance user experience, broaden your audience and protect your brand from legal risks. We thoroughly examine your digital presence, identify barriers that prevent full user engagement and provide actionable solutions that align with your business goals.

Priority Pixels’ Commitment to Digital Accessibility

At Priority Pixels, we are dedicated to making the web a more inclusive place, one pixel at a time. Our team of accessibility experts employs a meticulous approach to auditing, combined with a deep understanding of the latest standards and a genuine passion for digital inclusivity. We provide comprehensive assessments that go beyond mere compliance, aiming to create truly accessible and user-friendly digital experiences.

We take great pride in our partnerships with respected organisations like the East London NHS Foundation Trust, one of the UK’s leading specialist NHS providers. Our team of web developers is currently working closely with this NHS Foundation Trust to rebuild their website in compliance with WCAG 2.2 standards, ensuring it is accessible to all users.

By recognising and addressing the needs of people with disabilities in our design process, we strive to create a more inclusive world that benefits everyone. If you’d like to learn more about our accessibility audit services or any other services we offer, please reach out to our team.