OTAN News

Digital Access and Inclusion on Global Accessibility Awareness Day

May 19 is the 11th Annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). GAAD is celebrated on the third Thursday in May and according to the organizers, the purpose of GAAD is "to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments.” The genesis of GAAD was a blog post in 2011 that asked web designers to urgently think about accessibility in their own practice and designate a day each year where people around the world try to raise awareness about the issues those with disabilities face each day with technology.

Two of the most valuable features on the GAAD website are its Participate page – how to participate directly on the day and spread awareness – and its Resources page, many resources which can also be explored on OTAN’s Accessibility Resources page.

These ideas and resources help us see how features and actions that we take for granted when using technology are potential obstacles for those with disabilities. The idea is that by being educated about accessibility issues and with a window into the experience of those with disabilities, this will help those who build, shape, fund, and influence technology and its use to include everyone and exclude no one.

Happy Global Accessibility Awareness Day! If you would like more information about accessibility issues or an introductory training, please email us at support@otan.us or call our office at 916-228-2580.