Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), commemorated this year on May 16, 2024, aimed to “get everyone talking, thinking, and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people (worldwide) with disabilities/impairments.” The GAAD Foundation, established in 2021, seeks to change the culture of technology and digital product development to include accessibility as a “core requirement,” with vision loss listed as one of the most common disabilities. Accessibility problems for people who are blind or have low vision, such as low contrast text and missing image alt text to describe visuals, are among the greatest causes of “accessibility failures.” To address the issues, GAAD offers a number of ways for individuals and groups to help any time of the year, including attending, hosting, announcing, and participating in events, activities, initiatives, or projects. For more information, visit the webpage for Global Accessibility Awareness Day.
Upcoming Webinars
“Diversability Unplugged: Disability and Employment Rights” will take place tomorrow, May 21, 2024, from 6 to 8 pm ET in person and from 6:30 to 7:20 pm via Zoom. The discussion will delve into “the intersection of employment law, disability rights, and advancing disability justice.” This event, hosted by Diversability, will be held in person in New York City, with the moderated conversation and Q&A live-streamed. For more information and for a link for tickets, visit the eventbrite webpage on DIversability Unplugged: Disability and Employment Rights.
The “Envision May 2024 Webinar: GAAD special”, providing “Envision Updates and Putting Accessibility Awareness into Practice,” is scheduled for May 30, 2024 at 12 pm ET. Envision’s Glasses, a form of wearable technology, provide real-time text recognition, voice controls, hands-free calling, and more, while their free app offers speaking written information on via a smartphone camera, describing surroundings, and other tasks. In addition to updates, the program will feature personal stories from users and insights on how to leverage AI tools and technologies for increased “information access and independence.” Find out more and register here to “Perceive Possibility” via the GAAD special: Envision Updates and Putting Accessibility Awareness Into Practice. For more information about technology offerings, visit the website for Envision.
