Global Accessibility Awareness Day started with a single blog post

🎉 Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day!! #GAAD 🎊

🧐 Did you know the idea of a Global Accessibility Awareness Day started with a single blog post written by a Los Angeles-based web developer, Joe Devon, back in 2011 titled, "CHALLENGE: Accessibility know-how needs to go mainstream with developers. NOW."? (Coincidentally on my birthday!)

I didn't!

After discovering the blog post, Jennison Asuncion reached out to Joe, leading them to eventually co-founding GAAD.

The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access/inclusion and people with different #disabilities.

1 billion people worldwide have disabilities (at least!).

Typically when we think of #accessibility, what comes to mind are physical tools like wheelchair ramps, elevators, accessible washrooms and parking, and automatic doors.

Removing digital barriers is often overlooked.

Developing websites and software that work with screen readers and provide alt-text for images and support keyboard only navigation is essential for fostering truly accessible online spaces.

From both a civil rights and a business perspective, people with disabilities are underserved by today’s digital products.

In 2020, WebAIM analyzed one million home pages for accessibility issues and found that 98% of homepages have at least one accessibility failure.

The Most Common Accessibility Failures (Web Home Pages):

🔅 Low Contrast Text

🧐 Missing Image Alt Text

⛓️‍💥 Empty Links

🏷️ Missing Form Input Labels

❎ Empty Buttons

😕 Missing Document Language

I am no expert on digital accessibility and I'm always trying to learn more and do better.

❓ What is something you want to learn more about today to make the online spaces you're a part of more accessible?