This year marks the 13th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)! It takes place on May 16th, 2024, and companies, nonprofits, and educational institutions hold numerous GAAD-related events (e.g., conferences, workshops, etc.) to draw attention to this universal celebration. The goal of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking, and learning about digital access and inclusion. Digital accessibility refers to the inclusive practice of removing barriers that prevent interaction with, or access to websites, digital tools, and technologies by people with impairments/disabilities. Knowing where or how to start can be a barrier for those interested in making technology accessible and usable for those with disabilities, and this day of awareness was created to provide resources to help with that dilemma. The idea of Global Accessibility Awareness Day started with a blog post written by a Los Angeles-based web developer, Joe Devon.
Upcoming Events!:
- Webinar – A Conversation with Alice Wong – Thursday, May 16th 12:00 pm CT
- This year, Workday is celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) by hosting a virtual conversation with disability activist, writer, media maker, and consultant, Alice Wong. Alice lost her ability to speak last year, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a lot to say. Register below to learn more about Alice’s disability advocacy, views on digital accessibility, the importance of community in combating ableism, and more.
- Webinar – AI, Accessibility and Users with Disabilities – Thursday, May 16th 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. CT
- Is artificial intelligence (AI) the solution that will fix inaccessible websites? Or does it cause more problems than it solves? Join WeCo’s Global Accessibility Awareness Day event, moderated by Paul Daye (Lead Accessibility Analyst at Visa Inc), to learn how AI impacts the digital accessibility of people with disabilities in both positive and negative ways.
- Webinar – 5 Recommendations on Supporting Neurodiverse Students in Teaching and Learning – Thursday, May 23rd 1:00 p.m. CT
- Discover how designing and facilitating classes with neurodiversity in mind can foster remarkable outcomes, including enhanced student retention, deeper comprehension, elevated achievement, and heightened course satisfaction. By embracing an inclusive approach, we not only empower neurodivergent students but also cater to the diverse learning needs of an under-served population, thereby fostering a more equitable educational landscape. The speaker, Dr. Sherri Restauri, is a faculty member in the Department of Psychology at Coastal Carolina. Dr. Restauri received the 2021 OLC Gomory-Mayadas Leadership Award in Higher Education for her contributions and in recognition of her leadership in the online education community, including her work on digital equity, accessibility, and online best practices in teaching and learning.