On the 15th of May, it is the 14th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). This event is dedicated to promoting digital access and inclusion for the over one billion people worldwide living with disabilities. GAAD serves as a reminder of the importance of designing digital experiences that are accessible to all, ensuring that technology serves as a bridge rather than a barrier.
Understanding the importance of GAAD
GAAD was established in 2012 to spark conversations and learning about digital accessibility. It emphasises that accessibility isn’t only a feature but a fundamental human right. Digital accessibility ensures that all individuals can independently interact with digital content, such as websites, mobile applications, or other digital platforms.
Despite advancements, many digital platforms remain inaccessible. For instance, a study by WebAIM (2023) found that 98.1% of home pages had at least one WCAG 2.0 failure.
Introducing AccessAngel
As part of our commitment to GAAD, it’s essential to highlight tools that aid in making the digital realm more inclusive. AccessAngel is a comprehensive website accessibility toolbar designed to improve the user experience.
Key features of AccessAngel:
- Customisable text display: Users can adjust text size and colour, choose from 14 different fonts, and modify line and letter spacing to enhance readability.
- Assistive technologies: The toolbar offers text-to-speech, speech recognition, magnification, translation, and keyboard navigation features, catering to a wide range of accessibility needs.
- Dyslexia support: With approximately 6.3 million people in the UK affected by dyslexia or similar conditions, AccessAngel provides tools to make content more digestible for these users.
- PDF accessibility: AccessAngel helps organisations ensure that important documents in PDF form are accessible to all users, maintaining compliance and inclusivity across all content formats.
- Screen mask: For users with visual processing differences or sensory sensitivities, the screen mask feature allows for focused reading by dimming surrounding areas of the screen, reducing distractions and eye strain.
By integrating AccessAngel, organisations can not only enhance their website’s accessibility but also demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity, potentially expanding their reach to a broader audience.
Taking action for GAAD
Global Accessibility Awareness Day is a call to action. Here are some steps organisations can take:
- Evaluate digital platforms: Conduct accessibility audits to identify and rectify barriers on websites and applications.
- Implement accessibility tools: Integrate the AccessAngel toolbar to provide immediate enhancements to the user experience.
- Educate and train: Organise workshops and training sessions to raise awareness about digital accessibility among staff and stakeholders.
Conclusion
As we celebrate GAAD 2025, let’s commit to creating a digital environment where everyone, regardless of ability, can access and benefit from the wealth of information and services available online. Using AccessAngel can offer practical solutions to longstanding challenges in digital accessibility
For more information on AccessAngel and how it can benefit your organisation, visit AccessAngel’s official website or email contact@myaccessangel.com
