GAAD Co-Founders Joe Devon and Jennison Asuncion receive AbilityNet Tech4Good Special Award 2026

AbilityNet CEO Amy Low celebrates the lasting impact of the founders of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) and their contribution to digital accessibility worldwide. 

What is Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)? 

Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) is an international movement dedicated to raising awareness of digital accessibility and inclusion. Since its launch in 2012, GAAD has encouraged organisations, developers, designers and technology leaders to consider how digital products and services can work better for disabled people. 

Today, thousands of events take place around the world each year, helping accessibility become a central part of conversations about technology, innovation, artificial intelligence and digital transformation. 

That global impact is why, as CEO at AbilityNet, I was delighted to present the AbilityNet Tech4Good Special Award 2026 to Joe Devon and Jennison Asuncion, the co-founders of GAAD. 

Recognising a lasting contribution to digital accessibility 

The Tech4Good Special Award is presented as part of the annual AbilityNet Tech4Good Awards, which celebrate the people and organisations using technology to make the world a better place. 

While many awards recognise a particular innovation, project or achievement, the Tech4Good Special Award honours individuals whose contribution has created lasting change across society. It recognises vision, leadership and commitment that continues to have an impact long after a single initiative has ended. 

Joe and Jennison embody exactly that. 

How GAAD began

In 2011, Joe Devon watched his father struggle to use inaccessible websites. Frustrated by the barriers people faced online, he wrote a blog post challenging technology professionals to think differently about accessibility. 

Accessibility advocate Jennison Asuncion came across Joe's post and immediately recognised the importance of the conversation. Together, they shared a simple but powerful belief: technology should work for everyone. 

That belief became Global Accessibility Awareness Day. 

The first GAAD was held in 2012. What started as a grassroots initiative quickly grew into a worldwide movement. Today, governments, major technology companies, global brands, universities, charities and public sector organisations mark the day each year, helping introduce millions of people to the importance of accessibility and inclusive design.

AbilityNet's long-standing support for GAAD

AbilityNet has proudly supported GAAD since its earliest days. 

Over the last decade, we have helped promote accessibility awareness through webinars, events, campaigns, training and community engagement activities. Every year, we see more organisations recognising that accessibility is not simply a compliance requirement — it is an opportunity to create better experiences, reach more people and build more inclusive digital products and services. 

The growth of GAAD has played a significant role in that progress. 

Why Joe Devon and Jennison Asuncion received the Tech4Good Special Award

Presenting the award at the AbilityNet Tech4Good Awards 2026, I reflected on the enormous influence Joe and Jennison have had on the accessibility community: 

"AbilityNet has proudly supported GAAD since its earliest days, and we have seen first-hand the difference Joe and Jennison have made to our community and to organisations around the world. 

What started as a simple challenge to think differently about accessibility has helped transform the way businesses, governments and technology companies approach digital inclusion. They have inspired people to start conversations, ask better questions and, most importantly, take action. 

The success of GAAD reflects the strength of the global community that has grown around it, but Joe and Jennison provided the vision and leadership that made it possible. We are delighted to recognise their contribution with the AbilityNet Tech4Good Special Award." 

Their influence extends far beyond a single event or campaign. They helped create a movement that continues to shape how organisations think about digital accessibility, inclusive design and equal access to technology.

Looking ahead: Accessibility in the age of AI 

The work of Joe and Jennison continues through the GAAD Foundation, established in 2021. 

At a time when artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are transforming the way people access information, services and experiences, accessibility remains more important than ever. The Foundation helps ensure accessibility stays firmly on the agenda as new technologies emerge and evolve. 

This focus is particularly important as organisations seek to create responsible, inclusive digital experiences that work for everyone. 

A community effort 

Accepting the award, Joe Devon was quick to acknowledge the community that has helped GAAD grow around the world: 

"People thank us and give us awards, which is very appreciated. But at the end of the day, it's the community that has made this happen. GAAD is actually all of you." 

That spirit of collective action has always been at the heart of the movement. 

What began as a conversation between two accessibility advocates has become a global network of people committed to making technology more accessible, inclusive and usable for everyone. 

Congratulations to Joe and Jennison 

On behalf of everyone at AbilityNet, I would like to congratulate Joe Devon and Jennison Asuncion on this well-deserved recognition. 

Their vision has helped transform accessibility from a niche topic into a mainstream conversation. More importantly, their work has inspired countless individuals and organisations to take practical steps towards a more inclusive digital world. 

For their leadership, commitment and lasting contribution to digital accessibility, they are worthy recipients of the AbilityNet Tech4Good Special Award 2026. 

• Learn more about the GAAD Foundation. 
• Explore AbilityNet's accessibility expertise.
• Discover all the winners from this year's awards.

Looking to improve digital accessibility in your organisation? AbilityNet's experts support businesses, charities and public sector organisations with accessibility audits, training, user testing and strategic guidance to help create digital products and services that work for everyone.

Create award-worthy accessibility

Stay tuned for individual winner features and case studies coming soon.