Resources and events for GAAD 2023!

Freya Robinson | 11 May 2023

GAAD logo in circle with keyboard icon. Text reads: Global Accessibility Awareness DayThe twelfth annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) takes place on Thursday, 18 May 2023. 

GAAD is an opportunity to talk, think, and learn about digital accessibility and get people thinking about how tech can help transform the lives of disabled people.

A 2023 WebAim analysis of one million homepages* outlined some common accessibility failures, that make the digital world more difficult for disabled people to nativate. For example, 83.6% of pages had low contrast text, and 58.2% had images with missing Alt Text.

These findings are in line with results from the AbilityNet Attitudes to Digital Accessibility survey, which found that despite widespread senior endorsement of accessibility and inclusion, most organisations still need to adapt their project processes to embed accessibility.

AbilityNet has many resources to help you ensure you meet accessibility requirements:

1. Access our eLearning modules Three smartly dressed people in workplace using laptops on desk, one of whom is sat in a wheelchair

Our online learning modules provide a cost-effective, customisable way to teach your staff about accessibility and inclusion. We have a variety of topics to choose from, and the choice to customise your learning modules to your organisation.

In our Office 365 course, learn how to make your content accessible and avoid making common accessibility mistakes highlighted in the WebAim million project. 

In our Accessible Workplace modules, learn language dos and don'ts and common accessibility issues, and recieve practical advice to avoid creating unnecessary barriers across all of the digital content you produce.

Find out more about eLearning

2. Discover how accessibility removes barriers

In addition to GAAD, this week also brings Mental Health Awareness Week! Our range of lived experience courses offer an insight into the lives of disabled people, and the assistive technology that is beneficial to them in everyday life. 

Meet one of our trainers, Adam Tweed, who discusses what can help people with mental health conditions in the workplace: 

Access the recordings of our lived experience training courses

3. Learn from our free Accessible Procurement webinar

It's important to make your own products and services accessible, but have you also ensured that any third-party products you buy in to your organisation are also accessible? 

Join guests from AbilityNet, Google, University of Westminster and Funka for a free webinar 'How to improve accessibility in procurement' on Tuesday 27th June 2023 at 1pm BST. Profile images of George Rhodes and Susanna Laurin. Text: Free Webinar. How to improve accessibility in procurement. Tuesday 27th June 2023 at 1pm BST. George Rhodes, The University of Westminster. Susanna Laurin, Funka

In the webinar, you will:  

  • Learn how accessibility professionals from Google, University of Westminster and Funka are connecting with their procurement teams  
  • Discover how procurement impacts everyone, including your customers and employees   
  • Get information on how procurement impacts the public sector  
  • Have an opportunity to pose your questions about accessible procurement to the panel

Learn more about the webinar and panellists

Register for the webinar


4.  Join our accessibility training courses 

Enjoy affordable high-quality online training courses to help you build skills in accessibility and inclusive design.
Here are some upcoming training courses that you could attend: 

Discover more training courses

Get 10 training courses for the price of 8

To help you get even better value in the year ahead, we have a 10 for the price of 8 bundle on 2023 AbilityNet online training courses for you and your team to enjoy. 
Book your training bundle 


5. Listen to our podcast with GAAD co-founders

Find out the GAAD co-founders' accessibility tips for the future - we spoke to GAAD co-founders, Jennison Asuncion and Joe Devon, as part of our Accessibility Insights webinar series. 

Listen to the podcast where GAAD's co-founders discuss hybrid events and the #GAADPledge, and more:

(Download the transcript)

We have more great episodes featuring insights, interviews, and the latest updates from key movers and shakers in the world of accessibility and digital inclusion on the AbilityNet Podcast.
Access more episodes of the AbilityNet Podcast


6. Book your free training sessions about disabilities 

Educate your charity or community group about disability and technology in AbilityNet's seven sessions to choose from. Attendees have the chance to learn more about mental health, online safety and scams, sight loss and hearing loss, and other topics, with lots of opportunity to ask questions!Alex Barker sitting on chair in training room with projector displaying on screen

"Well paced, informative. Learnt about technologies I didn't know existed eg: smartphones specifically for older people, which will have a real impact on clients I work with."
"Alex the presenter was very informative, he came across as friendly, funny and very knowledgeable and the slides were easy to follow and understand." 
Find out more and book your free sessions


7.  Choose from 100+ GAAD events and activities

Visit the GAAD website for a comprehensive list of all the GAAD events and activities taking place this year, around the world.

Join May's meeting of the International Ally Groups on 25 May, 3pm BST, to learn about innovative practice in course accessibility services and ask all the questions you ever wanted to ask about writing alternative text!

Further Resources