On Global Accessibility Awareness Day 15 May, everyone across the world remembers and emphasizes on a rather important topic—accessibility. The digital world shouldn’t leave out anyone, even those with disabilities.
From enlisting websites, the scope moves towards technologies, tools, and physical areas that everyone can use effortlessly. Creation of accessible digital environments opens endless opportunities towards education, employment and socialization for millions.
Join us as we delve deeper into this topic and discuss its significance.
What is Global Accessibility Awareness Day?
Global Accessibility Awareness Day 15 May is an international celebration. It was first initiated in 2012 with a very basic intent: take the initiative to converse, contemplate, and educate people regarding the digital accessibility and inclusion.
Often, those living with disabilities face barriers on the internet. While some websites are incomprehensible to screen readers, others are simply too difficult to navigate using a keyboard. A few websites fail to provide captions or use fonts that are legible.
This day takes digital designers and developers into consideration, including everyone who interacts with technology. The purpose is to ensure that the internet is usable by all individuals.
Why Accessibility is Important
We often overlook the fact that accessibility affects an extensive number of people around the world. More than a billion individuals live with some sort of disability, be it vision, hearing, mobility, or cognitive challenges.
Not having access to specific websites and applications means being excluded completely.
Everyone is in fact able to benefit from improving access.
- Improving text readability increases comprehension for all users.
- Noisy environments are less than ideal, so captions come in handy.
- Injuries or differing needs make keyboard navigation a lifesaver.
Global Accessibility Awareness Day 15 May draws attention to these issues and advocates for people to lead a full, connected life.
How You Can Support Accessibility
The perfect example: you don’t have to be an expert when it comes to technology. The following statements outline ways designed for everyone to take action.
1. Learn About Accessibility Tools
Familiarize yourself with screen readers or keyboard-only navigation. Take note of what does and does not work.
2. Use Straightforward Language
When composing for the web, prefer using basic vocabulary and short phrases. This benefits everyone.
3. Add Alt Text to Images
Describe pictures with words for individuals who are visually impaired. Most social networks allow users to add alt text.
4. Use High Contrast Colors
Colors that clash strongly are helpful to people with low vision, while increasing readablity for everyone.
5. Captions and Transcripts Must Be Added
Subtitle every video, while it is best practice to add text transcripts to the podcasts.
6. Lift The Topic and Discuss It
Advocate for what you find out regarding Global Accessibility Awareness Day 15 May. The more people known the more difference will be made.
The Effect of Including Everyone
Working to make digital spaces accessible helps and benefits more than one person. At the minimum, it contributes to strengthening the world.
These are the impacts of embracing accessibility to any of the businesses:
- Increased reach of customers.
- Improved reputation.
- Lower chances of legal problems.
Everyone who is digitally excluded benefits from this including students, job seekers, older adults, their families and caregivers.
When digital spaces become available for everyone avenues of opportunities will expand.
Global Accessibility Awareness Day: Events on 15 May
On this day Global Accessibility Awareness Day 15 May, events take place globally. These include:
- Workshops and webinars.
- Online testing for accessibility challenges.
- Expert talks and panel discussions.
- Community tries to make awareness campaigns.
You may freely access and participate remotely in these events and learn new things.
Moreover, they provide practical work and great learning opportunities.
Conclusion
In this context, Global Accessibility Awareness Day 15 May reminds us to focus on equal opportunities for all.
Now, it is time to foster the development of a digital gated community free world for all human kind. Every person has his or her part no matter if you are a teacher, designer, writer, or user.
Let us try together focusing on just one small achievement to begin with. The importance and ease for all of us when things are made easier is far from limited. Thus, in our making things accessible, we are in fact enhancing the ease for all of us.
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