Skip to Main Content

This May: Celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day

by Elizabeth Parsons, IT Services • Published •
People using adaptive controllers at Miami's accessible gaming event

This May: Celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day

by Elizabeth Parsons, IT Services • Published •

Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) is celebrated every year on the third Thursday in May. This day focuses on removing digital barriers and creating inclusive technology for everyone.

May 21, 2026, marks the 15th year of GAAD. It started with a single blog post by a Los Angeles-based web developer, Joe Devon. Devon’s blog post explicitly called for a Global Accessibility Awareness Day: “This will be a day of the year where web developers across the globe try to raise awareness and know-how on making sites accessible.”

Devon teamed up with accessibility professional Jennison Asuncion to launch GAAD, helping people learn how to build a digital world that includes everyone.

Start the Celebration!

According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 6 people live with a disability. Making things accessible ensures that no one is left out. Celebrate GAAD by building some new accessibility practices. Here are a few ideas:

  • Run the Ally Accessibility Report and the new Canvas Accessibility Checker to make sure your course content works for all students.
  • Caption your videos. Ensure every student can follow your lectures.
  • Design accessible documents and emails. Use clear headings and high-contrast colors. Get in the habit of running available accessibility checkers each time you edit.
  • Describe your images by adding a short "Alt Text" description so people using screen readers don't miss the message.
  • Be inclusive on social media. When you post for a club or event, add captions to your videos and descriptions to your photos.
  • Become an advocate for accessibility in your classroom, office or department. Your voice helps drive change.

Accessibility is a journey, not a one-day task. By making small changes today, we build a better university for everyone.

For more information on how to get involved, find all of this year’s official GAAD events on their website!

Learn More

Tagged:
IT Services