May 16, 2024, marks the 13th anniversary of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of digital access and inclusion for the more than one billion people worldwide with disabilities. Allyant is proud to join the global community in celebrating this momentous occasion, reflecting on the progress and work ahead to create a truly inclusive world.
GAAD, observed annually on the third Thursday of May, is a pivotal event encouraging discussions, reflections, and learning about digital accessibility. It reminds us of the crucial need to make digital platforms inclusive for all, fostering collaboration and inspiring collective efforts to ensure that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can access and benefit from digital technology.
This year marks a growing positive wave towards accessibility, with increasing awareness and proactive measures being taken by organizations and governments alike. For instance, this year’s GAAD celebration is particularly significant due to recent advancements in accessibility legislation in the United States.
On Monday, April 8, 2024, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland signed a final rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), clarifying the obligations of state and local governments to make their websites and mobile applications accessible. This rule ensures that people with disabilities can access critical services such as emergency information, healthcare, education, and voting information, which are increasingly delivered through digital means. Without accessible technologies, individuals with disabilities are at risk of being excluded from essential public services that others routinely use.
Additionally, on May 1, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through its Office for Civil Rights (OCR), updated the regulations to clarify obligations—the finalized a rule prohibiting discrimination based on disability. This rule, titled “Discrimination based on Disability in Health and Human Service Programs or Activities,” strengthens protections under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, advancing equity and ensuring that people with disabilities receive fair treatment in health and human service programs.
As we celebrate these and many more strides toward accessibility, we must acknowledge that despite significant progress, much work remains to be done to achieve a fully inclusive world with equitable access for all. Allyant is committed to making equitable access simple and seamless for organizations.
Our comprehensive suite of accessibility services and software solutions, including digital experiences, digital documents, and accessible print, is designed to eliminate the concerns and ambiguity associated with accessibility compliance. We empower organizations of all sizes and industries to deliver accessible communications that meet or exceed accessibility standards, helping them achieve their goals of supporting individuals with disabilities and ensuring equal access to information.
To further our commitment to accessibility and in celebration of GAAD, Allyant is hosting a FREE webinar. Join us for an informative session as we delve into accessibility solutions that empower organizations to achieve inclusivity and compliance in all their communications. This webinar will provide valuable insights into best practices and innovative strategies for ensuring digital, document, and print accessibility.
Title: Achieve Accessibility Excellence in All Your Communications: Digital, Document, and Print
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2024
Time: 1:00 PM EDT
Together, let’s celebrate GAAD by continuing the conversation about digital access and inclusion, and by working towards a world where everyone can fully participate in and benefit from the digital revolution.
