Digital Access – Think. Explore. Learn. Share.

Celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)

In every post and online interaction, think, learn, and include digital access from the start. Accessibility is essential for people with disabilities and useful for all. But, various barriers often prevent equal access and limit equal opportunity for people with disabilities in digital content and online interactions. 

The third Thursday in May is Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking, learning, and sharing about digital access and people with disabilities.

Learn More and Participate: Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)
Web: Accessibility.Day

The Basics of Digital Access – Getting Started

Everyone can help and has a part in promoting and providing equitable digital access to all. Accessibility is not all “techie” or only for the designer or developer. Various resources and tools are available that “break down” best practices and can guide you in simple quick checks for digital access.

• Basics of Digital Access – Getting Started
  • Introduction to Digital Access
  • Background – User Experience and Perspective
• Quick Checkpoints for Digital Access
• ADA National Network – Digital Access Resources

Accessibility Plan, Policies and Statements

Accessibility should be included from the start and built-in throughout the process of design, development, and management to promote digital inclusion for the more than one billion people with disabilities worldwide. Ensure the purchase and provision of third-party digital products, technology, and services are also accessible.

Keep in mind that digital access is not a one-time checkbox, given the diversity of technology and users together with the continual, often critical, changing nature of digital content. It is vital to have accessibility contacts and policies in place.

• Accessibility Plan, Policies and Statements
• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
  • Spanish/ En Español
• Test and Evaluate – Digital Access
• Screen Reader Technology Access

Legal: ADA, Laws, and Cases – Digital Access

Be aware of your legal responsibilities for digital access under various U.S. Federal and state laws that may be applicable. Keep in mind that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that covers effective communication, equal opportunity, and non-discrimination for individuals with disabilities.

• Legal: ADA, Laws, and Cases – Digital Access
• ADA Title II and Digital Access
• Section 504, Healthcare and Digital Access
• Section 1557, Healthcare and Digital Access
• More Federal Guidance on Digital Access

Web Accessibility Quick Tips

• Get started and include digital access.
  • Set goals, plan, and check access from start to finish plus re-checks.
  • Have access policies, including for purchasing.
• Provide accessibility statement.
  • Link called “Accessibility” available in footer of website.
  • Page identifies your access commitment and contact if issues.
• Everyone can and has a role.
  • Font:  Use sans serif (example: Arial, Helvetica, Calibri, Verdana).
  • Color contrast and avoid use of color only for information.
  • Keyboard navigable: unplug your mouse and use tab key.
  • Text description for images (alt-text) and media (captions, transcript).
  • Magnification to 200% and reflow of content on mobile.
  • Captions for videos and transcripts for audio.
  • Links: clearly identifies what and where if read by itself (no ”click here”).
  • Social media: Camel case for hashtags (i.e. #BeAccessible)

More Resources on Digital Access

NOTE: This page provides an overview of digital access and basic resources to check, test, and evaluate access. This information is periodically updated as new information becomes available.

Digital Access Basic Resources: Get Started. Check. Test. Eval.
Web: ADASoutheast.org