---
title: May 21st Is Global Accessibility Awareness Day! Let’s Talk About What Accessibility Really Means
description: Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) highlights the importance of web accessibility for people with disabilities. Find out how to get involved!
image: https://neuronav.org/hubfs/128.jpg
---

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# May 21st Is Global Accessibility Awareness Day! Let’s Talk About What Accessibility Really Means

![A blind man wearing a headset while using Braille to listen to and read digital content from a computer](https://neuronav.org/hubfs/128.jpg)

It’s hard to believe that the word “accessibility,” at least in the context of helping people with disabilities, wasn’t widely used until the 1970s. The importance of [accessible public spaces](https://www.cpwd.org/blog/building-an-inclusive-society-expanding-public-accommodations) has led to much-needed improvements across the nation and world.

Accessibility means a lot more than wheelchair ramps at local businesses, though. Being able to access the internet is vital for keeping up with personal and professional obligations, yet many popular websites have much work to do in this area.

One great opportunity to advocate for improved digital accessibility is to get involved with Global Accessibility Awareness Day, or GAAD. Below, we’ll talk more about this important day and outline some ways you can help lead the charge in your community!

## What Is Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)?

What started as a blog post on a developer’s personal website in 20211 has since ballooned into a global day of awareness. 2026’s [GAAD](https://accessibility.day/) is the 15th edition of the now-annual effort to make digital accessibility a priority for technology companies and developers.

Every GAAD since 2012, the inaugural year, has fallen on the third Thursday in May. This year, GAAD falls on **May 21, 2026**.

In 2021, the GAAD Foundation was formed to centralize the many programs dedicated to digital accessibility. Each year, dozens of organizations offer [in-person and virtual events](https://accessibility.day/submit-your-event/) to help spread the word about online accessibility.

### What is digital accessibility?

Digital accessibility is the measure of how easy it is for neurodivergent individuals and people with disabilities to independently consume media online.

It’s estimated that more than one billion people across the globe—roughly one out of every eight—have some kind of a disability. Some people may have [visual impairments](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/visual-impairment-and-blindness) and need special screen readers to read websites. Others might have challenges using a mouse and, therefore, rely on keyboards to interact with frontend features.

Whatever makes using the internet difficult for you or a loved one, chances are that modern website accessibility tools can make things better—if only more website managers would use them.

## Why Digital Accessibility Matters

According to WebAIM, a nonprofit leading the charge for web accessibility, the home pages of the 1,000,000 most popular websites have an average of[**56.1 accessibility errors**](https://webaim.org/projects/million/) per page. **More than 97%** of the web pages analyzed by WebAIM had at least one accessibility error.

When you think about those statistics and apply them to the [16 percent](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/disability-and-health) of the global population with a disability, it becomes clear how much more can be done to meet the digital needs of everyone.

To help webmasters and technology developers make sites and apps more accessible, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) recommends a [four-pillar approach](https://www.w3.org/TR/UNDERSTANDING-WCAG20/intro.html). The pillars, or accessibility principles, are:

1. **Perceivability.** According to the perceivability principle, every single person should be able to use at least one of their senses to take in information from web pages.
2. **Operability.** This principle states that any user should be able to use interactive elements on web pages.
3. **Understandability.** Essentially, users should be able to comprehend the layouts and essential elements of websites.
4. **Robustness.** Accessible websites must work on a wide variety of devices and operating systems—not just desktop or laptop computers.

## What Digital Accessibility Looks Like: 7 Ideas & Tips

Knowing the best ways to improve website accessibility for disabled users can help everyone advocate for a more inclusive internet. Below are five ways to make websites more accessible for the [70 million Americans](https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s0716-Adult-disability.html) who have at least one disability.

1. Use high-contrast fonts and backgrounds to ensure people with visual impairments can easily read text.
2. Include alt text for images so people with screen readers can perceive them. In fact, semantic HTML tags for every button are helpful.
3. Wherever possible, use simple, easy-to-understand language for individuals with cognitive impairments. Enhance your text with headings and intuitive hierarchies.
4. Ensure users can interact with every element without having to use a mouse.
5. Offer enlargement options (ideally up to 200%) for on-screen elements.
6. Download a [browser extension](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/axe-devtools-web-accessib/lhdoppojpmngadmnindnejefpokejbdd) that checks websites for accessibility issues and suggests solutions.
7. Participate in GAAD events and tell your community about the importance of internet accessibility.

## NeuroNav is Committed to Increasing Digital Accessibility

Spreading awareness of digital accessibility is just one of the many ways NeuroNav advocates for people with disabilities. Our team is made up of experienced, knowledgeable [independent facilitators](https://neuronav.org/families) (IFs) who can guide a loved one through the Self-Determination Program in California.

Whether you’re interested in your child’s eligibility for the SDP, need a helping hand to guide you through the process, or want to get more out of the program as an existing customer, we’re here to help. [Schedule a consultation](https://neuronav.org/free-consultation) today to connect with our team.

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### [Accessible Voting & Supporting Voters with Disabilities: Know Your Rights](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/accessible-voting-voters-with-disabilities)

 July 4, 2024

 People with disabilities are eligible to vote in elections just like any other U.S. citizen. This was not always the...

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