The primary goal of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) is to raise awareness about digital accessibility and inclusion. The emphasis is on initiating conversations and encouraging people to recognize the importance of accessibility in promoting the inclusion of over 1 billion people with disabilities worldwide.
I. Access to Content
The primary goal of the Internet is to provide global access to data and communication for all users. However, for over 1 billion people worldwide with disabilities, navigating the internet is significantly more challenging than it should be.
According to the WebAIM Million Report in 2020, 98.1% of home pages have at least one WCAG 2.0 Compliance Error. On average, there are 69.1 errors per home page, rendering most websites inaccessible to people with disabilities.
II. Breaking Barriers
Various barriers exist for people with disabilities in the workforce, largely based on unfounded preconceptions.
According to a report by the International Labour Organization (ILO), approximately 368 million working-age people worldwide have a disability (UN Disability Fact Sheet). In certain countries, unemployment rates for this group can reach up to 80%, more than twice the rate for people without disabilities. The main reasons for this are:
- Employers believe that people with disabilities are unable to effectively perform their required tasks.
- Some employers think that installing special facilities would be too expensive.
However, statistics show that both of these beliefs are untrue. Around 56% of the accommodations required for people with disabilities cost nothing to implement, and in most cases, employers spend less than $600. Additionally, companies that hire people with disabilities often experience higher retention rates, reducing the high cost of employee turnover. It is essential that all digital platforms related to education, employment, or any other content are completely accessible to people with disabilities to help break down these barriers.
III. Building Awareness
It is important to raise awareness about the significance of accessibility on Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). Accessibility is something that many of us take for granted, and today, we should all take a moment to empathize with our fellow humans. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that numerous inequalities exist worldwide. However, if we come together as a community, we can face any challenges head-on.
If you have some time, please speak to individuals in your life who are living with disabilities. Use this opportunity to learn more about the struggles they face and how they utilize technology to overcome these challenges.