Home

Recognizing Global Accessibility Awareness Day

19.05.21

by ediTORIAL STAFF

In 2021, Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) is celebrated today (20 May) as it is marked annually on the third Thursday of May. GAAD launched in May 2012 and was inspired by a blog post by Los Angeles-based web developer Joe Devon. Devon worked with Jennison Asuncion, an accessibility professional from Toronto, to co-found GAAD.

19.05.21

by ediTORIAL STAFF

In 2021, Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) is celebrated today (20 May) as it is marked annually on the third Thursday of May. GAAD launched in May 2012 and was inspired by a blog post by Los Angeles-based web developer Joe Devon. Devon worked with Jennison Asuncion, an accessibility professional from Toronto, to co-found GAAD.

This day focuses on digital access and inclusion for more than one billion people in the world with disabilities and impairments. The purpose of GAAD is to get people talking, thinking and learning about digital access, inclusion and people with different disabilities.

GAAD’s target audience is those working in design, development, usability and other related communities who build, shape, fund and influence technology and its use. Every user deserves a first-rate digital experience, and this is something that the skills of the Deltatre team can help to achieve within the sports and entertainment industries.

At Deltatre, we understand the importance of accessibility and the ways in which it can remove barriers to educational and enjoyable content– particularly in the case of online sport and entertainment consumption. Many of our clients and prospects have well-defined accessibility requirements, and our products and projects endeavour to reflect that properly.

“Someone with a disability must be able to experience web-based services, content and other digital products with the same successful outcome as those without disabilities. This awareness and commitment to inclusion is the goal of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), that shines a light on digital access and inclusion for people with disabilities,” - globalaccessibilityawarenessday.org

To celebrate GAAD, some of the world’s leading technology companies are holding a series of online events and seminars that are free to join. There are more than 70 different events available to join online taking place all week, all of which can be found here, including Microsoft’s weeklong series of bitesize sessions covering a wide range of relevant topics.

I wish for a world that views disability, mental or physical, not as a hindrance but as unique attributes that can be seen as powerful assets if given the right opportunities.

Oliver Sacks

Accessibility allows us to tap into everyone’s potential.

Debra Ruh

Rosie Canale - VXP - AXIS - Product Owner


There are many benefits of global digital access and inclusion. Diversity brings with it increased perspective and a wealth of ideas. Not being limited in what you are able to consume also prevents those with accessibility needs from feeling alienated in society. Everyone should be able to engage and take part in a discussion of any topic, if they wish. I would hate for someone to feel that they cannot take part or be given the opportunity to understand something, because of things that are out of their control.

We need to keep people talking about Accessibility in order to keep it at the front of peoples’ minds. Working on the AXIS product at Deltatre has given me a lot more exposure to the considerations around accessibility than my previous roles. Because of this, I find myself naturally considering the need for accessibility - much more than I used to - when thinking about new features. Additionally, having a diverse workforce means having a diverse set of ideas. Many different viewpoints and backgrounds in a room during the ideating process encourages us to challenge the problem that we are trying to solve in different ways, and ultimately you get a better solution that satisfies a wider audience.

Public service broadcasters such as the BBC and Danish Broadcasting have a particular interest in accessibility requirements due to their position in society. Both of these Deltatre clients rely on Deltatre for WCAG compatibility* and to customize their apps to achieve high levels of accessibility. It is an ongoing topic of importance. (*’Web Content Accessibility Guidelines’ documents explain how to make web content more accessible to individuals with disabilities)

Richard Mills – Strategy and Design Director

Innovation thrives on diversity and inclusion. The collision of different voices, perspectives and experiences is how you grow and get to a better place together. It's important that the environment I work in reflects this stance, as it shows that Deltatre cares about these topics. 

The technology industry, and all others, should be encouraged to stop thinking about disability as only affecting the minority. When developing new technology, the industry must be acknowledging a wide and diverse audience. By adopting accessibility, you increase the number of people that can interact with your product, and engage with an audience that has perhaps not been catered towards. The latter is something we continue to consider and develop at Deltatre. 

In my opinion, global digital access and inclusion is something that everyone benefits from, as it is a good core business value and has a positive influence on the development of societies. Global digital access and inclusion brings about more opportunities and more leisure alternatives for those with a disability, which can then lead to a more inclusive society. 

A digitally inclusive community is important to economic and workforce development, civic participation, education, healthcare, and public safety, and Global Accessibility Awareness Day is just one of the ways in which we can remind people of this. 

Alongside our ongoing mission to create products that are widely accessible, at Deltatre, nurturing and growing a diverse and inclusive workforce is part of our global company strategy. Beyond this day, we continue to explore the ways in which we can be as supportive as possible for every employee.