The GAAD 2023 Challenges
Visit the Global Accessibility Awareness Day website
Global Accessibility Awareness Day is observed around the world on the third Thursday in May. The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments.
The Global Accessibility Awareness Day website contains a wealth of information, tools, and resources to advance understanding of accessibility. Visit the GAAD website to learn more about digital access and inclusion.
Review the IT Accessibility Policy and Standards
Most institutions of higher education have established policies and standards for accessibility on their campuses. Generally, an IT accessibility policy is an acknowledgement that a institution will diligently endeavor to provide accessible technology to their campus constituents, sometimes with caveats or limitations.
Accessibility standards describe how accessibility is defined. A document, website, or other technology might meet a standard if it includes text descriptions of images, labels its buttons in a particular way, or meets other accessibility criteria. The prevailing standard in higher education in North America is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, or "WCAG".
View the IT Accessibility Policy and Standards section of the Digital Accessibility website
Take the #NoMouse Challenge
For some people, using a mouse is not an option. Unplug your mouse, open up your favorite site, service, or app, and see how it works using only the keyboard for interaction. Get started with the NoMouse challenge (53KB).
Use an Accessibility Checker
Accessibility checkers are automated “push-button” features that check your digital content for accessibility. Chances are, there’s an accessibility checker built into at least one of the tools you use every day.
While automated accessibility checkers can’t report every accessibility issue in a document, they offer rapid scanning for single or multiple issues in a page, document, site, or application. To get started, check out the Siteimprove Browser Extension.
Add an “Accessibility” statement
One of the simplest ways to promote accessibility is to communicate your commitment to your audience.
- If you teach, be sure your course syllabus or description includes “Accessibility” information for students with disabilities. Include contact information for Student Disability Services
- If you operate a website, add an “Accessibility” link to your footer. This satisfies University policy, and gives your visitors a way to provide feedback on issues they encounter while visiting your site.
- If you support or manage a technical, academic, or administrative service, include “Accessibility” information to the information you provide to customers. Invite customers to provide feedback on any issues they experience with your service offering.
- If you or your group will be hosting events, don’t forget to include an accessibility statement for prospective attendees. University-approved language is located in the UI Operations Manual.
View the University of Iowa's Accessibility Statement
Siteimprove Quest for 99+
Siteimprove is an enterprise solution for web accessibility testing and reporting. As you identify and correct accessibility issues with your site, your Siteimprove score inches upward. If you have access to your site's Siteimprove account, see how many issues you can address as you seek a perfect Siteimprove score. Can you get past 90? 95?
Note that automated testing is only one aspect of accessibility testing--while you pursue your Siteimprove goals, consider manual testing processes as well!
Create your own Accessibility Challenge
After you've completed all of the other GAAD challenges, consider making your own. Learn to use a screen reader, get familiar with WCAG, try out some new development tools, or attend some online trainings. After you've created your own challenge, be sure to complete the user survey and share your experience.