Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2026: A web that works
Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2026: A web that works
On 21 May, people around the world will mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). It’s a day to stop and look at how well our digital world works – or doesn’t work – for people with disability.
GAAD began in 2012, started by web developer, Joe Devon, and accessibility advocate, Jennison Asuncion. Their goal was simple: get people thinking, talking and learning about digital accessibility. Fourteen years on, the need is still urgent. More than one billion people worldwide live with disability, yet many websites and digital systems still create barriers to basic participation.
Research backs this up. WebAIM’s annual review of one million homepages shows that more than 96% still have detectable accessibility issues. Poor colour contrast, missing alt text and navigation that doesn’t work with assistive tech are still common.
For job seekers with disability, these barriers can block access to work altogether. Employment websites, online forms, training portals and recruitment systems are often the first step in the job‑seeking process. If these systems aren’t accessible, people can be excluded before they even get the chance to apply.
Accessible websites aren’t a “nice to have” or a compliance box to tick. They’re essential infrastructure for inclusion. They allow people to search for jobs, complete applications, access services, and participate independently.
A web that works
This GAAD, Ability Works Australia is launching our campaign: A web that works.
The message is simple: digital spaces should work for everyone. And the best way to achieve that is to design and test with the people who face the greatest barriers. Lived experience isn’t optional.
As part of this work, Ability Works has partnered with OZeWAI – the Australian Web Accessibility Initiative. Together, we’re mentoring people with disability and building skills in website accessibility testing. This partnership creates real pathways into meaningful digital work, while improving the accessibility of Australian websites.
We’re starting by testing websites of providers within Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA). These reviews help identify barriers that may prevent job seekers with disability from accessing critical employment services online.
Creating a web that works for everyone starts with listening to them. It means involving people with disability early, not as an afterthought, and designing with inclusion from the beginning.
What we’ve shared in the lead‑up to GAAD
In the lead‑up to GAAD, we’ve began breaking down what “a web that works” looks like in practice. We’ve shared accessible branding principles, talked about how small design choices can remove barriers, and highlighted our own journey toward a more accessible brand. We also showcased our work with Wide Bay Advocacy – a reminder that accessibility strengthens identity rather than limiting it.
These posts all point to the same message: accessibility isn’t a one‑day event. It’s a series of everyday decisions that make digital spaces clearer, fairer and easier to use. And over the coming weeks, we’ll keep building on this, including a reflection from one of our staff members about what they’ve learned from hands‑on web accessibility testing.
Take action this GAAD
This Global Accessibility Awareness Day, we’re calling on organisations, employers and website owners to take practical steps:
- Test your website for accessibility.
- Include people with disability in usability testing.
- Listen to lived experience.
- Make sure your online services can be used by everyone.
A web that works isn’t created by accident. It’s built through commitment, collaboration and inclusive design.
If your organisation wants to improve website accessibility, Ability Works can help. Our accessibility and usability testing services involve people with lived experience of disability to identify real‑world barriers and provide practical, actionable recommendations.
Contact us