Digital accessibility is no longer a nice-to-have. With healthcare, employment, NDIS participant portals and government services all delivered online, an inaccessible website is the same as a locked door. Global Accessibility Awareness Day is the one moment each year that asks every designer, developer, business and decision-maker to stop and notice who is still being left outside.
Digital access is a fundamental right of everyone, but there is much work to do on ensuring the digital world is accessible and inclusive for all.
Technology has transformed the way people access healthcare, education, employment, and government services. Yet for those living with low vision, those who are hard of hearing, or those who struggle with motor impairments, and rely on keyboard navigation or adaptive hardware, digital spaces often prove difficult to navigate.
This is because many websites and apps are still being designed and built without accessibility in mind. To help draw attention to the issue, 15 years ago, inclusion advocates launched Global Accessibility Awareness Day.
Celebrated each year on the third Thursday of May, the aim of the day is to encourage people globally to think, talk, and learn about digital access and inclusion. More specifically, what it means for the 5.5 million Australians and the one billion-plus people around the world who live with disability.
The state of the web today
98.1% of one million home pages analysed by WebAIM in 2020 contained at least one accessibility failure, with an average of around 60 errors per home page.
Barriers to digital accessibility that still need to be overcome
In 2020, web accessibility specialist firm WebAIM analysed one million websites and found that 98.1% of home pages contained at least one accessibility failure.
On average, it discovered around 60 errors per home page, with the most common accessibility issues being:
- Low contrast text
- Missing image descriptions
- Empty links
- Unlabelled form fields
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is an international non-profit group that works with member organisations and the public to develop web standards.
W3C says access to information and communications technologies, including the web, is defined as a basic human right in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The web is fundamentally designed to work for everyone, no matter what hardware or software they are using, their language of choice, their location, or their ability. True web accessibility encompasses all disabilities that affect access to the web, including auditory, cognitive, neurological, physical, speech, and visual, it says.
W3C says
“For those who are living with disability, it helps remove barriers to communication and interaction that many face in the physical world. However, when websites, applications, technologies, or tools are badly designed, they can create barriers that exclude people from using the web.”
Just Better Care is leading the charge on web accessibility and inclusive design
For Australians living with disabilities, digital access barriers are much more than a minor frustration; they can mean being locked out of telehealth appointments, NDIS participant portals, employment opportunities, and essential government services.
Just Better Care is committed to providing a website that is accessible to all, regardless of ability.
As such, it adheres as strictly as possible to W3C’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. The technologies it uses include an AI-based application that runs in the background and optimises its accessibility level constantly.
What the Just Better Care website includes
Screen-reader and keyboard navigation tools
Optimised so people relying on adaptive hardware or keyboard-only navigation can move through the site without obstacles.
Font and colour adjustment capabilities
Visitors can adjust how content is displayed to suit their own vision needs and reading preferences.
Audio muting functionality
Sound and auto-playing media can be turned off, supporting users who rely on screen readers or are sensitive to background audio.
Epilepsy-safe design
The use of flashing or blinking animations and risky colour combinations has been limited to ensure the site is epilepsy-safe.
Compatibility with major screen readers
The website has been built to ensure compatibility with screen readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack.
Designed for cognitive accessibility to all
The site has various assistive features to help users with cognitive disabilities such as Autism, Dyslexia, CVA, and others. Each accessibility consideration is designed to help users focus on the essential elements more easily.
Where to find assistive technology and digital accessibility help
There are several recommended accessibility features, technology tools, and learning resources available for those who are living with disability and struggling to access key technologies, as well as for designers and developers to test the accessibility of their pages.
For people using assistive technology
Built-in features from major platforms
Google, Microsoft, and Apple have accessibility features such as scanners, screen readers, and keyboard shortcuts.
Other organisations, such as The Adaptech Research Network, have a library of free or inexpensive software useful to those living with disabilities.
For designers and developers
Tools to test and improve digital accessibility
For those involved in creating digital spaces, WebAIM has a free tool that can test the accessibility of pages.
The Paciello Group has a Colour Contrast Analyser tool that helps determine the legibility of text and the contrast of visual elements.
For anyone learning about inclusive design
A free starting point from the W3C
For designers and developers who want to improve their digital inclusion skills but are unsure where to start, W3C also offers a free digital accessibility foundations online course.
An invitation, not just an industry day
Global Accessibility Awareness Day is an invitation for everyone, not just developers or designers, to learn more and imagine the digital world without barriers.
Disability support services built around you
Just Better Care’s disability support services are designed around your goals, your routines, and your life, including helping you stay connected and engaged with your community. Contact your local Just Better Care office to find out how we can support your independence.
