May 16 marks Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)—an annual celebration designed to get everyone talking, thinking, and learning about digital access and inclusion. With more than one billion people globally living with disabilities, GAAD is a reminder of the need to make sure digital assets, including websites, video, audio, and social media, are accessible to everyone.
As technology evolves and virtual meetings and digital communication have become a mainstay of working and learning together, it’s a perfect time to revisit how you can integrate digital accessibility best practices into your everyday work. This year, Northeastern’s GAAD activities focus on themes that are relevant and important for everyone in higher education, including:
- Mindful facilitation of meetings and presentations
- Inclusion and belonging through accessible social media
- Adopting formatting and writing habits for universal accessibility
Following Global Accessibility Awareness Day, you’re invited to attend the Accessibility Event Series presented by Northeastern University Future Leaders and The Disability Alliance:
- Accessibility Resources for Students, May 22 at 2 p.m. ET.
- Digital Accessibility Panel, May 30 at 2 p.m. ET.
- Supporting Faculty and Staff, June 5 at 2 p.m. ET.
Registration and a description for each event are available on the digital accessibility website.
Resources and Support
These live events are supplemented by resources and support available to everyone at Northeastern. Strengthen your commitment to accessibility for everyone by reading comprehensive guides for Microsoft Office, Communication, and Engagement on the digital accessibility website.
A list of university-wide accessibility and disability resources is also available to help you understand the services offered across Northeastern.