Evento: “Semana da Consciencialização sobre a Acessibilidade Universal: Chaves para as Pessoas” – Um Compromisso Prático e Estratégico com a Inclusão Enquadramento Estratégico e Objetivos: Alinhado com iniciativa do Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), o Município de Chaves (Portugal) promoveu a “Semana da Consciencialização sobre a Acessibilidade Universal”. Esta iniciativa constitui um pilar fundamental do desenvolvimento do Plano de Promoção da Acessibilidade Universal nos Espaços Públicos de Chaves e Vidago (PPAU). Mais do que focar-se na simples eliminação de barreiras arquitetónicas e físicas, o PPAU assume-se como um instrumento estratégico disruptivo, com o propósito de operar uma mudança cultural e de perspetiva, reconhecendo a acessibilidade como um direito fundamental inalienável e como um valor coletivo essencial para o desenvolvimento social, económico e democrático do território. A semana foi desenhada com uma abordagem multinível, estruturando-se em quatro eixos de intervenção direta: 1. Comunicação Institucional e Consciencialização Pública A iniciativa arrancou no dia 14 e termina no 21 de maio, com uma campanha de comunicação multiplataforma, amplificada na imprensa local e nas redes sociais. O objetivo foi convidar a comunidade à reflexão diária através de frases-chave impactantes. 2. Capacitação Técnica Nos dias 19 e 20 de maio, o foco incidiu na qualificação dos recursos humanos da autarquia, tendo sido realizadas ações de formação orientadas para o desenho universal, destinadas aos técnicos municipais que exercem funções nas áreas do planeamento urbano, gestão urbanística, projetos e obras públicas. 3. Ação de Empatia Crítica e Vivência em Espaço Público Ao final da tarde do dia 20 de maio, a teoria deu lugar à experiência prática na primeira pessoa. Numa ação de sensibilização de rua, decisores políticos e técnicos municipais, com a cooperação estratégica das associações locais parceiras, caminharam juntos e utilizaram equipamentos auxiliares de marcha e locomoção (como cadeiras de rodas, canadianas e periscópios invertidos, entre outros). Ao escutarem os testemunhos reais de pessoas com mobilidade condicionada e ao experienciarem fisicamente os obstáculos urbanos diários, todos reforçaram a consciência sobre o impacto real das barreiras arquitetónicas na autonomia dos cidadãos com limitações físicas, permanentes e temporárias. 4. Participação Cívica e Cocriação Sociocultural A noite do dia 20 foi realizada por uma Sessão de Participação Pública aberta a toda a comunidade. Neste espaço de debate, foram apresentados os estudos técnicos do PPAU atualmente em curso, permitindo uma aproximação entre a população e os gestores do espaço público. Os cidadãos submeteram contributos diretos para o plano, garantindo que o desenho da cidade reflita as necessidades reais de quem a habita. Este momento permitiu remover os desafios da invisibilidade, transformando o planeamento técnico num valor sociocultural partilhado e participado. Impacto Alcançado: Ao cruzar a sensibilidade política, o rigor técnico de engenheiros, geógrafos e arquitetos, a voz do associativismo local e a vivência dos cidadãos com deficiência, o Município de Chaves reforçou o seu compromisso em construir um território inclusivo, garantindo, assim, que todas as pessoas possam aceder, circular e participar plenamente na vida cívica, afirmando convictamente Chaves como uma cidade para TODOS, sem exceção.
Event Type: In Person Events
Small changes create a barrier-free campus. On Thursday, May 21st, the University will join the rest of the world in celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). GAAD is a time to pause and focus on how we experience digital content. The “Why” is critical: Digital accessibility isn’t just about compliance; it is about equity. By remediating a single document, web form, or syllabus, you are directly removing a barrier and ensuring that our entire university community—from students to the public—has an equal opportunity to access our digital resources. The “Power of One” Goal Our mission for GAAD is simple: We are asking every faculty and staff member to fix just one document or piece of content that day. To make this happen, we are hosting a hands-on event (in person at The CTL and online via Zoom) featuring inspiration from campus leaders, focused training on Canvas Panorama, and practical, personalized support from your colleagues. Oh, and lunch is included!
GAAD 2026 Event Schedule
Date: Thursday, May 21
Lunch is provided for all attendees!
Event Line Up:
11-12 Fix Your Documents (On campus or online)
12-1 Lunch & 10-minute Lightning Talks
1-2 Panorama Training
2-3 Fix Your Documents (On campus or online)
Location: The CTL (second floor of the library) & Online (Zoom).
Let’s work together to make our digital campus accessible for everyone—one document at a time!
A11y Bytes is back for its fourteenth year celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). This year, we’ll be hosting face-to-face events in Sydney and Melbourne. The heart of digital accessibility and inclusion is not about guidelines, codes or regulations. It’s about people, and life, and how we live, how we access information, and how our lives are affected by the technologies of today. As many as 500 people have attended online Bytes events, as well as physical events in Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney, making this the largest community run accessibility event in Australia. The event has since branched out into parts of New Zealand and continues to grow. You don’t have to be an accessibility aficionado to attend. This event is about us all talking, thinking and learning about digital accessibility and inclusion together. Take part in A11y Bytes and connect, be inspired and have some fun as we talk, learn, grow and change the world. Places are limited, so please RSVP to register so you don’t miss out! A11y Bytes will be live captioned. Captioning information will be sent to people who register ahead of time. If you’re registering on behalf of multiple people, we would appreciate you forwarding on information to other attendees prior to the event. A big thank you to Bupa for being the Melbourne venue sponsor for this year’s A11y Bytes. More information is available on the A11y Bytes website. Presenters Scott Herschberger – From Insights to Action: Transforming Accessibility Through Data-Driven Mapping Balram Singh – AI and Accessibility Sam Sabour – Beyond Contrast: Rethinking Accessibility in Design Systems Ayesha Semfel – Where to Start (and Stop) with Screen Reader Testing Jamila Savoy – You Can’t Be Accessible if People Can’t Understand You Xavier Vella – Early Findings from an Accessibility Audit of Hiring Systems
A11y Bytes is back for its fourteenth year celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day. This year, we’ll be hosting face-to-face events in Sydney and Melbourne. The heart of digital accessibility and inclusion is not about guidelines, codes or regulations. It’s about people, and life, and how we live, how we access information, and how our lives are affected by the technologies of today. As many as 500 people have attended online Bytes events, as well as physical events in Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney, making this the largest community run accessibility event in Australia. The event has since branched out into parts of New Zealand and it continues to grow. You don’t have to be an accessibility aficionado to attend. This event is about us all talking, thinking and learning about digital accessibility and inclusion together. Take part in A11y Bytes and connect, be inspired and have some fun as we talk, learn, grow and change the world. Places are limited, so please RSVP to register so you don’t miss out! A11y Bytes will be live captioned. Captioning information will be sent to people who register ahead of time. If you’re registering on behalf of multiple people, we would appreciate you forwarding on information to other attendees prior to the event. A big thank you to Canva for being the Sydney venue sponsor for this year’s A11y Bytes.
En el marco del Día Mundial de la Concienciación sobre la Accesibilidad Web (GAAD 2026), la Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), a través de la Dirección de Servicios para la Inclusión y el Centro de Tecnología y Educación Permanente (TEP), realizará el lanzamiento de AcompañaTEP-PUCMM. Esta iniciativa busca promover experiencias de aprendizaje más accesibles e inclusivas para estudiantes neurodivergentes mediante el uso responsable de inteligencia artificial como herramienta de apoyo académico. La jornada estará orientada a reflexionar sobre accesibilidad digital, inclusión, diseño universal y el papel de la tecnología con propósito dentro de la educación superior.
The Association of People with Disability (APD), founded in 1959, is a national leader in disability inclusion, rights, and rehabilitation. APD works across urban and rural India, empowering children and adults with diverse disabilities through education, skilling, livelihoods, rehabilitation, advocacy, and community-based programs. Rooted in human rights and social justice, APD partners with government, academia, corporations, and communities to advance accessibility, inclusion, and independent living. Over six decades, APD has transformed thousands of lives with evidence-based, participatory and scalable models of inclusion, leadership and inclusive solutions across sectors. Taking forward our work on disability inclusion, on the occasion of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), APD is organising two policy-focused roundtable discussions on 21 May 2026 at the India International Centre, New Delhi. Session 1: Roundtable on Disability Inclusion in ESG Frameworks This session will bring together corporates, development partners, ESG practitioners, and sector experts to deliberate on strengthening the integration of disability inclusion within ESG, CSR, and responsible business frameworks. Session 2: Policy Dialogue on Developing a Disability Indicator Framework This dialogue will convene government institutions, development agencies, civil society organisations, and data practitioners to discuss approaches to embedding disability inclusion within governance systems, public policy processes, and SDG-aligned monitoring frameworks.
To celebrate the eve of Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2026, we are back with another engaging panel event, this time at a fantastic new venue: The Channel 4 HQ in Leeds! We will be joined by our panel of accessibility experts: Ashley Peacock, Senior User Researcher @ Insights; Jessica Chambers, Accessibility Evangelist @ Silktide; Barry Hill, Experienced accessibility coach
All of our panellists will be sharing their lived experiences of disabilities.
Agenda:
18:00 – Welcome
18:30 – Panel Discussion pt.1.
19:10 – Food/Drink break
19:30 – Panel Discussion pt.2.
20:15 – Close and networking
Access needs/Dietary Requirements If you have any access needs or dietary requirements, please reach out to us.
Workshop prático sobre acessibilidade web, estudo sobre legislação, normas e ferramentas de testes. Em um mundo cada vez mais digital, muitos sites ainda retornam um erro invisível: não funcionam para todos. Neste workshop, estudantes irão explorar na prática como identificar e corrigir barreiras de acessibilidade, utilizando a ferramenta Acessibilidade Auditoria, desenvolvida por Bruno Simão. A proposta é simples e provocativa: seu código inclui… ou exclui?
Agora is a conference focused on information and communication technologies (ICT) for both professionals and users with visual impairments. It has been organised by the Teiresias Centre at Masaryk University since 2015. In recent years, the rapid development of ICT, together with ongoing efforts to improve accessibility, has significantly expanded the range of tools and services available to people with severe visual impairments. Many of these solutions are now easily accessible and can provide valuable support in everyday life. However, users do not always know how to use these tools effectively, may not be aware of their full potential, or simply lack up-to-date information about what is currently available on the market. Agora provides a unique platform where experts, technology providers, and users can meet to exchange knowledge, experience, and feedback. This direct interaction with the user community is highly valued and remains relatively rare in this field. The Agora programme includes: Plenary sessions introducing participants to the latest developments in the field through short expert presentations; An exhibition area where participants can explore products and services offered by assistive technology providers; Hands-on workshops led by experienced tutors who help participants learn how to use selected tools effectively.
“Disability Justice & Torah” Shavuot Holiday Evening of Study 🌾 Jewish text study, with speaker from Mass Fair Housing, with traditional Cheesecake reception. On Global Accessibility Awareness Day! https://accessibility.day/ Thursday, May 21, 2026, 6:30-9:00 p.m., Florence, MA Must register in advance zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/beit-ahavah-shavuot-disability-justice-and-torah-and-cheesecake For those joining virtually, Zoom link will be sent after registration.