Inclusive Digital Access For All – Global Accessibility Awareness Day

Around 1.3 billion people worldwide live with a disability. On 21 May 2026, Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) will remind us that the Internet can only be for everyone if it also meets the needs of those with disabilities. 

The Internet Society is committed to ensuring its digital assets are compliant with the latest accessibility standards. In 2025, we reached extremely high automated accessibility scores for this website and extended accessibility guidance to key community events. And, we recently completed a technology migration of Internet Society Pulse, which gave us the opportunity to improve the site’s accessibility and performance to make sure that our data and insights are available to everyone. In 2026, we will continue our work by auditing and improving our web assets and training staff on why accessibility matters.

Community in Action

Inclusive digital access is not a privilege, it is a right. Our community drives accessibility awareness and implements solutions that work for their local communities. Take a look at some of the ways our community is ensuring that everyone gets the Internet access they need:

Barbados Chapter hosted a webinar, Designing for Everyone: Building an Inclusive Web, a session that fostered a meaningful conversation on digital accessibility and inclusion.

Bosnia and Herzegovina Chapter focused on digital inclusion by organizing Internet safety training for visually impaired students. Tailored to the needs of assistive technology users, the session provided practical knowledge on recognizing online dangers and using screen readers efficiently, empowering participants to navigate the web independently.

Colombia Chapter hosted a workshop on digital wellbeing during the Colombia Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2025, which addressed the challenges faced by people with hearing disabilities. Over 30 participants attended. The chapter also promoted digital inclusion for blind users, engaging 40 participants in discussions on accessibility in digital financial services.

Internet Society’s Accessibility Standing Group held a workshop on accessibility principles in Argentina in collaboration with Asuntos Del Sur. The workshop hosted around 20 participants from government, academia, and the technical community who shared experiences on how people with visual impairments use mobile phones and AI applications. 

Lebanon Chapter is supporting ABLE Summit 2026. ABLE is an initiative that drives national-scale awareness of the importance of digital accessibility across Lebanon and the entire region. The Summit was scheduled for April 2026 but, due to the situation in the region, it was postponed to September 2026. The Lebanon chapter collaborated with the Internet Society Accessibility Standing Group (SG), and several calls were organized among the chapter, the ABLE team, and the SG. The chapter is also a sponsor of the event, supported by a Beyond the Net grant from the Internet Society Foundation.

Nepal Chapter was instrumental in supporting the government of Nepal’s drive to make its web portals accessible to those with disabilities. The chapter conducted an accessibility audit of the Department of Information Technology’s website, which serves as the foundation of the Government Integrated Website Management System (GIWMS) — the template used by 600+ government offices across Nepal. The chapter then stepped in with direct technical support to bring the GIWMS into compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Phase 1 of accessibility fixes is now complete! Government staff were then trained with the knowledge and skills to sustain and build on the accessibility improvements already in place. Phase 2, which will include more training, is being planned. 

Niger Chapter introduced a new Digital Learning Center in Maradi, over 600 km from Niamey, the capital. The launch included a digital literacy training program for persons living with disabilities. Supported by the Internet Society Foundation, the center features a room fully equipped with computers and reliable Internet access. This project brings the Internet’s opportunities to underserved communities and empowers people with disabilities with essential digital skills, ensuring that geography or physical ability does not prevent anyone from participating in the digital world.

Zimbabwe Chapter has won the first runner-up for the Digital Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities Award. This nomination specifically highlights the success of the chapter’s Basic ICT Skills Training Workshop for Persons with Disabilities in the Binga community. Through this and related efforts, the chapter has facilitated training for 598 individuals, with 69 completing Advanced ICT Skills training nationwide. These achievements represent lives changed, confidence restored, and new possibilities unlocked for participants.

If you’re interested in getting involved with accessibility efforts, you can:

• Join your local chapter 
• Join the Accessibility Standing Group
• Apply for Internet Society Foundation funding for an accessibility-related project

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Images: © Internet Society Bosnia and Herzegovina Chapter, © Internet Society Accessibility Standing Group, © Internet Society Niger Chapter, © Internet Society Zimbabwe Chapter