GAAD 2026 will take place on 21 May, and the AccessCat Network research groups will take part with a range of events.
There are more than one billion people worldwide with disabilities and specific accessibility needs. Even so, according to a 2020 report, 98.1% of websites had at least one accessibility issue. This is why GAAD (Global Accessibility Awareness Day) was created: to raise awareness, encourage discussion and highlight the need to provide solutions in digital accessibility.
This year, GAAD will be held on 21 May. To mark the occasion, we have prepared a message to highlight the importance of this date:
In addition, several research groups from the network are joining the celebration with outreach events taking place as part of GAAD. You can find the full agenda below:
Workshop: "Navigating the Intersection of the EU AI Act and the EU Accessibility Act"
An online session that explores in depth European legislation on accessibility and artificial intelligence and how they interrelate. What inconsistencies do they present? What direct impact do they have on virtual environments and technology? What opportunities do they offer?
Organised by: TransMedia Catalonia (UAB)
Date: 21 May, 11:00–12:30
Location: Online
1st GAAD UdL
The GRIHO group will take part in this conference focused on digital accessibility, exploring the relationship between people, specific needs and digital environments. It will also address accessibility in areas such as web development, documents, artificial intelligence and design.
Organised by: Universitat of Lleida
Date: 28 May, 17:00–20:00
Location: Online
DGSEC Digital Accessibility Conference
The Directorate-General for Digital Services and Citizen Experience (DGSEC) of the Government of Catalonia is organising a conference for its internal staff exploring web accessibility from different perspectives. It will feature researchers Mireia Ribera, from the Grup d’Intel·ligència Artificial i Data Science (UB), and Estel·la Oncins, from TransMedia Catalonia (UAB). Affiliate entities TOTHOMWeb and ACAPPS will also take part.
Organised by: Directorate-General for Digital Services and Citizen Experience (DGSEC)
Date: 21 May, 10:00–13:45
Workshop on diversity and accessibility
The affiliated organisation INDIBA is organising a closed session for company staff focusing on specific aspects of communicative accessibility in the workplace. The event will feature Blanca Arias, Marta Brescia and Clara Anush del Rey, researchers from TraDiLex (UPF), as expert speakers.
Organised by: INDIBA
Date: 21 May
