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Gaadys

Gaadys

Honoring advances in digital accessibility

Join us for an inspiring night as we celebrate outstanding digital products that support the GAAD (Global Accessibility Awareness Day) Foundation’s mission to disrupt the culture of technology and digital product development to include accessibility as a core requirement.
Artsy photo of a gold trophy on a wooden base
Our Vision
Gaadys Awards recognizes and celebrates contributions from individuals and groups that advance the GAAD Foundation’s vision: Accessibility is built into the product development lifecycle for technology and digital products.

When is it?

The Gaadys will take place November 9, 2023 at 6:00pm PST.

Where is it?

We will celebrate our three winners and fundraise for the Foundation on the 10th floor of the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired San Francisco. We are investigating streaming the event -- stay tuned.

Who were the nominees?

18 project teams or companies who created an outstanding digital product that further the mission and vision of the Foundation.

Thank You to Our Captioning Sponsor

3Play Media
We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to 3Play Media for their invaluable support in making the Gaadys accessible to all. Their generous contribution of professional captioning services has ensured that every moment of this special event is enjoyed by everyone.

Who are the 2023 Gaadys Winners?

Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker

Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker is an open-source, free WordPress plugin that helps developers and content creators make their websites accessible to people with disabilities. The plugin includes WordPress-specific rules that allow users to scan, monitor, and report on the accessibility status of their website in real-time as content, themes, and plugins are updated.
The plugin is designed to be affordable and accessible to everyone, including small businesses and individuals with limited budgets. The free version of the plugin includes unlimited scanning of posts and pages, and there are no per-page fees or API credits. The plugin also works even on basic shared hosting, making it a viable option for websites of all sizes.
In addition to helping users find accessibility problems, the Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker comes with extensive documentation on how users can fix the issues that have been identified. This makes it an excellent teaching tool for learning web accessibility.
The plugin was developed with the input of WordPress users, developers, accessibility professionals, and screen reader users. The development team is committed to making the plugin accessible from day one, and they have taken steps to ensure that the reports are designed for keyboard navigation and proper color contrast. The plugin also has a VPAT ( Voluntary Product Accessibility Template ) that outlines its accessibility features and compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA.
Learn more about Equalize Digital's Accessibility Checker

Unilever & Zappar: Driving Inclusive Packaging

Accessible QR (AQR) Code project is a groundbreaking initiative that revolutionizes the way visually impaired and blind individuals interact with everyday products. The project addresses the challenge of including accessibility solutions on product packaging due to size constraints by evolving the QR code to be accessible for all.
AQR codes can be scanned at a distance and provide users with product information and how-to-use instructions, while adapting to their smartphone accessibility settings. This makes it possible for visually impaired individuals to independently navigate products and access essential information, ensuring inclusivity and enhancing the overall shopping experience.
The AQR Code project is a significant contribution to the field of accessibility and has the potential to make a real difference in the lives of millions of people. The project was developed in response to the needs of 285 million people worldwide who have moderate to severe visual impairments. It uses existing and widely adopted accessibility apps, making it easy for users to get started. The project is scalable and can be used on a variety of products.
Learn more about Accessible QR Codes

Studio 24: W3C Website Redesign

Studio 24, a digital agency specializing in accessibility, recently redesigned the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) website with a focus on making it more accessible to people with disabilities.
The new website meets the highest level of accessibility standards, WCAG 2.1 AAA, and was developed with input from the W3C community. It features a number of accessibility features, including:
  • A keyboard-only navigation system
  • High-contrast text and images
  • ARIA labels for all non-visual elements
  • Support for screen readers and other assistive technologies
In addition to the redesign, Studio 24 also developed an open source accessible front-end starter kit called Amplify. Amplify can be used by developers to create accessible websites and web applications.
The W3C website is a valuable resource for web developers and designers, and the new redesign makes it even more accessible to everyone. Studio 24's work on this project is a shining example of how accessibility can be achieved without sacrificing design or usability.
Visit the new W3C website

How can I attend?

Register and purchase a ticket for $30 with funds going completely toward supporting event-related expenses. Buy your ticket today.
Register to attend the Gaadys

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