Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2025
Thursday, May 15, is the 14th annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), focusing on digital equality for the one billion people in the world living with a disability. Creating an accessible digital environment supports the full participation of all members of the campus community in the academic, research, and work life of the University.
This year, the Center for Digital Accessibility (CDA) is celebrating GAAD with a series of activities.
- Ivy+ GAAD event (virtual)
Wednesday, April 30, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. - Digital Accessibility Advocate celebration (hybrid; by invitation only)
Tuesday, May 6, 2–3:15 p.m. - Beyond the Visible: The Continuum of Disabilities and Today’s Assistive Tech (virtual)
Wednesday, May 14, 2–2:45 p.m. - Sharing stories of progress (virtual)
Tuesday, May 20, 10-10:45 a.m.
GAAD 2025 sessions and activities
Accommodations may be requested when registering for each session or post-registration by emailing digitalaccessibility@uchicago.edu.
Ivy+ GAAD 2025 Accessibility Event (virtual)
Wednesday, April 30
11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Join UChicago and other Ivy+ institutions during GAAD to share information about strengthening digital inclusion. Topics include creating a culture of accessibility; AI and accessibility; document accessibility; and design choices and functionality that will drive people away from your website. Learn how you can take action to create a more accessible digital experience.
Hosted by: Stanford University
Digital Accessibility Advocate Celebration (hybrid)
Tuesday, May 6
2–2:45 p.m. Regenstein Library TechBar or on Zoom; optional networking 2:45-3:15 p.m.
The CDA and Digital Accessibility Advocates will celebrate another year of learning, sharing, and promoting digital inclusion across campus. If you’re not an Advocate, visit our Advocates webpage to learn how to join this network of committed colleagues.
- By invitation only
Beyond the Visible: The Continuum of Disabilities and Today’s Assistive Tech (virtual)
Wednesday, May 14
2-2:45 a.m.
We often think of the definition of “disability” as clear-cut and obvious. But what qualifies as a disability can vary widely—from the visible to the invisible, and from the permanent to the temporary or situational—and anyone may find themselves with a disability at some point in their life. In this session, we’ll look at the wide range of disabilities, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles that can address the needs of users with various disabilities, and the ever-changing landscape of assistive technology.
Presenters: Thomas Keith (Instructional Designer in Academic Technology Solutions) and Emily Baker (Senior Digital Accessibility Specialist in the Center for Digital Accessibility)
Sharing stories of progress (virtual)
Tuesday, May 20
10–10:45 a.m.
Join us as we applaud people across UChicago who have strengthened the accessibility of their digital materials (websites, courses, documents, videos, emails, and more) or created more inclusive processes.
Before Friday, April 18, please share your stories with us, and feel free to submit multiple times. We know a lot of great progress is underway! We will share stories of progress during GAAD and post information on the Intranet in May.
Panelists: TBD
