Global Accessibility Awareness Day. Geometric style, People, human, hand, eye, ear and heart. Suitable for posters, banners, social media and more. White background.

Global Accessibility Awareness Day

May 21, 2026 General News

Every year on the third Thursday of May, Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) reminds us to talk, think, and learn about digital access and inclusion for the more than one billion people worldwide living with disabilities.

From visual and hearing needs to motor and cognitive impairments, digital spaces must be intentionally designed so that everyone has equal access to information, tools, and community.

UMaine Resources

The University of Maine System (UMS) offers tools and training guides to help you build an inclusive digital footprint:

  • UMS Accessibility Guide: A comprehensive breakdown of the “accessibility mindset,” covering the essentials of color contrast ratios, alt text, and video transcript requirements.
  • Accessible Digital Content Micro-Credential: A self-paced, online badging pathway developed by UMS experts to help content creators audit, create, and remediate digital media in alignment with WCAG standards.
  • UMaine CCIDS Assistive Technology Guide: Curated by UMaine’s Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies, this hub features actionable checklists for planning accessible meetings, conferences, and remote events.