Global Accessibility Anger Day

For each and every Global Accessibility Awareness Day (#GAAD) post a company puts out today, ask:

• Does the announcement page support basic accessibility considerations (underlined links, captioned videos, valid markup, etc.)?
• Does the announcement include alternative descriptions for its promotional images? And if so, do they sufficiently describe the image’s content?
• Are the social media announcements of the post accessible?
• Is there a public, written commitment and plan to support the announced initiatives after GAAD is done?
• Does the announcement use inspiration porn to communicate its message?
• Does the announcement prop up a disability dongle in an attempt to solutioneer something?
• Does the announcement tout a product that is designed for, and not with, or at the request of disabled people?
• Is that product prohibitively expensive, exclusive, or have no long-term support plan?
• Does the announcement try to use AI as a “solution” for disabled people?
• Does the announcement pressure the disclosure of disabled status and experience for one-day social media clout?
• Does the announement have a paternal tone?
• Does the announcement use ableist language?
• Does the announcement de-center the disabled experience by trying to communicate in terms of value for all?
• Does the announcement de-center the disabled experience by trying to communicate value in terms of SEO benefits?
• Is there a public, written support from the C-level for the company’s commitment?
• Is there a public, published accessibility statement?
• Is the announcement from, or ghost written by an overlay company?
• Does the company provide material aid for overlay companies participating in reputation washing?
• Are there prematurely closed, downplayed, unaddressed, or openly ridiculed accessibility issues on their issue tracker?
• Does the company handle pointing out issues with prior negative behavior towards accessibility concerns with tone policing, or claims the critic should be grateful?
• Is the announcement published by an individual who has previously been hostile to accessibility work, both internally or on social media?
• Does the company’s DEI efforts include disability?
• Has the company laid off its DEI employees?
• Has the company fired its accessibility team?
• Does the company hire disabled people as permanent, full-time employees?
• And if so, are the full-time roles for anything other than accessibility work?