GAAD 2026: Accessibility Wins, Challenges, and the AI Revolution

Explore the impact of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD 2026) with Steven Scott, Shaun Preece, and guest Joe Devon, co-founder of the event. Learn how AI, vibe coding, and personalised apps are reshaping accessibility while uncovering the ongoing challenges faced by developers and users alike.

This episode of Double Tap dives into the 15th anniversary of GAAD, reflecting on progress and persistent barriers in digital accessibility. Steven and Shaun discuss the debate around whether GAAD should be celebrated, given that over 90% of websites remain inaccessible to many users. Guest Joe Devon shares insights into the origins of GAAD, its mission to raise awareness among developers, and the state of accessibility in 2026.

The conversation explores:

• The tension between celebrating accessibility wins and recognising ongoing failures.
• How AI coding tools like Claude and OpenAI Codex are empowering blind users to create personalised solutions.
• The role AI can play in generating alt text and bridging accessibility gaps for websites and apps.
• The future of digital experiences where universal interfaces and personalisation may redefine accessibility.

Relevant Links

Global Accessibility Awareness Day: https://accessibility.day

WebAIM Million Report: https://webaim.org/projects/million

Accessibility and AI Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/accessibility-and-gen-ai-podcast/id1759047581