With Global Accessibility Awareness Week coming to a close today, we hope it has offered a valuable opportunity for you to delve into the importance of creating digital and physical spaces that are inclusive and accessible to all. While we may have always had a moral responsibility to ensure everyone is included, we also now have a legal imperative to reinforce the social justice approach.
This includes the was transposed into Irish law in 2020. This directive mandates that public sector websites and mobile applications within EU member states must be accessible, making it easier for people with disabilities to access essential services online. This directive stresses the importance of inclusive design and encourages organisations to prioritise accessibility in their digital offerings. While the directive is a significant step forward in ensuring this happens, we must all acknowledge that accessibility is a collaborative effort and we all must play our part in driving it forward.
We also have the This act aims to standardise accessibility requirements for certain products and services across the EU and is poised to advance accessibility efforts further. Establishing common accessibility standards should help create a more inclusive environment in the digital sphere and other areas such as transportation, banking, and e-commerce.
During Global Accessibility Awareness Week 2024 in UL, we highlighted the progress made in accessibility initiatives.
We offered training and learning opportunities while acknowledging some of the future work that still needs to be done here at 51±¾É«. We welcomed some wonderful written contributions from UL staff and students on their accessibility journeys. We also emphasised the need to continue advocating, educating, and collaborating, which is essential in ensuring that accessibility remains a priority and that everyone is included. Accessibility will play a big part in the future of higher education and staff and students need to be prepared.
If you are interested in learning more or contributing to Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) 2025, please feel free to get in touch.
We also strongly encourage you to explore the accessibility training available through Human Resources, Marketing and Communications, the Educational Assistive Technology Centre, UL’s Accessibility Hub, and staff training resources, including LinkedIn Learning.
Thanks to everyone who contributed to GAAD 2024 at UL from those who organised and presented or spoke at events to all those who attended either online or in person, you are all wonderful advocates for accessibility and fairness for all, thank you.
We look forward to seeing you at GAAD 2025.