20 May 2021 | Accessibility Bulletin
Our weekly roundup of the media’s key articles on the topic of digital accessibility.
ALL | Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day!
Thursday, May 20, 2021, marks the tenth Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access/inclusion and people with different disabilities.
https://globalaccessibilityawarenessday.org
ALL | Video - Avoid companies claiming quick & easy AI accessibility
An alarming number of companies have fallen for it. Millions of dollars have poured into it. Beware of #AccessiBe, #AudioEye, #EqualWeb, #User1st, #UserWay, & other automated web accessibility "solutions." I made this video to alert those new to digital accessibility.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R12Z1Sp-u4U
ALL | Google’s UX Algorithm Update Will Benefit Accessible Websites
Google has announced an upcoming "page experience update," along with an accompanying algorithm update to prioritize sites that pass certain user experience (UX) metrics. While initially planned for May, the update will begin affecting search rankings in mid-June; the changes will take full effect some time near the end of August.
https://www.boia.org/blog/googles-ux-algorithm-update-will-benefit-accessible-websites
UK | Accessibility of UK Local Government websites
The 2021 Q1 UK Local Government INDEX shows that many organisations still need to improve to comply with the law, with 26% websites scoring 7 or higher for accessibility. This is further demonstrated by 81% of webpages tested failed the WCAG2.1 Level A tests and 22% failed the Level AA tests.
https://sitemorse.com/index/uk-local-government/2021-q2
UK | North Devon Council's website ranks number one for accessibility
Following judging in a quarterly national audit, North Devon Council's website has claimed the top spot as best local authority website for accessibility in the country.