Last week, we honored Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) by highlighting the people, tools, and strategies that are shaping a more inclusive digital world. While GAAD is observed globally each May 15, the conversations it sparks are year-round, and at TPGi, so is the work.
This year also marks a major milestone: 30 years of JAWS for Windows, one of the most impactful assistive technologies ever created. From honoring that legacy to uplifting lived experiences and sharing practical strategies for accessibility leadership, here’s a look back at the key moments and resources from GAAD 2025.
Accessibility for All: Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)
Before GAAD, we revisited one of our most practical resources: Accessibility for All. This blog outlines three impactful ways to support accessibility, whether you’re reviewing conformance checklists, scanning your website for WCAG issues, or integrating accessibility earlier in your product lifecycle.
It’s a great resource for anyone looking to take meaningful action beyond just attending an event.
Marking a Milestone: 30 Years of JAWS
This conversation between Vispero’s Matt Ater and GAAD Co-Founder Jennison Asuncion marked more than a product anniversary. It spotlighted the evolution of digital accessibility and the essential role JAWS has played in empowering blind users to independently access the web, education, employment, and beyond.
Together, they explored how JAWS has adapted across shifting technology landscapes, from static desktop applications to dynamic, cloud-based, and AI-driven environments, and how user expectations have grown alongside it. The discussion emphasized that accessibility is not just a feature; it’s foundational to digital equity.
“We need more people to know that we’re out here wanting to use your websites. And one of the ways we do that is with JAWS.”
— Jennison Asuncion
They also touched on:
- The role of user feedback in shaping JAWS updates and features
- The importance of integrating accessibility into product design, not just retrofitting it
- The growing need for organizations to ensure digital tools are usable, not just compliant
- The future of screen readers in an AI-enhanced world
Whether you’re new to accessibility or a long-time advocate, this session offers valuable perspective on how technology, advocacy, and user empowerment intersect and where they need to go next.
The Intrapreneur’s Guide to Leading Accessibility Change
Most accessibility champions don’t start with a mandate; they start with a question: How can we make this better from the inside?
In this insightful GAAD webinar, Amanda Roper (T. Rowe Price) joins TPGi’s Mark Miller to explore what it means to be an accessibility intrapreneur: someone driving sustainable change within an organization, often without a formal role or roadmap.
Together, they share strategies for:
- Mapping internal allies using the W3C Accessibility Maturity Model
- Building partnerships across departments (even without authority)
- Avoiding burnout by prioritizing consistency over intensity
- Framing accessibility as a business enabler, not a compliance burden
“Change doesn’t happen overnight. It’s about consistency over time, not intensity. That’s what creates sustainable accessibility programs.”
— Amanda Roper
If you’re trying to scale accessibility inside a complex organization, this session offers tactical advice, hard-earned lessons, and encouragement to keep moving forward, even when progress feels slow.
The State of Accessibility – Episode 9
What does accessibility mean when you’re thousands of miles from the nearest infrastructure?
In this special GAAD edition of The State of Accessibility, TPGi’s Isabel Holdsworth shares what it was like to explore Antarctica as a blind traveler. From navigating airports and cruise ships to interacting with wildlife, Isabel offers a deeply human perspective on independence, technology, and trust.
“You don’t need sight to have an incredible experience. I heard the whale’s tail slap the water, the penguins calling … It was breathtaking.”
— Isabel Holdsworth
The conversation goes far beyond logistics. Isabel and host Mark Miller discuss:
- How blind travelers adapt and advocate in unfamiliar environments
- The emotional impact of experiencing awe through sound, touch, and spatial awareness
- The gaps that still exist in everyday accessibility, from check-in kiosks to in-flight entertainment
- Why the presence of accessible technology alone isn’t enough, it must be usable, intuitive, and empowering
This conversation is a vivid reminder that accessibility is about creating experiences (not just access) and that inclusive design should extend far beyond screens and standards.
JAWS Timeline: 30 Years of Innovation
Explore how far JAWS has come over the last three decades! This interactive timeline walks you through key milestones, product updates, and pivotal moments from 1995 to today. It’s a visual journey through 30 years of innovation, highlighting how JAWS has consistently adapted to support blind and low-vision users in an evolving digital world.
That’s a Wrap on GAAD 2025
GAAD 2025 offered a chance to reflect, share, and learn. But more importantly, it reinforced why accessibility must be built into everything we create.
From honoring 30 years of innovation with JAWS to hearing stories of personal resilience and exploring the strategies that move accessibility forward inside organizations, each conversation reminds us that inclusion doesn’t happen by default but by design.
If there’s one takeaway from this year’s events, it’s this: accessibility is not a one-day effort. It’s an ongoing commitment to improving digital experiences for everyone, everywhere.
As we look ahead, we encourage you to revisit the resources shared, reflect on what resonated, and find opportunities to apply what you’ve learned.
Take One Action Toward Accessibility
Not sure where to begin? Start small and smart! Two of the most common barriers on the web are poor color contrast and missing alt text.
- Check your color contrast. Text that blends into the background can make content unreadable for people with low vision. Use our free Colour Contrast Analyser to test your color choices and ensure they meet WCAG guidelines.
- Review your images for alt text. Images without alt text leave screen reader users out of the conversation. Use the ARC Toolkit to scan any page directly in Chrome or Firefox and uncover issues like missing alt attributes, heading structure problems, and more.
Small improvements lead to better experiences. These tools are a great place to start.
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