WordPress Accessibility Day 2023
A Global Event for Inclusive Web Experiences
WordPress Accessibility Day is a global event that brings together developers, designers, content creators and users worldwide to promote and learn about website accessibility best practices. This 24-hour event, initially started in 2020 by the WordPress core Accessibility Team, has now evolved into an independent initiative organized by volunteers from the Accessibility Team and other community members.
Understanding Website Accessibility
Website accessibility ensures that websites are coded, and content is entered to accommodate people with disabilities. It encompasses various challenges, including blindness or visual impairments, deafness or hearing loss, motor challenges, cognitive disabilities, epilepsy, motion sickness, and reading difficulties like dyslexia.
Over 1 billion people worldwide live with a disability of one type or another, many of which can make it challenging to use poorly coded websites or have not paid particular attention to how content is entered.
Beyond those who identify as disabled, there are also broad groups of people who benefit from accessible features on the web. Accessible websites are more manageable for translation tools to accurately translate into another language, have good colour contrast, which makes them easier to read for all people, especially on mobile phones outside in the sun, and typically have less JavaScript and animations that can slow download times and hurt search engine optimization. In essence, accessible websites benefit everyone.
The Mission of WordPress Accessibility Day
The mission of WordPress Accessibility Day is to demystify website accessibility for WordPress developers, designers, content creators, and users. The goal is to empower these individuals to build websites that work for everyone, regardless of ability.
This event offers about 24-27 presentations, with presenters worldwide sharing their knowledge and expertise. Attendees can register for free and watch live streams of talks. The organizers prioritize accessibility to ensure everyone has access to the presentations, providing live captioning and American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation for attendees who need it.
After the event, recordings will be made available on the WP Accessibility Day YouTube channel with corrected captions and on the event website with captions and full transcripts.
Looking Forward to WP Accessibility Day 2023
As we gear up for WordPress Accessibility Day 2023, we look forward to another round of insightful presentations from industry experts. While the complete schedule is yet to be announced, you can expect various topics covering the latest trends, best practices, and innovative solutions in website accessibility.
The event is not just about learning but also about community building. It’s a great platform to network with like-minded individuals passionate about making the web more inclusive. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your journey in web development, this event promises a wealth of information and inspiration.
Sign up and attend – community matters 🙂
In an increasingly digital world, ensuring website accessibility is not just a matter of compliance but a responsibility to create an inclusive online environment. Events like WordPress Accessibility Day are crucial in promoting this cause, educating professionals and the public alike on the importance of accessibility in web design and development.