Society: Disabled Issues / Disabilities

Level Access, G3ict and IAAP launches 2021 State of Digital Accessibility Survey to benchmark worldwide efforts to create inclusive technology

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Image of the Level Access State of Digital Accessibility Report cover.

While the crisis exposed gaps in accessibility, there were also great stories of organizations closing those gaps quickly. We are eager to see the results of this year’s survey to see if the stories we have heard are reflected in the data.”- Jonathan Avila, Chief Accessibility Officer, Level Access


VIENNA, Va. (PRWEB)

Level Access, the global leader in digital accessibility, in collaboration with G3ict and IAAP, has launched the State of Digital Accessibility survey. This is the third year for the survey, which asks professionals in various roles to describe their organization’s commitment to creating inclusive technology, including websites, mobile apps, software, and hardware.

“The COVID-19 quarantine allowed people with disabilities to work from home, access more resources online, and communicate in more accessible ways,” said Jonathan Avila, Chief Accessibility Officer at Level Access. “While the crisis exposed gaps in accessibility, there were also great stories of organizations closing those gaps quickly. We are eager to see the results of this year’s survey to see if the stories we have heard are reflected in the data.”

“The State of Digital Accessibility Report provides the most comprehensive set of benchmarks for organizations implementing digital accessibility,” said Axel Leblois, President of G3ict. “Its 2021 edition will be of particular importance for all sectors of activity given the pressing imperative to ensure the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in ever expanding digital services and virtual environments.”

To thank the worldwide community for their participation in the survey, Level Access is donating $5000 to a disability-focused non-profit. The non-profit will be voted on by those who complete the survey. In addition, G3ict and IAAP are sponsoring five prizes at the individual level. Five email addresses will be chosen at random from those who complete the survey by January 31st. They will each receive either a $100 VISA gift card or a $200 donation to the disability-focused non-profit of their choice.

Key findings from the 2020 State of Digital Accessibility Report:

  • Nearly 68% of participants said that their organization feels compelled to be inclusive of people with disabilities.

  • Nearly 70% of organizations outsource at least one accessibility task.

  • While 94% agree that testing by people with disabilities is important, 56% of organizations are not doing it.

  • More than 35% of participants stated that it was challenging to hire people with experience in digital accessibility.

  • 55% of organizations have prioritized buying a product or solution because of its accessibility.

  • 60% of organizations reported that current litigation trends have motivated them to move faster to achieve accessibility compliance.

“We are grateful to the more than 1,000 professionals and IAAP members who participated in the State of Digital Accessibility survey last year,” said Christopher Lee, Managing Director of IAAP. “We look forward to even greater participation this year.”

To learn more and take the survey, go to LevelAccess.com/SODAR2021.

About G3ict

G3ict, the Global Initiative for Inclusive Information and Communication Technologies, is an advocacy initiative launched in December 2006 in cooperation with the Secretariat for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at UNDESA. Its mission is to facilitate and support the implementation of the dispositions of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) promoting digital accessibility and Assistive Technologies. Participating organizations include industry, academia, the public sector and organizations representing persons with disabilities. For more information, please visit https://www.g3ict.org.

About IAAP

The International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) is a not-for-profit association focused on advancing the accessibility profession globally through networking, education and certification in order to enable the creation of accessible products, content and services for persons with disabilities. For more information, please visit http://www.accessibilityassociation.org.

About Level Access

Level Access provides industry-leading and award-winning  digital accessibility  solutions to over 2000 corporations, government agencies, and educational institutions. Level Access’s mission is to achieve digital equality for all users by ensuring technology is accessible to people with disabilities and the growing aging population. Founded in 1997, Level Access has an unparalleled history in helping customers achieve and maintain compliance with the full scope of accessible technology regulations and standards including the ADA, WCAG, CVAA, AODA, EN 301 549, and Section 508. Delivered through a comprehensive suite of software, consulting services, and training solutions, the company’s solutions ensure customer’s web, desktop, mobile, and electronic document systems are accessible to everyone. Level Access is endorsed by the American Banking Association, named a White House “Champion of Change” in 2014, and multi-year repeat winners on the Inc. 5000 list of fast-growing companies. To learn more, please visit https://www.levelaccess.com.

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