Former BBC journalist Rory Cellan-Jones, TV Presenter Mik Scarlet, comedy writer Sara Gibbs, author and campaigner Sandi Wassmer and gold medal Paralympian Giles Long are just some of the people living with conditions and disabilities who have made a Christmas wish for greater digital inclusion by sharing the barriers they face using websites, apps, browsers and devices.
The online and social media campaign, which launched ahead of the UN’s International Day of Disabled Persons, playfully adapts the festive phrase ‘All I want for Christmas is…’ and encourages others to tell their stories using the hashtag #AllIWantForDigital.
Supported by BIMA, the UK’s digital and tech trade body, the Royal Association for Deaf People, Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion, LEXI, Phab, AbilityNet and created by digital transformation agency Cyber-Duck, the campaign aims to show how accessible design improves the experience of using digital products for everyone.
Cyber-Duck says it’s time for industry, brands and organisations to stop the empty words and to finally act on digital inclusion. The agency is asking people to share their stories using #AllWantForDigital.
With over 22% of the UK population reporting a condition or disability of UK websites considered inaccessible, brands, organisations, and the digital industry are being called on to close the gap between good intentions and positive action to ensure that all digital products and experiences are designed to be more inclusive and accessible. Currently, less than 3% of website homepages actually meet web accessibility guidelines.
With the UK in the middle of a cost of living crisis, a downturn in consumer spending expected this Christmas and many products and services only available and cheaper online, poor accessibility creates even bigger practical and economic barriers.
Follow the hashtag #AllIWantForDigital or visit alliwantfordigital.com to find out more.
Meanwhile, the United Nations marked this year’s IDPD by focusing on innovation and transformative solutions to create accessibility and equality, with London’s GDI Hub – the world’s first centre on assistive technology to collaborate with the World Health Organisation – forging the path internationally to improve disabled people’s lives.
The GDI Hub will be researching and creating a new generation of advanced technologies, ranging from Artificial Intelligence-powered navigation aids for visually impaired people to using mobile communication to strengthen disabled communities.
