Gaady Awards 2024: Celebrating Accessibility-First Development
On November 21, GitHub hosted the 2024 Gaady Awards at its San Francisco headquarters, honoring the digital accessibility community. Often described as the Emmy Awards for accessibility, the Gaadys recognize organizations that treat accessibility as a core requirement throughout the development lifecycle, not an afterthought. This year, three winners were celebrated for their work in making digital spaces more inclusive.
GoodMaps: Indoor Navigation for Everyone
GoodMaps took home an award for its indoor navigation technology, which makes complex physical spaces navigable for people with disabilities, language barriers, or anyone needing guidance. The technology enables users to navigate confidently and independently.
CivicActions: Simplifying Accessibility Compliance
CivicActions was recognized for the OpenACR platform, a tool that streamlines government procurement by simplifying how accessibility data is created, shared, and maintained. The platform supports both vendors and procurement officers by making compliance processes more efficient.
Anthro-Tech: Opening Up the Outdoors
Anthro-Tech received the award for its redesign of the Washington State Parks website. The redesigned site removes barriers to planning outdoor adventures, making park information accessible and inclusive so all visitors can easily prepare for their trips.
About the Gaadys
The awards are organized by the Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) Foundation, whose mission is to disrupt tech and digital product development culture by establishing accessibility as a core requirement. In addition to the awards, the foundation promotes conversation and education about digital accessibility each year on Global Accessibility Awareness Day, held annually on the third Thursday of May. The next event is scheduled for May 15, 2025.
