December 3rd marks International Day of People with Disabilities. A key date in our calendar to celebrate the challenges, barriers, and opportunities for people with disabilities, this year, in the context of a global pandemic. Anna Kennedy Online are proud to support this annual occasion, joining together with Recite Me accessibility and language tools, to raise awareness of the importance of ‘Fighting for rights in the post-COVID era’.

Since March 2020, every person has been impacted by COVID-19 in one way or another, but for those who face accessibility barriers it has been a particularly challenging time. This year, on International Day of People with Disabilities we are recognising that those with disabilities are among the most affected populations, where discrimination and vulnerability can be everyday factors for some.

According to the WHO World Report on Disability, 15 percent of the world’s population, or more than 1 billion people, are living with disability. Of this number, it’s estimated 450 million are living with a mental or neurological condition. To support everyone online with visual and nonvisual disabilities, we have created an inclusive online experience with Recite Me assistive technology to enable all staff, customers and website users to customise their digital world.

Dr Anna Kennedy OBE shared “Over a billion people have a disability. We should be working towards a world where everyone is included and no one gets left behind. Strive for your own happiness and always try to be positive as you can even when things around you appear to pull you in another direction. The world is full of very different people and the world is lucky to have you!”

When visiting our website people can use the assistive toolbar to read and understand online information. Toolbar features include screen reading functionality, multiple reading aids, customisable styling options and an on- demand live translation feature that boasts over 100 languages, including 35 text-to-speech and styling options.

Together we can build an inclusive online world.

This starts by creating awareness on an individual or organisational level and helping to bring people together, empower individuals and improve inclusion.

We can all make a positive difference together.