The Tech4Good Special Award 2026 has been awarded to Joe Devon and Jennison Asuncion, co-founders of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), in recognition of their outstanding contribution to digital accessibility.

Global Accessibility Awarness Day (GAAD) logo GAAD began with a simple but powerful idea. After watching his father struggle to use inaccessible websites, Joe wrote a blog post in 2011 challenging developers to think differently about accessibility. When Jennison discovered that post online, a cross-border partnership was born, built on a shared belief that technology should work for everyone.

Stevie Wonder and Tim Cook on stage at Apple Park in San Francisco

Stevie Wonder appeared with Apple CEO Tim Cook at a huge GAAD event hosted by Apple at Apple Park in San Francisco

Since the first GAAD in 2012, that idea has grown into a global movement. More than 2,000 public events have taken place around the world, alongside countless events hosted within organisations. More than 50 governments and public bodies have formally recognised GAAD, while major technology companies, global brands and public institutions now mark the day each year.

Presenting the award, AbilityNet CEO Amy Low described Joe and Jennison as valued members of the global accessibility community who have helped change conversations, influence organisations and inspire people around the world to ask one simple but powerful question: Can everyone use what we’re building?

screenshot of the Whitehouse GAAD event in 2024 with Joe Biden

President Joe Biden invited Joe Devon for speak at a Whitehouse GAAD event in 2024

Their impact continues through the GAAD Foundation, established in 2021. The Foundation works to make accessibility a core requirement in technology and is helping shape how emerging technologies such as AI can create opportunities for inclusion rather than new barriers.

Speaking at the Tech4Good Awards Ceremony in July 2026, Joe reflected on one of GAAD’s biggest milestones: an invitation to speak at a White House event hosted during President Joe Biden’s administration. For a movement that started with a single blog post, it was a remarkable moment.

Joe and Jennison have given huge amounts of their own time and effort to estbalish GAAD as truly global movement, yet both are clear that the real achievement belongs to the accessibility community behind GAAD. While global recognition is important, they immediately focused on the the importance of local groups, charities, accessibility professionals and volunteers who organise events, share knowledge and keep the movement growing year after year.

Accepting the award, Joe summed up the spirit of GAAD: “People thank us and give us awards, which is very appreciated. But at the end of the day, it’s the community that has made this happen. GAAD is actually all of you.”

For their vision, collaboration and lasting impact on digital accessibility, Joe Devon and Jennison Asuncion are worthy recipients of the AbilityNet Tech4Good Special Award 2026.

Learn more at www.gaad.foundation