WHEREAS, Thursday, May 16, 2024, is the 13th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) and the purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking, and learning about digital access and inclusion and the more than one billion people worldwide with disabilities/impairments; and

WHEREAS, a study published in the Journal of Usability Studies found only 28% of blind users were able to successfully complete an online job application due to the application processes designed without accessibility in mind; and

WHEREAS, if a user is unable to use a mouse, they need to use assistive technology that includes screen readers, magnifiers, speech-to-text-software, or voice recognition software; and

WHEREAS, the State of Nevada recognizes that accessible design is about making content that is easy for everyone to use and understand. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is the international standard for accessibility compliance; and

WHEREAS, the State of Nevada recognizes that usability shares some key goals with accessibility and inclusive design. Usability means designers should create product features that are easily discovered and operated by any user; and

WHEREAS, the State of Nevada believes incorporating accessibility and usability principles creates a more inclusive and usable product for all users; and

WHEREAS, Nevadans deserve a first-rate digital experience on the web. Constituents with a disability must be able to experience web-based services, content, and other digital products with the same successful outcome as those without disabilities; and

WHEREAS, the Office of the CIO within the Office of the Governor has dedicated tens of thousands of hours over the past 5 years to remediate web-content to promote and encourage accessibility for state web content;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOE LOMBARDO, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim May 16, 2024, as

GLOBAL ACCESSIBILITY AWARENESS DAY IN NEVADA