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Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). GAAD is a day dedicated to digital inclusion and making technology work for everyone, including more than 1 billion people worldwide who live with disability.
Originally focused on digital accessibility, GAAD has grown into a global reminder that inclusion must happen everywhere. From websites and apps to the streets we walk and the buildings we enter, accessibility needs to be built into every part of our world.
Accessibility in the Real World
At BTS Aust. we know that accessibility is simply a fundamental right. Everyone deserves to navigate spaces with safety, clarity, and dignity. We don’t create accessibility alone, we partner with designers, architects, builders, access consultants, and organisations who share that vision. Together, we deliver signage that’s more than just compliant, it’s part of a larger solution that empowers independence and inclusion for all.
Accessibility means designing environments, products, and services that everyone can use, including all people, regardless of ability.
For someone who is blind or has low-vision, accessibility often depends on non-visual cues:
- Tactile symbols and information
- Consistent, intuitive wayfinding
- Audible guidance
- Thoughtful spatial layouts
These features support not only navigation, but confidence, independence, and dignity.
“Good Accessibility Begins with Good Design.”
Digital Accessibility Matters
Websites, documents, social media and apps can all become barriers when they aren’t designed with access in mind. And the numbers speak volumes:
- 98% of websites have at least one WCAG 2.0 failure
- 1 Billion people live with a disability
- 86% of homepages have low contrast text
-
66% are missing image alt text
Digital exclusion affects millions daily, but many solutions are simple:
- Use clear, legible fonts
- Add alt text for images
- Use captions in videos
- Maintain strong colour contrast
- Use CamelCase in hashtags
- Never rely on visuals alone to convey meaning
Making digital spaces inclusive opens doors to more users, more connection and more equity.
How we Make Physical Spaces More Inclusive
Creating inclusive built environments starts with knowledge, compliance, and the right partnerships. BTS Aust. works with industry professionals to create spaces that don’t just meet the standards, they raise them.
We provide:
- Compliant Braille Tactile Signs for amenities, entrances, lifts and more
- Wayfinding & Statutory Signs for Navigation & Compliance
- Wayfinding & Design Consulting to support layout and placement
- Floorplan & Code Reviews to ensure AS/NCC compliance
- Prototyping & LVR Testing for unique projects
- Local Manufacturing backed by decades of specialist experience and a reliable local supply chain
Whether you're designing a hospital, public building, transport hub or school we help you design with confidence and build for everyone.
Everyday Ways to Support Accessibility
You don’t need to be a designer, developer or access consultant to make a difference. Here's how anyone can contribute:
- Learn Basic Assistive Tech: Screen readers, voice commands, zoom functions
- Advocate for Inclusive Design: Raise issues when you see missing features
- Educate Yourself and Others: Share resources, attend talks, promote inclusion
- Explore Inclusive Apps: Learn how others navigate the world
- Design with a Conscience: Accessibility affects all of us, friends, family and beyond. Let’s be proactive, not reactive because in the disability space, being reactive is already too late.
Let’s Create a World that Works for Everyone
Accessibility isn’t about ticking boxes, it’s about designing with care, forethought and a genuine understanding of different needs and user experience.
Everyday we are encouraged by the words of Helen Keller “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” At BTS Aust., we’re proud to work together with individual organisations who share the vision to make every space more inclusive, because when we design with accessibility in mind, we create a better world for everyone.
Ready to Improve Access in your Space?
Explore our Braille Tactile Sign Standard Range, or chat with our experienced Customer Relations Team about Customising our Standard Range or fully Custom Sign Solutions to make our built environment truly accessible.