Socks, Lies, and Accessibility

The article discusses the misuse of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) by companies engaging in shallow marketing tactics related to web accessibility. It highlights the prevalence of companies using the #GAAD hashtags without truly understanding accessibility or making efforts to improve it. The piece delves into the presence of sock puppet accounts associated with concrete and power washing businesses, likely created to promote accessiBe, an accessibility overlay vendor. These fake businesses were used to spread accessiBe's messaging during GAAD 2023, raising questions about the company's involvement and motives. The article also mentions accessiBe's responses to posts lacking alt text, attempting to salvage their image. The author questions the sincerity of accessiBe's CEO apology and the extent of changes within the company's marketing department. The conclusion emphasizes the need for vigilance against deceptive marketing practices in the accessibility field and the importance of genuine efforts to improve digital accessibility.