Introducing Releaf’s on-screen support initiative for a more accessible patient experience

What is Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)?

GAAD was the brainchild of Los Angeles web developer, Joe Devon, and Jennison Asuncion, an accessibility expert from Toronto. The vision for the global awareness day started with a blog post, written by Devon in 2011, in which he highlighted the need for developers to adopt accessibility practices. 

Fourteen years later, people all over the world recognise GAAD and the ongoing need to remove accessibility barriers in the digital world. 

Disability, impairment, and digital accessibility

It is estimated that over 1 billion people worldwide live with disability or impairment - that equates to around 16% of the global population. Yet, despite our ever-growing reliance on digital resources, recent evidence highlights worrying issues with web accessibility. 

The WebAIM Million report, most recently published in 2025 by WebAIM - a non-profit organisation that provides web accessibility solutions - analyses the accessibility of the top one million home pages. Despite some minor improvements in recent years, 94.8% of the analysed pages still had detected accessibility failures, such as low contrast text, missing alternative text (alt text) for images, and missing labels.

Such features are extremely important for individuals with a range of impairments or disabilities. For example, alt text helps to provide meaningful images for people who are blind or visually impaired, while video captioning is vital for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. 

Improving digital accessibility

In 2021, the GAAD Foundation was launched with the mission to “disrupt the culture of technology and digital product development to include accessibility as a core requirement.” The foundation sponsors a number of initiatives, such as the GAAD Speakers Fund and the GAAD Pledge, to drive this vision.

Of course, much has improved since the launch of Global Accessibility Awareness Day in 2011. Alternative text descriptions for images and video captions have become increasingly common. Meanwhile, helpful tools, such as alternative keyboards, mouses, and other adaptive hardware have also become much more widely available.

But much more still needs to be done. 

Digital accessibility in healthcare 

The digitalisation of healthcare continues to expand, arguably making it easier to access key serviecs. However, it is important to acknowledge how individuals with disabilities may struggle to access some of these resources in their current form.

Today, video consultations, digital bookings, and even online prescription ordering are increasingly becoming the norm - but healthcare providers have a responsibility to ensure that these features are easily accessible to patients with disabilities and impairments. This can include implementing accessibility digital features such as high-contrast text, keyboard navigation, and uncluttered pages, as well offering extra support and guidance.

Introducing Releaf’s In-Clinic Accessibility Layer: Support on Screen

At Releaf, we are dedicated to ensuring our services are as accessible as possible to all. We understand that accessing medical cannabis treatment can be stressful enough - which is why we recently launched our Support on Screen in-clinic accessibility layer. 

Releaf’s Support on Screen initiative is designed with accessibility in mind to ensure all our patients feel confident in using our online services. We strive to provide the support and guidance to empower patients to manage their care with independence. Support on Screen appointments can be requested by calling or emailing patient support, or through the Live Chat function on our website. 

What is a Support on Screen appointment?

Support on Screen was developed to offer visual learning support to patients who may need additional support in accessing our online services. After requesting an appointment, Releaf patients will be sent a booking link to schedule an appointment at a time that suits them. 

During this appointment, a member of our team will walk you through how to: 

• Access your initial consultation
• Complete ID checks and evaluation forms
• Order your prescriptions
• Book follow-up appointments
• Update your personal details
• Access your healthcare and prescription documents
• Navigate key dashboard features

Our mission to make healthcare more inclusive

Medical cannabis was legalised in the UK in 2018, but despite significant advances, barriers to treatment remain for many patients. The Support on Screen initiative is part of our broader mission to make our healthcare products and services more accessible and inclusive, by helping more people to access the care they deserve. 

At Releaf, we are dedicated to helping patients access medical cannabis where appropriate and to provide the highest possible standard of care.

This includes providing braille and translated versions of all our materials when requested and offering extra support for patients who experience difficulties with sight, sound, communication, language, or using our online platform. 

If you would like to learn more about our Support on Screen appointments, or to find out if you could be eligible for a medical cannabis prescription, get in touch today. Discover a more personalised approach to healthcare with Releaf.