Events & Activities

February 5 through May 15, 2025 marks the second annual 100 Days of Accessibility at the University of Iowa. The goal of the 100 Days initiative is to illustrate the ongoing nature of accessibility practice by providing a window of opportunity for individuals and groups to effect real progress in their accessibility journey. Throughout the 100 Days, Accessibility@IOWA offers trainings, workshops, and other resources to increase awareness, develop skills, set goals, and inspire knowledgeable action toward accessibility and inclusion.

(german below) Since 2018 the accessibility working group of the German UPA (professional association of german usability and user experience professionals) publishes a series of articles to raise awareness of digital accessibility and make existing knowledge and information accessible for UX professionals. All articles (including those from previous years) are publicly accessible all times at www.fronta11y.org The CfP open until April 1st: https://forms.gle/JAza26JGZCLkxeJ56 join us! — (unten auf Deutsch) Seit 2018 veröffentlicht die Arbeitskreis Barrierefreiheit der German UPA (Berufsverband der deutschen Usability- und User-Experience-Professionals) eine Reihe von Artikeln, um das Bewusstsein für digitale Barrierefreiheit zu schärfen und vorhandenes Wissen und Informationen für UX-Professionals und allies zugänglich zu machen. Alle Artikel (auch die aus den Vorjahren) sind jederzeit unter www.fronta11y.org öffentlich erreichbar. Der Aufruf zur Einreichung von Beiträgen läuft bis zum 1. April: https://forms.gle/JAza26JGZCLkxeJ56 Mach mit!

As Google Maps Volunteers, Local Guides are celebrating their 10th anniversary contributing data (photos, reviews, videos and rates) on Google Maps. We have dedicated the month of May 2025 to review our activities towards accessibility and inclusion. This will help us make more helpful and useful contributions for billions of users worldwide. Join us!

Join us for an inspiring and engaging event in celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)! At Abra we are dedicated to making the digital world more accessible for everyone. This event is the perfect opportunity to connect with colleagues, friends, partners, and clients who share the same vision. Let’s come together to exchange insights, network, and take action towards a more accessible world. Event Details 📅 Date: 14 May 📍 Location: Jaarbeurs Innovation Mile (Next to Utrecht Central station) 🕓 Time: 15:00 – 21:00 Why Attend? ✅ Expand Your Network: Meet professionals, developers, and advocates in the accessibility community. ✅ Gain Practical Knowledge: Learn about EAA compliance, accessibility best practices, and automated testing. ✅ Improve Your App’s Accessibility: Get a speed audit of your app with expert feedback. ✅ Engaging Workshops: Hands-on sessions on automated app testing and accessibility strategies. ✅ Drinks & Bites: Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with great conversations and refreshments. Collaborating Partners We are excited to work with leading accessibility experts and organizations, including Accessibility foundation, Swink and Q42.

This is the third time that the Bitcoin Design Community is participating in Global Accessibility Awareness Day, to draw attention to accessibility in the open-source bitcoin ecosystem. Our goal is to design bitcoin for everyone, so accessibility is close to our heart. While we are still refining some of the planning for the day, we will likely kick it off with a workshop that provides an introduction to accessibility, testing, and common issues. The remainder of the day will be more open and happen in smaller groups focusing on different areas of interest.

The course on inclusive design focuses on creating accessible and sustainable digital products and services. Participants will learn to identify and address barriers, design for diverse users, and involve individuals with disabilities in the process. It combines theory, practical exercises, and real-world examples, making it ideal for UX and service designers who want to integrate accessibility into their workflows. The course includes workshops, discussions, and resources to support continuous learning.

we will be hosting a panel interview with three different perspectives for people in Dept of Primary Industries and Regional development staff

The Global Initiative on Virtual Worlds and AI – Discovering the Citiverse was launched by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations International Computing Centre (UNICC), and Digital Dubai on 14 June 2024 during the 1st UN Virtual Worlds Day. Cities, as hubs of human activity, face many challenges, and building digital cities presents an opportunity to overcome some already known and identified barriers to human interaction. The Initiative has created the Digital Inclusion and Accessibility track to address the economic needs in virtual worlds and citiverse. The Digital Inclusion and Accessibility track began its work on 1 December 2024 and aims to produce one joint deliverable by June 2025. Experts from all regions will contribute to the deliverable by providing input to a shared document and participating in seven meetings. This webinar coincides with Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2025 and will present the work being done to draft a set of guidelines for an accessible and inclusive CitiVerse by design. The guidelines will provide strategic and meaningful engagement that promotes the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), observed annually on the third Thursday of May, is a day dedicated to raising awareness about digital accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities. This year, SEED Inclusivity, an initiative by Seedstars in partnership with the Visa Foundation, is proud to announce its inaugural GAAD event focused on building a thriving ecosystem for accessibility and disability innovation in the Asia-Pacific region. SEED Inclusivity (https://seedinclusivity.com/) is dedicated to fostering inclusive entrepreneurship by supporting startups that are creating solutions for and with people with disabilities. By leveraging Seedstars’ extensive network and expertise in emerging markets, coupled with the Visa Foundation’s commitment to inclusive economic development, SEED Inclusivity aims to empower entrepreneurs and drive systemic change. This GAAD event will serve as the official introduction of SEED Inclusivity as a key ecosystem builder in the Asia-Pacific landscape, highlighting the immense potential within the accessibility, accessible technology, and disability innovation space. We aim to convene key stakeholders, foster collaboration, and showcase groundbreaking solutions that are making a tangible difference in the lives of people with disabilities. This high-impact session will follow a dynamic and engaging TED-style format: (15 minutes) Keynote 1: The State of Accessibility and Innovation in Asia-Pacific: A high-profile speaker (e.g., a government representative or a thought leader in disability inclusion) will provide an overview of the current landscape, challenges, and opportunities in accessibility and innovation within the region. (15 minutes) Keynote 2: The Vision of SEED Inclusivity: A representative from Seedstars and the Visa Foundation will officially launch SEED Inclusivity, outlining its mission, programs, and commitment to building a vibrant ecosystem. (30 minutes) Panel Discussion: Fostering Collaboration for an Inclusive Future: A diverse panel consisting of representatives from government, corporations, non-profits, and individuals with disabilities will discuss the importance of cross-sector collaboration in driving accessibility and inclusion in the Asia-Pacific startup ecosystem. (30 minutes) Startup Demos: Innovation in Action: Selected startups from the first cohort of the SEED Inclusivity program (and potentially other promising startups in the region) will showcase their innovative accessibility solutions through concise and impactful TED-style demos. Please note the suggested time slot for our event is flexible and subject to change.

Join us in celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day (#GAAD25) with “AI and Accessibility: Navigating the Challenges, Exploring the Potential”. This event is hosted by Transmedia Catalonia’s AccessTalks initiative in collaboration with the Be A(I)ware campaign under the ALFIE project. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives, it presents both opportunities and challenges for digital accessibility. When developed responsibly, AI can break barriers and foster inclusivity. However, if mismanaged, it risks reinforcing biases and excluding vulnerable communities. This webinar will critically examine the intersection of AI and accessibility, addressing key concerns such as disaggregated data, algorithmic bias, fairness, user-centric design, and regulatory oversight. Attendees will gain insights into the latest research and innovative efforts to make AI more inclusive while tackling ethical concerns and current limitations.