Events & Activities

Discovery Awards, conceptualised by EnAble India in collaboration with Zero Project- is a platform that highlights grassroots innovations focused on affordability, accessibility, and ease of use solutions. While we often think of high-tech solutions, Discovery Awards recognizes practical solutions that are making a real difference in everyday lives. With participation from over 44 countries and growing, the initiative is building a global network of changemakers committed to breaking down barriers for people with disabilities.

Project Discovery, an initiative by EnAble India, this annual pan-India and pan-disability movement aims to discover and highlight innovative, every day and grassroots solutions created and used by persons with disabilities to enhance their quality of life and support their livelihoods. ​ Through a video-based format, the initiative offers a platform for persons with disabilities (PwDs) to submit and share their solutions, which are then aggregated into a centralized, discoverable database. ​ This movement not only amplifies the voices and innovations of PwDs but also advocates the belief that everyone is an innovator, thereby fostering a sense of agency and positioning persons with disabilities as active, valuable contributors to society. ​ In last 5 yrs Project Discovery has significantly expanded its reach across India, encompassing 26 states and 3 Union Territories and gathering solutions from individuals with 21 disabilities (as recognized by the Indian government and beyond). It has amassed over 6,000 solution videos and gained international recognition through adoption by the Zero Project, now being replicated in 43 countries.​ Every year in and arounf GAAD Project Discovery has it’s online launch event for the respective year.

The event is organised by AccessibleEU, with the National Authority for the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as a co-organiser, and will provide a comprehensive overview of the current status of the implementation of Law 232/2022, the act that transposes the European Accessibility Act into the national legislation. It is an opportunity for an open dialogue between the representatives of the regulatory bodies, the representatives of the national organisations of persons with disabilities, and the key players acting in the sectors addressed by the European Accessibility Act, to tackle the challenges and explore the possibilities that Law 232 introduces. Beyond the legal landscape, the audience will also get a firsthand look at practical resources designed to make a difference. CED Romania Association will be showcasing their recently launched Romania-accesibila.ro platform – a valuable online hub for all things accessibility. Additionally, there will be presented insightful results of a study exploring the perspectives of persons with disabilities, conducted under the ”A Family of Millions” disability-awareness national campaign by CED Romania Association and Accenture Romania, proudly endorsed by the AccessibleEU.

Join Envision’s May Community Webinar. It’s a GAAD special. We’re excited to welcome Bethany Small, Chief Program Officer at the Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired in California, who will share practical tips on how to access funding and training for the latest assistive technologies, including Envision Glasses, ally, and other innovative solutions. You’ll also be first to hear about the latest Envision product updates from Envision CTO Karthik Kannan —don’t miss out!

In an era where inclusivity is essential to educational success, AI offers powerful tools to help educators create more accessible, equitable, and engaging learning environments. This interactive webinar provides practical insights into harnessing AI to meet the diverse needs of all learners, with special attention to students experiencing visible and invisible disabilities—such as mobility, sensory, cognitive, and learning challenges.

Attendees will explore how AI-driven technologies can be employed to generate accessible learning content, including automated alt text for images, captions for videos, and accurate transcripts for audio resources. Additionally, the session will demonstrate how AI can support inclusive assessment practices by aiding in rubric creation, exemplar generation, and personalized feedback.

Throughout the webinar, educators and instructional designers will engage with case studies and hands-on demonstrations highlighting strategies to utilize AI effectively while mitigating biases and ensuring representation of diverse perspectives. By the conclusion of this engaging session, attendees will gain practical strategies and a curated toolkit of AI resources designed to enhance inclusivity, accessibility, and equity in their teaching practices.

Key Takeaways:

• Discover practical AI tools to enhance accessibility and inclusivity in course content
• Examine methods to leverage AI for equitable and personalized assessment practices
• Develop skills to recognize and mitigate biases in AI-driven educational content
• Access ready-to-use strategies and resources for immediate implementation

Intended Audience:

Faculty, instructional designers, accessibility specialists, and academic technologists committed to creating inclusive and accessible learning experiences

Each week we will discuss a different part of the book Design for All Learners: Create Accessible and Inclusive Learning Experiences. Join all sessions or just the ones you’d like to participate in. Contributing authors will be joining as well!

May 30 – Part 1: Exploring and Inclusive Mindset

June 6 – Part 2: Designing Inclusive Digital Content

June 13 – Part 3: Creating an Inclusive Physical Classroom

June 20 – Part 4: Creating an Inclusive Virtual Classroom

June 27 – Part 5: A Primer on Accessibility Standards

July 11 – Part 6: Adopting an Inclusive Mindset in Your Organization

July 18 – Part 7: Taking Action