Events & Activities

In today’s digital landscape, accessibility is paramount. With the evolution of technology and the ever-changing accessibility guidelines, publishers and content creators are faced with the challenge of ensuring that their content is user-friendly and accessible to all. Image descriptions, serve as a textual description of images, graphics, and multimedia elements within digital content. Understanding their significance and mastering their creation can greatly enhance the accessibility of your content, making it inclusive for all users, including those with visual impairments. It also forms a core part of overall accessibility, increasingly required for compliance across global markets. Lumina Datamatics invites you for an insightful webinar where industry experts Stacy Scott, Head of Accessibility, Taylor & Francis Group and Simon Mellins, Digital Publishing Consultant and Accessibility Specialist will delve into the intricacies of image description, its pivotal role in content accessibility, practical tips on creation and implementation

At eLaHub we believe that all learning content should be accessible and inclusive – as the default! Last year to celebrate GAAD we offered free access to the taster module for our Designing Accessible Learning Content (DALC) Programme. The taster module, alongside the full DALC Programme launched in November, has been really successful in raising accessibility awareness amongst learning practitioners, providing them with the practical guidance and resources needed to understand how to create accessible and inclusive learning content. To celebrate GAAD this year, for a limited period until 13th June we are once again offering 100 places with free access to the DALC taster module. Delegates who successfully complete the taster will earn an official Continuing Professional Development (CPD) certificate worth 90 minutes of CPD – a great way to demonstrate your commitment to more accessible and inclusive learning content!

At Salesforce, the Product Accessibility and Inclusive Design (PAID), Office of Accessibility, and Abilityforce team are excited to host a number of events honoring GAAD. We’ll be hosting a fireside chat with Paula Goldman, EVP of Ethical and Humane Use of Technology, and Dr. Victor Santiago Pineda, serial social impact entrepreneur and disability rights advocate, on Inclusive Innovation with AI. They’ll discuss how AI can be leveraged to create accessible solutions for people with disabilities, the role of inclusive design in AI development, and what new technical capabilities and opportunities are emerging as a result of inclusive AI. Continuing our conversations with AI, we’re offering a roundtable discussion on AI & Accessibility, with special guest Mike Hess, founder and executive director of Blind Institute of Technology and last year’s Dreamforce Golden Hoodie winner. This session will be moderated by Catherine Nichols, VP of the Office of Accessibility and include Jacqui Tolisano, Senior Director of Product Accessibility, Kris Woolery, Director of Inclusive Design on the Responsible AI in Tech team, Orlando Lugo, Product Manager for Ethical & Humane Use and AI Council member, Patrick Hermiller, Senior Product Designer on the AI Trust team, and Mike Raabe, Abilityforce President We have employees with disabilities hosting an informal Ask Me Anything: Disability Edition. Adam Rodenbeck, Senior Digital Accessibility Engineer, Alicia Schriever, President of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing chapter of Abilityforce, Brooke Eby, ISV Principle Business Development Manager, and Carden Wyckoff, Principal Accessibility Support Engineer will talk about disability etiquette, different models that shape the way people approach disability, and answer burning questions in an interactive conversation. From Tuesday through Thursday, Salesforce employees globally are excited to be working with Be My Eyes, an organization that connects blind and low-vision users who want sighted assistance with volunteers.

Join us for the Global Accessibility Awareness Day celebration in Poznan! Participate in several activities. Among others, discover how accessible Allegro’s OneBox parcel machines are, step into the shoes of people with disabilities in the Barrier Breaker activity and utilize opportunities for networking. Also, we have two notable presentations lined up: one by Dominika Łukoszek and Kuba Dębski from the Centre for Information Technology (COI, Centralny Ośrodek Informatyki) who who will take us metaphorically to the botanical garden and tell us how it relates to accessibility, and the other by Agnieszka Maciejewska – the Accessibility Coordinator at the City Office of Poznań, talking about her experiences with Poznań city’s accessibility. The event is free (registration required) and will be translated into Polish Sign Language.

Embark on an exhilarating journey as we plunge into the dynamic realm of screen readers with an interactive game! Brace yourself for “What is that screen reader saying?” and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of assistive technology and its users. In just 30 minutes, prepare to be captivated, enlightened, and empowered in this not-to-be-missed adventure!

Learn about the importance of alt text and how to write effective alt text in this interactive session.

Inclusive meetings and events are essential because they ensure that all participants, regardless of their background or disabilities, feel welcomed and valued. Discover practical strategies to make your meetings and gatherings more inclusive, ensuring that every participant feels seen, heard, and valued.

Joe Devon, CoFounder of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) and Chair of the GAAD Foundation, will explore the intersection of accessibility and travel, highlighting the significance of creating inclusive experiences for all. Drawing from his extensive experience in advocating for digital accessibility, Joe will share insights into the challenges faced by travelers with disabilities and the transformative power of accessible travel. He will discuss how the principles behind GAAD can be applied to the travel industry, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness, empathy, and action.

Join us for a day of innovation, collaboration, and insight at our live, in-person event in Chicago. Our packed agenda includes a keynote session delving into the latest developments in digital accessibility, fireside chats with industry experts, peer learning opportunities, and valuable insight from Shelby Mitchell, Sr. Manager of Digital Accessibility at Discover. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn, connect, and celebrate accessibility!

Come visit with the Arc of Memphis, they will be joining us to help celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day GAAD, there will be an activity tables for hands on activities focusing on hidden and apparent disabilities.