Events & Activities

Digitale Barrierefreiheit stellt einen entscheidenden Erfolgsfaktor dar – doch oft fehlt es an Wissen darüber, wo die größten Hürden liegen und wie wir sie effektiv beseitigen können. Genau hier setzen wir an: Wir vermitteln praxisnahes Wissen zu den häufigsten Barrieren in Websites, Apps und PDFs und zeigen konkrete Lösungen auf. Das interaktive Online-Seminar zum GAAD 2025 kombiniert Vorträge mit Live-Diskussionen. Unsere Expert:innen teilen ihre Erfahrungen aus der Praxis und beantworten Fragen direkt im Chat. Ob Einsteiger:in oder Fortgeschrittene:r – das Event bietet wertvolle Impulse, um digitale Angebote zugänglicher zu gestalten.

You are invited to register for Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) on May 15, 2025. Join us for a virtual event on the theme of ‘Committing to Change,’ which will spark conversations and enhance understanding about digital access and inclusion. GAAD 2025 will include a keynote presentation from Dr. Ludmila Praslova, author of The Canary Code, and several breakout sessions in the areas of advancing accessibility in higher education, disability culture & justice, and universal design. Visit the GAAD event website for more information.

Digital accessibility will be a hot topic in 2025, as the German Accessibility Improvement Act (BFSG) will come into force on June 28. This is a good opportunity to address the question of how great awareness of accessibility already is and what practical experience different players have already gained. And, of course, it is always fruitful to network and exchange expertise. In this respect, the event will also promote the idea of community and fill it with life.

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.

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).

In the spirit of GAAD and as the next webinar in our monthly Workday Accessibility Level Up series, we’ll be talking about some of the many kinds of assistive technologies that people with different disabilities use. We’ll also discuss things to keep in mind when building a digital product to make sure people with disabilities, and the assistive tools they use, can interact with your product.

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.