Events & Activities

UC tech leaders will share practical accessibility skills, explain the importance of digital accessibility and answer audience questions. Then Lucy Greco, UC Berkeley, and Jill Wolters, UCSF, will talk about Lucy’s work as a disabled staff member at the UC. Event highlights include: Accessibility and the Legal Landscape featuring Trevor Finneman, Principal Counsel, UC Office of the President, Accessibility Dos and Don’ts featuring Eric Mayes, User Interface Developer, UC Santa Barbara, and Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Accessibility Work featuring Lucy Greco, Accessibility Evangelist, UC Berkeley. Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to have a great time while learning about digital accessibility and connecting with peers throughout UC.

This year, Brickfield Education Labs and Open LMS have partnered to unveil the latest version of a self-assessment tool that allows you to rate your accessibility knowledge and skills, as we continue the tradition to join the Global Accessibility Awareness Day celebrations Register to get access to Brickfield’s self-assessment tool: https://lnkd.in/gESpfzyN Then, join one of our 3 global events on Thursday, May 15 to understand your rating, compare it with your peers, and learn how to improve your skills and the quality of your eLearning experiences

Event Information

In 2025, Global Accessibility Awareness Day falls on May 15th. Our conference will start at 10:00 AM and will be available online on the ZOOM platform.

Topics

• Digital Poland Projects Centre. Digital accessibility in projects. Introduction
  Anna Czekalska, Accessibility Coordinator, Digital Poland Projects Centre;
• Digitization of art and culture in a digitally accessible way – process and challenges
  Ewa Jakubowska-Smagieł, Head of the Documentation and Digitization Department, Museum of King Jan III’s Palace at Wilanów
• Accessibility in the e-services of the Ministry of Finance – implementation aspects
  Henryk Gryz Digital, Accessibility Coordinator, Ministry of Finance
• Accessibility standards for the cohesion policy 2021-2027. Requirements in projects co-financed by EU funds
  Bartosz Stępień FADO Social Cooperative, University of Lodz
• Artificial intelligence supporting digital accessibility
  Adam Pietrasiewicz Advisor, Department of Digital Accessibility, Ministry of Digital Affairs
• Digital accessibility in the Polish Accessibility Act from the perspective of the Ministry of Digital Affairs
  Anna Huzarska Head of the Department of Digital Accessibility, Ministry of Digital Affairs

Accessibility at the Event

At the conference, we have provided a Polish Sign Language interpreter and live captions.

If you’re new to accessibility, Deque’s Accessibility Fundamentals session is the perfect place to start—and it’s FREE! Led by the same accessibility experts trusted by the world’s biggest brands, this session is for everyone: policymakers, designers, developers, testers, and more. In just two hours, you will:

• Discover what digital accessibility is and why it matters.
• Learn about Indian and Australian digital accessibility laws and guidelines.
• Explore how people with disabilities navigate the web.
• Get tips for championing accessibility at your organization.

Der öffentlichen Verwaltung in Deutschland kommt bei der Umsetzung von Barrierefreiheit eine besondere Vorbildfunktion zu. Schließlich muss es allen Menschen – egal ob mit oder ohne Behinderungen – möglich sein, staatliche Leistungen barrierefrei in Anspruch nehmen zu können. Dies schließt auch die digitalen Angebote ein. Deshalb bestehen bereits seit vielen Jahren gesetzliche Regelungen, welche die öffentlichen Verwaltungen in Deutschland in diversen Bereichen zu digitaler Barrierefreiheit verpflichten. Ungeachtet dessen kann von einer flächendeckenden digitalen Barrierefreiheit bisher noch lange keine Rede sein. Mit unserer Online-Veranstaltung möchten wir für die Notwendigkeit von digitaler Barrierefreiheit schwerpunktmäßig im Bereich der öffentlichen Verwaltung sensibilisieren sowie auf bestehende gesetzliche Regelungen verweisen. Darüber hinaus geben wir konkrete Impulse als auch Best Practices, um bei der Umsetzung dieser großen und wichtigen Aufgabe zu unterstützen. Das Format richtet sich daher schwerpunktmäßig an Beschäftigte der Verwaltungen von Bund, Ländern und Kommunen, steht natürlich aber allen Interessierten am Thema offen. Mehr Informationen zu den verschiedenen Vorträgen und die Einwahldaten zur Veranstaltung finden Sie hier:

✈️ Join us for a Community Day at Bradley International Airport on May 15 – also Global Accessibility Awareness Day! GoodMaps is partnering with BDL to celebrate GAAD (GAAD (Global Accessibility Awareness Day) Foundation) by showcasing our computer vision-powered wayfinding platform, designed to make travel more accessible and inclusive for everyone. Explore the airport with the GoodMaps app, connect with our team, and share your feedback to help shape the future of inclusive navigation. Kevin Kline, GoodMaps’ Community Engagement Rep and accessibility advocate, will be on site to answer your questions and demonstrate how GoodMaps is transforming travel for people with disabilities.

📅 Date: May 15, 2025

🕙 Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST

📍 Location: Departures level by Dunkin’ Donuts

💬 No formal program – stop by anytime!

🚗 Parking is available in the airport garage – just bring your parking ticket inside for validation. Community groups and partners passionate about accessible travel are especially welcome.

📲 Download the GoodMaps app for iOS or Android to get started.

🍏 https://apps.apple.com/app/id6444539843

🤖 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goodmapsapp

Let’s make travel more accessible, together – on GAAD and every day!

Join Disability:IN for an engaging webinar in celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). Our presenters, who live and work in the LATAM region, will share their unique perspectives on accessibility. This session will cover a range of topics, including case studies and success stories, practical implementation tips, the role of AI in accessibility, and methods for measuring impact. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how accessibility is being advanced in the LATAM region and learn practical strategies for implementing inclusive design in their own organizations.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Learn from Real-World Examples: Hear from industry experts and organizations in the LATAM region that have successfully implemented inclusive design. Understand their experiences, challenges, and the solutions they have developed.
• Implement Accessibility Features: Discover practical tips and techniques for integrating accessibility features into websites, apps, and other digital products. Learn how to make your digital offerings more inclusive and user-friendly.
• Explore AI and Accessibility: Gain a foundational understanding of AI and machine learning and their potential to enhance accessibility. Learn how these technologies can be leveraged to create more inclusive digital experiences.

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.

Der Workshop soll für die Teilnehmenden ein Einstieg in den barrierefreien Einsatz von Bildern durch die Nutzung von Alternativtexten sein. Nach einer kurzen Icebreaker-Umfrage zum Wissensstand zu Alternativtexten, wird zu Beginn erläutert, warum Alternativtexte im Sinne der digitalen Barrierefreiheit essenziell sind und welches Ziel der Einsatz von Alternativtexten hat. Anschließend werden grundlegende Regeln für Alternativtexte thematisiert. Zu diesem Zweck wird zunächst ein Bild unzureichend beschrieben und die Teilnehmenden machen sich Gedanken, wie sie sich das Bild vorstellen. Danach wird das Bild mittels eines sinnvollen Alternativtextes beschrieben und den Teilnehmenden anschließend präsentiert. Aus diesem Vergleich erkennen die Teilnehmenden, welche Informationen in Alternativtexten wichtig sind. Anschließend werden Regeln für Alternativtexte aufgezeigt und die vier wichtigsten Bildtypen unterschieden. Im weiteren Verlauf des Workshops sollen die Teilnehmenden nun anhand des Gelernten entscheiden, ob für ein Bild ein Alternativtext notwendig/ausreichend ist und wenn ja, welcher Alternativtext passt. Dazu werden hintereinander zwei bis drei Bilder gezeigt und jeweils eine Abstimmung bereitgestellt. Die Ergebnisse werden jeweils kurz besprochen. Zum Abschluss wird den Teilnehmenden noch kurz veranschaulicht, wo ein Alternativtext hinterlegt werden kann (Beispiel: PowerPoint) und ggf. offene Fragen geklärt. Der Workshop endet mit einer kurzen Umfrage zur Selbsteinschätzung, inwieweit die Teilnehmenden sich nun in der Thematik der Alternativtexte sicherer fühlen als zu Beginn des Workshops.