Thursday – Agenda
October 17, 2024
IAAP A11y Expert Forum @ M-Enabling Summit
Presented by
The IAAP A11y Expert Forum will repeat its successful approach of facilitating discussions among CAOs, CIOs, DEI, Compliance, and Accessibility executives to share their experience in implementing digital accessibility strategies with lightning talks, round tables, and open forums.
7:30am – 8:30am
IAAP Forum Check-in, Coffee & Networking
8:30am – 8:40am
Welcome Remarks
8:40am – 8:55am
Keynote: Victor Calise, Director, Global Culture, Equity and Inclusion, Walmart; National/International Accessibility Leader/Paralympian
9:00am – 9:15am
IAAP State of the Union: Christopher Lee, PhD, President, G3ict/IAAP
9:15am – 10:15am
The Evolution of the Accessibility Profession: A Decade of Progress
Over the past decade, the accessibility profession has transformed significantly. Initially, it focused on cross-industry collaboration to define the purpose of professional associations. This collaborative spirit led to the development of a universal curriculum for professional certification, standardizing knowledge and skills in the field. Today, we are entering a new phase, aiming to elevate the profession by establishing C-suite-level leadership. This progression underscores the growing recognition of accessibility as a critical business function, driving innovation and competitive advantage. More importantly, it promotes inclusivity, inspiring us to push the boundaries of what is possible. Join the presenters as they explore this remarkable journey and its future trajectory.
Round Table
Moderator: Frances West, Founder, FrancesWestCo.
Speakers:
- Andrew LaHart, CPACC, Senior Accessibility Program Manager, Atlassian
- Bruno Osorio, Executive Chairman, Adamastor Studio and Foxtech
- Sarah Massengale, CPACC, Community Access Specialist, Able South Carolina and IAAP GLC Member
- Mike Gifford, CPWA, Open Standards & Practices Lead, CivicActions
10:15am – 10:45am
Networking Break
10:45am – 12:15pm
Impact of AI and Innovation on the Accessibility Profession: Threats or Opportunities?
The intersection of AI and accessibility is a beacon of hope, promising to create a more inclusive world. AI's potential to revolutionize the field of accessibility is immense, but it's crucial that we approach the challenges with care. This session will delve into the transformative power of AI in the accessibility profession, the intricacies of designing AI systems with accessibility in mind, the evolution of assistive technologies, the delicate balance between AI capabilities and privacy concerns, and the ongoing quest for bias and fairness. Join the presenters as they explore the intersection of AI and the Accessibility Profession.
- Lightning Talk: Jutta Treviranus, Ph.D., Professor and Director, Inclusive Design Research Centre and Institute, OCAD University
- Panel Discussion
Session Chair: To be announced
Panelists:- Thomas Logan, CPWA, Founder and CEO, Equal Entry
- Jia Ma, Senior Product Manager, AI/ML Products and Data Infrastructure, Microsoft
- Accenture
12:15pm – 1:00pm
Networking Lunch
1:00pm – 2:15pm
Metrics, Metrics, Metrics
Tracking and reporting accessibility data within an organization is essential for several reasons. This session explores how data collection improves the experience for persons with disabilities, both from an employee performance and customer perspective. Presenters will discuss how metrics have impacted change in their organization by highlighting examples of possible impacts in areas such as benchmarking and progress measurements, prioritization and planning, employee performance, customer experience, and compliance. Join the presenters as they share how accessibility metrics can impact the culture of an organization.
- Lightning Talk: Andrew Holbrook, Chief Accessibility Officer, Wells Fargo
- Panel Discussion
Session Chair: To be announced
Panelists:- Tim Springer, CEO, Level Access
- Stephane Leblois, MA, Chief Community and Program Officer, Valuable 500
- Hillary Wool, Partner, Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
- Walmart
- PwC
2:15pm – 2:30pm
Networking Break
2:30pm – 3:30pm
The Big Debate: Automation & Overlays
The debate around accessibility overlays and their impact on persons with disabilities is indeed a hot topic. Presenters will delve into the big picture of overlays and how they impact persons with disabilities—holding nothing back. The panel will discuss the pros and cons of overlays and emphasize the crucial need for the accessibility profession to educate companies about overlays proactively. Presenters will also discuss the importance of holding overlay companies accountable for unethical marketing practices.
Panel Discussion
Session Chair: Mary Fernandez, Global Lead, Disability and Neuro-Inclusion, Cisco Systems
Panelists:
- Ida Behreini, Software Engineer, JP Morgan Chase & Co.
- Michael Bervell, Founder and CEO, TestParty
- Willette Harris, Accessibility Project Manager, Webex
3:30pm – 3:55pm
Closing Session: What Companies Need to Know When Hiring Accessibility Professionals
Hiring an accessibility professional is not just about ticking boxes; it's about finding someone who can drive positive change and make your build and digital products environment accessible to all. When hiring these professionals, it's crucial for companies to consider several key factors to find suitable candidates to champion and implement accessibility initiatives effectively. During the closing remarks, two fast-paced lighting talks will provide SME summary feedback from focus groups addressing hiring key factors held over the first two days of the Summit.
Session Chair: Sharron Rush, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Knowbility
Speakers:
- Glenda Sims, CPWA, Chief Information Accessibility Officer (CIAO), Deque Systems
- Additional speaker to be announced
3:55pm – 4:00pm
Closing Remarks
IAAP Accessibility Workshop Offerings
Half and full-day workshops are also being offered for participants who want more in-depth training. Workshop content will be recorded and be available for purchase after the Summit. For information and registration, please visit Registration Pricing
Featured Activities
- U.S. Government Forum
- IAAP 10th Anniversary celebration and State of the Union address
- Expanded global A11y Chats
- Live Exhibitor Demos
- Hosted Sessions by Google, Crawford Technologies, Expedia, TPGi
Key Dates
Mark your calendar!
2024 M-Enabling Summit: October 15-17.