Inclusion and Access to Information in our Changing World

Monday, 16 May to Tuesday, 17 May 2022

Virtual Conference

Information access is essential for all people including those with print disabilities going about their daily lives.  While becoming increasingly available over many years via a growing diversity of facilities, access modes and formats, at no time in our recent history has the need for accessible information become so apparent than in the context of a major world event.

The 2022 Conference will explore the challenges and opportunities in this rapidly changing world for technology developers, accessible format producers, libraries, publishers, education institutions, government bodies and other organisations in facilitating equitable information access for people with print disabilities.

It will also focus attention on the experiences of people with print disabilities to embrace a range of approaches needed to participate in the community against the backdrop of a global pandemic.

Conference Aims

• To promote accessible information for people with print disabilities.
• To share information about challenges and opportunities in providing accessible information for people with print disabilities.
• To learn first-hand from consumers with print disabilities regarding their experiences in interacting with various technologies in a rapidly changing environment.
• To promote and enhance collaborative partnerships and peer support networks.
• To showcase and workshop examples of current best practice in the provision of accessible information and technology for people with print disabilities.
• To explore policies, frameworks, advocacy initiatives, supports and services provided for people with print disabilities by work places, educational institutions, libraries, publishers, government and community organisations.

We invite relevant papers and workshops on new developments, research, advocacy initiatives, applications, legislation, policies, and/or service delivery models that promote equitable information access for people with print disabilities in a changing environment.

Invited topics include but are not limited to:

• Recent local, national, or international collaboration informing the creation of accessible information for people with print disabilities.
• Challenges and opportunities for service providers and consumers with print disabilities resulting from rapidly moving learning, assessment or other activities online.
• Initiatives and strategies designed to keep people with print disabilities socially connected.
• Innovative application of ‘smart’ technologies and their potential benefits to accommodate the information access needs of people with print disabilities.
• New developments and innovation in access to Braille.
• Developments in representing visual information in alternate formats.
• New developments in accessible software and hardware.
• Relevant advocacy initiatives and legislative developments to enable improved access to information for people with print disabilities.
• Information accessibility and usability standards and guidelines.
• Perspectives from people who have a print disability.

Types of presentations

• Oral presentation of approximately 30 minutes (20 minute presentation plus 10 minutes for audience questions or discussion).
• Interactive workshop presentation of 60 or 90 minutes duration, providing opportunities for the active engagement of participants.

Conference participants and presenters

The Conference provides a forum for all of those with an involvement or interest in information access for children and adults who cannot readily access standard print. Conference participants and presenters generally include the following:

• Individuals with print disabilities, including people with vision impairment, learning disability and dyslexia.
• Disability service providers, including national and local government agencies, education and rehabilitation professionals, disability officers, librarians, and web and technology developers.
• Accessibility experts, specialists and researchers.
• Consumer representative organisations.
• Publishers and accessible format producers.

Please complete the online: Round Table Abstract Submission Form

Closing date for Abstract submissions: Monday, 15 November 2021

Accessibility of presentation

If your paper is accepted, you will be sent guidelines for accessible presentations that must be adhered to.

Attendance of other sessions

Presenters may attend the conference session prior to their session at no cost. If you wish to attend the full day or on an alternate day, or the full conference, then you will need to register and pay the applicable registration fees.

Questions

For questions related to the conference program, please contact Jane Wagener, Round Table Program Committee by email: Jane.Wegener@visionaustralia.org

For general information about the conference, please contact Marjorie Hawkings, Round Table Conference Planner

By email: admin@printdisability.org
By phone: Australia: (03) 9010 6251 for overseas calls: +61 3 9010 6251
Callers from New Zealand 021 252 1935