Universal Information Access: Pathways to an Equitable Future

The Round Table Executive were thrilled to hold their first face to face conference since 2019.

Around the conference theme “Universal Information Access: Pathways to an Equitable Future”, presenters explored the ever-expanding opportunities presented to people with print disabilities. The conference provided a forum for all of those with an involvement or interest in information access for children and adults who cannot readily access standard print.

In almost a decade since the adoption of the Marrakesh VIP Treaty, much progress has been made on improving access for people with print disabilities, but we are not there yet. While the diversity of facilities, access modes and formats have been growing, we are a long way away from a widespread adoption of the principles of universal design in the creation and provision of information, services and technology.

Dates and Venue

Sunday, 7 May to Tuesday, 9 May 2023.
Rydges Sydney Central, 28 Albion Street, Surry Hills, Sydney, Australia

The Australian Braille Authority (ABA) Annual Meeting was held on Saturday, 6 May.

Keynotes and feature presenters

• Richard Orme, DAISY Consortium – Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger!
• CEO Panel with Anna Presser, EverAbility Group; Chris Rehn, NextSense; John Mulka, Blind Low Vision NZ; Ron Hooton, Vision Australia – The Vision for the Future.
• Darlene McLennan, David Swayn, Andrew Arch, Neil Jarvis, Steve Johnston – Accessible ICT procurement implementation guide for Australian Universities.
• Melissa Fanshawe, Senior Lecturer, University of Southern Queensland.
• Stewart Hay, Managing Director, Intopia.
• Victoria Owen, Faculty of Information, University of Toronto; Jessica Coates, Senior Rights Advisor, National Library of Australia and Sarah Powell, Executive Officer, Australian Digital Alliance.
• Chris Harrop, Telstra Sports Technology Lead, Telstra.
• Roger Firman, Chair, UK Association for Accessible Formats.

Proceedings

Papers and presentations from this conference can be accessed via this Members-Only password protected link: 2023 – Sydney.

Sponsors and Support

Round Table proudly acknowledges the following Conference Sponsors and Exhibitors of the 2023 Round Table Conference.

• Blind Low Vision NZ – Platinum Sponsor
• Christian Services for the Blind and Hearing Impaired– Platinum Sponsor
• EverAbility Group – Platinum Sponsor
• NextSense – Platinum Sponsor
• Vision Australia – Platinum Sponsor
• OZeWAI – Silver Sponsor
• Australian Government’s Department of Social Services – providing funding for self-funded consumers.

Exhibitors

• Deafblind Information Australia / Access Easy English
• Dot Incorporation
• HumanWare
• Pacific Vision
• Pentronics
• Quantum RLV

The support of the following organisations, for production of accessible format conference materials, is also gratefully acknowledged.

• Next Sense.
• VisAbility.
• Vision Australia

Australian Braille Authority meeting documents

• 2023 Australian Braille Authority Annual Meeting Agenda N12 (docx 43 KB)
• 2022 Australian Braille Authority Annual Meeting Minutes N12 (docx 63 KB)
• 2022 Report of the Chair Jordie Howell N12 (docx 37 KB)

Alternative Formats

Should you have any queries or require the conference documentation in an alternate format please get in touch via our Contact Us page.