“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
2023 Conference Booklet N12 (1 MB)
2023 Conference Book of Abstracts N12 (86 KB)
2023 Conference Presentations and Papers
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 (43 KB)
2022 Australian Braille Authority Annual Meeting Minutes N12 12pt (63 KB)
2022 Report of the Chair Jordie Howell N12 (37 KB)
Alternative Formats
Should you have any queries or require the conference documentation in an alternate format please do not hesitate to contact us.
Conference Enquiries
Marjorie Hawkings
Round Table Administration Officer
Round Table Conference Planner
Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities Inc.
Ph: (03) 9010 6251
NZ: 021 252 1935
Email: admin@printdisability.org