Access Unlocked: Innovating for Information Equity
Sunday, 24 May 2025 – Tuesday, 27 May 2025
Melbourne Venue to be confirmed
Description
New legal frameworks are significantly altering the accessibility landscape. At the forefront of this transformation is technology, a powerful enabler that has reshaped how information is accessed and shared. This conference will explore the dynamics between legislative changes, technological progress, and advocacy efforts that collectively enhance information equity. The 2025 conference is dedicated to deepening the understanding of information equity as an essential element of social justice. It emphasises the critical need for cross-sector collaboration to overcome the obstacles faced by individuals with print disability and to pave the way for a society where inclusive participation is the norm.
Conference aims
The 2025 conference aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, encourage knowledge exchange, and inspire innovative approaches to building a more inclusive and equitable society. It will provide a platform for people with print disability, accessible format producers, educators and support staff, librarians, curators, publishers, policy makers, technology developers and other key stakeholders to come together to collaborate, share knowledge and learn.
Invited topics
We invite engaging, dynamic and thought-provoking proposals for in-person papers and workshops focusing on new developments in braille education, technology, research, advocacy initiatives, industry collaboration, legislation, policies, and/or service delivery models that promote equitable information access for people with print disability. The specific subthemes include:
Accessible format creation: exploring challenges and solutions related to publishing, copyright and alternative format creation; showcasing cutting-edge technologies and strategies that facilitate more efficient production of accessible materials.
Advocacy and policy: exploring legal frameworks, advocacy strategies, and policy changes that promote the rights of individuals with print disability.
Technological innovations: focusing on the latest advancements in Artificial Intelligence, assistive technologies, web and mobile accessibility solutions.
Inclusive education: exploring strategies that address various learning needs from early childhood to higher education, and smooth transition into the workforce.
Inclusive employment: investigating approaches to creating a workplace that promotes the recruitment, retention and advancement of people with print disability.
Lived experience of print disability: focusing on the unique challenges faced by people with print disability.
Accessibility in the GLAM sector: focusing on challenges and opportunities in making galleries, libraries, archives, and museums, cultural content and recreation accessible to individuals with print disability.
Types of presentations
The conference will take place in person. We are looking for:
- 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.
In-person presentations will be given a preference.
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, librarians and accessible format producers.
Closing date for abstract submissions: Monday, 4 November 2024
Please complete the online Round Table Abstract Submission Form
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.
For further information regarding the program please contact:
Jane Wegener, Program Chair
Email: jane.wegener@visionaustralia.org
For general information about the conference, please contact:
Marjorie Hawkings, Round Table Conference Planner / Administration Officer
By Email: admin@printdisability.org