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Webinar: Digital Accessibility Imperative Post COVID-19
THIS EVENT IS NOT RUN BY AN ASSOCIATION IN THE TECH ALLIANCE, BUT MAY BE OF INTEREST TO SOME MEMBERS.
Lockdown and social distancing restrictions have forced many businesses online, quickly, and often without ensuring that their solutions are accessible. These businesses are not only excluding people who have access needs, they are also missing out on many other benefits of accessibility.
Thursday 21 May is Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), a day to get people talking, thinking and learning about digital access/inclusion. This year our discussion focuses on how businesses need to consider digital accessibility. Not only is ensuring everyone has an equitable experience the right thing to do to, but there are multiple other business benefits from considering accessibility from the beginning.
InternetNZ, Access Advisors and the Access Alliance have come together to host a 90-minute online event designed to start a discussion around the ‘Post Covid Digital Accessibility’. The panel will be facilitated by Andrew Cushen from InternetNZ and include representatives from the business, disability, access legislation and digital accessibility consultancy communities.
Panel
Facilitated by Andrew Cushen from InternetNZ, our panel of experts will discuss:
- How business are moving online fast, without necessarily considering accessibility – TBC
- The problems faced with websites that aren’t accessible – TBC
- The need for an Access Law in New Zealand – Chrissie Cowan
- Business benefits of and how to improve digital accessibility – Dr Chandra Harrison
Audience
This webinar will be of interest to:
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- People who believe that digital services should be technologically accessible for all New Zealanders
- Disability community
- Design/tech community
- Business community
- Internet community
Format
Panelists will speak for 15 minutes with a five minute Q&A on their topic. After all four speakers have finished there will be a general discussion to gauge the desire for more targeted events to explore specific needs for different access types.
Attendees are encouraged to contribute questions ahead of time and during the session. Andrew will facilitate the Q&A sessions. Once you have registered you will receive a link to the Zoom Webinar
Panelists
Andrew Cushen – is the Engagement Director and leads the Community, Events and Communications teams at InternetNZ. He has over 15 years experience in managing relationships, messages and issues across the Internet, telco and tech sectors.
Neil Jarvis
Chrissie Cowan – CEO of Kāpō Māori and Access Alliance
Dr Chandra Harrison – Managing Director of Access Advisors. Access Advisors is a New Zealand based pan-disability digital accessibility social enterprise. Chandra is passionate about helping New Zealand businesses to improve their digital accessibility and has worked in accessibility for the past 20 years in NZ, USA and UK. Chandra will discuss the numerous business benefits of accessibility, how to improve digital accessibility and explain the resources and services available.
Access Needs
NZSL interpreters will be available and the webinar will have captions.
Supporters of the event
Thanks are extended to BLVNZ, Deaf Aotearoa, People First, Accessibility Tick.