Accessibility Forum, Manchester

Name: Accessibility Forum, Manchester
Start: 2024-09-19T17:00:00.000+01:00

Date

19/09/2024

Time

05:00 pm

Location

1 Angel Square, Manchester, M60 0AG

About the event

Accessibility is an area that all too often becomes an afterthought when it comes to building digital products. But with the European Accessibility Act 2025 fast approaching, businesses are needing to act fast to ensure their apps and websites will be compliant with new guidelines.

These looming changes aim to improve access to essential digital and electronic facilities for the 135 million people living with disabilities in Europe - including mobile apps.

So what does this mean for companies and their mobile users?

We’re gathering a panel of design, development and product experts to share their experiences, insights and advice on how best to prepare for the upcoming changes, and how to shift attitudes towards accessibility across your organisation.

Events

Agenda:

What does it mean to make a digital product accessible - what needs should you consider to be WCAG compliant and beyond?

What are the potential repercussions for businesses once new legislation comes into force and how can businesses avoid issues? Will this legislation still affect UK-based businesses, and in what ways?

What are the wider implications of not making products accessible, and just how wide is the impact?

Tools and resources businesses can adopt to make accessibility a more intrinsic part of the development and design process?

How to get buy in from key stakeholders across the business to understand why accessibility is crucial

How to build teams across design, development, and QA that can act as accessibility champions and ensure accessibility is embedded in your business as a whole

The details:

Where: Our friends at the Co-op are kindly hosting this event at their Manchester HQ: Co-operative Group HQ, 1 Angel Square, Manchester M60 0AG

When: Doors open at 5pm, talks start at 5:30pm, the event will end at 8pm

What: Networking, keynote presentations and a panel discussion followed by light refreshments.

Join us for an honest and open discussion around accessibility with the chance to connect with industry peers to share experiences and ideas.

Meet the speakers

Dr Elizabeth Blakelock, Accessibility and Inclusion Manager, Monzo

Dr. Elizabeth Blakelock is a Disability advocate with decades of experience driving up standards in essential services. She focuses on connecting leaders with evidence that products and services can be accessible to all. As a disabled solo parent from rural Suffolk, Dr. Blakelock brings a powerful combination of data-driven insights and lived experience to her work.

James Martin, Lead Designer & Engineer, Co-op Insurance

James Martin is Lead Interaction Designer at Co-op. Originally starting out as a web developer, the last few years have seen him make a gradual career transition to the world of design. Diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at the age of 32, he is a neurodiversity advocate whose passion is to make digital solutions accessible to all.

Lucie Farrington, Senior User Researcher, Apadmi

Having recently joined the User Research team at Apadmi, Lucie has several years of experience in user research across financial services, retail and loyalty apps at Very and Shop Direct. Specialising in ensuring customers can navigate online and in-app journeys is a passion for Lucie, and a large part of her role involves playing back key research findings to stakeholders to improve clients online journeys and support with implementing new features.

Ronise Nepomuceno, Digital Accessibility Manager, EE (BT Group)

With over 20 years working in the field, Ronise brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise, having witnessed the power of Digital Accessibility in fostering equitable opportunities, improving the quality of Digital Products and building brand loyalty by enhancing the digital experience for everyone. Now at BT group, she made full use of her strategical nature and sharp focus to build an Accessibility Team from scratch and catalyse organisational change.

Maya Sellon, Inclusive Design & Digital Accessibility Principal, Shell

Maya Sellon is a passionate advocate and leader for ethical design and digital accessibility, diversely skilled in legal accessibility and international UX standards. With nearly 15 years of experience, she has successfully influenced how organisations think, design, and operate to create more inclusive digital experiences.

Sign-up here

To keep our events of value, we respectfully ask agencies, vendors and recruiters to refrain from registering. If you work for a brand or business, you're in!

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