11.05 Understanding Disability in a Digital Society

Elisabeth Ward, Accessibility Specialist - Scope

11.20 Update on the UK Government's National Strategy for Disabled People (NSFDP)

Overview of the purpose of the strategy and an update on progress. 

• Alex Fleming, Cabinet Office, UK Government 

11.35 The Digital Divide and Disability 

Being unemployed, retired, disabled, living on a low income, no or few qualifications: these are the biggest predictors of being on the wrong side of the digital divide. 

The Good Things Foundation is proposing a Blueprint for 100% Digitally Included UK- what impact could it have on the lives of disabled people?

• Helen Milner, OBE, The Good Things Foundation

11.50 PANEL: Carrot vs Sticks- How can policy influence accessibility?

We have various laws which relate to accessibility and inclusion but disabled people still encounter discrimination, inequality and digital exclusion on a daily basis. What is the best mix between persuading people to address accessibility - using carrots - and using legal powers force change - using sticks?

• Chair: James Taylor, Scope
• Malin Rygg, Norwegian Digital Agency
• Angela Matthews, Business Disability Forum
• Chris Heathcote, Government Digital Service, UK Government 

13.00 Web Accessibility Testing Tools (45 Mins)

An overview of the types of tools available and the role they can play in accessibility testing and auditing. 

• James Baverstock, AbilityNet

13.00 Understanding Accessible Documents

Introduction to EPUB with Richard Orme

Introduction to accessible Office documents with Jeff Mills

Introduction to Large Print, David Scott

14.05 Update on EU Accessibility Act

The EU Accessibility Act aims to make accessibility part of a huge range of electronic goods and is due to become law in 2025. Find out more about what it aims to achieve and current progress on its implementation. 

• Inmaculada Placencia Porrero, European Commission

PANEL: Policy & Legislation: European Accessibility Act 

What are manufacturers and disabled people's organisations doing as part of the development of the Accessibility Act?

• Chair: Susanne Laurin, Funka
• Inmaculada Placencia Porrero, European Commission
• Ulrike Haltrich, Sony
• Alejandro Moledo, EDF

15.00 Assistive Technology Policy for Employment and Beyond

• Geena Vabulas, Policy Connect

15.15 Accessibility Statement Research Update

• George Rhodes, All Able

15.30 Accessibility Regulations, Monitoring and Reporting

• Richard Morton, Government Digital Service

14.00 PANEL: Working from Home in a COVID-19 World 

• Chair: Lucy Ruck, Business Disability Forum
• Sara John, NatWest
• Neil Eustice, KPMG
• Michael Vermeersch, Microsoft
• Darren Rowan, Lilly

15.00 PANEL: Returning to the Office, a Blended Approach

• Chair: Lucy Ruck, Business Disability Forum
• David Banes
• Sean Gilroy, BBC
• Bela Gor, BDF
• Beth Hartley, Sainsburys

16.00 PANEL: Accessible Entertainment & Media 

• Chair: Sonali Rai, RNIB
• Steven Scott, TV & Radio Producer
• Richard Kurzik, BBC
• Jonathan Penny, ITV
• Larry Goldberg, Verizon Media
• Cathy Taylor, Ofcom

MAIN STAGE 

17.00 Audio Augmented Reality 

Jarnail Chudge, Microsoft demonstrates the power of audio and augmented reality at the core of the amazing Soundscape which can guide people with visual impairments through their environment.

17.30 PANEL: Accessible Smart Cities 

Join our panel of global experts to learn how tech can make our cities more accessible to all, and why that matters to our cities of the future. 

• Chair: Joanna Wootten, Independant Disability Advisory Group, Tfl
• Victor Calise, New York City Mayor's Office
• Dr. Victor Santiago Pineda, President, World Enabled
• Faith La Grange, Microsoft
• James Thurston, G3ict