#a11yTO - Accessibility Toronto

We’re excited to announce a special social event for our #a11yTO - Accessibility Toronto community! As we prepare for the upcoming a11yTO conference, we’re taking a break from our regular meetups—but we still want to connect with you. Join us on Thursday, September 19th, at 6 PM at Firkin on Yonge (207 Yonge St, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2H1) for a relaxed social gathering. This is a perfect opportunity to catch up with familiar faces, meet new people, and enjoy great conversations in a friendly atmosphere. Important: The lounge is booked that day for another event, but a11yTO has reserved the back half of the upstairs. We’ll have our own space to connect and enjoy the evening together. Whether you’re a regular at our meetups or new to the community, we’d love to see you there! Let’s come together, share our experiences, and continue building connections as we look forward to a11yTO Conf. #Accessibility #a11yTO #InclusiveCommunity #TorontoEvents

As we gear up for the 8th annual #a11yTO Conf, we’re thrilled to highlight one of our incredible speakers, Nandita Gupta, CPACC, who will be sharing her insights on building accessibility into products from a Product Manager's perspective. Nandita, an Accessibility Product Manager at Microsoft, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in creating inclusive and accessible experiences. With a background in Human-Computer Interaction from Georgia Tech and a passion for accessibility and disability advocacy, Nandita has made significant strides in the field. Her presentation will focus on how Product Managers can integrate accessibility into every stage of product development, ensuring that inclusivity is at the forefront. Join us on October 3rd and 4th to learn from Nandita and other industry leaders about the tangible steps we can all take to make accessibility a priority in product creation. #Accessibility #DigitalInclusion #a11yTOConf #InclusiveDesign #ProductManagement

We’re just weeks away from the 8th annual #a11yTO - Accessibility Toronto Conf, happening on October 3rd and 4th, 2024, at Microsoft at CIBC Square in Downtown Toronto! This year’s conference will feature a curated playlist of talks focused on digital accessibility, led by industry experts and advocates who are pushing the boundaries of inclusive design. And there’s still time to get your tickets! Don’t miss this opportunity to join the conversation, learn from the best, and connect with a vibrant community dedicated to making the digital world accessible to everyone. Get your tickets here: https://lnkd.in/gqvte7y2 Meet our host, Steve Saylor – an accessibility advocate, consultant, content creator, and Twitch Partner. Steve’s work with studios like Ubisoft, EA, and Naughty Dog has made a significant impact in the gaming world, particularly with “The Last of Us Part 2.” His journey as the “Blind Gamer” has educated and inspired many, and we’re thrilled to have him lead this year’s event. Stay tuned for more announcements about the fun side events that #a11yTO Conf is known for. #Accessibility #DigitalInclusion #a11yTOConf #TechForGood #InclusiveDesign

We're excited to announce our next #a11yTO - Accessibility Toronto meetup, "Creating and Sustaining Digital Accessibility Practices," on August 21st from 6 PM to 8 PM at the Microsoft office, 81 Bay St., Toronto, ON. Join us for an insightful evening with our expert panelists: Heather Hepburn: Heather is an accessibility evangelist who kick-started the a11y program at Skyscanner. She is dedicated to embedding accessibility into the culture of the organization, making their products accessible to all and making travel easier for people with disabilities. Heather is also a co-founder of the Champions of Accessibility Network (CAN). Niki Ramesh: Niki leads digital accessibility for CBC, Canada’s public broadcaster. She works closely with research and product development teams to create features that benefit many and address the needs of the disabled community. Niki is CPWA-certified and a technical committee member for Accessible Standards Canada. Wendy Reid: Wendy is the Accessibility and Publishing Standards Lead at Rakuten Kobo. She focuses on digital accessibility and standards for ebooks, audiobooks, mobile applications, and the web. Wendy is a co-chair of the W3C Advisory Board and the Publishing Maintenance Working Group and a member of the Accessibility Guidelines Working Group. They will share their experiences and strategies for embedding accessibility into organizational culture, guiding teams to create more accessible content, and implementing best practices. Important Notes: - Registration closes at 3 PM on August 19th. You must register at the provided link to receive a QR code for access. No QR code, no access. QR codes will be sent the day before the event, and without one, you will not be able to access the Microsoft office. We will not be able to accommodate anyone who shows up without a QR code. - The #a11yTO - Accessibility Toronto meetups are volunteer-run, and we cannot provide phone support for registration issues. - Capacity is limited to 90 attendees. Please register early to secure your spot. Register at https://lnkd.in/e8JNf5Qp We look forward to seeing you there! #Accessibility #DigitalInclusion #TechForGood #a11yTO #InclusiveDesign

We're looking forward to our next meetup, "Breaking Barriers with Technology: Inclusive Innovations in Fitness, Communication, and Education," on July 31st at the Microsoft office. Panelists include: - Lee-Anne Reuber from Sekond Skin Society - Mehdi (Mohammad Mehdi) Masoumi from Deaf AI - Osama Saddique from ExcelOS Reminder: Registration closes tomorrow, July 29th, at 3 PM. Make sure to sign up to receive your QR code for access. #Accessibility #Innovation #InclusiveTechnology #Fitness #Communication #Education #a11yTO

We’re thrilled to have Mehdi (Mohammad Mehdi) Masoumi, Founder of Deaf AI, as a panelist at our event on July 31st. Deaf AI is creating groundbreaking AI-based solutions for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community, including digital sign language interpreters and closed captioning. Learn about Mehdi’s innovative work and how Deaf AI is making communication more accessible. Important Note: Please sign up by Monday, July 29th, to receive a QR code for access to the Microsoft office. No QR code, no access. Attendees without a QR code will not be able to enter the event, and we cannot accommodate late registrations on the day of the event. Don’t miss the chance to hear from Mehdi and be part of the discussion on inclusive technology. #Accessibility #AI #Innovation #InclusiveTech #Communication #a11yTO

We are excited to announce that Lee-Anne Reuber, Founder and CEO of Sekond Skin Society, will be a panelist at our upcoming #a11yTO - Accessibility Toronto event on July 31st. Sekond Skin Society is revolutionizing fitness with its inclusive app, designed so people with and without disabilities can work out together. Discover how Sekond Skin Society is using technology to create accessible and inclusive fitness experiences. Important Note: Please sign up by Monday, July 29th, to receive a QR code for access to the Microsoft office. No QR code, no access. Attendees without a QR code will not be able to enter the event, and we cannot accommodate late registrations on the day of the event. Join us for this event and be part of the conversation on making fitness more inclusive. #Accessibility #Fitness #Innovation #InclusiveTech #AI #a11yTO

Join us on July 31st from 6 PM to 8 PM at the Microsoft office at CIBC Square (81 Bay Street) for an enlightening event, "Breaking Barriers with Technology: Inclusive Innovations in Fitness, Communication, and Education." This event will feature leaders from Sekond Skin Society, Deaf AI, and ExcelOS, who will share their innovative solutions for accessibility and inclusion. Panelists: - Lee-Anne Reuber from Sekond Skin Society: Discover how Sekond Skin Society is using technology to create accessible and inclusive fitness experiences for people with and without disabilities. - Mehdi (Mohammad Mehdi) Masoumi from Deaf AI: Learn about the groundbreaking AI-based solutions that Deaf AI is developing to provide equal access to information for hard-of-hearing individuals. - Osama Saddique from ExcelOS: Explore how ExcelOS is empowering teachers and K-12 students with learning disabilities through innovative educational technologies. Important Note: Please sign up by Monday, July 29th, to receive a QR code for access to the Microsoft office. No QR code, no access. Attendees without a QR code will not be able to enter the event, and we cannot accommodate late registrations on the day of the event. Why Attend: - Gain Knowledge and Insights: Learn from leaders in accessibility and technology about innovative solutions that break barriers. - Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded individuals passionate about accessibility and technology. - Inspiring Stories: Hear firsthand success stories and strategies for integrating accessibility into business models. Secure your spot today and join us for a compelling discussion on making technology more inclusive for everyone. Register at https://lnkd.in/gs9A9NE3 #Accessibility #Diversity #Innovation #InclusiveTech #AI #a11yTO

Thank You to Our Esteemed Panelists and Attendees We are immensely grateful to all our panelists for their insightful contributions to the #a11yTO - Accessibility Toronto#a11yTO - Accessibility Toronto event, "Empowering Innovation: Accessibility & Diversity in Entrepreneurship," held yesterday. Wayne M. Henshall (He/Him) M. Henshall from CNIB, your advocacy for accessibility and inclusivity, especially for individuals with visual impairments, was truly inspiring. Elizabeth Auceda from Deloitte, your expertise in procurement and focus on supplier diversity and inclusion provided invaluable insights. Varun Chandak from Access to Success Organization, your work with ATS Labs and personal experiences highlighted the importance of accessibility innovation. Rani Pendse from Microsoft, your leadership in financial services and dedication to AI applications for accessibility were highly impactful. Charlotte Oickle, PMP Oickle from Microsoft, your expertise in Azure Application Innovation, Data, Analytics, and AI, along with your advocacy for diversity and inclusion, enriched our discussion. The feedback from the audience was fantastic, and it is clear that your contributions have left a lasting impression. We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the attendees for participating and making the event a success. Your engagement and enthusiasm were greatly appreciated. Thank you all for a wonderful event. We look forward to more such engaging and insightful discussions in the future. #Accessibility #Diversity #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #InclusiveBusiness #a11yTO #AccessibilityInnovation

Highlighting Our Esteemed Panelist: Wayne M. Henshall (He/Him) M. Henshall We're excited to spotlight Wayne M. Henshall (He/Him) M. Henshall from the CNIB as one of our distinguished panelists for the upcoming #a11yTO - Accessibility Toronto event, "Empowering Innovation: Accessibility & Diversity in Entrepreneurship" tomorrow, June 26, 2024. Wayne advocates for accessibility and inclusivity, focusing on creating opportunities for individuals with visual impairments. His extensive work at the CNIB has made significant strides in improving the quality of life for people with visual impairments through strategic partnerships and advocacy. Event Details: Date: Tomorrow, June 26, 2024 Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Location: League Office, 225 King St W Suite 800, Toronto, ON M5V 3M2 Why You Should Attend: - Gain Knowledge and Insights: Learn from leaders in accessibility and entrepreneurship about how inclusivity can drive business innovation. - Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about accessibility and diversity. - Inspiring Stories: Hear firsthand success stories and strategies for integrating accessibility into business models. Important: Today is the last day to register. Registration closes at 10 PM. Don't miss your chance to attend! Register now to secure your spot: #Accessibility #Diversity #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #InclusiveBusiness #a11yTO #AccessibilityInnovation