
Many leaders share with us that they find it difficult to inspire their IT teams to action on digital accessibility. Meeting resistance in their organisation's desire to develop online products quickly, and a lack of understanding of the reasons for digital accessibility.
This year we partnered with Access Advisors (opens in a new tab) to bring a pre-conference event focussed on supporting you to unlock the value of digital accessibility in your organisation.
Whether you are a senior leader, ICT professional, HR lead, or disability lead in your organisation, our 'Supporting the Case for Digital Accessibility' assisted you to connect with the benefits yourself, preparing you to bring your whole organisation on the journey.
Workshop Presenters

Prof. Gillian McCarthy
Director of Postgraduate Programmes, School of Design Innovation at Victoria University of Wellington
Agenda
12:30 PM - Welcome/Coffee/Tea
1:00 PM - Dr Chandra Harrison (Access Advisors)
1:25 PM - Laila Coulton (Xero)
2:00 PM - Dr Gillian McCarthy (Victoria University of Wellington)
2:25 PM - Callum McMenamin (Dept. Internal Affairs)
3:00 PM - Afternoon Tea - 20 mins
3:20 PM - Lauren Hayes (Independent Arts and Digital Accessibility Consultant)
3:45 PM - Chris Anderson (ASB)
4:10 PM - Dr Chandra Harrison (NZTD)
4:30 PM - Panel - 30 min
5:00 PM - Networking
Workshop take aways include
Return-On-Investment (ROI)
Understanding the return on your digital accessibility investment by seeing increasing sales.
Better customer engagement
Learning how to hear your customers and unpack their accessibility needs to create a closer connection with them.
Digital solutions
Understanding how digital accessibility improves outcomes for everyone, not just for disabled people.
Creating Leadership Allies
How to bring more leaders across the organisation onboard with the work.
Value of ethical policies and practices
A solid understanding of moves you will make towards a more loyal customer base and easier recruitment and retention of staff.
Benefits to your brand
A solid grasp of how digital accessibility will boost your organisation's overall brand and reduce reputational risk.
Benefits beyond disabled people
Understanding how digital accessibility improves outcomes for everyone, not just for disabled people.
Prevent legal risk
Learn how to avoid costly legal cases brought under the Human Rights Act. (They do happen, the system just stops you hearing about it).
A new or renewed passion
Connecting with real people with real lived experience and understanding the deep 'Why' for this work.