Pre-conference event – Supporting the Case for Digital Accessibility

Pre-conference event. Supporting the Business Case for Digital Accessibility. 9 August, Auckland CBD. NZDEN and Access Advisors logos.

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

A black and white portrait of a man (Chris Anderson), with dark hair and beard, and wears glasses. He is smiling warmly at the camera.

Chris Anderson

Senior User Experience Specialist, ASB

A woman with medium-length brown hair sitting at a table with hands clasped. She wears a black t-shirt with a white X on the front.

Laila Coulton

Head of Design, Research and Accessibility Operations, Xero

A woman with short greyish hair standing outside with trees behind her. She is blind and holds a cane in her right hand. She is smiling at the camera.

Lauren Hayes

Independent Digital and Arts Accessibility Consultant

Chandra, a woman with short brown wavy hair, looking relaxed and smiling at the camera.

Dr Chandra Harrison

Managing Director, Access Advisors

Black and white portrait of a caucasian woman with short dark hair, smiling at the camera.

Prof. Gillian McCarthy

Director of Postgraduate Programmes, School of Design Innovation at Victoria University of Wellington

A portrait of a caucasian man with short brown hair and beard outside with trees behind him.

Callum McMenamin

Web Standards Consultant, Department of Internal Affairs


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.