European Accessibility Summit 2025

Das European Disability Forum lädt zum 5. European Accessibility Summit 2025 ein, bei dem Fortschritte und Neuigkeiten im Bereich Barrierefreiheit präsentiert und diskutiert werden. Im Mittelpunkt steht der European Accessibility Act, welcher im Juni 2025 in Kraft getreten ist.

Der European Accessibility Summit kann vor Ort in Brüssel, aber auch online besucht werden. Der Summit bietet die Gelegenheit, sich über Fortschritte im Bereich Barrierefreiheit auf dem Laufenden zu halten und sich mit politischen Entscheidungsträgern, Branchenführern und Behindertenvertretern zu vernetzen.

Programm

09:00 – 09:10 Uhr | Introductory remarks

• Catherine Naughton, Executive Director, EDF
• Jenny Lay-Flurrie, Chief Accessibility Officer, Microsoft
• Nanna-Louise Linde, Vice President, European Government Affairs, Microsoft

09:10 – 09:25 Uhr | Keynote

• Minister Rob Beenders, Belgian Minister of Consumer Protection,  the fight against Social Fraud, Persons with Disabilities and Equal Opportunities.

09:25 – 10:30 Uhr | The European Accessibility Act: National Enforcement in Focus

How are regulators from different EU countries enforcing the EAA? What does industry need to know? What are regulators expecting from businesses? What will be the role of consumers?

Moderator: Alli Hirt, Director of Accessibility Compliance, Microsoft

• • Dr. Donal Fitzpatrick, Senior Advisor for the EAA, National Disability Authority (Ireland)
  • Hanneke van Rooijen, Senior Enforcement Officer, Department for Consumer Protection, Authority for Consumers and Markets (Netherlands)
  • Mia Ahlgren, Policy Officer, The Swedish Disability Rights Federation (Sweden)
  • Dir & Prof. Dr. Thomas Alexander, Head of Division 2 “Products and Work Systems”, BAuA (Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) – Germany

10:30 – 11:00 Uhr | Coffee Break

11:00 – 12:00 Uhr | AI for Accessibility

Examining how AI can be both a tool for inclusion and a risk if not designed inclusively. What does responsible innovation look like for people with disabilities?

Moderator: Alejandro Moledo, European Disability Forum, Deputy Director and Head of Policy

• Ana Carla Pereira, Director ‘Equality and Non-Discrimination’, DG Justice & Consumers, European Commission
• Jenny Lay-Flurrie, Chief Accessibility Officer, Microsoft

12:00 – 12:05 Uhr | Update on the Equitable AI Alliance

David will introduce the Equitable AI Alliance, an initiative of the Zero Project and the Seneca Trust. The Alliance brings together technology companies, persons with disabilities, their representative organisations and researchers to highlight the opportunities that AI offers and the challenges and risks to be addressed in developing and implementing AI Applications designed for, or inclusive of, persons with a disability. The introduction will share our work to date, our strategy, and invite attendees to engage and contribute to the alliance as we advance.

• David Banes, Chair, the Equitable AI Alliance

12:00 – 13:30 Uhr | Lunch

13:30 – 14:00 Uhr | Women in Tech & Women with Disabilities

Empowering stories highlighting the experiences and challenges at the intersection of gender, disability, and the tech industry.

• Dr Cecily Morrison, Senior Principal Researcher Manager, Microsoft Research Cambridge

14:00 – 15:00 Uhr | Accessibility and Public Procurement

Discussing how public procurement can drive the adoption of accessible products and services. The conversation will focus on the the obligations under the European Accessibility Act and the priorities in the upcoming revision of the public procurement directive.

Moderator: Thomas Bignal, Secretary General of European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD)

• Inmaculada Placencia, Disability Expert, European Commission
• Peter Kemeny, Lead Technical Report for Public Procurement, ACCICT Project
• Stephanie Cadieux, Chief Accessibility Officer Government of Canada
• Lucia Cojocaru, Head of the Sustainability and Accessibility Policy Unit, European Parliament

15:00 – 15:30 Uhr | Coffee Break

15:30 – 16:15 Uhr | Inclusive Learning: Accessibility in Higher Education

Discussing how universities and higher education institutions are embedding accessibility in learning environments, digital platforms, and curricula.

• Dr Klaus Miesenberger, Head of Institute, Johannes Kepler University Linz
  Lydia Vlagsma, Chair of EDF Youth Committee

16:15 – 17:00 Uhr | Accessibility in Video Games

Exploring how the gaming industry is embracing accessibility – from design choices to assistive features – and what more can be done to make gaming inclusive for all.

• Xander Ashwell, Director for Accessibility & User Experience, Rare Ltd (Xbox Game Studios)
• Topher Winward, Software Engineer, Rare Ltd
  Followed by cocktail reception for in-person participants.

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