Moving from Policy to Practice: Join Us Online for the Web Accessibility Directive 6th Anniversary

Akce a přednášky, Asistivní software a hardware, Pozvánky, Přístupnost aplikací, Přístupnost dokumentů, Přístupnost multimédií, Přístupnost webu,

Every September, the European digital accessibility community takes stock. It has now been six years since the Web Accessibility Directive (WAD) took full effect. Paired with the ongoing rollout of the European Accessibility Act (EAA), we find ourselves at a critical juncture. The real question remains simple: will accessibility be treated as a mere compliance exercise, or will it deliver genuine, functional value to end users?

To mark this milestone, IAAP EU and the European Disability Forum (EDF) are hosting the Web Accessibility Directive Sixth Anniversary online event on 22 and 23 September 2026.

22 September: Bridging Technical Standards and Daily Work

The first day (13:00–16:00 CEST) features a practical workshop examining the updated EN 301 549 standard. While the draft is still being finalized, its text is stable enough to serve as a solid foundation for discussion.

Many requirements in EN 301 549 extend well beyond traditional WCAG criteria and lack official guidance, which frequently leads to misunderstandings between developers and auditors. Since 2023, an informal international working group has been meeting to align interpretations on a voluntary basis. This session focuses on practical testing methods for criteria that are brand new or significantly revised.

  • Speakers: Facilitated by experienced practitioners, including Detlev Fischer (DIAS), Malin Hammarberg (Funka), Hidde de Vries (Logius), Shadi Abou-Zahra (Amazon), and Wilco Fiers (Deque).
  • Who It Is For: Software engineers, UX designers, QA testers, and accessibility specialists who need to interpret new technical criteria in their daily workflows.

23 September: European Monitoring Data and Real User Impact

The main conference day (09:00–17:00 CEST) brings together accessibility specialists, public regulators, end-user representatives, and software engineers, moderated by Susanna Laurin.

The schedule covers several core areas:

  • Monitoring Data in Practice: Key findings from the second round of WAD audits across EU member states, comparing trends and identifying remaining gaps.
  • Enforcement and Innovation: Regulators from Norway, Italy, and France share practical strategies for moving beyond formal compliance.
  • Real-World User Feedback: End users with disabilities discuss their daily experiences with digital services and feedback mechanisms.
  • Ticketing Systems and Hardware: Navigating complex systems where hardware, software, and physical environments intersect in public transport.
  • AI and Customer Support: Guidelines for implementing accessible, automated customer service tools without creating new barriers.

Practical Details

  • When: 22 September (13:00–16:00 CEST) & 23 September (09:00–17:00 CEST), 2026.
  • Where: Online.
  • Registration: Free of charge for both days; advance registration is required.
  • Accessibility Services: Live captioning and International Sign interpretation provided.

Cross-border knowledge sharing remains one of the most effective ways to avoid reinventing the wheel and to build digital products that actually work. Reserve your spot and join the conversation online.

Registration to Web Accessibility Directive Sixth Anniversary

Festival pomůcek a služeb 2026: Jeden den. Jedno místo. Desítky řešení pro každodenní život

Akce a přednášky, Asistivní software a hardware, Pozvánky

Srdečně Vás zveme na Festival pomůcek a služeb 2026, který se letos uskuteční dne 6. října 2026 v Kulturním centru Semilasso v Brně. Jedná se o unikátní akci, která propojuje na jednom místě výrobce a dodavatele kompenzačních pomůcek, poskytovatele sociálních, zdravotních a vzdělávacích služeb, odborníky i organizace z celé České republiky.

Festival je zaměřen na prezentaci kompenzačních pomůcek, služeb, organizací a inovativních řešení pro osoby se zdravotním postižením, jejich rodiny i odbornou veřejnost. Naším cílem je vytvořit prostor, kde se mohou návštěvníci seznámit s konkrétními produkty, vyzkoušet si je a navázat přímý kontakt s odborníky, prodejci i poskytovateli služeb.

Ať už jste rodič dítěte se zdravotním postižením, člověk s handicapem, pedagog, terapeut, lékař, sociální pracovník, student, pracujete v pomáhajících profesích nebo Vás téma pomůcek a služeb zajímá, během jediného dne získáte přehled o možnostech, které mohou usnadnit každodenní život.

Na co se můžete těšit?

  • možnost vyzkoušet si kompenzační a speciální pomůcky,
  • osobní setkání s výrobci, dodavateli a odborníky,
  • prezentaci sociálních, zdravotních a vzdělávacích služeb,
  • praktické ukázky a inspirativní setkání,
  • prostor pro individuální konzultace a získání cenných kontaktů.

Festival není jen výstavou pomůcek. Je místem, kde můžete během jediného dne objevit nové možnosti, získat odpovědi na své otázky a navázat kontakty, které mohou pomoci Vám, Vašim blízkým nebo lidem, se kterými pracujete.

Vstup na festival

Vstup na festival je zdarma pro pečující rodiče, handicapované, seniory a studenty.

Bezplatná registrace na festival

Pokud nespadáte do žádné z výše uvedených kategorií, zakupte si prosím vstupenku přes službu smsticket.

Koupit vstupenku

Festival pomůcek a služeb 2025 (YouTube)

Loňský ročník, pořádaný v Plzni, se velmi vydařil. Na festivalu se sešlo na 600 účastníků, 41 vystavovatelů a atmosféra celého dne byla jedinečná. Nahlédnout můžete na krátké video z akce.

From Requirements to Reality: Join Us for the IAAP Nordic & ÖBÍ Accessibility Event 2026 in Reykjavik or Online

Akce a přednášky, Asistivní software a hardware, Pozvánky, Přístupnost aplikací, Přístupnost dokumentů, Přístupnost multimédií, Přístupnost webu, ,

On 1 October 2026, IAAP Nordic and ÖBÍ are hosting a hybrid event dedicated to turning European accessibility requirements into practical, everyday reality: Iceland onboard – from requirements to reality. Whether you plan to join us online from your office or travel in person to the Harpa venue in Reykjavik, this event offers a valuable space to share experience with international specialists, policy makers, and end users.

European Experience and Practical Policy

The morning plenary (08:30–12:00 GMT) focuses on how European member states transitioned from initial policy discussions to practical implementation. Keynote presentations by MEP Katrin Langensiepen and disability rights advocate Lainey Feingold will set the stage, followed by Susanna Laurin’s overview of legislative backgrounds and major European audit findings.

A panel discussion featuring representatives from monitoring bodies in Luxembourg, Malta, and Norway, as well as the European Blind Union, will explore how public sector bodies, developers, and end users can collaborate effectively. The morning block is free of charge and open to everyone online or onsite.

Living Experience and Practical Role-Based Training

The afternoon program is designed around practical application. For participants attending in person at the Harpa venue in Reykjavik, the Meet the Users session provides direct, hands-on interaction with users testing digital services with various assistive technologies. Together with colleagues Daniel Koskinen, Emma Kataja, and Malin Hammarberg, I will be present as an IAAP-certified specialist to support the live demos and address technical questions from practice.

For both online and onsite attendees, the second half of the afternoon offers role-based training sessions tailored for procurers, designers, developers, and content creators. Specialists will walk through interpreting requirements, conducting practical testing, and setting priorities in daily workflows.

Practical Details and Registration

  • When: 1 October 2026 (08:30–17:00 GMT / 10:30–19:00 CEST).
  • Where: Hybrid format – Onsite at the Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik or online worldwide.
  • Pricing: The morning session is free for all participants. Afternoon interactive training is free for IAAP members (€70 + VAT for non-members).
  • Accessibility Services: Live captioning and International Sign language interpretation will be provided. (Note: The „Meet the Users“ demo exhibition takes place onsite only, but the role-based training sessions can be followed online).

In my view, cross-border sharing of real-world practice is one of the most effective ways to avoid repeating common mistakes and to build digital products that truly work. If you are interested in seeing how accessibility is tackled in practice across Europe, I warmly invite you to join us—either online or in Reykjavik.

Registration to IAAP Nordic event 1 October 2026