On 16 November, the European Disability Forum (EDF) and Österreichischer Behindertenrat will host and event on “Using Artificial Intelligence to enhance accessibility – Opportunities and risks of emerging technologies for persons with disabilities”. to fully explore the potential of emerging technologies. It will focus on technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and aims to debate and promote a universal design approach in their development, supporting enhanced accessibility for persons with disabilities.
The event is sponsored by Microsoft, Facebook, Google, Amazon, My Handicap and Essl Foundation. It will be a unique opportunity for delegates and experts of the European disability movement to exchange their views with major tech companies, get to know their accessibility solutions and brainstorm together about the future of technology and accessibility.
Goals of the event
Collect input towards a new report on emerging technologies describing the opportunities, challenges and risks that these new technologies may entail for persons with disabilities, in which several ICT players have contributed with interviews.
Supporting organisations of persons with disabilities (DPOs) in being aware of the main technology trends and how these can affect the lives of persons with disabilities.
Develop understanding of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Internet of Things, Virtual Reality, Smart Homes, etc. and how these emerging technologies can be made accessible and enhance accessibility for persons with disabilities.
To showcase worth-knowing solutions and practices that could be picked up by OPDs and persons with disabilities, and ICT companies and organisations to receive feedback from persons with disabilities on those solutions and practices.
To facilitate networking between OPDs and ICT companies and organisations.
Programme
Please click here to download the programme in PDF version
JUFA Hotel Wien, Mautner Markhof-Gasse 50, A-1110, Vienna
14:30 – 14:45 Welcome remarks
Yannis VARDAKASTANIS, EDF President
Gabriele SPRENGSEIS, Chief Executive of the Austrian Disability Council
14:45 – 15:30 Setting the scene – Moderator: Michael FEMBEK, Essl Foundation
Adina BRAHA-HONCIUC (Ellis), Government Affairs Manager – Accessibility, Sustainability and Online safety, EU – Microsoft
Anna-Verena NAETHER, Public Policy and Government Relations Senior Analyst – Google
Monica DESAI, Public Policy Director, Facebook
Q&A
15:30 – 16:15 Showcasing solutions – Moderator: Inmaculada PLACENCIA PORRERO, Senior Expert on Disability, DG EMPL – European Commission
Hector MINTO, Technology Evangelist, Accessibility, Microsoft
Constantin GISSLER, Manager EU Public Policy – Amazon
Wilfried KAINZ, Essl Foundation
Pilar ORERO, UAB & Marcel BOBELDIJK – EFHOH – EU projects on media accessibility
Q&A
16:15 – 16:45 Coffee break
16:45 – 17:45 Opening of the discussion – Moderator: Alejandro MOLEDO, EDF Policy Coordinator
Klaus HOCKNER – member of the Commission High Level Group on Artificial Intelligence
Katherine PERRY – EDF-Google 2018 fellowship programme
Carine MARZIN – Accessibility Expert presenting the EDF report on Emerging Technologies
Q&A
Roundtable discussions in groups
17:45 – 18:00 Conclusions and closing remarks
Reporting back from roundtable discussions – Humberto INSOLERA, EDF Executive Committee member
18.30 – 20.00 Buffet dinner
Registration
For any questions regarding the conference content and structure, please contact alejandro.moledo@edf-feph.org
For any questions regarding invitations, registration and further logistics related to the side event, please contact lucia.darino@edf-feph.org
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