Blog post by Kave Noori, AI policy officer at EDF
In early February (1-2 Feb 2026), EDF took part in FOSDEM, the Free and Open Source Developers’ European Meeting in Brussels. It is a free, community‑run event where developers of computer programs meet to share ideas about open‑source software. Our aim was to present our “101 Million Reasons to Build Inclusive AI” infographic and to start conversations about disability inclusion in technology.
I first became aware of accessibility issues at FOSDEM in 2024, when I attended a talk on accessibility and noticed that a group of deaf participants could not follow the presentation because no interpretation was available. This year there was a tiny bit of progress. I attended several sessions focused on accessibility, and I reconnected with a deaf participant from last year who this year was volunteering to improve accessibility within the community.
A meaningful moment occurred during the event that made me realize that sometimes accessibility can be about creativity and mindset. My deaf acquaintance spoke with a presenter after his first session, complaining that there was no captioning nor interpretation. By the next day, the presenter had set up automatic speech‑to‑text transcription in a simple Linux terminal window. This temporary solution was not perfect, but it was better than having no access at all. It also showed that small steps can make a real difference.
We cannot build disability‑inclusive AI if persons with disabilities are not present in the rooms where decisions are made. Many people in the open‑source community want to create tools that work for everyone, but they often need clearer guidance and more support to turn this goal into practice. Progress happens when persons with disabilities and developers can meet, talk, and solve problems together.
This year at FOSDEM, I was able to attend three talks that centered on disability and accessibility in technology. I also learned about a tool that keeps track of how members of the European Parliament vote on specific issues called “HowTheyVote.eu”. The discussions and interactions I had made me realize how much an organization like EDF can contribute to an event like this
Below, I’ll give short summaries of each session to highlight the key themes and insights shared during the conference.
Talk 1: “We Need to Support Authors Better to Deliver Accessible Content”
A video recording of the talk is available of FOSDEM’s website.
This talk addressed a challenge many people with disabilities face daily: although European accessibility laws are becoming stronger, the online world is still not significantly more accessible. Mike Gifford explained that a major reason is the expectation that those who write or edit online content, such as staff in public bodies, universities, and businesses, should somehow know everything about accessibility standards. In reality, most authors receive little support, and the tools they use often fail to guide them towards accessible choices. As a result, accessibility problems recur, and organizations spend time and money fixing issues that could have been prevented from the outset.
The speaker proposed a more effective approach: integrate accessibility directly into the tools authors already use. Just as spellcheck helps us write better text, tools could assist authors by suggesting alternative text for images, warning when text is too complex, or helping them structure information clearly. Recent advances in artificial intelligence, especially small, privacy-friendly models that run locally, can make this guidance more practical and personalized. However, Gifford stressed that AI is not a substitute for human responsibility. It can support good practices, but not replace them. Real progress depends on collaboration between open-source communities, accessibility experts, and people with disabilities, so that accessibility becomes a normal part of content creation, not an afterthought or a checklist to “get out of the way,” but a shared effort to make information usable for everyone.
Talk 2: “Accessible Sovereignty: Why the Four Freedoms Depend on Inclusion”
A video recording of the talk is available of FOSDEM’s website.
In this second talk, Mike Gifford built on the theme he introduced in his earlier session: accessibility is not a side issue– it is central to how people experience technology. He linked this idea to the “four freedoms” of free and open-source software, which are intended to ensure that everyone can use, study, improve, and share digital tools. People with disabilities are a quarter of the population. Mike noted that these freedoms only exist in practice if people with disabilities can actually access the software and participate in the communities that develop it. If a website, interface, or documentation is not accessible, people are effectively prevented from exercising those freedoms. In this sense, accessibility becomes a requirement for genuine digital sovereignty.
Mike emphasised that open-source communities thrive when users become contributors– testing, filing issues, improving code, and writing documentation. However, this participation is only possible when the environment is welcoming to everyone. He highlighted practical steps forward: making accessibility part of project governance, evaluating accessibility as seriously as security or performance, and learning directly from people with disabilities. He also pointed to positive developments, such as GitHub’s recent accessibility work, as examples of how large platforms can raise community standards. His message was clear: if we want technology that reflects the values of freedom and openness, accessibility must be built in from start, not treated as an afterthought.
Neurodiversity in Tech: Building Communities Where Every Mind Can Thrive
A video recording of this talk is available on FOSDEM’s website.
Another speaker, Diana Todea offered an engaging and personal introduction to neurodiversity and its importance in technology communities. Diana explained that her first real encounter with the concept came through her experience as a parent of a child with a disability—a perspective that reshaped how she understands inclusion, mental health, and the structural barriers people with disabilities and their families face. She described neurodiversity in simple terms: all human brains work differently, and these differences can bring both strengths and challenges, depending on how welcoming or inflexible an environment is.
Diana highlighted that neurodivergent individuals may bring remarkable abilities—such as deep focus, creativity, or strong pattern‑recognition skills—but may also struggle when systems are not designed with diverse cognitive profiles in mind. She stressed that neurodiversity is not a precise set of boxes; people often experience overlapping traits or shifting needs throughout their lives. What matters most, she said, is creating a culture where discussing these differences is safe and encouraged.
A key focus of her talk was on how tech communities and open‑source projects can become more neuro-inclusive. Diana presented the Merge Forward initiative as a positive example: a community that supports underrepresented groups in cloud‑native technology, including people who are neurodivergent, deaf or hard of hearing, visually impaired, or living with other forms of disability. Through mentoring, shared resources, community sessions, and accessible practices for events and workplaces, the initiative provides a model for how to support contributors with diverse needs. Diana emphasised that psychological safety and mental health are fundamental – people cannot contribute effectively when they do not feel supported.
During the Q&A, an audience member asked how developers can know what people with disabilities truly need, especially when experiences vary widely. Participants agreed that no amount of guesswork can replace the insight gained through direct involvement of people with disabilities themselves. User testing, collaboration, and open dialogue were highlighted as critical steps. The discussion also underlined that while neurodiversity celebrates different ways of thinking, recognising certain conditions as disabilities remains essential for ensuring legal rights to accommodation and support.
Diana closed by encouraging attendees to join community efforts, including monthly online meetups and collaborative work on best practices, to help shape more inclusive environments across the tech ecosystem. Her message was clear: when communities value and support neurodiversity, they not only strengthen individual contributors, they also strengthen the entire open source and technology landscape.