The recent Inclusive India Digital First event was a huge success, bringing together business leaders, policy makers and experts from various sectors to discuss ways to build an inclusive and digitally empowered India. In a landmark event on the digital landscape in India, the Inclusive India: Digital First conference brought together 275 people from diverse backgrounds to explore and champion digital access.
The conference hosted by Newz Hook and powered by BarrierBreak received high praise for its rich content, engaging discussions, and distinguished keynote speakers who provided valuable insights into the realm of accessibility. Shilpi Kapoor, CEO of BarrierBreak, opened the event by highlighting the vital role that digital accessibility plays in India’s emerging landscape. Her speech set the stage for discussions exploring the challenges and opportunities in making digital platforms accessible and inclusive.
Keynote Speakers
Shri Rajesh Agarwal, DEPWD Secretary, MSJE, Government of India, delivered a keynote address underscoring the tone of the conference emphasizing the government’s commitment to enhance accessibility. His insights into the actions of the government laid a strong foundation for the discussions that followed.
Renowned attorney, author, and public speaker Lainey Feingold shared her expertise in structured dialogue as a powerful way to improve accessibility and her insight offered a new perspective on how collaboration and discussion can be about catalysts for positive change. Robert Hsu, head of digital experience and access at HSBC, provided valuable industry insights on the importance of digital access. His keynote shed light on how HSBC is integrating accessibility into their digital strategies.
Diverse Perspectives from Industry Leaders
The conference featured around 40 speakers and 2 panels focusing on Inclusion and Digital Accessibility. The speakers represented industry giants such as Microsoft, Accenture, Wipro, Google, Salesforce, HSBC, Union Bank of India, State Street, and more. Each speaker shared their organization's commitment to accessibility and offered practical insights into inclusion and digital accessibility.
Sponsors and Partners
The event was made possible with the generous support of Gold Sponsor HSBC, Silver Sponsor Accenture, and partners IAAP, NCPEDP, Mission Accessibility, Radio Udaan, and NIUA. The collaboration of these organizations played a crucial role in making the event a success.
Accessibility in Action
The Inclusive India Digital First Conference with the support of the volunteers, sign language interpreters, and captioning services ensured that every attendee could fully participate in the conference. The warm and welcoming atmosphere by the Inclusive India team resonated throughout the event, nurturing a sense of community and shared purpose.
Looking Ahead
The conference concluded on a positive note with the launch of the IAAP mentorship program for 2024 by Christopher M. Lee - PhD, VP & Managing Director, G3ict/IAAP and the announcement of the next season of Inclusive India Event scheduled for December 2024 in Bengaluru, India by Shilpi Kapoor.
Conclusion
The Inclusive India Digital First conference was a huge success, that brought together influential figures to drive the accessibility agenda forward. Through government's initiatives, industry expertise, and collaborative efforts, the event demonstrated a powerful alliance in the pursuit of a more inclusive and digitally advanced India. With the ever-changing digital landscape, conferences like this are vital in shaping a future where everyone can actively engage in the digital era.