Generator is proud to present a day of events focused around one of our core values – Access without Barriers.
Location:
Newcastle Arts Centre 67 Westgate Road Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 1SG
About this event
At Generator we truly believe in access without barriers, and it's something we strive to instil in everything we do, and every event we deliver. We are proud present a day of panels, workshops and networking dedicated to this vital topic within the creative and cultural industries. Helping you to understand the importance of accessible customer journeys, and how to embed accessibility into your own business, freelance practice or career.
From understanding how to provide accessible opportunities to every audience member to discovering the importance of accessible product design and user experience, this broad, wide ranging event will include fascinating insights from accessibility experts, thinkers and doers and offer practical solutions for you to implement and develop.
Accessibility in Digital (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
The first half of our day will centre around accessibility within the digital sphere, whether that be taking an access-first approach to designing your website or understanding the power of accessible design, user interfaces and user journeys through your digital products. Delivered in partnership with Digital Pathfinders, this event will be kicked off with keynote speeches by Dr Lucy Reynolds and Ross Linnet.
Dr Lucy Reynolds PhD is a public speaker, academic researcher, blogger and advocate for disability rights. She is also the founder and Managing Director of We Are All Disabled CIC and Chair of charity Disability North.
Ross Linnet, founder of Recite Me, developers of web accessibility assistive toolbar technology, will join Lucy to discuss the changing landscape and sharper focus on digital accessibility over recent years.
The talks will be followed by an interactive workshop on how to implement accessible digital design into your practice as a creative and cultural professional. This will be led by Martin Underhill, Principal Experience Designer with Specialism in Accessibility at Sage. Martin will lead a workshop examining websites through the lens of a user with access requirements or a disability. We’ll identify issues that affect thee experience of those with access requirements, and think about what website owners might do to make things more accessible.
Best practice in the creative and cultural sector (5:00 PM - 8:00PM)
The second half of our accessibility day will focus on showcasing best practice in the creative and cultural sector taking the format of quick-fire presentations, followed by a panel discussion and informal networking to further discuss the day's topics.
This event is open to all who want to learn more about inclusivity and accessibility for D/deaf, disabled & neurodivergent people within their own organisations & working practices. We welcome speakers from across the sector from film, music and theatre including Kenny Toal, Managing Director at Signpost Productions, Vici Wreford-Sinnott, Founder & Artistic Director at Little Cog & Phoebe Roberts, Attitude is Everything.
Both events will be BSL interpreted.
Attendees are free to attend either the morning or afternoon session or both
Please see timings below
2.00pm – 2.15pm Registration – Digital Accessibility Event
2.15pm – 3.15pm Keynote speakers
3.15pm – 3.30pm break
3.30pm – 5.00pm Accessible Digital Design Workshop
5.00pm – 6.00pm Networking & Registration – Best Practice in the Creative and Cultural Sector Event
6.00pm – 6.30pm Presentations
6.30 – 7.15 Panel Discussion
7.15 – 8.00 Networking & Close.
The daytime Digital Accessibility event between 2pm - 5pm is part of the Digital Pathfinders programme and funded by the North of Tyne Combined Authority. This means only organisations and businesses from Newcastle, Northumberland or North Tyneside are able to attend the 2pm-5pm event. The 5pm - 8pm event is part of Generator Union and does not have the same attendance restrictions.
