Virtual Ability has announced the speakers and schedule for the 4th International Disability Rights Affirmation Conference (IDRAC), which will take place in Second Life on October 3rd and 4th, 2014 under the title of “Technically, we’re accessible… right?” Exploring True Inclusion in the Digital World.

The conference will take place at the Sojourner Auditorium on Virtual Ability Island, with the first presentation taking place at 05:30 SLT on Friday October 3rd. Speaking at the event will be:

Babar Shahzad Chaudary. a Doctoral Researcher for Mobile Computing/Embedded Systems at University of Oulu, Finland

Catherine Easton, who will be speaking on access to the Internet and human rights

David Sloan, who will present From Checklist Accessibility to Accessible User Experiences

Dr. Edmund F. LoPresti, an adjunct faculty in the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology at the University of Pittsburgh, who will be speaking on Assistive Technology for Computer Access

Gregg Vanderheiden, who will be discussing AutoPersonalization in Real and Second Life

Laura Hall, who will be presenting Fun for Everyone: Assistive Technology for Video Gaming

Gunela Astbrink, an ICT policy advisor and researcher

Brian Kelly, presenting Web accessibility is not (primarily) about conformance with web accessibility standards

Tim Creagan, Sr. Accessibility Specialist at U.S. Access Board

Anthony Giannoumis, presenting A Revaluation of the Cultural Dimension of disability policy in the EU: the impact of digitization and web accessibility

blondieCART, iSkye Silverweb, and Gentle Heron from Virtual Ability, presenting Hear With Your Eyes – How It’s Done

Joel Foner, presenting Wait, what was that? Using inclusion to create a huge win for everyone, not just those who ‘need it’

Tom Boellstorff, presenting Bytes and Pixels: The Social Impact of Digital Inclusion.

Full details of the two-day programme, which will include social activities as well as the main speaker programme, can be found on the Virtual Ability blog. Attendance for the event is open to all, and Virtual Ability extend a warm invitation to anyone wishing to attend.

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