#ConnectandProtect: Spotlight on digital inclusion and accessibility

techUK brings you a month full of events looking at digital inclusion and accessibility in the public sector

To mark this year’s Global Accessibility Awareness Day, techUK has launched a new working group that will bring together members to champion inclusivity in design. Tech is one of the central drivers and enablers of productivity, but when it is not accessible it can limit opportunities for people. During this current public health crisis, we have seen the importance of access to digital technology. As we adapt to a new normal and begin our recovery, it is vital that everyone can benefit from the technologies of today and tomorrow.

Inspired by Global Accessibility Awareness Day, techUK will be hosting a series of free events this month on how the public sector and their tech partners can ensure inclusive design and accessibility is embedded across their services and organisation.

Furthermore, under The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No.2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (WCAG 2.1) existing public sector websites have until September 2020 to comply to meet accessibility standards and publish an accessibility statement. techUK is pleased to be running a number of events to support public sector and the tech industry to meet these requirements for their websites and products.

Events

03 June: Connect & Protect: GovTech Digital Inclusion roundtable with Croydon Digital

We are delighted to be hosting a roundtable with the Croydon Digital community to examine how technology can keep the most vulnerable in our communities connected.In the current situation it is more important than ever to ensure that everyone can benefit from digital. n this virtual roundtable we want to bring together local government and industry to tackle the challenges to digital inclusion. We have already seen some great initiatives of industry and public sector coming together to connect our communities. In this roundtable we will look at how tech helps keep citizens and communities connected, and explore potential solutions to these challenges

11 June: Digital Inclusion: Meeting Accessibility requirements

This virtual briefing will provide public sector bodies and their tech partners with helpful tips and advice on what they need to do now to meet the accessibility requirements and ensure that digital services are inclusive by design. It is a great opportunity to hear how peers across local government are complying with the regulations and creating a culture that is meeting the needs of their users and ensuring accessibility is embedded across the council. Speakers include Darren Everden, Assistant Director (IT and Transformation), Gravesham Borough and Andrew Grant, Former CEO, Aylesbury Vale District Council.

23 June: Home Office DDaT Industry Forum: Accessibility and Inclusion

A discussion about the new Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations and delivering accessible digital services to the public sector. The Home Office DDaT Head of Accessibility and Inclusion will take us through the details of PSBAR and the implications for suppliers of tech products and services to the Home Office. It is a chance for us to explore supplier awareness of the regs and have a wider discussion about designing and delivering accessible and inclusive products.

We hope you can join us for this important discussion. If you have any questions about any of the events and initiatives please contact the relevant techUK colleague below.