European Accessibility Summer School: the Agenda
A dynamic in-person event where professionals from the whole publishing industry will meet in a laboratory of teaching and active learning.
The APACE project organizes a two-day experience where publishing professionals, accessibility experts and key stakeholders come together to shape the future of inclusive publishing. The event will take place at Villa La Torrossa, Fiesole (Florence) on June 26th and 27th.
What to expect
In a highly interactive setting, the European Accessibility Summer School will offer a unique opportunity to:
- Explore key aspects of accessibility in publishing, working alongside all players in the accessibility value chain
- Participate in hands-on sessions and collaborative discussions with peers
- Engage in practical learning experiences designed to foster innovation and real-world impact
Join us for a unique experience and be part of a dynamic and interactive program!
AGENDA
DAY ONE
9:00 Welcome
Icebreaker
Elisa Molinari, Project manager APACE
Round table “The European Accessibility Act is here. Now what?”
- Cristina Mussinelli, Secretary General Fondazione LIA
- Kristina Kramer, Deputy Director for European and International Affairs Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels
- Moderator: Porter Anderson, Editor in Chief Publishing Perspectives
10:45 – 11:30 Networking Break
Beyond compliance and checklists: how to build a culture of accessibility
- Alessandra Porcelli, Strategic publishing consultant & learning consultant Mondadori Education Accessibility PMO
- Stacy Scott, Head of Accessibility Taylor&Francis
- Moderator: Porter Anderson, Editor in Chief Publishing Perspectives
Firechat about accessibility standards
13:00 – 14:30 Lunch
Round table ‘European publishers and their roadmap towards accessibility’
- Leena Rautjärvi, Helsinki University
- Miia Kirsi Celia, Project manager APACE
- Alisa Žarkova, Head of Publishing Department Lithuanian Audiosensory Library
- Moderator: Porter Anderson, Editor in Chief Publishing Perspectives
Pitch your accessibility pain
Wrestling with a tricky accessibility issue? This session is your space to speak up. Bring your real-world questions, challenges, and sticking points. We’ll tackle them together breaking down the toughest problems and tapping into the collective experience of peers and experts. No challenge too small, no question too specific. Let’s turn pain into progress!
- Pitch your accessibility pain about production of accessible contents
- Pitch your accessibility pain about image description
16:30-17:00 Networking Break
Wrap up of tables and closing remarks
Day Two
9:00 Recap of Day One
Keynote speech about accessibility metadata
- Chris Saynor, Standards editor EDItEUR
Mainstreaming accessible distribution roundtable
- Nina Rubach, Senior Platform Product Manager Bookwire
- Virginie Bouilhac, Director, Content Management Kobo
- Dani Molina, Operation and Support Specialist De Marque
- Moderator: Porter Anderson, Editor in Chief Publishing Perspectives
11:00 – 11:30 Networking Break
“Accessible ebooks at readers’ fingertips. How do accessible ebooks reach readers?”
- Gautier Chomel, Project manager European Digital Reading Lab
Libraries, the last frontier of accessibility
- Francesco Pandini, Project manager Medialibraryonline
- Luisa Gaggini, Head of e-Content and Partners Relations Casalini libri
13:00 – 14:30 Lunch
Pitch your accessibility pain
- Pitch your accessibility pain about how to assure the quality of your production and distribution flows: Quality Assurance, tools, display of accessibility metadata
- Pitch your accessibility pain about the cost of accessibility: investments, disproportionate burden, backlist, conversion
15:30 – 16:00 Networking break
Wrap up of tables
Roundtable “Accessible platforms and where to find them”
Speakers to be defined
17:00 Wrap-up and closing remark
The sposts available are limited. If you are interested in participating, please contact us by sending an email to: apace@fondazionelia.org
The event is organized in the framework of APACE, co-founded by the European Union
