AFB is maintaining our emphasis on accessibility and digital inclusion through a variety of initiatives. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) need “Accessibility” to fully realize the meaning of the principle.
AFB Leadership Conference
The theme of the 2022 AFB Leadership Conference (AFBLC), held in May, says it all: “Putting Inclusion to Work.” The first in-person AFBLC since the onset of COVID-19 united a diverse array of leaders from the blindness field and major corporations, as well as accessibility experts. Nearly 300 people attended the AFBLC to learn, network, and share ideas about how to strive for greater inclusion, what they’re doing to get there, and ways to continue making progress toward achieving that goal. A highlight of the AFBLC was the participation of 27 Fellows and Mentors from the second cohort of AFB’s Blind Leaders Development Program, who helped organize events, introduced breakout sessions, and welcomed attendees to each session.
"I am honored to be part of the AFB family and am proud to oversee the AFB Blind Leaders Development Program, where sharing knowledge with Fellows and Mentors is part of my role.” —Neva Fairchild, MS, Head of the Blind Leaders Development Program
Advocacy
AFB is part of a coalition from across the disability and civil rights community that is urging the Department of Justice to finalize a rule on web and application accessibility. This would clarify how entities can achieve accessibility for millions of Americans with disabilities and demonstrates the broadening scope of AFB’s advocacy for digital inclusion and accessibility beyond people who are blind or have low vision.
Research
AFB continues using evidence-based information to advocate for improved accessibility and digital inclusion. For example, AFB is sharing the findings from our third and final Access and Engagement report (see page 6), which highlighted ongoing gaps in technology accessibility, with educational leaders and others with the power to implement the necessary systems change.
Read on to learn about the work that drove the most impact in 2022.
