U.S. Access Board, General Services Administration, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and Veterans Affairs to Co-host 10th Annual Interagency Accessibility Forum

October 17, 2023

The 10th annual Interagency Accessibility Forum (IAAF) will be held both virtually and in-person from November 7 – 9, 2023 at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) L. William Seidman Center. Co-hosted by the U.S. Access Board, General Services Administration (GSA), Department of Veterans Affairs, and FDIC, the forum is themed “Beyond Compliance: Building a Culture of Digital Accessibility” and will include workshops, presentations, breakout sessions, and a vender exhibit of accessibility products and services. Federal accessibility professionals, developers, designers, project managers, leadership, and many others are encouraged to attend to learn more about best practices in managing and implementing digital accessibility efforts, including those under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. The forum is free, but in-person attendee registration is required by October 31 and virtual attendee registration is required by November 6. Space is limited to exhibitors, and vender registration is required.

The 3-day forum opens with a full day of workshops that will review practical applications for creating accessible PDF forms and PowerPoint slide decks, using tools for testing accessibility, meeting accessibility compliance, among other topics. The forum’s second day and third day will include full days of presentations, breakout sessions, and discussions led by accessibility professionals in the federal, private, academic, international, and other sectors. The IAAF agenda for all three days is available online.

Board staff will be involved in several sessions at the forum, providing their expertise and experiences with digital accessibility. Alison Levy, Director of the Board’s Office of Technical and Information Services, will close the first day with some remarks on the practice and importance of accessibility in digital environments and with digital products. On the second day, Board Senior Accessibility Specialist Tim Creagan will moderate the panel on GSA updates regarding the Government-wide IT Accessibility Program’s achievements over the past year, future directions, and opportunities for others to participate in advancing accessibility.

Board Executive Director Sachin Pavithran will open the third day with welcoming remarks, followed by Levy moderating the keynote fireside chat that includes Pavithran and other senior accessibility leaders. In the afternoon, Creagan will moderate the panel “An overview of New Web Accessibility Requirements from WCAG 2.2 and 2.1” that features Board IT Specialist Bruce Bailey, who will review the Success Criteria added in Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 and 2.2.

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be provided in all plenary and breakout sessions, and real-time captioning (CART) will be available in all sessions with URLs for mobile or computer viewing. Those who require accommodations to participate in IAAF should indicate their needs on the registration form before October 20. If accommodations to participate are not listed on the registration form, please contact iaaf@gsa.gov to discuss the needs.

IAAF welcomes anyone to volunteer to assist in the forum. Volunteers can assist as a microphone runner, greeter, guide assistant, registration assistant, or technical assistant for Webex, Chat, or panel moderation (training will be provided).

2023 Interagency Accessibility Forum (IAAF)
November 7: In-person Attendance and Options for Virtual Attendance Workshops
November 8 – 9: In-person and Virtual Attendance Conference

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
3501 Fairfax Drive
Arlington, Virginia 22226

In-person and Virtual (Webex) Registration: IAAF Attendee Registration
Note: All IAAF virtual sessions will be held through WebEx, participants are strongly encouraged to test the Webex platform before November 7. Below are links to information and resources.

Vender Registration: IAAF Vender Registration

Volunteer Registration: IAAF Volunteer Registation