The 2024 Agenda

Previous Agendas: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020.

  • Main Stage

    Day One: Welcome to Sight Tech Global

    Watch Recording

    Speakers

    • Karae Lisle photo
      Karae Lisle, Chief Executive Officer, Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
    • Ross Minor photo
      Ross Minor, Accessibility Professional and Consultant
    Concluded
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  • Main Stage

    Is This the Accessibility Moment We’ve All Been Waiting For?

    Join us for a thought-provoking exploration of AI's revolutionary impact on digital accessibility. As traditional interfaces evolve and new technologies emerge, this session examines how AI could bridge existing accessibility gaps while potentially creating new challenges. Our distinguished speakers will discuss breakthrough innovations like multimodal AI, immersive experiences, and Microsoft's Seeing AI, a free app that narrates the visual world for the blind and low-vision community. Discover how emerging AI solutions, from virtual assistants to robotic devices, could transform digital equity on a global scale, and learn why proactive collaboration is essential to ensure technology's evolution remains accessible to all.
    Watch Recording

    Speakers

    Concluded
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  • Main Stage

    Founders and Investors: Tales and Tips from the Start-up World

    Discover the evolving landscape of accessibility tech investment through the eyes of successful founders and impact-focused investors. This dynamic session explores how the "ADA generation" is driving unprecedented growth in inclusive innovation, with 1 in 6 adults globally representing a vast market for accessible solutions. Learn about diverse funding pathways through accelerators, grants, and venture capital, with direct access to valuable resources including Remarkable Accelerator, Access to Success, Moonshot, and more. Our expert panel will share practical insights on early-stage funding strategies and discuss how inclusive design thinking is key to creating sustainable, impactful products that benefit everyone.
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    Speakers

    Concluded
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  • Main Stage

    Sight Stats Optional: Gaming Accessibility Rated E for Everyone

    Explore the frontier of accessible gaming as industry leaders discuss groundbreaking advances in screen readers, audio descriptions, and inclusive design practices. This panel brings together expert accessibility consultants and specialists who have shaped major titles like The Last of Us, God of War, and Spider-Man to share insights on making games truly accessible for players with vision loss. Learn how developers can implement practical solutions and collaborate with the blind gaming community to create immersive experiences that everyone can enjoy.
    Watch Recording

    Speakers

    • Jesse Anderson photo
      Jesse Anderson, Assistive Technology Specialist, State of Minnesota
    • Ross Minor photo
      Ross Minor, Accessibility Professional and Consultant
    • Jenna "Jennissary" photo
      Jenna "Jennissary", Producer, Live & Interactive Audio Description, Descriptive Video Works
    • James Rath photo
      Moderator: James Rath, YouTuber/Creator, TV show host, Accessibility Consultant
    Concluded
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  • Main Stage

    Haptics and Human Touch

    Explore how Aira and Haptic are combining tactile feedback technology with human-AI verification to transform navigation for visually impaired users. Learn how this innovative partnership leverages smartphones and smartwatches to provide intuitive, non-visual guidance through vibration motors and verified assistance.
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    Speakers

    Concluded
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  • Main Stage

    Increasing Access Across Apps – Addressing Color Blindness Barriers

    Explore a groundbreaking solution addressing color blindness, a challenge affecting nearly 300 million people worldwide. Learn how Intel is developing innovative technology to enhance digital accessibility through customized color palettes and adaptive interfaces. This session will demonstrate practical approaches to making digital environments more inclusive for individuals with color vision deficiency, from educational materials to professional tools and everyday applications.
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    Speakers

    Concluded
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  • Main Stage

    Transforming Mobility: Glidance and Biped Make Mobility Safer, more Intuitive, and Profoundly Empowering

    Discover how AI and computer vision are revolutionizing mobility assistance through two groundbreaking devices. This session explores how Glidance's Glide and Biped's NOA are combining advanced technology with thoughtful design to enhance independent navigation for people with visual impairments. Learn how these innovative solutions utilize AI-powered sensors, real-time obstacle detection, and intuitive interfaces to create more confident, seamless mobility experiences.
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    Speakers

    Concluded
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  • Main Stage

    Braille and Emerging Tech: A Partnership for Independence

    Explore how Braille and modern technology create a powerful synergy for independence and literacy. This forward-looking discussion examines why Braille remains crucial for early childhood literacy while complementing today's digital solutions. Learn how this partnership enhances education, career opportunities, and daily living, creating a more comprehensive approach to accessibility.
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    Speakers

    Concluded
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  • Main Stage

    Innovating Inclusion: Accessible Technology in Online Learning

    Explore how emerging technologies are shaping inclusive online education, with a focus on creating truly accessible learning experiences for students with vision loss. Our expert panel will examine the intricate relationships between course content, video platforms, learning tools, and instructional methods that form the foundation of effective online education. Learn how institutions and educators can build synergistic learning environments that empower all students.
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    Speakers

    Concluded
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  • Main Stage

    Reel: The Blind Kitchen

    Join us for an inspiring segment featuring The Blind Kitchen's Executive Chef Debra Erickson, who demonstrates how adaptive tools and simple techniques enable independent cooking despite vision loss from retinitis pigmentosa. Watch as she showcases practical solutions that make culinary arts accessible to all.
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    Speakers

    Concluded
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  • Main Stage

    See you tomorrow!

    Watch Recording

    Speakers

    • Karae Lisle photo
      Karae Lisle, Chief Executive Officer, Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
    • Ross Minor photo
      Ross Minor, Accessibility Professional and Consultant
    Concluded
    - PT
  • Main Stage

    Day 2: Welcome to Day 2 of Sight Tech Global

    Watch Recording

    Speakers

    • Karae Lisle photo
      Karae Lisle, Chief Executive Officer, Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
    • Ross Minor photo
      Ross Minor, Accessibility Professional and Consultant
    Concluded
    - PT
  • Main Stage

    Unveiling Ally: The AI-Powered Leap from Apps to Assistants

    Join Envision's founders for an in-depth look at their pioneering journey from smartphone apps to smart glasses, culminating in Ally, their revolutionary AI assistant. Learn how this conversational AI platform is breaking new ground in accessibility across multiple platforms, enabling greater independence for blind, low-vision, elderly, and disabled users worldwide.
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    Speakers

    Concluded
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  • Main Stage

    From Insight to Action: Establishing Accessibility as a Digital Marketing Standard

    Explore the future of accessible digital marketing with industry leaders from The Coca-Cola Company, VML, ArcTouch, and Scribely. Learn how brands can make accessibility a standard in their marketing campaigns, from social media to digital ads and website experiences. Discover practical strategies for creating born-accessible content that reaches and engages blind and visually impaired audiences effectively.
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    Speakers

    Concluded
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  • Main Stage

    Smart Mobility: Advancing Solutions for the Visually Impaired

    Join pioneering entrepreneurs as they explore how AI and innovative technology are complementing traditional mobility aids for the visually impaired. Learn how BenVision, Lighthouse Tech, and WeWALK are revolutionizing spatial navigation, stylish assistive devices, and smart cane technology to enhance independence and safety.
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    Speakers

    Concluded
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  • Main Stage

    Without Digital Equity, Is There a Career Path for Visually Impaired People?

    Explore how the groundbreaking partnership between The Blind Institute of Technology and Salesforce is transforming employment opportunities for people with vision loss. Learn how this collaboration is addressing digital equity challenges and creating sustainable career pathways in the modern workplace.
    Watch Recording

    Speakers

    • Mike Hess photo
      Mike Hess, Founder & Executive Director, Blind Institute of Technology
    • Sarah Mark photo
      Sarah Mark, Program Director of Workforce Navigators, Office of Accessibility at Salesforce
    • Dr. Mason Ameri photo
      Moderator: Dr. Mason Ameri, Author and Professor, Rutgers Business School
    Concluded
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  • Main Stage

    Reel: Ride with Waymo — Two Blind Riders, Zero Human Drivers

    Experience an exclusive first ride with two blind Vista Center staff members as they demonstrate Waymo's fully autonomous ride-hailing service. Watch how accessible features like audio navigation and descriptive cues make self-driving technology a reality for visually impaired riders.
    Watch Recording
    Concluded
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  • Main Stage

    Accelerating Corporate Accessibility — Building Bridges for Inclusive Innovation & Universal Design

    Join industry leaders as they explore enterprise-wide accessibility transformation strategies and the power of collective innovation. Learn how IPSOS, CurbCutOS, and Infinite Access are revolutionizing digital equity through universal design principles and collaborative approaches.
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    Speakers

    Concluded
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  • Main Stage

    Born Accessible: Designing Graphic Content for Inclusive Experiences

    Explore the evolution of accessible graphic design as experts discuss innovative approaches beyond traditional alt text. Learn how multi-modal design incorporating audio tactile, audio graphics, and AI-enhanced descriptions is revolutionizing access to charts, graphs, and diagrams for blind and visually impaired users.
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    Speakers

    Concluded
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  • Main Stage

    Reel: Blind Soccer Player

    Join dynamic athlete and influencer Samantha Gough in this fast-paced tech tour, as she reveals the accessible tools powering both her social media presence and athletic training. Watch as England's Women's Blind Football team captain demonstrates her favorite devices and apps for content creation, sports performance tracking, and daily life.
    Watch Recording

    Speakers

    Concluded
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  • Main Stage

    Thank you and final remarks

    Watch Recording

    Speakers

    • Karae Lisle photo
      Karae Lisle, Chief Executive Officer, Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
    • Ross Minor photo
      Ross Minor, Accessibility Professional and Consultant
    Concluded
    - PT