News

1000 people attended the 6th Access Israel International Conference on “Innovation and the Future of Accessibility”, at the Avenue Conference Center, on April 29th

The Conference featured highly prominent lecturers from the worlds of technology and business – both Israeli and international; an ample technological compound, and a simulating area where people could experience various disabilities, using assisting technology

The pase of development and innovation is continuously increasing in every field of our lives. More products and services are becoming digital, and our world becomes more and more technological.

Alongside significant advancements, there are a lot of areas that need improvement and the way to accessibility is still long and challenging.

1000 people attended the Conference, among whom were accessibility and technology professionals as well as representatives of companies, organizations, local authorities, government ministries and others.

Avremi Torem- Commissioner for Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities greets the participants

Many companies, like Mobileye, OrCam, Robots For All and others exhibited their latest developments in the conference ample presenters’ area.

The following technological solutions were showcased in a unique simulation and experience area:

• A cinema complex, with dubbing technology, audio amplification and a vocal account by GalaPro and The Library for the Blind offer the hearing and sight impaired the film experience. 
• Playing the Angry Birds game with head movements only, using the Sesame Technology. 
•  A path with obstacles that is done in a wheelchair or blind.
• A virtual reality complex in which participants experienced extreme and challenging sports using virtual reality. 

  
A participant experiences virtual reality technology

Greeted the participants at the opening of the conference:

•  Mr. Avremi Torem- Commissioner for Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities　
• Ms. Yael Dromi- Head of Stakeholder Relations, Hapoalim Bank

We have heard lectures from fascinating lecturers from Israel and the world who hold senior positions in leading technology companies and leading companies in the market, including:

• Global Estimates for a Technologically Accessible Future Society- Luis Gallegos, Ecuadorian Ambassador to UN in Geneva, President of G3ict
• A Glimpse into the Future- Yahli Admati, Strategic Consultant and expert in the intersection of strategy and technology 
• How Artificial Intelligence can improves Lives of Billions? – Ziv Aviram, President and CEO of OrCam

Ziv Aviram, President and CEO of OrCam

Awarding the ‘Accessibility Award in the Israeli Media’

After we realized in “Access Israel” how important the media is in the accessibility revolution, we decided to start a new tradition and to award each year a prize for promoting accessibility in the Israeli media.

And the first winner of this prize is the radio show “It Will Be Alright” on GLZ Radio Station.

A study was conducted by the company “Yfat” to summarize the media activity in the year of 2017, and the findings revealed that the leading coverage of accessibility in Israel was the program “It will be alright” by Galei Zahal (GLZ).

The radio show staff receives the award

Simcha Lustig Access Israel Award

The Simcha Lustig Access Israel Award for exemplary accessibility was given to organizations and to developments of assisting technology.

Among the recipients were:

• “The Council 4U” – The digital bus of Hevel Modiin Regional Counil
• User Accessibility – solution to the needs of people with disabilities to surf online on unaccessible websites
• The Technology Support Helpline of Migdal Or Organization
• Beethoven Touchable Sounds – A musical performance of the Israeli Chamber Orchestra made accessible for children with hearing disabilities and deaf children

More pictures and info >>  

The developer of User Accessibility receives the award

Round Tables for the plenary:

• CEOs Discussing Accessibility
• The Role of the Press in the Accessibility Revolution
• Smart and Accessible Cities

Professional sessions in which senior executives from the technology market took part in the following topics:

•  Round Table Discussion with the Commission for Equal Rights for People with Disabilities
• Advanced Accessibilty
• Websites and Information Accessibility – How to Achieve 100% Accessibility
• Technology Marathon
• Creative Accessibility- Beyond Regulations
• The Future of Accessibility from the Legal Perspective- From New Laws to Lawsuits
• Emergency Situations- Accessibility and Evacuation Procedures
• How to Make an Accessible Purchase

round table: CEOs discussing accessibility

Thanks

Thanks to the many hundreds who came and participated at the Access Israel 6th Annual Conference.

Thank you to the moderator Gilad Adin, the Lustig family, to the lecturers from Israel and abroad, to the friends and dear guests from abroad, to the sponsors, and especially to Hapoalim Bank and Amot, the entrepreneurs, the accessibility providers, the partners, the friends, the amazing and dear producer Assaf Toraz, Leo Burnett, OneBrand, MeHalev, Benovich Productions, Simol, the Frost family, to the amazing team of ‘Access Israel’ that was recruited for the mission.

We will continue to work vigorously to promote accessibility.

See you at the Access Israel 7th Annual Conference. 

Photo credit: Guy Tayeb

To the conference photo album >>

The participants sit in the lecture hall

The technological complex

Walking through the obstacle course in blindness