The World Health Organization estimates that 1.3 billion people live with a significant disability today. While access to communications and technology is a civil right, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, the federal court saw a record high in website accessibility lawsuits with 3,225 filed in 2022. Accessible design and technology must be a top priority; otherwise, people with disabilities are excluded from digital experiences and societal inequities are reinforced.
Whether you are a designer, developer, or technology user, join us for a discussion on how we can create inclusive products and digital experiences for everyone.
Jennison Asuncion has worked in the digital accessibility industry since 2006. He joined LinkedIn in 2013, where he is Currently their Head of Accessibility Engineering Evangelism. He was named in 2020 as "1 of 30 power players helping new CEO Ryan Roslansky run LinkedIn." by Business Insider.
Jennison Asuncion co-founded Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) in 2012. GAAD takes place the 3rd Thursday of May and is an annual event driving conversation around digital
access and inclusion targeted mainly at the everyday tech professional. In 2021, on the occasion of GAAD's 10th anniversary, Jennison co-founded the GAAD Foundation, whose mission is to disrupt the culture of technology and digital product development to
include accessibility as a core requirement.
Samantha Emkes, a Product Manager at Comcast, with a background in Product and Program Management in Ecommerce and Product Design. Samantha has successfully managed products across different areas, including Entertainment, Industrial Design, Sensory, and Accessibility. Her current focus centers around Sensory, enhancing the customer journey, and ensuring that all products and experiences at Comcast are accessible to everyone.
Tolu is a product designer focused on inclusive design. She's worked as a developer focusing on creating accessible experiences, but now primarily works on designing inclusive experiences for users. Tolu is especially passionate about discussing intersectionality in accessibility and addressing challenges faced by people of multiple underrepresented identities.
Vish is a mission-driven product leader. Most recently, he led product for Evidation's consumer platform with the mission to measure and improve health in everyday life, and prior to this, built 0-to-1 ventures at BCG Digital Ventures in healthtech, fintech, and social impact. Vish lives in sunny Los Angeles, and has degrees in Psychology, Business, and Design Engineering from Michigan and Harvard.
