Call for Abstracts

The Round Table Conference invites presentations, workshops, panel discussions, and posters exploring this year’s theme:

Access in Action: Digital, Tactile, Connected

Sunday, 23 May 2027 – Tuesday, 25 May 2027, Sydney, NSW

Access is no longer a single-format solution. As technology evolves and communities become increasingly interconnected, accessibility must be delivered through multiple pathways that empower people with print disability to access information, education, employment, culture, and participate in community life.

The 2027 Round Table Conference will explore how digital technologies, tactile formats, and collaborative partnerships are shaping the future of accessible information. We invite researchers, practitioners, educators, technology developers, service providers, government representatives, publishers, advocates, and people with lived experience of print disability to share innovative ideas, practical solutions, emerging trends, and lessons learned.

Conference Streams

We welcome abstracts aligned with the conference theme, including but not limited to the following areas:

Digital Access and Innovation

  • Artificial Intelligence and accessible information production
  • Accessibility in education and learning environments
  • Digital publishing and accessible content creation
  • Accessibility standards, policy, and compliance
  • Emerging technologies and assistive technology innovations
  • Inclusive design and user-centred development
  • Accessibility in employment and workplace settings

Tactile Literacy and Accessible Formats

  • Braille literacy and teaching practices
  • Tactile graphics and tactile learning resources
  • Accessible STEM and mathematics
  • Production and distribution of accessible format materials
  • Developments in braille technology and refreshable tactile displays
  • Accessible examinations and assessments
  • Best practice in alternative format production

Connected Communities and Collaboration

  • Partnerships across sectors and organisations
  • Co-design and lived experience leadership
  • Accessible galleries, libraries, archives and museums
  • Community engagement and inclusion
  • International collaboration and knowledge sharing
  • Capacity building and workforce development
  • Research and evaluation initiatives

Future Directions

  • Emerging trends and innovations
  • Accessibility and digital transformation
  • Sustainability of accessible information services
  • The future of braille, audio, and multimodal access
  • Visionary ideas that challenge current practice and inspire future action

Presentation Formats

Abstracts are invited for:

  • Presentation: 20-minutes plus 5 minutes for questions.
  • Workshop: 60-minutes interactive session.

Submission Guidelines

The conference provides a forum for all of those with an involvement or interest in information access for children and adults who cannot readily access standard print. Conference participants and presenters generally include the following:

Please include:

  • Presentation title
  • Presenter name(s), organisation, and contact details (email and phone)
  • Presentation format
  • Abstract (maximum 250 words)
  • Brief presenter biography (maximum 100* words)
  • Learning outcomes for participants
  • Any accessibility requirements for presenters

Selection Criteria

Submissions will be assessed against the following criteria:

  • Relevance to the conference theme
  • Innovation and originality
  • Practical application and impact
  • Quality and clarity of the proposal
  • Contribution to the advancement of accessible information and inclusion
  • Engagement value for conference delegates

Key Dates

Closing date for abstract submissions: Monday, 9 November 2026

Accessibility

Round Table is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive conference experience. Presenters are encouraged to model accessibility best practice in all presentations and materials. Information about accessible presentation guidelines will be provided to successful presenters.

Attendance of Other Sessions

Presenters may attend the conference session prior to their session at no cost. If you wish to attend the full day or on an alternate day, or the full conference, then you will need to register and pay the applicable registration fees.

Submit an Abstract

We encourage submissions from people with lived experience of print and other disabilities, as well as professionals, researchers, educators, students, and industry partners.

Join us as we explore how accessibility is being transformed through innovation, collaboration, and action.

Please complete the online Round Table Abstract Submission Form

For further information regarding the program please contact:

Jane Wegener, Conference Convener
Email: conference@printdisability.org

For general information about the conference, please contact:

Marjorie Hawkings, Round Table Conference Planner / Administration Officer
By Email: admin@printdisability.org