European Accessibility Summer School
A dynamic two-day in-person event where publishing professionals, accessibility experts, and key stakeholders from the whole publishing industry will meet in a laboratory of teaching and active learning. By APACE
26 - 27 June 2025
European Accessibility Summer School
Location: Villa La Torrossa, Fiesole (Florence)
Date: 26-27 June 2025
Organized by APACE, co-funded by the European Union.
Be part of a dynamic and interactive program!
Join us for a new two-day experience where publishing professionals, accessibility experts, and key stakeholders come together to shape the future of inclusive publishing.
- Discover the latest advancements and best practices in accessibility.
- Engage in hands-on workshops with leading experts.
- Collaborate with peers to drive innovation in accessible content.
What to Expect
A dynamic in-person event where professionals from the whole publishing industry will meet in a laboratory of teaching and active learning. In a highly interactive setting, the European Accessibility Summer School will offer a unique opportunity to:
- Explore key aspects of accessibility in publishing, working alongside all players in the accessibility value chain
- Participate in hands-on sessions and collaborative discussions with peers
- Engage in practical learning experiences designed to foster innovation and real-world impact
You can’t miss the European Accessibility Summer School if:
- You are a publishing professional looking to integrate accessibility into your workflows and deepen your understanding of inclusive publishing
- You are an accessibility expert eager to share insights and collaborate with industry peers
- You are a developer or content creator interested in making digital content accessible to all
- You believe in a more inclusive publishing ecosystem and want to be part of the change
Agenda
Day One
9:00 Registration
Welcome
Video Greetings
Georg Hauesler, Director for Culture, Creativity and Sport in the European Commission (DG EAC)
Icebreaker
Elisa Molinari, Project manager APACE
Round table “The European Accessibility Act is here. Now what?”
- Inmaculada Placencia Porrero, Senior Expert in Disability and Inclusion at Directorate-General Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion at the European Commission (video presentation)
- Cristina Mussinelli, Secretary General Fondazione LIA
- Kristina Kramer, Deputy Director for European and International Affairs Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels
- Moderator: Porter Anderson, Editor in Chief Publishing Perspectives
10:45 – 11:30 Networking Break
Beyond compliance and checklists: how to build a culture of accessibility
- Alessandra Porcelli, Strategic publishing consultant & learning consultant Mondadori Education Accessibility PMO
- Stacy Scott, Head of Accessibility Taylor&Francis
- Tobias Giversen, Digital Project Manager Politikens
- Moderator: Porter Anderson, Editor in Chief Publishing Perspectives
Firechat about accessibility standards
- Gregorio Pellegrino, Chief Accessibility Officer Fondazione LIA
13:00 – 14:30 Lunch
Round table “European publishers and their roadmap towards accessibility”
- Leena Rautjärvi, Helsinki University Press
- Miia Kirsi, Accessibility Specialist Celia
- Alisa Žarkova, Head of Publishing Department Lithuanian Audiosensory Library
- Moderator: Porter Anderson, Editor in Chief Publishing Perspectives
Pitch your accessibility pain
Wrestling with a tricky accessibility issue? This session is your space to speak up. Bring your real-world questions, challenges, and sticking points. We’ll tackle them together breaking down the toughest problems and tapping into the collective experience of peers and experts. No challenge too small, no question too specific. Let’s turn pain into progress!
- Pitch your accessibility pain about production of accessible contents
- Pitch your accessibility pain about image description
16:15-17:00 Networking Break
Wrap up of tables and closing remarks
Day Two
9:00 Recap of Day One
Keynote speech about accessibility metadata
- Chris Saynor, Standards editor EDItEUR
Round table “Mainstreaming accessible distribution”
- Nina Rubach, Senior Platform Product Manager Bookwire
- Virginie Bouilhac, Director, Content Management Kobo
- Dani Molina, Operation and Support Specialist De Marque
- Bruna Benvegnù, Senior Product Manager, Books Publisher Experience at Amazon
- Moderator: Porter Anderson, Editor in Chief Publishing Perspectives
11:00 – 11:30 Networking Break
Accessible ebooks at readers’ fingertips. How do accessible ebooks reach readers?
- Gautier Chomel, Project manager European Digital Reading Lab
Libraries: where accessibility happens
- Francesco Pandini, Project manager Medialibraryonline
- Luisa Gaggini, Head of e-Content and Partners Relations Casalini libri
- Moderator: Porter Anderson, Editor in Chief Publishing Perspectives
13:00 – 14:30 Lunch
Round table “Accessible platforms and where to find them”
- Paolo Casarini, IT Director Il Mulino
- Paolo Pancaldi, Head of software developers Il Mulino
- Francesca Avanzini, Digital Project Manager Sanoma Italia
- Moderator: Porter Anderson, Editor in Chief Publishing Perspectives
Pitch your accessibility pain
- Pitch your accessibility pain about how to assure the quality of your production and distribution flows: Quality Assurance, tools, display of accessibility metadata
- Pitch your accessibility pain about the cost of accessibility: investments, disproportionate burden, backlist, conversion
16:15 – 17:00 Networking break
Wrap up of tables
Roundtable “Accessible platforms and where to find them”
Speakers to be defined
17:00 Wrap-up and closing remark
Get in touch! If you're interested, email us at apace@fondazionelia.org.