The Audio Developer Conference is committed to providing diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our conference.

In this article, we will explore some of our accessibility initiatives for this year's conference including:

• The New Accessibility Zone, hosted by Jason Dasent
• "Will You Be Next?" accessibility panel, with some exciting panelists representing various backgrounds

Will You Be Next? : A Panel on Accessibility (Online and In-Person)

This ADC22 session, hosted by music producer, audio engineer and accessibility consultant Jason Dasent, brings together key players from across the music industry, all with a passion for accessibility. The event will take the form of a discussion panel focusing on the current state of accessibility as it relates to music technology, as well as how we can work together to take it to the next level.

Jason Dasent: Owner, Studio Jay Recording
Quintin Balsdon: Software Engineer - Accessibility, Spotify
Mary-Alice Stack: Chief Executive, Creative United
James Cunningham: Queen's University, Belfast
Grace Capaldi: Director, Grinning Dog Records/Echotown Studio
Harry Morley: Software Developer, Focusrite

Topics that will be covered include:

• The advancements made by music equipment manufacturers in the last 24 months
• How to inspire music equipment manufacturers to make products and services accessible
• Marketing opportunities for companies that make accessible products
• How we bridge the gap between able-bodied and differently abled music industry practitioners, leading to more collaborations and employment opportunities for professional differently abled practitioners.

The event will culminate in a 20-minute performance, showing the latest in accessible music tech from keyboards to groove stations, to a fully accessible mixing system.

Accessibility Zone

Throughout the ADC22 conference, in-person attendees* are encouraged to visit the “Will You Be Next?” Accessibility Zone, where they can meet software engineers and managers from a variety of companies who are all already involved in accessible music tech. Visitors to the Accessibility Zone will be invited to get hands-on with all the accessible equipment that will be on display. Attendees will also be able to experience music production from recording to mastering, all with accessible equipment.

Accessibility Zone Schedule

Tuesday morning
10.55 – 11.15 Demo with Quinton Balsdon, Software Engineer – Accessibility, Spotify Design

Tuesday lunch
13.00  Welcome from Jason Dasent & Sophie Carus
13.05 – 13.20 Demo with Eleonora Dolif, Audiomodeling
13.25 – 13.40 Demo with Harry Morley & Cain McCormack, Focusrite

Tuesday afternoon
16.00 – 16.15 Demo with Sam Butler & Francois Quereuil, AVID

Wednesday lunch
13.00 – 13.15 Demo with Pierre Pfister, Arturia
13.20 – 13.35 Demo with Patrik Holmstrom, Softube
13.40 – 13.50 Demo with Tom Poole, JUCE

Wednesday afternoon
16.00 – 16.15 Demo with Adil Ghanty, Native Instruments (edited)

*online conference attendees will have access to the Will You Be Next Panel? Some of the presentations in the Accessibility Zone will be recorded and available for on-demand playback during the conference.

Continuously Improving Accessibility

Please join us in our ongoing commitment to improve accessibility at the Audio Developer Conference and in software and hardware development in the audio developer community. This year, our virtual conference platform Gather, was evaluated by ICAD (International Community For Auditory Display). Additionally, we partnered with Jason Dasent to create an Accessibility Zone for conference goers to experience the latest advancements in audio hardware and software. We hope to continuously present opportunities for education, collaboration and advancement in accessibility.

For more information on how you can get involved, contact: [email protected]