Speakers

Bryce is an inclusive designer for Microsoft Devices where he is devoted to ensuring Microsoft products are accessible. Bryce initiated and designed the Inclusive Tech Lab at Microsoft, which has now hosted over eight thousand visitors; it is a facility where people can explore how people with disabilities interact with Microsoft products and services. He strives to design systems of accessibility enhancement, like the Surface Adaptive Kit, across our devices. Bryce is one of the inventors of the Xbox Adaptive Controller and a proud member of the Microsoft Adaptive Accessories team.

Hector has over two decades of software development and consulting working with companies all around the world. He has been specializing - but not solely focus - on eCommerce accessibility. Every day trying to learn, educate & share knowledge about accessible solutions. He's also a casual platform gamer where he finds inspiration in accessibility solutions & inclusive story telling. Currently working in Accenture as Front End Development Manager & North America Accessibility Lead.

You folks know me. Disability rights advocate

Matisse Hamel-Nelis is VP of Communications for AbleDocs, and program co-ordinator of Durham College’s PR & Strategic Communications program. She’s also the Director of Communications for the IABC/Toronto IDEA Committee. An international award-winner, she is best described as a strategic, forward-thinking communicator focused on goal-oriented social PR with accessibility at the fore. She has designations through the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) as a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) and Accessible Documents Specialist (ADS).

CTO @ AccessNow, Working experience in developing signal processing, AI/ML and numerical intensive algorithms. Holds Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and 2nd Ph.D. in Management (Strategic Planning) . Published scientific papers and granted 7 us patents.

Juan is an Accessibility veteran with 20+ years of strategic, tactical and entrepreneurial experience. Being visually impaired, allows Juan to have a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by individuals who live with a disability — enabling him to be a unique visionary in the space. He has worked in multiple accessibility projects with organizations such as the Bank of Montreal, CIBC, Scotiabank, Ryerson University, George Brown College, NTT Data Inc, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, and Ministry of Consumer Services,, Deloitte Canada, Allianz insurance as well as taught Accessibility at Sheridan College and Humber College. Currently Juan is the CEO and co-founder of Digita11y Accessible Inc. a company helping organizations be more accessible and inclusive.

Varun is the founder of Access to Success, a Toronto-based not-for-profit that supports the development of future leaders with disabilities and assistive tech. In 2021, he launched ATS Labs, Canada's first accelerator for accessibility startups to build an ecosystem for accessibility entrepreneurship in Canada. His work stems from his lived experience with hearing loss and Erb's Palsy, and his dreams of better assistive tech.