UNESCO Advocates for Inclusive Technology at the 7th Technology Accessibility Development Conference

 The 7th Technology Accessibility Development Conference (2025 TADC) was successfully held in Beijing on June 27, 2025, bringing together more than 300 participants from across society to focus on the development of accessible technology. Attendees shared the latest achievements and practical experiences from the industry and called for greater social attention to be paid to people with disabilities and the elderly. The conference encouraged more companies and organizations to continue investing in accessibility and age-friendly environments, working together to promote inclusive social development.

This year’s conference was co-hosted by the Information Accessibility Joint Conference and the Shenzhen Information Accessibility Research Association, with guidance from UNESCO’s East Asia Regional Office and other organizations. The event coincided with the second anniversary of the promulgation of the Accessible Environment Construction Law of the People’s Republic of China and the 20th anniversary of the Shenzhen Information Accessibility Research Association.

At the opening session, Professor Shahbaz Khan, Director and Representative of the UNESCO East Asia Regional Office, delivered a keynote speech. He noted: “Technology is transforming every aspect of our lives. Advances in artificial intelligence, smart devices, and digital connectivity are reshaping how we communicate, work, learn, and interact with the world. Yet, as we enjoy the benefits of these innovations, we also shoulder a profound responsibility: to ensure that these advancements benefit everyone, including persons with disabilities and the elderly.” He emphasized the importance of embedding inclusive design in the development of smart devices and ensuring AI systems are deployed within ethical frameworks. He also introduced UNESCO’s initiatives in developing AI agents based on large language models, which aim to provide digital literacy training and courses for women with disabilities and students with disabilities, thereby strengthening their voices in digital urban governance.

Following this, Wang Chang, a student from Hangzhou Yang Lingzi School and Special Olympics East Asia Regional Messenger, spoke on the importance of “making information simple.” He explained that people with intellectual disabilities, dyslexia, and many elderly individuals face difficulties when confronted with complex information, such as policy documents or medical instructions. Wang stressed that simplifying information does not mean reducing content, but rather extracting its core meaning to make it easier to understand. He urged a shift in mindset toward promoting plain-language tools and ensuring that people with disabilities are involved in usability testing, helping to dismantle the “walls” of information barriers and build “bridges” toward inclusion.

Speakers from TÜV Rheinland Greater China, Alibaba, Tsinghua University Architectural Design and Research Institute, OCTAVE Institute, and Skyscanner Car Rental each delivered thematic presentations, sharing their latest progress and challenges in the field of accessibility.

• Liu Daxing from TÜV Rheinland emphasized the importance of building human-factor laboratories to simulate user experiences and ensure products meet the needs of people with disabilities.

• Huang Gang from Alibaba reviewed the company’s 15 years of effort in advancing accessibility, highlighting the role of artificial intelligence and the critical importance of protecting data privacy.

• Wang Ning from Tsinghua University shared insights from the recent exhibition “Accessibility for All, Building an Inclusive Future” held at the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva, which showcased China’s concepts and practices in accessible environment construction.

• Chen Yuqi from OCTAVE Institute discussed a broader understanding of accessibility, stressing that it is not only about removing physical barriers but also about recognizing and respecting diverse human needs. Drawing from personal experiences, he explored accessibility in emotional, cultural, and technological dimensions.

• Luo Jialong from Skyscanner’s car rental division shared how the global travel search platform is committed to becoming a leader in disability inclusion by building an accessibility culture, creating accessibility testing guidelines, and embedding accessible design into technological development.

The conference also featured three roundtable discussions focused on “The Past, Present, and Future of Accessibility in Smart Devices,” “AI + Accessibility,” and “Cross-Border Accessibility Compliance.”

• The Past, Present, and Future of Accessibility in Smart Devices: Representatives from OPPO, vivo, Xiaomi, the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, and HONOR discussed the importance of integrating accessibility features into smartphones and other smart devices, underscoring user-centered design and embedding accessibility throughout the product development lifecycle.

• AI + Accessibility: Experts from Alibaba, Huihua Intelligent, Microsoft, Baidu, and Fangyuanbao Information Technology explored how artificial intelligence can enhance accessibility, including AI-powered tools for people with disabilities, while also addressing the ethical considerations of such deployments.

• Cross-Border Accessibility Compliance: Representatives from TÜV Rheinland, W3C, Xiaomi, and Tongji University examined the challenges and strategies enterprises face in meeting accessibility standards across different regions, highlighting the need for harmonized standards and international cooperation.

The conference concluded with the launch of the 2025 Outstanding Accessible Information Practices Collection, jointly initiated by the Shenzhen Information Accessibility Research Association and the Information Accessibility Joint Conference. This initiative aimed to set benchmarks for accessibility work within the industry and inspire more enterprises and products to actively and continuously promote accessibility, fostering the sustainable development of the accessibility ecosystem. More than 30 submissions were received, covering products, services, technologies, and social research, addressing the needs of groups including people with visual, hearing, physical, and speech impairments, as well as the elderly. Ultimately, 16 outstanding cases were selected.