Mark Scully’s Post

Last week I had the privilege of speaking with the incredible community of Google Women Techmakers about a subject I am extremely passionate about. Check out the video! Thank you to Tania Rodriguez Fuentes and Aimée Jasso for the opportunity and for making the magic happen. I do want to call out that the webinar platform selected for this session did not have built-in captioning functionality, thus this talk was not accessible to those with hearing loss. The team addressed the issue head-on during the session, and this was a very important learning experience. It also helps to highlight a pervasive issue in the tech industry: Many software packages and platforms do not include accessibility features as a standard. When accessibility is an afterthought, it makes our jobs -- as event organizers, facilitators, and conveners of all kinds -- more difficult. We have to think on our feet and create workarounds, lest members of our communities be left behind. Inaccessible tools are routinely used within organizations, making it all the more difficult for new employees with accessibility needs to onboard and fully engage. Ultimately, this causes overall low rates of participation in the workforce, in education settings, in civic groups, in society. We have to start somewhere. Selecting accessible tools and advocating for urgent development of accessibility features are easy things you can do early in planning processes to help move the needle.

To end the month of April. Proud to accomplish goals and triumphs. No matter how small. Accessibility Week is about inclusion. I spent many years in a sound booth learning to listen. Speak Properly. Learn new techniques that others took for granted. If only I knew what blindness meant to a soul. Once it becomes who you are. Learning to exist in a world full of unknowns and goals, quite easily stripped away if you are not prepared. There is never a bad time to make the effort. If I must, as slow or as quickly as possible. #accessibilityweek #disabilityawareness #survivor

Today we kick off the 14th Microsoft Ability Summit, an annual event to bring together thought leaders to discuss how we accelerate accessibility to help bridge the Disability Divide. There are three key themes to this year’s summit: Build, Imagine, ... #Microsoft #msftadvocate

Sometimes it’s hard to keep conversations going, and you might feel like your voice isn’t heard. But together we can make more noise about accessibility and the changes we want to happen. Global Accessibility Awareness Day may be over, but that’s no reason to stop advocating for better access to assistive technology, and more awareness around how we can respect family, friends, students, and colleagues when it comes to equal access. There are lots of free online resources to support this. Take a look at AbilityNet’s suggestions here: https://lnkd.in/eUxUHgeq If you’re in education and want to join our free Teachers for AT platform to share your knowledge, visit our initiatives page here: https://lnkd.in/exHt3e76 #VoicesForChange #ATBATA #AssistiveTechnology #AccessibilityAwareness #Inclusion #LearningDisability

In today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world, open communication between parents and children has never been more important. It’s more than just talking; it’s about creating a safe space where kids feel they can share without fear of judgment. This openness builds trust, strengthens relationships, and helps children develop critical skills like decision-making and problem-solving. 🌱✨ When parents prioritize active listening, empathy, and support, they empower their children to face challenges with confidence and resilience. When children feel safe and secure enough to open up These meaningful conversations lead to a warm, positive family atmosphere, which becomes a lasting foundation for well-being. 💙 Let's continue fostering open communication—it's one of the best ways to contribute to the growth and success of the next generation. #WorldCommunicationWeek #Parenting #LeadershipAtHome #FamilyWellbeing #EmpoweringKids #PTWF #educate #empower #prevent Our Website: https://lght.ly/pidlgc5 Parent Tool Kit: https://lght.ly/556022n

Curious about how assistive technology is transforming lives? Discover the difference between mainstream and assistive tech and how it empowers individuals with disabilities to thrive in daily life, work, and education. This short nugget is from Seth Leblond and Anat Nulman. Wanna hear the full conversation? You can always listen here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gWZpx96n #aitechnology #assistivetech #inclusivity

♿ In the last few years, I've had many people reach out and inquire about accessibility. I applaud you for your curiosity and for asking about this important topic. Accessibility and the needs of those with disabilities (i.e. 👀 vision impairment,👂 hearing loss, etc.) are not fading away, so take a moment, kick off your shoes, block some time off on your calendar, and learn how to be more inclusive!💡 🌈 #TheMoreYouKnow #LearningandDevelopment #Accessibility https://lnkd.in/gHQaPxVN

It's Autism Acceptance Day! Despite having the skills set and expertise to excel, many autistic adults are unemployed and underemployed, and those who land jobs experience discrimination and bullying in the workplace. By actively championing equity and inclusion in tech, we can transform our workplaces into environments that promote awareness, embrace differences, and increase representation to promote equitable participation in the development of tech solutions. As a community, we can ensure disabled and neurodiverse people in tech have the resources and tools needed to participate fully and thrive. #AutismAcceptanceDay #CelebrateDiversity #DisabilityJustice #CelebrateDifferences

Honoured to join the APAC Council for Disability:IN   I'm thrilled to share that I've been invited to join the APAC Council for Disability:IN a global leader in advancing disability inclusion in the workplace.   Disability:IN partners with corporations to build inclusive workplaces and empower people with disabilities, ensuring that everyone can fully participate in and contribute to the economy.   Disability inclusion is not just a responsibility but a business imperative. Companies that embrace disability inclusion drive innovation, reach new markets, and improve profitability by tapping into an underrepresented yet incredibly talented pool of professionals.   Discover how technology can enable greater accessibility and foster inclusion https://lnkd.in/gKBpEtnH  Jenny Lay-Flurrie Laurie Allen Hector Minto Sandeep Basu Rahul Gokhale Sindhura Sunkara Hari Tharmakumar Andrea Della Mattea Ritchell Anne de Loyola Carol Anne Balita Ching-Shiuan Jiang 姜慶萱 Maria Palladino #DisabilityInclusion #InclusionMatters #Accessibility #DiversityAndInclusion #Leadership #Microsoft

This week, we celebrate Learning Disability Week, focusing on the theme “Do you see me?” which is about ensuring everyone is seen, heard, and feels valued. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer, and we support accessibility and inclusivity in many ways, including through innovative Microsoft solutions. Microsoft provides various tools that empower neurodiverse individuals, such as: • Microsoft Teams: Offering live captions, background blur, and immersive reader for better communication. • Microsoft 365: Features like Editor, which helps with grammar and style, and Focus mode in Word to minimise distractions. You can also type with your voice in Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote. • Accessibility Checker: Ensuring documents are inclusive for all users. Let's embrace technology that fosters inclusivity and supports neurodiverse talents. Ensure your teams are aware of the Microsoft accessibility features available to them, or speak to our team today to learn more. Learn more about Microsoft Accessibility features at: https://hubs.ly/Q02ByHgx0 #LearningDisabilityWeek #Accessibility #Inclusivity #Microsoft #Neurodiversity #TechForGood