Upcoming: NYPL’s Accessible Technology Conference 2023

By Jill Rothstein, Chief Librarian, Andrew Heiskell Library
March 7, 2023
Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library
5 blind and sighted people - including a woman with a dark ponytail and bright pink shirt in the center of the photo - sit around a table reaching for and working on Arduino robotics kits together. Neon green boxes and an open laptop sit in the middle of the table, and other tables with other participants are seen in the background

The Blind Arduino Project workshop at the library.

Taking place Saturday, October 21–Sunday, October 22 at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library, The New York Public Library’s Accessible Technology Conference is a free and inclusive conference focused on the impact, affordances, and evolution of accessible technologies used by Blind, low-vision, and print-disabled people.

The conference is open to all community members and is free to presenters and participants alike. Our conference team commits to a fully accessible conference, including providing accessible conference materials, hybrid participation, and other access needs. 

How to Submit a Proposal

To submit a proposal, please fill out this form. We will be accepting applications through Monday, July 31. First-time presenters and people with marginalized identities are welcomed and encouraged to participate. We look forward to connecting with you! Please note that acceptance notices will be going out on a rolling basis.

a woman with purple, shoulder length hair, a black turtleneck, green jumper and dark glasses speaks into a microphone to an audience while sitting in a wheelchair. Behind her on the wall are several framed black and white photos

Flo Fox speaks at the opening of her photography show at the library.

Tips for Successful Proposals

We're interested in hosting a dialogue that explores technology as it is used in our daily lives and imagines a more equitable, sustainable, and inclusive future for accessible tech. We particularly encourage presentation proposals that focus on maker/DIY culture, human and intersectional factors in adopting and using accessible technology, new-to-market and affordable technologies, and hands-on learning. 

  • Interactive in-depth sessions where community members can gain a fuller working understanding of a topic, project, or piece of technology, 
  • Productive conversation-based sessions (less of a slide show).
  • Hands-on sessions for attendees to learn practical skills (e.g., art, physical computer, coding).
  • Focus on emerging, unique and interesting accessible technology products currently available or late-stage beta that can be tested at the conference. 
  • Focus on the human side of technology ((e.g. teaching training, accessible technology in a social justice framework).
  • Note that this conference is NOT about web accessibility
  • Note that this conference is NOT suitable for presentations primarily focused on sales

Key Audiences

  • Blind, low vision, DeafBlind, and multiply disabled end-users
  • People interested in learning more about Accessible Technology
  • Technology instructors
  • Service providers 
  • Beginners, intermediate, and advanced users of Accessible Technology devices
  • Innovators and inventors
  • Tactile artists
  • Disability justice advocates
  • Access hackers 
the exterior of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation library -a white stone building with an asymmetrical glass top - surrounded by several other tall buildings. The Iconic Lion Statue of the Main 42nd street Library and a large green tree sit in the foreground across the street

Venue Accessibility

The conference will be held at The New York Public Library’s largest circulating branch—the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL) which fully opened to the public in 2021 after undergoing a full-scale renovation. It is located at the site of the former Mid-Manhattan Library. All public service units of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library are wheelchair accessible. The right/South side of the revolving doors on the corner of 40th Street has a button for access. All levels of the building are accessible by elevator, including the 7th-floor rooftop terrace. There are single-occupancy gender-neutral restrooms on floors 2–7.

a large marble-walled room with people seated at various tables displaying pamphlets, technology equipment, art, and other materials as many people walk around visiting tables

2019's Accessible Community Culture and Technology Fair in the Celeste Bartos Forum of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building.

Community, Culture & Technology Fair at the Andrew Heiskell Library

Our Accessible Technology Conference will happen immediately after the triumphant return of the Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library’s Community, Culture, and Technology Fair on Friday, October 20 also at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library. 

The fair is free for everyone to attend and to table and will celebrate accessible museums, artist collaboratives, rock climbing groups, sports leagues, advocacy and service groups, niche libraries, DIY access hackers, tech demos and innovations, entrepreneurship contests, and much more. 

Visit the Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library locations page to learn more about everything we have to offer. From materials to borrow in a wide range of formats, accessible tactile crafts, and audio described film club to braille study groups, book discussion groups, English Conversation classes, and much more. Leer información dispobible en español.



For general questions please fill out this form or email us at ATconference@nypl.org.

logos for the Lavelle Fund for the Blind and The New York Community Trust

Major support for the Accessible Technology Conference is provided by the Lavelle Fund for the Blind and The New York Community Trust.