Reflections on the AI & Big Data Expo in Amsterdam – Where Accessibility is the Missing Link

Ah, Amsterdam! A city of canals, bicycles, and... AI & Big Data conferences. I spent two days at the Expo World Series, mingling with tech innovators, digital agencies, and even a guy who might’ve been a software engineer—or maybe a magician. (More on him in a moment.) While the conference was packed with flashy booths and some pretty cool giveaways (socks, anyone?), there was one major topic that seemed to be floating just under the radar—digital accessibility.

Now, if you've ever been to one of these events, you know the drill. Day one kicks off with coffee, introductions, and the slow realization that the day will be filled with a lot of sales pitches disguised as “discussions.” Day two? That’s where the real insights slip through the cracks between yet another free T-shirt and a half-hearted demo.

But back to the real meat of the conference: accessibility. Or rather, the lack of it.

ADA Compliance? Sure. European Accessibility Act? Crickets.

It was both fascinating and slightly alarming to discover that many of the companies I spoke with knew something about ADA compliance. “Oh yeah, we’ve got that covered,” they’d say confidently, while offering me a pen with their logo on it. But when the conversation shifted to the European Accessibility Act (EAA), the room got awkwardly quiet. The words “European” and “Act” seemed to be understood, but “Accessibility”? Apparently, that was a mystery to some.

One digital agency (which shall remain nameless for their own sake) casually mentioned that they leave accessibility concerns to their clients. Yes, you read that right. As if ensuring your website is accessible is a nice-to-have rather than an integral part of building the thing! You wouldn’t build a house without doors, so why are we still building websites without considering accessibility?

The Irony of Digital Inclusion

Here’s the kicker. Many countries, including the US and even Serbia, have had physical markers for the blind in their sidewalks since the post-WWII era. So why is it that in 2024, we’ve got streets that are inclusive but websites that are not? It’s mind-boggling, especially when we consider how much time we spend online.

It's not just a technical issue; it's a moral one. We’ve made strides in accessibility in the physical world, but the digital world seems to be lagging behind. It was both surprising and disheartening that many companies failed to see accessibility as a core feature of their digital offerings. They were more interested in pitching their AI-powered "solutions" (some of which were, admittedly, very cool) but fell short when it came to ensuring those solutions were inclusive for all users.

Booths, Giveaways, and... Card Tricks?

Amidst all the serious conversations, there were, of course, the usual conference distractions. Some booths had the standard swag—T-shirts, socks, and pens galore. But one booth caught my eye for something different—a guy doing card tricks. Now, I’m not entirely sure if he was a hired entertainer or just a multitasking sales guy with some impressive card skills, but his tricks were so smooth that I couldn’t help but wonder if he used the same charm to close sales as he did to shuffle those cards. It was a refreshing break from the buzzwords and gave me a moment to laugh at something that wasn’t just another automated sales funnel demo.

When a Sales Pitch Meets Accessibility

Speaking of demos, there was a recurring theme during my conversations. I’d ask a company how they were addressing accessibility, and somehow, the conversation would quickly veer off into a standard-issue sales pitch: “First, we conduct a deep discovery session to better understand your organizational structure, and then we..." blah, blah, blah. You know the rest.

At this point, I could predict it. They’d start talking about “discovery” and “strategy,” and I’d be mentally preparing myself for the inevitable realization that they hadn’t even thought about accessibility. It’s almost as if saying “I don’t know” would be the end of the world. But, let’s face it—none of us know everything. And admitting that is often the first step towards actually making progress.

The Big Takeaway: Digital Accessibility Isn’t Optional

As the conference came to a close, I couldn’t help but feel a bit conflicted. On one hand, the event was well-organized (kudos to the team, especially compared to last year’s Santa Clara edition), and the conversations were engaging. On the other hand, there was a glaring gap in the focus on digital inclusivity.

Accessibility isn’t a side project. It’s not something you sprinkle on top of a website after it’s built. It’s fundamental. Companies, whether they’re based in the US, Europe, or anywhere else, need to prioritize making their digital spaces accessible to all. Otherwise, we risk leaving behind a large portion of the population, which, in 2024, is just plain unacceptable.

So, here’s hoping that the next conference won’t just feature card tricks and giveaways but also more companies that understand the importance of building inclusive digital experiences for everyone. Because, in the end, accessibility is magic too—just the kind we actually need.

Stay tuned for more insights on accessibility and how we can push the conversation forward!

How QualiBooth.com Can Help

If you’re looking to bridge the accessibility gap in your digital presence, QualiBooth.com has the tools to help. Our platform detects errors around WCAG 2.2, ADA compliance, and the European Accessibility Act, ensuring your website is not only inclusive but fully compliant. With a powerful reporting tool, Jira integration for seamless development workflows, a development helper to guide fixes, a scoring system to measure accessibility, and a user-friendly dashboard, QualiBooth.com makes it easy to stay on top of digital accessibility requirements.

That’s a wrap on Amsterdam. Now, onto solving the real accessibility puzzle!

?