Access Given 2027

Access:Given (A:G) is a one-day digital accessibility conference, created to be as inclusive and accessible as possible because we believe accessibility should be a ‘given’ in society – not granted.

The conference is on Wednesday 28th April 2027 at The Catalyst, Helix, Science Square, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE4 5TG.

Tickets are now on sale. They are £199 each, with a small booking fee, including lunch. There are also plenty of local eateries to grab your own food on the day.

Access:Given is curated by Michelle O'Connor and Ellen Boyle, who came together to create a conference they’d love to attend. Both are neurodivergent and strive to create accessible digital products and reduce overwhelm for everyone. Michelle lives with a chronic illness, which can result in brain fog, and Ellen lives with a toddler who takes up a lot of brain capacity.

We’ll have:

• no overlapping speakers, to avoid decision paralysis

• live captions throughout

• talks, lightning talks and a panel

• regular breaks to allow for loo breaks and scrolling

• a sensory space, for escape and respite

• an open-door policy, for late-arrivers and early-leavers to come and go

• a separate exhibition space

Speaker details to be announced in January 2027.