During the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the German Federal Government Commissioner for Matters relating to Persons with Disabilities organizes the European Inclusion Summit, an important initiative that aims to be an opportunity for a broad exchange of ideas on issues related to inclusion of people with disabilities, in anticipation of the development of the European Disability Strategy 2020-2030.

The event will take place on November 17 in a special virtual edition (from 9.00 to 16.45 CET) and will be a day of confrontation between government representatives, European institutions, organizations that fight for the rights of people with disabilities, private companies and the main experts dealing with disabilities in Europe.

A particular focus is dedicated to the European Accessibility Act. The program will touch, through round tables and the organization of thematic working groups, also the issues of digitization, cooperation for inclusion, violence towards the groups most at risk like women or children with disabilities.

As part of the panel dedicated to “Digitalization” (1.30pm), Fondazione LIA – Libri Italiani Accessibili was invited to present its activities in the field of creating and distributing accessible digital editorial content, as an example of international best practice.

The panel, in which Cristina Mussinelli will participate for LIA, will be attended by Dorothee Bär (Minister of State and Federal Government Commissioner for Digital Affairs, Germany), Antonio Caponetto (Head of the Office for policies in favor of people with disabilities of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Italy); Rait Kuuse (Deputy Secretary General on Social Policy, Ministry of Social Affairs, Estonia); Nicole Windmann (Head of the SAP Accessibility Competence Center, SAP SE); Peter Lorenz (Senior Vice President, Head of Portfolio Unit Digital Solutions, T-Systems, Germany).

During her speech, Cristina Mussinelli will present the activities of Fondazione LIA and the path that in recent years, thanks to the collaboration of more than 76 publishing brands, has led to the creation of the catalog www.libriitalianiaccessibili.it, which today offers over 26 thousand accessible e-books . A unique working model also at an international level, which is based on the integration of the Born Accessible concept within the production and distribution chain.

All the meetings of the European Inclusion Summit will be available in live streaming in English, German and French, and all speeches include simultaneous translation in sign language, audio description and subtitles to ensure participation by all interested parties. The entire event program is available here.