Eventida, Inc.

We did it! 🎉 The new Eventida brand is here! Substack - https://buff.ly/4eN71yv Medium - https://buff.ly/4e7386t Next up on our checklist: The Insights Publication is live, and we’re working hard on the Backstage Pass newsletter and our fundraising campaign. 💡 What is Backstage Pass? It’s Eventida’s email newsletter packed with success stories, actionable insights, and how-tos for inclusive leaders and their teams. Our mission? To inspire action and spark innovative solutions! We publish insights on inclusion and how to empower diverse, intersectional professionals around the world to bring their whole and best selves to work and learning spaces. Here’s what you’ll gain: ✨ Stay Current — Learn about critical inclusion challenges, actionable solutions, and key players. ✨ Get Useful Insights — Peek behind the scenes with our team, uncovering research findings, solutions, and lessons learned. ✨ Access Essential Resources — Add valuable tools to your professional toolbox to ensure inclusive, accessible experiences. Who contributes? Our team, partners, and special guests share insights, stories, and favorite resources. Who’s it for? Founders, product owners, UX designers, event coordinators, HR pros, project managers, and anyone passionate about accessibility and inclusion. Want to share how you champion accessibility and inclusion in your workplace or products? Join the conversation: 👉 Substack - https://buff.ly/4eN71yv 👉 Medium - https://buff.ly/4e7386t Subscribe to Backstage Pass for actionable insights delivered straight to your inbox: https://buff.ly/3OeWqRb Together, we’re making inclusion and accessibility a reality for all. 💪 #InclusionMatters #AccessibilityForAll #InclusiveDesign #DiversityEquityInclusion #SuccessStories #InnovativeSolutions #NewEventida

🎄✨ Happy Holidays from all of us at Eventida! This holiday season, we take a moment to reflect on the connections we’ve built, the milestones we’ve achieved, and the dreams we continue to nurture. This season reminds us of the importance of community, accessibility, and the shared goal of creating a world where everyone belongs. Whether you’re spending time with loved ones, enjoying quiet moments of reflection, or diving into exciting projects for the year ahead, we hope this holiday season brings warmth, empathy, and joy into your life. At Eventida, we remain deeply grateful for your support and involvement in advancing inclusion and accessibility. Together, we’ve made strides in creating spaces where diversity thrives, and we look forward to continuing this journey with you in the coming year. Wishing you a holiday season filled with kindness, laughter, and peace. Here’s to a brighter, more inclusive future for all! 🌟 #HappyHolidays #SeasonOfInclusion #Eventida #2024memories

Human Rights Day 2024: Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now TRANSFORM. That’s the call to action this year. At Eventida, we believe that advancing human rights is not just about addressing present injustices—it's about reshaping society to empower those marginalized by systems of inequity. One such area of improvement is the disparities in Healthcare. When it comes to caring for disabled patients and caregivers, the support provided is often inadequate. This issue is so significant that in 2023, the NIH designated people with disabilities as a population with health disparities(NIH Designates People With Disabilities as a Population With Health, 2023). Through our UDAIN Initiative (Understand Disability Advocates' Inclusion Needs), we’re amplifying the voices of disability advocates—individuals who navigate systemic barriers while caring for disabled loved ones or themselves. By implementing participatory research, we aim to eliminate healthcare inequities and design solutions rooted in lived experience. This Human Rights Day, join us in transforming the systemic barriers. Together, we can build inclusive systems and ensure that everyone has equal rights to health and well-being. #OurRightsOurFuture #HumanRightsDay #Accessibility #Inclusion #HealthcareEquity #TransformSociety

🌍 This International Volunteer Day, be part of the solution! Volunteering empowers people to actively participate in creating change. By giving communities the tools to shape the products and services they use daily you can further the culture of volunteering. Every product and service begins with an idea—an inspiration or an inconvenience recognized by leaders, investors, or decision-makers. Yet, too often, the people deeply impacted by these solutions don’t have a seat at the table. Instead of advocating for disabled groups, design processes sometimes unintentionally exclude the needs of these users or oppose them. This exclusion stems from design bias—a phenomenon in which creators are immersed in their perspectives, designing solutions assuming that everyone can interact with products the same way they can. The result? Ableist-centric solutions that fail to serve a wide range of users effectively. At Eventida, we tackle the challenges faced by disabled user groups head-on with a participatory research model. Our approach ensures that EVERYONE who uses a product is part of creating it—designing programs and solutions that serve their needs. If you would like to be part of this process, join us at Eventida! We’re hosting a demo event to share how the solution works. This event will also let you experience what it’s like to co-design and make high-impact decisions meaningfully. This open-ended, community-centric event will connect you with like-minded organizations, shape equitable solutions, and pave the way for better, more inclusive products and services. 📅 Reserve your spot today and help us design for equity, together! 🕒 Date: 12 December 2024 English: 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM ET | 5:00 - 5:45 PM UTC https://lnkd.in/gsvaHESc ASL (American Sign Language) 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM ET | 7:00 - 7:45 PM UTC https://lnkd.in/gqY54was #IVD2024 #InclusiveDesign #ParticipatoryResearch #AccessibilityMatter #HumanCenteredDesign

🌍 Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities Disability touches us all. Sooner or later, every human will experience some form of disability, whether temporary or permanent. Yet, we still have to fight to raise awareness, foster understanding, and mobilize support for inclusion, accessibility, and equity. 📊 The Numbers Speak Loudly: - 1.3 billion people—16% of the global population—live with significant disabilities, and this number is rising (World Health Organization: WHO, 2023). - Disability prevalence increases with age, with rates ranging from 8% in young adults to nearly 10% in middle age (Statistics on Disability, n.d.). - More than 1 in 4 (28.7 percent) adults in the United States have some type of disability (Disability Impacts All of Us Infographic | CDC, 2024). Disabilities take many forms—sensory, cognitive, neurological, communication, dietary, and mobility-related, among others. Yet, barriers persist politically, socially, economically, and culturally: 🗳 Political: Equal accessibility is a human right, but when laws and regulations fail to ensure it, parts of the population are left unsupported. 🤝 Social: Ableism, stereotyping, and internalized stigma strip disabled individuals of dignity and quality of life. 💼 Economic: Career barriers, wage gaps, and inaccessible education deny opportunities to functionally disabled that are readily available to others. 🎭 Cultural: Historical narratives, stereotypical portrayals, and cultural nuances often view disability as a curse, punishment, or symbol of weakness. Terms describing disability are frequently derogatory, portraying disabled individuals as subjects of pity and exclusion. But here’s the thing: when we solve these challenges for disabled populations, we solve them for everyone. Inclusion and accessibility make workplaces, products, and services better for all underrepresented groups—and for society as a whole. Let’s work together to ensure equity isn’t just a goal but a reality. Because a more inclusive world isn’t just about doing what's right; it’s about building a better future for everyone. #InternationalDayOfPersonsWithDisabilities #Inclusion #Accessibility #DisabilityRights #EquityForAll #NewEventida

Inclusion goes beyond the involvement of underrepresented and intersectional groups—it’s about creating platforms for leadership. Did you know there are over 20 million disabled women in the United States? (U.S. Census Bureau, n.d.) Yet, only 20.5% of them are employed (Ditkowsky & Majumder, 2024). For those who do find work, career opportunities often differ starkly from their non-disabled peers. Non-disabled women are more likely to secure managerial roles and full-time positions, while disabled women are more often relegated to part-time or service roles (Disability EmpowHer Network, 2023). Even more striking, only 2.9% of business owners are women with disabilities (U.S. Department of Labor, 2024). This disparity raises critical questions: - Have we done enough to understand the barriers and inaccessibility they face in education, training, and entrepreneurial resources? - Are there adequate investments and support systems for disabled women to succeed as business owners? Discrimination at the intersection of sex and disability—fueled by stereotypes and attitudes—is a harsh reality. If we are serious about fostering equity, we must invest more in the research to address these challenges head-on, amplify their voices, and ensure that disabled women are advocates for them to not just participate, but to lead. Eventida is continuously striving to facilitate conversations and research on addressing challenges around equity for disabled individuals in the form of cohorts and alignment workshops for teams. If this is something your work aligns with, please comment below with what you’re doing, so we can drive changes together. This Women's Entrepreneurship Day and throughout Global Entrepreneurship Week, let's discuss how we can create a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem. #InclusionMatters #WomensEntrepreneurshipDay #DisabilityAdvocacy #Accessibility #Eventida #ChooseWOMEN

Day 8 of #GlobalMILWeek | Media and Information Literacy for the Public Good Recap As we close #GlobalMILWeek and reflect on various awareness events, the importance of accessible, inclusive media and information literacy becomes clear. This year’s theme emphasizes critical thinking skills essential for navigating today’s AI-influenced digital ecosystem. This reinforces the need for a digital space where diversity and accessibility are foundational. As digital citizens, we have a right to timely, factual, multilingual, accessible, and evidence-based information. Inaccessible information limits those most impacted from accessing opportunities. Media literacy empowers individuals to navigate, understand, and benefit from communication opportunities in this evolving landscape (UN, 2024). Here’s a recap of our reflections from #GlobalMILWeek: DAY 1: World Information Development Day - Mobilizing Marginalized Voices To amplify the voices of those underrepresented, we must listen to their trusted messengers, ensuring they have a say in decision-making processes. DAY 2: Accessibility Information for Event Attendees How can research-driven insights close the experience gap in accessibility, ensuring that promises of inclusion are met? DAY 3: Public Interest Information As global citizens, we are part of diverse, interconnected communities. How can everyone, especially the underrepresented, have the opportunity to contribute to the information and data in research? DAY 4: World Day for Audiovisual Heritage - Making Archives Accessible Inaccessible cultural heritage resources deny us an essential part of our identity. How can we harness available technology to stay committed to ensuring that these resources remain accessible for everyone? Day 5: Making AI Safe for Use An ethical AI must be trained on diverse data that includes historically underrepresented communities. Inclusive AI requires considering the social, cultural, and intersectional realities of all, especially marginalized groups. Day 6: International Day of Care and Support - Building a Sustainable Care Economy Demand for child & elder care and disability support is rising, yet care workers often face minimal support and limited protections. For a sustainable future, we must create a care economy that values these essential workers and their vital roles. Day 7: Media and Information Accessibility for good jobs for all By integrating accessibility standards, media literacy enables meaningful job opportunities for all. Prioritizing accessibility fosters a welcoming, adaptable workplace, making accessible media not just beneficial, but essential. Eventida will continue to advocate for these messages, using them to guide our efforts. Join us to advance inclusion for every global citizen. Substack - https://buff.ly/3YtZAGR Medium - https://buff.ly/3XZzOsu #DisabilityEmployment #Accessibility #CareersForAll #WorkplaceInclusion #DisabilityAdvocacy #NDEAM

Day 7 of #GlobalMILWeek #NDEAM | Making Media and Information Accessibility a Pathway to Good Jobs for All Access to information is a powerful enabler for employment, personal growth, and economic inclusion. However, for individuals with disabilities, a large portion of media and information remains inaccessible, creating a major disadvantage that limits access to education, skill development, and job opportunities. When media and information literacy integrate standards of accessibility compliance, it sets the stage for meaningful employment opportunities for all. Consider the reality: when information isn’t accessible, the path to gaining knowledge and acquiring skills becomes steep and uneven. Job seekers with disabilities may encounter websites, training materials, or applications that lack essential accessibility features like closed captions, screen-reader compatibility, or easy-to-navigate layouts. These limitations not only impede their ability to learn but also restrict their participation in the workforce. This isn’t simply an issue of design; it’s an issue of equity and opportunity. Accessible Media Drives Employment Equity When we incorporate accessibility standards into media and information systems, we reduce barriers and create an environment where everyone can thrive. After all, media is where individuals engage with job-related information, upskill, and ultimately contribute to their communities and workplaces. For instance, WCAG-compliant educational content can be life-changing for someone who relies on assistive technology to consume information. Additionally, companies benefit by tapping into a broader talent pool and fostering a more diverse, inclusive culture. Accessible media and information literacy do more than educate—they empower individuals to become active participants in the workforce. Through media, job seekers can not only access job boards but also better prepare for interviews, navigate industry-specific content, and take advantage of continuous learning opportunities. Companies that prioritize accessibility create a workplace that is welcoming, adaptable, and efficient. At Eventida, we believe that making accessibility a foundational element in media and information literacy is essential for building a truly inclusive workforce. We’re dedicated to supporting job seekers with disabilities and we are working towards raising awareness about the importance of accessibility in media and information. Together, we can create pathways to good jobs for everyone, fostering equity and inclusion in the workplace. Accessible media isn’t just a benefit; it’s a right and a necessity. Join us in advocating for accessible media and a more inclusive workforce. Substack - https://buff.ly/3YtZAGR Medium - https://buff.ly/3XZzOsu #GlobalMILWeek #DisabilityEmployment #Inclusion #Accessibility #CareersForAll #WorkplaceInclusion #DisabilityAdvocacy #Eventida #NDEAM

Day 6 of #GlobalMILWeek | The Future of the Care Economy and the Resolution for Decent Work Caring for someone, whether paid or unpaid, is a deeply noble profession. When your work centers on supporting another person’s well-being, you need to be nurturing, patient, and empathetic—qualities that sometimes require you to put others before yourself. And yet, care workers often remain among the most underpaid and under-protected professionals, with limited benefits and protections despite their critical role. “The care economy (the purple economy), is a crucial component of the welfare state. It encompasses activities aimed at improving the physical, social, mental, and emotional well-being of care-dependent groups, such as children, the elderly, the sick, disabled individuals, adolescents, and others. The purple economy plays a central role in ensuring the overall functionality and well-being of society as a whole.” (United Nations, n.d.-a) By 2030, the number of care recipients is predicted to reach 2.3 billion, driven by an additional 0.1 billion older persons and an additional 0.1 billion children aged 6 to 14 years. (United Nations, n.d.-a) With rising demand for childcare, elder care, and disability support, the care economy is expanding rapidly. The #COVID-19 pandemic underscored its essential role and highlighted policy gaps that leave care workers unsupported. For a sustainable future, it’s vital to build a care economy that supports its workers professionally and ethically. Eventida’s UDAIN Initiative Disability advocates frequently face challenges in accessing clear, comprehensive information about holistic care needs for individuals with disabilities. Available resources are often limited, fragmented, or presented in ways that can be confusing, leaving advocates and caregivers without reliable guidance. This gap in accessible, well-organized media and information further complicates efforts to provide effective care and meet the wellness needs of individuals with disabilities. Recognizing these challenges, Eventida is launching the UDAIN initiative (Understanding Disability Advocates' Inclusion Needs). Through UDAIN, a cohort of dedicated disability advocates, we will be conducting a long-term research study. Together with healthcare and wellness providers, we aim to establish new standards for accessible caregiving and drive public policy to enforce these standards across caregiving institutions. One of our core objectives is to assess and enhance the accessibility of media and information for vulnerable groups and their caregivers, paving the way for more informed and effective support. If you or someone you know would like to join this cohort, reach out to us. Join Eventida, Inc. in Supporting Safer, Inclusive AI and Care Standards: Substack - https://buff.ly/3YtZAGR Medium - https://buff.ly/3XZzOsu #GlobalMILWeek #CareEconomy #InclusiveCare #DisabilityAdvocacy #AccessibleHealthcare #WellbeingForAll

Day 5 of #GlobalMILWeek | Making AI Safe for Use Technology is a tool whose effectiveness relies on the creator’s goals, design methods, and testing rigor. While AI has made remarkable advances, its true quality lies in data integrity, diversity in development, inclusive testing, and intentional design. Too often, ethical considerations are sidelined in the drive for innovation, resulting in technology that inadvertently excludes or even harms marginalized communities. It’s time to view AI as a sociotechnical tool that must account for the social, cultural, and traditional dimensions of human identity. One such intersectional group to be prioritized in the development of AI is Deaf people who use sign language. More than 70 million Deaf individuals worldwide rely on sign language to learn, work, and access services.(“Without Sign Language, Deaf People Are Not Equal,” 2020) Since sign languages vary by region and culture, developing AI that universally supports these languages involves numerous challenges. Sign language interpretation goes beyond hand movements, requiring the integration of facial expressions and cultural nuances for accuracy. Creating a dataset capable of universal translation is a resource-intensive task. This complexity demands careful, intentional AI design that serves Deaf individuals effectively. To ensure that development is done ethically, a new organization has been formed, the Coalition on Sign Language Equity in Technology (Co-SET), which has conducted research, hosted a symposium, and developed a report recommending a legal framework for safe, automated sign language interpreting. Co-SET’s two primary ethical AI concerns include: - Controlling bias and assigning responsibility to prevent harm and behind-the-scenes manipulation - Ensuring transparent, accountable decision-making at all stages—from design and deployment to evaluation and improvement—of large language models( and generative models (Coalition on Sign Language Equity in Technology, 2024) As AI becomes increasingly embedded in daily life, how can we ensure inclusive AI design that prioritizes the needs of people with disabilities? Join us at the upcoming seminar, where legal and advocacy representatives discuss where the law currently stands, socio-cultural impacts, and more. CIT Pre-Conference AI, Interpreting & Language Access: https://buff.ly/3Ap9BeU Join the Conversation with Eventida: Substack - https://buff.ly/3YtZAGR Medium - https://buff.ly/3XZzOsu #DeafSafeAI Report: https://buff.ly/3YIUvul #GlobalMILWeek #InclusiveAI #DeafSafeAI #SignLanguageEquity #EthicalAI #DeafSafeAI