The Future is Accessible: Challenging Ableism in Tech
Join Whimble for a thought-provoking and empowering gathering designed for folks in Toronto with disabilities working in tech or tech-adjacent fields, as well as DEI leaders, allies, and anyone else eager to build a more inclusive tech ecosystem.
We’ll discuss and challenge the hidden (and not-so-hidden) ableism across the industry, while offering a radically inclusive, low-barrier space to connect, share stories, and build community. Expect deep insights from a panel, real talk, community-building, and a space where access isn’t an afterthought.
🎙️ Meet the Panellists
Tim Rose (he/him)
Accessibility consultant and disability advocate. Tim led a landmark legal challenge against Air Canada after they failed to accommodate his power wheelchair. His advocacy has reshaped accessibility expectations in air travel.
Eliana Bravos (she/her)
Co-founder of ND-Connect and Viability. Eliana is a neurodiversity advocate who creates platforms and programs centered on lived experience and community connection, especially for ADHD and neurodivergent folks.
Angelica Chung (she/her)
AI engineer at Metopio and accessibility consultant at Fable. As a technologist with low vision, Angelica is building AI and software that reflects real-world inclusivity and universal design.
Atticus Hawk (he/they)
Leader in accessibility, healthcare policy, and harm reduction, focused on supporting 2S-LGBTQIA, Disabled, and vulnerable communities. This September, he will join the inaugural School of Medicine at TMU, specializing in family medicine for street-involved and precariously housed people.
Accessibility Info
The venue is wheelchair accessible with elevators and accessible washrooms. We will have volunteers stationed at the main entrance should you need assistance navigating the ramp down to the main entrance.
If you require wayfinding/navigation assistance, please call 1-855-542-6082 or email hello@whimble.ca upon arrival or when you are getting close. We will ensure a volunteer finds you outside the building.
ASL interpretation will be provided for all programming, and our interpreter will also be available during networking to support conversation access.
Live captioning will be available throughout the formal proceedings of the event.
We will have two personal care attendants available to assist guests with any Activities of Daily Living.
A reduced-sensory room will be available during the event, with ambient lighting, earplugs, and fidget tools available for anyone.
We’ll have a HEPA air filter running in the main space, along with surgical masks available to all guests. We welcome any guests who prefer to bring their own N95 mask.
There should be ample space around the seating area, so feel free to get up and move around during the panel discussion if needed.
Food & Drink
We’ll have a grazing table with a mix of snacks (gluten-free, vegan, and nut-free options available), plus alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
What to Expect
This is a relaxed and community-centered gathering featuring:
Mingling and drinks to start
A panel conversation with incredible disabled leaders in tech and accessibility
Opportunities to connect, share stories, and build relationships
We are officially part of Toronto Tech Week 2025, a weeklong citywide collection of events to connect and celebrate the builders. June 23 → June 27, 2025 | torontotechweek.com.
Stay tuned for more detailed accessibility information to be shared soon, so you can plan your experience at our event!
Thank you to OneEleven for generously providing the space for this important conversation!
Thank you to our community partner, Access to Success, for helping make this event happen (and for generally being amazing!)
And thank you to our sponsors, Lost Craft and Local Spirits, for your in-kind beverage donation to this event!
Header Image Alt Text: The header image for this event page is a navy blue square wi the Whimble logo (abstract multicoloured logo that looks like people rotating in a circle holding hands) + Whimble in white text. The title of the talk (The Future is Accessible: Challenging Ableism in Tech) is in large white font centered one-third of the way down the header image. Behind the title is a filter that makes it look like it is being backlit by a spotlight. Half of the Whimble logo is poking out of the bottom left corner. In the bottom right corner of the header image is a yellow circle outline with the date (June 25, 2025), time (5-8 pm EDT), and location (Toronto) in white text.
Toronto Tech Week badge alt text: The official Toronto Tech Week 2025 partner badge is a black rectangle with lavender font. In the left third of the image is a line drawing of the CN Tower with Star Wars-style streaks of light coming out of it. On the right two-thirds of the image are: "Official event partner. Toronto Tech Week. 2025."