Join us for a live interview and interactive discussion
July 2025
July 30, 2025
Be A Digital Ally - July 2025
Date and Time
- Wednesday, July 30, 2025, 10:00 - 11:00 am CT
- Presenter: Susanna Laurin
- Online via Zoom
European Accessibility Act is Here – What Next?
The European Accessibly Act (EAA) is a directive of the European Union (EU) that came into full implementation status last month. Adopted and published by the member states by June 28, 2022, it came into full authority on June 28, 2025. Join Knowbility’s Executive Director Sharron Rush in conversation with Susanna Laurin, Chair of the Funka Foundation. Susanna is a thought leader in digital inclusion who has been a strong advocate for the passage and implementation of the EAA and will provide insight into its meaning and impact. Prepare for a lively discussion and please bring your own questions about what’s next.
Among the topics we will explore are:
- History of the EAA
- How it is related to the Web Accessibility Directive of the EU?
… to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities? - What role did advocacy play in the success of the EAA passage and implementation?
- What will be impacts for business? For disabled people?
- In the US, disability rights are under assault; what guidance can you offer?
Meet Your Presenter
Susanna Laurin is the Chair of the Funka Foundation, a Research and Innovation Center focusing on end user involvement, disabilities, empowerment and accessibility. She has been a thought leader in the field of digitalization, inclusion and e-government for more than 20 years and she is a frequent international lecturer and debater. Susanna is a certified professional in accessibility core competences (CPACC), through IAAP.
Susanna is the Chair of the ETSI/CEN/CENELEC Joint Technical Body on eAccessibility, responsible for the development and update of the EN301549, to reflect presumed conformance of the Web Accessibility Directive and the European Accessibility Act.
As an internationally acknowledged expert in EU accessibility policy and regulations, Susanna leads strategic assignments and research projects on EU level, nationally and across the world. Her area of expertise covers digital accessibility, the built environment, transportation, procurement and user involvement. She has written or co-authored several white papers and published scientific reports. Recent assignments for the European Commission include the formal review of the Web Accessibility Directive and a study on cognitive accessibility.
Susanna is a co-founder, Representative to the EU and also Past Honorary Chair of IAAP, the International Association of Accessibility Professionals, as well as the Representative to the EU for the UN-initiative G3ict.