Global exchange for a barrier-free web
The Sanderheinrichsleitenweg campus of the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS) became an international centre for digital accessibility: around 160 participants from all over the world gathered at the two-day "Accessibility Club Summit" to discuss the topics of software design and development, as well as accessibility. With an innovative and hybrid programme, the event set new standards for active inclusion in the digital world.
For the second time since 2025, THWS was the proud host of the two-day community summit, which is jointly organised by various European accessibility meet-ups. The enormous global relevance of the topic was particularly evident in the international nature of the audience: participants travelled to THWS from the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Finland and even Australia, amongst other places.
Knowledge transfer during the International Teaching Week
One highlight was that the visiting professors at the International Teaching Week (ITW) hosted by the Faculty of Computer Science and Business Informatics at THWS attended the Summit. Their participation underscored the close integration of academic teaching and the practical implementation of inclusively designed web technologies.
The first day of the event combined scheduled keynotes with spontaneous sessions in the tried-and-tested BarCamp style, where topics are chosen on the spot by the participants. The topics of discussion ranged from cognitive accessibility (i.e. how systems can be designed for people with ADHD) to modern programming techniques for engaging user interfaces, and included in-depth insights into the upcoming EU accessibility standards. The following day was entirely dedicated to practical application: in six intensive, interactive workshops, what had been learnt was put directly into practice.
Thanks to the excellent technical infrastructure in the THWS lecture rooms, the event was conducted entirely as a hybrid event. Participants both on-site and via Zoom were able to take an equally active part in the discussions and Q&A sessions.
Accessibility experienced live
Practical demonstrations of how accessibility works in day-to-day event management were provided throughout the summit. All pre-planned presentations were subtitled in real time by a service provider in the USA. Guests in the lecture room could follow these directly on monitors or flexibly on their own smartphones – an indispensable service for inclusion and a prime example of successful event organisation.
Professor Dr. Tobias Aubele, who organised the event together with lecturer Joschi Kuphal, emphasised that an event of this scale would not be possible without the support of sponsors and the alumni network within the faculty. The event helped to promote the exchange of knowledge at the University; moreover, an important social issue such as digital inclusion was firmly anchored in the consciousness of students, lecturers, and professionals. "The Accessibility Club Summit 2026 at THWS has impressively demonstrated that web accessibility is not a niche topic, but a fundamental quality standard in modern software development and design that connects people worldwide."
About THWS
The Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS) is one of the largest universities of applied sciences in Bavaria and has driven teaching and applied research since it was founded in 1971. With about 9,200 students, a diverse range of more than 60 degree programmes and two graduate schools, THWS covers a broad spectrum from technology, economics and social sciences to languages and design. THWS is not only rooted in the region, but also has a strong international focus, which is reflected in numerous collaborations and exchange programmes worldwide and not least in a versatile English-taught degree programmes.
Contact:
Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt
Faculty of Computer Science and Business Information Systems
Prof. Dr. Tobias Aubele
Münzstr. 12
97070 Würzburg
Press contact:
Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt
Angela Kreipl
Münzstr. 12
97070 Würzburg
+49 931 3511-8354
