#YSYSAccessWeek: celebrating 4 years of campaigning for a diverse, inclusive, and accessible tech ecosystem
Today we’re excited to announce #YSYSAccessWeek: to celebrate 4 years of campaigning for a diverse, inclusive and accessible tech ecosystem.
This year theme is ‘Access’ and from March 1st — March 4th, 2021 we will be launching new initiatives and hosting online conversations all aimed towards championing accessibility:
#MyAccessMeans (Monday 1st March 2021)
On Monday 1st March we will kick off a hashtag twitter conversation: #MyAccessMeans. Followers can take part by using the hashtag #MyAccessMeans, sharing what access means to them through photos and messages.
To participate, head over to the YSYS Twitter feed (@ThisIsYSYS) and Instagram (@ThisIsYSYS) or search for the hashtag #MyAccessMeans to follow along. No need to register in advance — you just need to have a Twitter and Instagram account!
FoundersDoor Library Launch and Interview with Mariam Hakobyan, Co-Founder and CEO of Softr (Tuesday 2nd March 2021)
On Tuesday 2nd March we will be launching FoundersDoor Library a digital library of highly curated video classes taught by diverse domain experts in the European startup ecosystem, from Atomico, Lego Ventures, and more...
The library collection covers key topics that equip founders with practical insights and actionable steps to accelerate their startup success, whether that’s validating their startup idea, raising investment, or scaling up growth.
Join us on March 2nd, 2021 at 2pm where Kwaku Dapaah-Danquah, YSYS FoundersDoor Programme Manager will be interviewing Mariam Hakobyan, Co-Founder and CEO of Softr, a no-code platform enabling anybody to build websites and web apps based on data housed in Airtable.
They will be discussing the no-code movement, accessibility, diversity, and more on YSYS IGTV. To join the conversation SIGN UP HERE
The YSYS Impact Report 2019–2020 (Wednesday 3rd March 2021)
On Wednesday 3rd March we’ll be publishing YSYS Impact Report 2019–2021, highlighting the impact of our initiatives, stories from the community, and how close we are to #YSYS2023, our bold mission to provide 100,000 diverse individuals with access to opportunities in tech.
“Launching #YSYS2023, was a bold but necessary move to convey the seriousness of our ethos. In 2020 the solidity of our mission was truly tested by global activism for change, inequities in exposed political climates, and unimaginable news events across the world. As a community we held safe spaces, marched, drove digital protests, and advocated for the most underserved, underrepresented, and under-supported communities.
Access is not only about access to opportunities, funding and job offers but the power to take control, as a community, so that we can begin to build a world that we truly want to live in. A world that does not discriminate based on algorithms, funnels, closed networks and what the “ideal picture” should look like — At YSYS, we are committed to reimagining access and rebuilding a tech ecosystem, which is accessible for all.” — Deborah Okenla, Founder and CEO of YSYS
Website Accessibility (Thursday 4th March 2021)
Throughout 2021, we will be working with FRWD Studio to ensure resources and content on our website is accessible, and WCAG 2.1 complainant. We have already taken great steps in implementing an accessibility tool that offers the following profiles:
- Seizure Safe Profile
- Visually Impaired Profile
- Cognitive Disability Profile
- ADHD Friendly Profile
- Blind Users and more
Head over to our website and try out the accessibility tool, and look out for redesign changes throughout the week.
Over the past 4 years we have worked hard with our community, partners, team and advisors to develop and implement a mission, and strategic plan that we believe will get us closer to an inclusive ecosystem. — and keep our community at the centre of our work.
We are highly thankful towards our community and partners for their continued belief in YSYS2023 and we look forward to taking strides ahead, together, in 2021.
