Microsoft Reactor

Live from Cloud City Seattle, this Just IN. This new Microsoft Reactor series is for developers, entrepreneurs and passionate technologists that want to build tech that’s game-changing, useful or just plain interesting

For all people to participate in the digital economy, the solutions we create and the software we build must help all people realize their full potential. We are on a journey towards this goal and our awareness of human diversity (and specifically our different abilities) is only emerging. We are learning that what we describe or self-identify as disability can be invisible to our eyes (or cameras). We’re using data and AI to create new interactive experiences yet it’s crucial that we do so with customer trust. And if you’re just getting started as a designer or developer, the task of building inclusively can feel complicated without some help. Fortunately you’ve found the right community for that!

Come join Microsoft’s Principal Cloud Advocate Justin Garrett and Principal Group Manager Dona Sakar as we share what we’re learning about inclusive design & accessibility and what’s new in the toolkit. Share your perspective on how we might journey together, further towards inclusion.

Who is it aimed at?

• Designers of all stripes
• Developers and Program Managers working collaboratively with Designers
• Business leaders & decision-makers looking for what’s new and notable
• Students or learning professionals interested in learning more about inclusive design & accessibility

Why should I attend?

• Learn about the latest libraries and tools helping designers and developers build inclusively
• Get a pulse at where inclusive design and accessibility are headed
• Share your thoughts on what inclusive design means to you
• Network with other professionals interested in inclusive design

More learning / prerequisites:

• https://aka.ms/InclusiveDesignDiscussion
• https://aka.ms/AccessibilityFundamentals-ReactorLink
• https://aka.ms/DesignwithInclusivity

Speakers:
Justin Garrett is host of this Just IN and a Principal Cloud Advocate in Cloud + AI Engineering at Microsoft. Justin works closely with learner communities to help address the skills gap in cloud development and manages a team of Cloud Advocates from around the world that do likewise. You’ll find him leading workshops at Microsoft Reactors, mentoring Student Ambassadors, and helping engineers improve Azure, GitHub and Visual Studio. Justin’s career at Microsoft also spans 16 years across Analytics, Windows, Bing search, Edge browser, Web Platform and Cloud Computing. In his spare time, he enjoys gardening and is an avid Pacific Northwest mountaineer. Follow him on www.linkedin.com/in/justgar and https://twitter.com/justgar

Dona Sarkar is a Software Engineer. Multi-published author (turns out fiction writing is really useful in software!). Owner of the fashion brand Prima Dona studios. Dyslexic but Dealing. Believer that tech upskilling is the ultimate equalizer. Always ready to get on a plane.