What is the
Game A11y Gathering?
The Gathering is an independent gaming accessibility micro-conference, and at its core, it’s about sharing knowledge.
I started it in 2024 alongside my co-organiser Jozef Kulik, after thinking about the fact that a lot of developers gather in Brighton but there’s a lack of an accessibility-focused space. We run this completely as volunteers and partner with charities and sponsors to run the event. Unity has kindly hosted us in Brighton for both our events, providing the perfect space for the Gathering.
Accessible
We share accessibility details for the event and space in advance, provide high contrast badges, a quiet room, and allow guide dogs.
All live sessions include live captions and BSL interpretation.
In 2025 we streamed and recorded the event - so attendees can join from wherever feels most comfortable and catch up any time.
Approachable
It’s a half-day conference; short, focused, and respectful of attendees time.
We share slides afterwards to reduce the need for notetaking.
Entry cost is minimal and can be free for anyone with financial barriers.
The in-person audience is small by design, which makes the experience less overwhelming.
We keep talks to 15 minute micro-talks that are clear, digestible, and easy to engage with.
We make an effort to make talks and content approachable to those who aren’t in accessibility; because we know it can be overwhelming.
Celebrating Speakers
We’re proud to feature a mix of both well-known names and newer voices, and good representation of lived experience in our speakers.
We want to support the next generation of advocates, and in 2025 we did an open call for speakers. With the micro talk format we think this is the perfect opportunity for new speakers to learn and grow.
Alongside the talks, we offer flexible mentoring for speakers - because we want everyone to feel supported in sharing their perspective. What form that takes is up to each speaker. From a discord chat to share ideas - all the way up to rehearsals and feedback.
Meaningful Connections
The Gathering isn’t just about talks - it’s about people. We build in time and space for actual connection.
At the end of the day, we host an hour-long mixer; a relaxed, informal space where people can talk, collaborate, and ask questions. Before that, we also run a roundtable, where attendees can dig into shared questions and learn from each other.
And of course, we hold the Gathering during Develop:Brighton; a time when many game developers are already in the same place; ready to learn, share, and network. It’s the perfect setting to spark new ideas and new connections, and provide a dedicated space for accessibility advocates and consultants.
