Windsor Hackforge

NAAW Kickoff
2026-05-24 14:00 - 16:30 (America/Toronto) | Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario (ALSO), 1100 University Ave. West, Windsor, Ontario, N9A 5S7, Canada
📍 Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario (ALSO) – 1100 University Ave. West👥 In Person Only 💲 Free

Technology should be a bridge, not a wall. While tech helps many of us access knowledge and share insights, that experience isn’t universal. Too often, the tools meant to connect us actually get in the way. For our 2026 National AccessAbility Week kickoff, Hackforge is hosting an open forum to bridge these gaps.

We are inviting community members with access needs to share their lived experiences. We want to hear the honest truth about:

The Hurdles: Where does technology fall short? Where do digital systems or physical public spaces exclude you?

The Wins: What apps, websites, or services have actually improved your accessibility? Who is doing things right, and what can we learn from them?

These shared barriers will become the Hackforge community’s “to-do list” for the coming year. We aim to develop and share real-world solutions for these challenges over the next twelve months.

Sign up to speak? No need! This is a moderated, open-floor session. Everyone will have the chance to contribute in a respectful, supportive environment.

What experiences count? All of them. Whether your need is temporary or chronic, a minor friction point or a major barrier, your perspective is valuable.

Who Should Attend?

Advocates & Individuals facing accessibility barriers who want their voices heard.

The Tech-Curious & Makers looking to use their skills for social good.

Community Members interested in building a more inclusive city.

If you’ve been looking for a way to use your skills to help your neighbors, this is your chance to start.

Beyond the Screen: Live Website Reviews
2026-05-26 18:00 - 20:30 | Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario (ALSO), 1100 University Ave. West, Windsor, Ontario, N9A 5S7, Canada
📍 Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario (ALSO) – 1100 University Ave. West👥 In Person Only 💲 Free

As a business owners or web developer, you may be aware that you should be following Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, and you might even know what those guidelines are. But do you know why they’re important? Have you ever seen what actually happens when these best practices aren’t followed? Join us for a look beyond the screen as accessibility consultant David Best provides live demonstrations of internet use with a screen reader.

We’ve partnered with local community organizations to review their sites in real-time, but we want to see yours, too! Attendees are invited to offer up their own projects for instant, expert feedback

During the session, we will:

Navigate content using a screen reader

Identify common accessibility issues

Demonstrate accessible and inaccessible design patterns

Review keyboard navigation, headings, forms, buttons, links, images, and ARIA usage

Discuss practical improvements aligned with WCAG guidelines

Who Should Attend?

Web Developers & Designers looking to sharpen their technical skills.

Business Owners wanting to ensure their digital storefront is open to everyone.

Product Managers & Content Creators who want to understand the impact of their work.

📆 May 26, 2026🕦 6-8:30 PM📍Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario (ALSO) – 1100 University Ave. West🎟️ RSVP BelowHere’s how to find us 👇University Ave W is closed at Cameron Ave and Elm Ave, so come up Wellington Ave from Wyandotte St — it’ll take you straight to our parking lot.

NAAW Closing
2026-05-30 13:00 - 15:00 | Windsor Hackforge, 300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210, Windsor, Ontario, N9A7B4, Canada
📍 ⭐NEW LOCATION! Windsor Hackforge (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)👥 In Person Only 💲 Free

As a business owners or web developer, you may be aware that you should be following Join Hackforge and ALSO as we conclude NAAW 2026. This session is more than just a recap; it’s a strategy meeting for the year ahead. We’ll review the insights gathered during our discussions and outline how we plan to integrate these lessons into our future programming.

We’ll also be taking this opportunity to launch the first version of our Accessible Community Data Bank! Born from community survey responses and data from ALSO, this living resource tracks specific accessibility supports at businesses and public locations throughout Windsor-Essex. Whether it’s physical ramp access, sensory-friendly hours, or digital accommodations, we’re documenting it all to help neighbors navigate our community with confidence.

Who Should Attend?

NAAW Participants who want to see how their feedback is being used.

Data Enthusiasts & Researchers interested in the new community resource.

Local Business Owners who want to ensure their accessibility features are accurately represented.

Volunteers looking for a meaningful way to contribute throughout the year.

Let’s turn this week’s lessons into next year’s solutions.

📆 May 30th, 2026🕦 1-3pm📍⭐NEW LOCATION! Windsor Hackforge (300 Ouellette Ave, Unit 210)🎟️ RSVP Below

Virtual Accessibility Meetup
2026-07-07 18:00 - 19:00
📍 Online Via Zoom💻 Virtual Only 💲 Free

We’ve unofficially been meeting for years, but we’ve finally decided to make it real! Hackforge now has an interest group focused specifically on the intersection of technology and accessibility.

Please join us for our first ✨official✨ event where we’ll discuss:

why we’ve decided to become official

how we’re going to work together

what we plan on doing next

The goal of this group is to share knowledge and ensure technology is inclusive and built for everyone. All are welcome! Moving forward, we’ll be meeting on the first Tuesday of every month.

📆 Tuesday, July 7th, 2026🕦 6 – 7 PM📍Virtual via Zoom (RSVP to receive the link)
