David Banes is the Chair of the Equitable AI Alliance, Director of Access and Inclusion Service, and founder of Global Symbols. With a career in leading innovation in accessibility and assistive technology services in Europe and the Middle East, he also supports the development of emerging technologies and innovations. Globally, he works to facilitate the implementation of AI and assistive and accessible technologies from policy to practice, including AI for communication, mobility, and education in the workplace. His goal is to highlight how to unlock the potential and mitigate risks in the development and deployment of AI.

He is co-founder and CEO of Aventido Limited and has held several influential positions within the AT sector. His contributions include volunteer work with the British Standards Institution, co-creating ATEC (the Assistive Technology Exhibition and Conference), serving as Chair of the British Assistive Technology Association (BATA), and becoming the first co-Chair of DATEurope.

Elected Chair of BATA in 2015, Antony represented a broad membership spanning AT publishers and manufacturers, service providers, assessors, trainers, users and major organisations. During his tenure, he supported BATA's work advocating for the rights and interests of people who need assistive technology, including collaboration with UK Government departments.

Recognising the evolving commercial and political landscape across Europe, Antony worked with colleagues across the UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy to establish DATEurope, representing the digital assistive technology industry at a European level.

Antony is also an experienced speaker, presenting on developments in assistive technology and the wider AT industry at events including ATIA, BETT, ATEC, OneCPD, NNAC, ATF Switzerland and the Workplace Health and Wellbeing Show.

Fabrizio Giacomelli is the founder and CEO of Mediavoice S.r.l. and an entrepreneur with extensive experience in Artificial Intelligence, voice technologies and digital accessibility. A former Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and IT Manager at Ernst & Young Consulting, he has been active in AI since 1988, when he was among the founders of the Italian Association for Artificial Intelligence. He holds degrees in Computer Engineering and Philosophy of Mind.

In 2000, he founded Mediavoice with the mission of using AI and voice technologies to bridge the digital divide and improve access to digital services for vulnerable groups, particularly blind and visually impaired people, older adults and people facing accessibility barriers. At Mediavoice, he has coordinated and contributed to more than twenty R&D projects, including projects funded under FP7 and Horizon 2020.

Giacomelli is the inventor of several international patents and the author of numerous publications. His recent work includes the 2023 book Beauty Intelligence Consciousness – Beyond Humanity, published by Mimesis, and the paper A Definition of Intelligence, co-authored with philosopher of science Silvano Tagliagambe and presented at the 2024 World Congress of Philosophy.

Nicolamaria Manes has been Chief Technology Officer of Mediavoice S.r.l. since 2001. He holds a degree in Computer Science from the University of Bologna and has participated in several research projects, including the Euroball project at the Italian National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN).

Throughout his professional career, he has designed and developed numerous hardware and software solutions based on speech technologies, including embedded speech applications for desktop and mobile devices. He has extensive expertise in Human-Computer Interaction, Voice User Interface design, web usability and accessibility, multimodal interaction systems and software architecture. He has also served as a contract professor at the University of Molise, teaching usability and accessibility.

Manes has more than twenty years of experience in information technology and extensive expertise in managing complex national and European R&D projects. His responsibilities have included technical coordination, software and system design, project management, reporting, monitoring and participation in project reviews. He has worked in multidisciplinary national and international teams, combining strong technical expertise with project management, communication and negotiation skills, and has contributed to the conception and implementation of numerous research and innovation projects.

Fabiana Spadetta is the International Development Manager at Mediavoice S.r.l. and a key point of contact for the company’s international business development activities. She is responsible for supporting the internationalisation and market expansion of Mediavoice’s products and technologies, with particular focus on its AI-based and inclusive solutions.

Her activities include identifying new market opportunities, developing and managing relationships with international clients, organisations and strategic partners, supporting commercial and institutional negotiations, and coordinating international pilot, validation and partnership initiatives. She also contributes to the positioning and adaptation of Mediavoice’s solutions to different markets, user needs and business contexts.

Alongside her international development role, she has experience in ICT research, particularly in user needs analysis, functional requirements and digital accessibility, and contributes to national and European R&D projects.

Her profile combines technical understanding and expertise in accessibility with a strong focus on international relations, business development and the commercial exploitation of innovative technologies.

Nasser Siabi is the CEO of Microlink PC (UK) Ltd, a company dedicated to helping disabled and neurodivergent people overcome barriers through technology, workplace adjustments and accessibility services. For many years, he has led the organisation's growth, combining commercial success with a genuine passion for inclusion and equal opportunity. Under Nasser's leadership, Microlink has built a strong reputation for supporting employers, educational institutions and public sector organisations, not only across the UK but also through partnerships and projects that extend internationally. He is a firm believer that accessible technology can transform lives, enabling people to participate fully in education, employment and society. Known for his forward-thinking approach, Nasser has consistently championed innovation, encouraging the development and adoption of solutions that create practical, lasting change for individuals and organisations alike. His ability to balance business strategy with social impact has helped position Microlink as a recognised leader in accessibility and workplace inclusion. At the heart of Nasser's work is a simple ambition: to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their potential, regardless of disability or circumstance.

Rebecca brings over 14 years of teaching experience in both mainstream and special needs education, having worked in the UK and internationally. At Widgit, she plays a key role in developing educational resources that promote communication and interaction across the curriculum. Recently, Rebecca has focused on supporting international schools in meeting the needs of bilingual and multilingual learners, as well as working with organisations to implement the use of visuals in the wider world.

With 19 years of experience in the assistive technology (AT) field, encompassing roles as an AT Trainer, Training Manager, and Product Specialist, Lee brings a deep, comprehensive expertise to Genio. Since joining Genio over eight years ago, Lee has been instrumental in managing and overseeing all aspects of the government-funded disability support schemes the company participates in. His primary responsibilities include managing the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) and Access to Work schemes in the UK and overseeing the company's involvement in Vocational Rehabilitation in the US and the Canadian Student Grant. Lee is an expert in all facets of Genio's product suite and works closely with Needs Assessors, AT Specialists, Disability Practitioners, and Universities across the UK, Ireland, the United States, and Canada. His collaboration ensures that these partners can effectively implement Genio's innovative solutions to empower students and professionals with disabilities.

David Banes is the Chair of the Equitable AI Alliance, Director of Access and Inclusion Service, and founder of Global Symbols. With a career in leading innovation in accessibility and assistive technology services in Europe and the Middle East, he also supports the development of emerging technologies and innovations. Globally, he works to facilitate the implementation of AI and assistive and accessible technologies from policy to practice, including AI for communication, mobility, and education in the workplace. His goal is to highlight how to unlock the potential and mitigate risks in the development and deployment of AI.

Ana Pérez is Head of Marketing at Cosmo, where she works to make inclusive learning more accessible, engaging and practical for schools. She is passionate about disability inclusion and mental health, drawing on both professional expertise and lived experience. Through her work with educators, families and inclusion specialists, Ana advocates for learning environments that recognise different needs and enable every child to participate, connect and thrive.

Pete Jones is Global Director of Commercial & Strategy at HomeBrace, where he is responsible for international business development, strategic partnerships and commercial growth. With extensive experience in the assistive technology sector, he works closely with distributors, healthcare professionals and industry partners worldwide. His focus is on bringing innovative mobility and wheelchair control solutions to international markets and supporting technologies that improve independence for people with mobility impairments. At IMATEx, Pete will represent HomeBrace and share insights into the latest developments in alternative wheelchair control and assistive technology.

Dr. Scherer is founding President of the Institute for Matching Person & Technology. She is also Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Rochester Medical Center, Editor-in-Chief of the journal Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology and Co-Editor of the CRC Press book series, Rehabilitation Science in Practice Series. Dr. Scherer developed the Matching Person and Technology (MPT) Model and assessments that are used globally to guide individualized technology selection and outcomes measurement. Marcia authored a trilogy of books describing the impact of various categories of technology devices and services on people’s life quality. She has authored, edited, or co-edited 12 other books. She and her collaborators have published 100 articles on disability and rehabilitation in peer-reviewed scientific journals, 58 published proceedings papers, and 43 book chapters. She served as co-convener of the World Health Organization’s 2017 global assistive technology summit which led to a set of journal articles fundamental in the World Health Organization’s General Assembly 2018 resolution to improve global access to assistive technology. 

Dr. Vanderheiden is the founder of the Trace Center, Professor emeritus of the Universities of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Maryland, and co-founder of non-profit Raising the Floor. He has been active in the field of technology and disability for over 55 years and was a pioneer in the field of Augmentative Communication (a term originating from his writings), assistive technology, and computer access. Access features developed by Dr. Vanderheiden and his team can be found in every computer and mobile device internationally (Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Linux) as well as kiosks, ticket machines, and more.  He has also been a long-time leader in web accessibility, creating the first Web Accessibility guidelines in 1995 and serving as co-editor and co-chairing the WCAG 1.0 and 2.0 Working Group from its inception in 1996 through 2013 and was the third recipient of the Yuri Rubinsky Memorial World Wide Web Award. His most recent work has focused on development of Morphic, AT-on-Demand and a completely different way to approach accessibility for next-next generation ICT. He's a past President and Fellow of RESNA, Founding Fellow of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) and Fellow in the Human Factors and Ergonomics society.

Brian Mwenda is an assistive technology innovator and disability inclusion advocate with over a decade of experience designing, researching, and deploying products and services for people with disabilities. He is the Founder and CEO of Hope Tech, a UK-based company behind Sixth Sense, a groundbreaking mobility aid for blind and visually impaired people, developed through half a decade of co-design, research and global user trials.
Brian also leads Hope Tech Insights Austria, an organisation focused on advancing digital accessibility across Europe, and is the founding director of Senses Hub in Nairobi, Kenya one of Africa's most impactful accessibility innovation and research centres. With a vision of fostering a more inclusive society, he is not merely developing innovative assistive devices, but pioneering a shift in how the world perceives and interacts with the visually impaired community.

His work with Hope Tech has been recognized through the Royal Academy of Engineering's Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation; the Leaders in Innovation Fellowship; the Diversity & Inclusion Award for Best Use of Technology; and Forbes Under 30 Europe for Social Impact in 2025.  

David Banes is the Chair of the Equitable AI Alliance, Director of Access and Inclusion Service, and founder of Global Symbols. With a career in leading innovation in accessibility and assistive technology services in Europe and the Middle East, he also supports the development of emerging technologies and innovations. Globally, he works to facilitate the implementation of AI and assistive and accessible technologies from policy to practice, including AI for communication, mobility, and education in the workplace. His goal is to highlight how to unlock the potential and mitigate risks in the development and deployment of AI.

He is co-founder and CEO of Aventido Limited and has held several influential positions within the AT sector. His contributions include volunteer work with the British Standards Institution, co-creating ATEC (the Assistive Technology Exhibition and Conference), serving as Chair of the British Assistive Technology Association (BATA), and becoming the first co-Chair of DATEurope.

Elected Chair of BATA in 2015, Antony represented a broad membership spanning AT publishers and manufacturers, service providers, assessors, trainers, users and major organisations. During his tenure, he supported BATA's work advocating for the rights and interests of people who need assistive technology, including collaboration with UK Government departments.

Recognising the evolving commercial and political landscape across Europe, Antony worked with colleagues across the UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy to establish DATEurope, representing the digital assistive technology industry at a European level.

Antony is also an experienced speaker, presenting on developments in assistive technology and the wider AT industry at events including ATIA, BETT, ATEC, OneCPD, NNAC, ATF Switzerland and the Workplace Health and Wellbeing Show.