CSUN 2025: Some Key Takeaways 

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Promo graphic for CSUN 2025

CSUN 2025 celebrated its 40th anniversary this year and it was as busy and buzzy as ever. Elsevier’s Simon Holt described his key takeaways upon his return and we are pleased to post them here together with some additional resources, overviews and presentation links at the end. 

At CSUN It Felt Normal to be Different

CSUN is the largest gathering of visually impaired people in the world and having a physically inclusive environment made me more open-minded to different perspectives, which lead to different types of conference conversations.  

Accessible Design is Just Good Design

The things that helped me use technology at the conference also helped my non-disabled colleagues. It also struck me how much provision was made in a low-tech way – by creating a culture where it’s OK for people to ask for help, and, in turn, to ask people what they need. This made for a better conference experience for everyone. 

We are Stronger When We Work Together as a Community

Aside from the sessions delivered by my colleagues (who all did a great job!), the best session I went to was delivered by Mike Mace, focusing on how universities and content providers can work together to deliver richer, more accessible content, which not only complies with the ADA Title II legislation but also helps us reach a much wider audience. It was great to speak with so many librarians and disability services officers to understand what their needs and priorities are around Title II, which, in turn, will inform our own. 

You Can’t Change the Way People Feel

Compassion, kindness, curiosity, belonging, social justice – these are not things that politicians can give or take away, they are human qualities we are born with. I saw a whole conference full of people who believe in action to create equity by building accessible products, creating accessible content and making accessible statements. Keynote speaker Gabby Gifford reminded us not to give up in the face of adversity, and that technology can lead to empowerment. As long as there are people willing to do the work, the work will continue. As Lainey Feingold said in her talk, this is part of who we are.  
 
A tremendously valuable few days’ learning; looking forward to next year already! 

Our thanks to Simon for this article and as Dr Joelma Peixoto commented:

The conference featured many engaging discussions about accessibility, usability, inclusion, diversity, and the responsible development and use of AI. It was also wonderful to be part of such insightful presentations, reconnect with some friends and make new and meaningful connections.

Resources