IKT Conference 2026: Shaping Inclusive Digital Futures

13–14 July 2026 | Johannes Kepler University Linz

On 13 and 14 July 2026, the IKT Conference 2026 will bring researchers, practitioners, and policymakers together at Johannes Kepler University Linz to explore how information and communication technologies can help shape a more inclusive, responsible, and accessible digital society.

As digital systems increasingly mediate everyday life—from education and public services to culture and leisure—the conference places a strong focus on accessibility, participation, and social impact. One of the featured talks in the 2026 programme addresses a topic that resonates well beyond the cultural sector: access to culture in a digital‑first world.

Featured Talk: Access to Culture – A Journey Report

The talk “Access to Culture – A Journey Report” offers a practical, experience‑based perspective on how access to cultural offerings today is largely determined by digital platforms—and how these platforms often create barriers for people with disabilities.

The presentation follows the entire online user journey of purchasing a ticket for a cultural event, making typical accessibility issues visible, including:

• calendars that are not accessible to screen readers
• complex or inaccessible seat‑selection tools
• forms that are difficult to understand or complete
• payment processes that do not support assistive technologies

By tracing these obstacles step by step, the talk shows how exclusion often happens long before visitors reach a museum, theatre, or concert hall.

Accessibility Starts Before the Visit

A central message of the presentation is that inclusion must begin before the event itself. Digital accessibility is not only a technical requirement, but also a matter of clear information, transparent communication, and realistic expectations.

This is especially relevant for museums and cultural institutions, where visitors rely on accurate information not only for ticket purchasing, but also to assess the actual inclusiveness of the on‑site experience.

Platforms That Enable Participation

The talk highlights platforms such as museumsguide.net and museumforall.eu, which collect and present comparable information about the accessibility of museums and cultural institutions.

These platforms help visitors plan their visits with confidence, while simultaneously encouraging institutions to improve their accessibility—both online and on site. In this way, digital transparency becomes a powerful driver for real‑world inclusion.