We Count Project

04/15/2026

Jutta Treviranus recently wrote an opinion piece for University Affairs about how AI homogenizes humanity and devalues outliers. Read the piece: https://buff.ly/kSLedqU

Driven by statistics, AI homogenizes humanity and devalues outliers.

03/05/2026

Register now for the 2026 Annual Episodic Disabilities and Employment Summit, hosted by Realize!

Taking place on March 18–19, 2026, 12:00–4:00 PM ET, this year’s free Zoom event will focus on the future of work, addressing topics like the impact of return-to-office mandates for people living with episodic disabilities and the impact of AI on work and disability accommodations.

The program features keynote speakers—former Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion (and former Paralympic swimmer) Carla Qualtrough and Tina Sarkar-Thompson, Assistant Vice President, Human Resources at the Royal Ontario Museum—alongside leading employment and research experts and panels with employers and people with lived experience. IDRC staff will be guest speaking as well.

View the Episodic Disabilities and Employment Summit schedule and register for the event: https://buff.ly/v7PzBsw

03/04/2026

IDRC Director Jutta Treviranus has contributed an article to The Conversation about how engaging people who face the greatest barriers to co-design our systems will provide everyone with adaptive choices during the next inevitable crisis. Read the article: https://buff.ly/iNKVx4v

Systems designed with those who face the greatest barriers are more resilient, adaptive and stable. And in the end, they benefit everyone when the unpredictable happens.

02/13/2026

This New America article highlights how, when the right tools are carefully designed and inclusively implemented, they expand independence and agency: https://buff.ly/p3YG3HR

Technology can be both a lifeline and a barrier. Users with disabilities explain how accessible design transforms tech from an obstacle to a tool.

02/12/2026

IDRC's January – February 2026 newsletter is out! Read the latest news, events and initiatives in the data science, disability and AI communities from the IDRC and its We Count community: https://buff.ly/CUbIFiF

02/11/2026

A new accessibility tool developed by an OCAD University Digital Futures alum and his partner is helping make online video more inclusive for people who are blind or who have low vision. Read more: https://buff.ly/rkoRfbj

ViddyScribe, created by Digital Futures alum Aaditya Vaze, makes videos accessible to people who are blind or who have low vision.

02/10/2026

The next issue of the IDRC's newsletter, The Recount, is coming soon! Each Recount issue has the latest news, events and initiatives in the data science, disability and AI communities from the IDRC and its We Count community. Subscribe now: https://buff.ly/wb5dr9d

01/23/2026

Subscribe to IDRC's newsletter, The Recount! Each Recount issue has the latest news, events and initiatives in the data science, disability and AI communities from the IDRC and its We Count community. Subscribe now: buff.ly/5Hys9QT

01/13/2026

The new We Count at Large tag on the Resources page features a growing selection of speaking engagements and presentations by IDRC team members. Many of these resources showcase the efforts of IDRC Director Jutta Treviranus, whose pioneering work and insights in AI and inclusive AI continue to inspire and lead the field. View the page: https://buff.ly/zANR1eV

01/09/2026

Accessibility Standards Canada has released ASC-62: Accessible and Equitable Artificial Intelligence Systems, a landmark standard under the Accessible Canada Act. It sets out requirements to ensure AI systems are accessible and equitable and that the accessibility and equity of these systems is supported through organizational processes and education.

The standard was developed with contributions from the Inclusive Design Research Centre (IDRC). Jutta Treviranus, serving as Chair of the technical committee, and Lisa Liskovoi, representing IDRC, brought expertise in inclusive design and accessibility to shape this important framework.

View the standard: https://buff.ly/6GSzbrK