#YSYSAccessWeek: Building a diverse, inclusive and accessible tech startup ecosystem

by Startacus Admin

Leading startup community, YSYS launch 4 days of innovative online conversations and a range of new initiatives with the core theme of “Access”

Today marks the beginning of #YSYSAccessWeek, a YSYS (Your Startup, Your Story) led  initiative which signifies 4 years of their campaigning for a diverse, inclusive and accessible tech ecosystem. 

Over the next 4 days, they’ll be hosting a range of online conversations and launching new initiatives, with the core aim of championing accessibility. These include:

#Myaccessmeans (Monday 1st March 2021)

Using the Twitter hashtag #MyAccessMeans , YSYS will be asking followers to share what access means to them through photos and messages.  Check their Twitter feed (@ThisIsYSYS) or search for the hashtag #Myaccessmeans to follow along. 

FoundersDoor Library (Tuesday 2nd March 2021 - 2pm)

FoundersDoor Library is a digital library of highly curated video classes taught by diverse domain experts in the European startup ecosystem. The library collection covers key topics that equip founders with practical insights and actionable steps to accelerate their startup success, whether that’s validating their startup idea, raising investment or scaling up growth. Through FoundersDoor Library video format, YSYS hopes learning to launch a startup is accessible, for all individuals.  As it will be hosted on Softr,  a no-code platform to enable anybody to build websites and web apps and Kwaku Dapaah-Danquah, Programme Manager will be interviewing the Softr Co-Founder and CEO, Mariam Hakobyan. They’ll be discussing the no-code movement, accessibility, diversity and more on YSYS IGTV. To join the conversation (sign up here)

YSYS Impact Report 2019-2020 (Wednesday 3rd March 2021)

This report will highlight the impact of the YSYS initiatives, 2019 - 2020, including the FoundersDoor Incubator and Diversity Action Plans. It will feature stories from the community, and also reveal how close they are to #YSYS2023, their bold mission to provide 100,000 diverse individuals with access to opportunities in tech. 

As Deborah Okenla, Founder and CEO of YSYS explains: “ Launching YSYS 2023, was a bold but necessary move to convey the seriousness of our ethos. Access is not only about access to opportunities, funding and job offers but the power to take control, as a community, so that we can begin to build a world that we truly want to live in. A world that does not discriminate based on algorithms, funnels, closed networks and what the “ideal picture” should look like - At YSYS,  we are committed to reimaging access and  rebuilding a tech ecosystem, which is accessible for all.”  

Website Accessibility (Thursday 4th March 2021) 

Throughout 2021, YSYS will be working with FRWD Studio to ensure resources and content on their website is accessible, and WCAG 2.1 compliant. They have already taken great steps in implementing an accessibility tool which offers the following profiles:

• Seizure Safe Profile

• Visually Impaired Profile

• Cognitive Disability Profile

• ADHD Friendly Profile

• Blind Users and more

Lots worth checking out - we’re sure you’ll agree that #YSYSAccessWeek is going to be a pretty interesting week!

 

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Published on: 28th February 2021