Events with accessibility in mind: How b2match makes events inclusive and easy for all.

Accessibility in events means designing and developing platforms that are usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.

It ensures that every attendee can navigate the platform, engage with content, and network effectively. For event organizers, this means going beyond compliance with legal standards; it means committing to inclusivity and equal opportunity for everyone involved.

In 2025, accessibility is no longer a luxury but a necessity. As we strive for inclusivity, it is important to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, can participate fully in the experience life has to offer.

This is especially true in the event industry, where the main goal is to connect people, foster networking opportunities, and create an enjoyable experience for all attendees.

Importance of accessibility in B2B matchmaking.

Networking is the heartbeat of many events. It offers attendees the chance to spark connections, exchange ideas, and build professional relationships. For these interactions to be truly effective, the platform facilitating them must be accessible to everyone, and offer:

1. Inclusivity of all participants.

Barriers such as a lack of screen reader compatibility or keyboard navigation, exclude individuals with disabilities and undermine the overall effectiveness and reach of the event. Ensuring accessibility means that all participants, regardless of their abilities, can engage fully in the matchmaking process.

2. Enhanced networking opportunities.

When a platform is accessible, it opens up networking opportunities to a wider audience. This diversity can lead to more valuable connections, partnerships, and business opportunities, enriching the overall matchmaking experience for all participants.

3. Broader reach and engagement.

Expanding your reach not only boosts participation rates but also enriches the quality of interactions. Embracing accessibility means embracing a richer, more dynamic network, ultimately driving greater success for your events.

How b2match prioritizes accessibility.

At b2match, we understand the importance of accessibility in creating successful and impactful events. To achieve this, we constantly aim to adhere to the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1) at the AA level. These guidelines provide detailed instructions on making web content accessible to individuals with various disabilities.

Our accessibility efforts include:

• The visual presentation of text and images of text has a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1.
• Content does not restrict its view and operation to a single display orientation.
• All functionality of the content is operable through a keyboard interface without requiring specific timings for individual keystrokes.
• Headings and labels describe topic or purpose.
• Text is used to convey information rather than images of text.

By working towards these standards, we aim to make the event website accessible to individuals with visual impairments, motor impairments, hearing impairments, cognitive disabilities, and more.

b2match features for an accessible experience.

To ensure an accessible experience for all users, we’ve built key features into our platform:

Responsivity.

b2match platform's content can be accessed effortlessly across devices.

Keyboard navigation.

Users can navigate the platform, access features, and matchmake using keyboard commands.

Color contrast options.

Organizers can select higher contrast settings for better readability in different lighting conditions or on various devices.

Text resizing capabilities.

Our platform supports text resizing in browser up to 400% for better readability, accommodating users with varying visual needs.

Speech-to-text & text-to-speech.

The platform is fully compatible with screen readers, enhancing usability for users with visual or reading difficulties by allowing them to access content by listening.

Wording selection.

In addition to offering the platform in five languages, we've carefully selected clear and simple wording to ensure accessibility for non-native speakers.

How Zero Project organizes an inclusive and accessible conference.

Founded by Austrian non-profit Essl Foundation in 2008, the Zero Project is a global and research-driven initiative to support the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

Over the past decade, Zero Project has established a global network of 10,000+ experts, policy makers, corporates, academics, and other persons with and without disabilities who are advancing the implementation of the CRPD. This network contributes to the Zero Project’s work and continues to grow, fostering a global community for disability inclusion.

The Zero Project Conference is Zero Project's annual event held at the United Nations in Vienna, dedicated to promoting innovative solutions that improve the lives and rights of people with disabilities.

It gathers global experts, businesses, and grassroots organizations to share best practices, present pioneering initiatives, and foster collaboration for a more inclusive world. Each conference focuses on a specific theme related to disability inclusion, such as education, employment, accessibility, or independent living.

In 2024 the Zero Project celebrated 10 years of accessible events at the UN, centered around the topics of Inclusive Education, and ICT.

Event's challenges

Zero Project had several challenges while organizing their flagship events in the past:

1. Offering a positive experience for everyone.

Managing a positive experience for over 1,000 attendees from diverse backgrounds is a significant challenge. With different expectations, tech skills, and familiarity with networking platforms, the event must accommodate these diverse needs to ensure everyone has a positive experience.

2. Successful B2B networking within a broad participant pool.

The primary goal of matchmaking is to facilitate meaningful and productive business relationships. With a diverse audience, it’s challenging to ensure that all attendees can connect with relevant contacts and achieve their networking objectives effectively.

3. Accessibility and user interface.

Ensuring that the platform is accessible to all attendees is crucial. Inaccessibility can exclude participants and hinder their ability to engage fully with the event. An intuitive and user-friendly interface is also vital for a smooth event experience, as a complex interface can frustrate users and limit their ability to navigate the platform, affecting overall satisfaction and engagement.

Our solution

To tackle Zero Project's challenges, and help them host a successful event and a great experience for their participants, we have offered:

1. Enhanced accessibility and intuitive user interface.

To ensure a positive experience for all attendees, b2match offers robust accessibility features and an intuitive user interface. Screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, and text resizing capabilities support participants with various visual impairments, ensuring readability. High-contrast color schemes and text-to-speech functionalities further support accessibility, while a clear layout and simple controls enhance the overall user experience, making it to access meetings and sessions during the conference.

2. Effective B2B networking functions.

To facilitate B2B networking within a diverse participant pool, b2match offers advanced matchmaking, search filters, and AI matchmaking. These tools help attendees efficiently find and connect with relevant contacts, while easy meeting scheduling boosts the chances of productive business interactions.

Our experience with b2match over the last two years has been great! The platform is very good, and the support is very responsive and helpful. - Maria Chiara Franco, Project Manager at Zero Project

Embracing accessibility is the cornerstone of creating truly inclusive events and in 2025 it is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.

With a little help from advanced technology and our specialized event networking platform, you can ensure that every participant, regardless of their background or ability, has the opportunity to engage fully and meaningfully at your next event.