The official conference hashtag is now #itakom (which I’m typing in lowercase to reduce the burden on screenreader users)

#itakom_conf (old official hashtag)
#itakom23 (also seen)

I thought the site was up for a minute, but when I try to log in, I just get a screed of WordPress errors (in the synclogic plugin, whatever that is) 🙄

#itakom_conf #itakom #itakom23

There’s just been a note posted to the conference app telling us about the breakout sessions starting at 09:40

Slightly disappointed to read that microphones will be available in the rooms for people who find the app inaccessible 🎤

Good in one way, but (a) it disadvantages online attendees, and (b) I just bet it will be abused by privileged white men (of the ‘more of a comment than a question’ variety) who won’t be able to resist grandstanding! 🙄

I had been hoping to attend the ‘Introduction to neurodiversity’ session, chaired by Amy Pearson, with @SueReviews and Robert Chapman speaking

But as I haven’t left home yet, and the conference’s online platform is still down, I’ll probably have to watch the recording later

#itakom_conf #itakom #itakom23

The ITAKOM site is now giving an error message saying that it can’t cope

The organisers have also just acknowledged the problem via the conference app:

‘Our apologies to online delegates for the problems we are experiencing; we are working hard to get the event back online. All presentations will be available for up to 90 days after the event, so you need not miss anything, although we appreciate that being online in the moment is what most of you would really like. More updates as soon as possible. Thanks, and regards from the ITAKOM team.’

Hmm. These things happen, I suppose, but still …

#itakom_conf #itakom #itakom23

Keeping the rest of my toots about #itakom_conf over on @transponderings@neurodifferent.me

(I’ll try to use the hashtag if you’re interested in following along)

Not at the venue yet – hoped to stream the first session of interest, but technical issues 🙄

From glancing at the … ahem … tweets shared in the ITAKOM app, it looks as though online conference participants are having trouble connecting (it’s not just me)

I have trouble connecting with *reality* at such an early hour, so thought I might try streaming the first session I want to see, before heading to the venue

No luck yet sadly! (Could still make it in-person if I rush, but I’d rather not – it’s also a rainy day, unlike yesterday, which was lovely)

#itakom_conf #itakom #itakom23

There are apparently 888 delegates attending ITAKOM this week

I’m one of 25 who have been literally *othered* by the organisers: the delegate list in the conference app shows our title as ‘Other’ (rather than ‘Mx’, say)

#ITAKOM_CONF

Given the lack of engagement with my toots about the imminent ITAKOM (It Takes All Kinds of Minds) conference, I assume my posts aren’t reaching the relevant people

And if any other people are using the conference hashtag, they’re doing it from a part of the fediverse that I can’t currently get to from neurodifferent.me (of all places)

This makes me less inclined to bother live-tooting from the conference – something I’ve often tried to do at other conferences I’ve been to

In general I’m glad I’m not on Twitter any more, but I do feel I’m missing out at the moment

#itakom_conf #itakom #itakom23

@transponderings@neurodifferent.me @transponderings It looks as though @SueReviews, one of the people behind the conference, has used #ITAKOM rather than #ITAKOM_CONF here (though not recently)

Really frustrated, actually, that all the pre-conference buzz is happening on a platform I thought nearly everyone had abandoned

I don’t want to go back to Twitter, but the kind of conversation around conferences is something I miss – and there’s no reason it couldn’t happen here in the fediverse

#ITAKOM_CONF (this is the official hashtag, but I haven’t seen it used by anyone else here)

Looking forward to hearing from a huge range of amazing people at ITAKOM 23 in Edinburgh this Monday and Tuesday

Really thoughtful consideration of accessibility from multiple perspectives

(A little disappointed that the go-to social media site for the conference is still Twitter – there’s a feed built into the conference app)

#ITAKOM_CONF #neurodiversity #ItTakesAllKindsOfMinds