Professor Annalu Waller: Inaugural lecture Who is disabled anyway? Towards an inclusive and accessible digital infrastructure.

‘Who is disabled anyway?’ takes place in the SEE Building, at 5:30pm on Wednesday 7 October. Digital tools are often the primary means by which those with complex physical, intellectual, and/or speech impairment can learn and develop their potential. However, digital exclusion is amplified by inaccessible technologies and the failure to design digital environments that meet the needs of diverse users.

 

In her professorial lecture, Annalu will explore how ATech can help reduce the digital divide by enabling greater participation for people with disabilities and others at risk of digital exclusion.

 

In particular, she will examine how inclusive design, universal accessibility standards and advances in artificial intelligence can create more equitable digital experiences while highlighting the challenges that remain, including awareness, digital literacy, and inconsistent implementation of accessibility standards.

 

Drawing on her lived experience as a user of ATech, her research and the concept of Human Assistive Technology Interaction, Annalu, who was born with cerebral palsy, will argue that closing the digital divide requires more than affordable connectivity and technological innovation.

 

Demanding a commitment to accessibility by design, it will ensure that all digital infrastructures and ecosystems empower individuals to participate fully in education, employment, civic life, and society.

 

Professor Annalu Waller was appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Environment at the University in January 2026. Annalu has worked in the field of Augmentative and Alternative Communication since 1985, establishing the first Assistive and Accessible Technology assessment centre in Cape Town. Her MSc in Biomedical Engineering focused on character prediction for single switch AAC users, while her PhD provided the first AAC technology support for conversational narrative. Annalu’s primary research areas are human centred computing, natural language processing, personal narrative and assistive technology.

 

Fundamental to Annalu’s philosophy is co-creation and co-design in all she does. This involves taking an inclusive approach to education and research, ensuring that all delivery is grounded in accessibility for the diversity that characterises what it is to be human.

 

The lecture will be presented both in person at the University and online via Microsoft Teams.

 

If you have any questions, you can email the events team at: events@salford.ac.uk

 

To book a free ticket, see Eventbrite.