Exploring Samsung’s Commitment to Accessibility: The 2025 Accessibility Festival Week
In a bid to champion inclusivity and broaden the scope of accessibility, Samsung Electronics UK (SEUK) is hosting the 2025 Accessibility Festival Week (AFW) from May 13 to 15. Now in its third year, this event is a tribute to Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) and showcases products and services meticulously designed to cater to individuals with diverse needs, including those with disabilities, older adults, and individuals with temporary physical limitations. This initiative underscores Samsung’s dedication to creating inclusive experiences for all, ensuring that technological advancements are accessible and beneficial to everyone.
The AFW is a collaborative effort involving the Chief Design Office (CDO) at Samsung Electronics Corporation (SEC), the Samsung Electronics Europe Office (EO), Samsung Design Europe (SDE), the Samsung R&D Institute UK (SRUK), and SEUK. Together, these entities form the AFW task force, working tirelessly to make this event a reality. The inaugural AFW took place in 2023 at Samsung’s R&D Campus in Seoul, and this year, Samsung Newsroom visited the European iteration to witness firsthand how Samsung’s commitment to accessibility is being brought to life.
Day 1: Drawing Inspiration from Europe’s Accessibility Practices
Commencing on May 13, the first day of AFW featured an Inspiration Tour, designed to bring together accessibility leaders from SEC and AFW task force members. The tour aimed to explore exemplary accessibility practices across Europe, inspiring future initiatives and fostering a culture of inclusivity.
Participants visited Samsung KX in King’s Cross, London, a location renowned for its inclusive retail environment. Here, they examined various products through an accessibility lens and observed how inclusive design principles are integrated into the customer experience. This visit highlighted Samsung’s commitment to making its products and services user-friendly for everyone, regardless of their abilities.
In the afternoon, the group visited Google’s Accessibility Discovery Center in King’s Cross, London. This visit provided an opportunity to engage with real-world solutions designed to support people with a wide range of disabilities. Youngkyung Jung from the User Experience (UX) Strategy Group at CDO expressed how this tour broadened her perspective on accessibility, emphasizing the power of collaboration between companies to drive innovation in this field.
Day 2: Driving Innovation Through a Cross-Functional Accessibility Symposium
On May 14, Samsung held an accessibility symposium at the SEUK office, welcoming employees from various departments and divisions, including CDO, EO, SDE, SRUK, and SEUK. The symposium served as a platform for colleagues from diverse sectors such as People, Workplace Solutions, and Employee Resource Groups, along with planning, design, development, and marketing teams, to share their experiences and strategies for embedding accessibility into their work.
The discussions covered a wide range of topics, including current accessibility trends, UX strategy, and practical R&D insights. Team members shared their lived experiences and ideas, finding common ground to build stronger connections across different regions and functions. Ray Jessel from EO Marketing noted that accessibility features initially designed for users with disabilities often become essential tools benefiting everyone, highlighting the importance of these discussions in shaping future innovations.
Day 3: Building a Shared Accessibility Vision for Inclusive Innovation
Marking GAAD on May 15, Samsung hosted a special session at the SEUK office to share its accessibility strategy and future vision for inclusive innovation with employees across Europe. The event began with a keynote speech from Simon Sung, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics Europe. He emphasized accessibility as a core value in advancing Samsung’s global vision and encouraged teams across the region to champion accessibility innovation with a unified voice.
Jinsoo Kim, Head of the Accessibility Committee at SEC, joined the session to meet with employees and highlight the company’s accessibility principles. He spoke on the significance of AFW as the company looks toward a more inclusive future. Accessibility leaders from various business divisions at SEC introduced product-specific strategies and key features prioritized for the year. These presentations aimed to provide employees with a clearer understanding of Samsung’s accessibility roadmap and align on a shared vision for customer-first, inclusive innovation. The keynote was livestreamed to teams across Europe, ensuring widespread participation.
In the afternoon, a hands-on workshop was conducted with experts from Studio Exception, a design and innovation consultancy focused on inclusive design. Registered employees had the opportunity to explore inclusive design thinking and reflect on how to apply it to their day-to-day work. Alice Jackson from the SEUK People Team remarked that AFW has been an inspiring and meaningful experience for everyone involved, emphasizing the strategic imperative of accessibility in defining future competitiveness.
A Step Towards a More Inclusive Future
As the three-day AFW concludes, the event has generated momentum and optimism among employees. Through initiatives like AFW, Samsung hopes to foster a lasting culture of inclusive innovation that goes beyond mere convenience to deliver better experiences for all. This dedication to accessibility not only enhances the user experience but also positions Samsung as a leader in the industry committed to making technology accessible to everyone.
The AFW serves as a reminder that accessibility is no longer optional; it’s a necessity that defines the future of innovation. By integrating accessibility into the core of its operations, Samsung is paving the way for a more inclusive future, one where technology empowers all individuals, regardless of their abilities. This event has created a powerful sense of shared purpose, understanding, and empathy—values that Samsung is passionate about in its efforts to support colleagues and future talent within the company.
For more information about Samsung’s commitment to accessibility and the 2025 Accessibility Festival Week, visit the official Samsung Newsroom website.
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