ZeroCon 2026 – PAC Is Heading to Vienna, Join Us!
In February, Vienna will once again welcome accessibility experts from around the world. ZeroCon 2026 will take place from February 18–20 at the impressive United Nations Office at Vienna in the Vienna International Centre, a striking glass-and-concrete complex on the Danube Canal, where digital accessibility unfolds in the heart of Europe. For us, that means: pack up PAC (PDF Accessibility Checker), grab our suitcases, and head to Vienna!
What is ZeroCon?
The Zero Project Conference (ZeroCon) takes place annually in Vienna and is organized by the Zero Project Initiative, a global research and innovation platform of the Essl Foundation.
ZeroCon is not a traditional trade fair, but an international conference featuring curated sessions. The program includes keynotes, panel discussions, lightning sessions, and networking formats.
Topics range from:
- Digital accessibility
- Inclusive and assistive technologies
- AI and innovative workflows
- Education, employment, and social participation
Who Attends ZeroCon?
The audience is international and interdisciplinary. In Vienna, you will meet:
- Accessibility experts and consultants
- Developers, designers, and product managers
- Representatives from public administration, politics, and research
- NGOs, associations, and companies
- People with disabilities as experts in their own right
In short: people who don’t just talk about accessibility ‒ but actively implement it
PAC by axes4 and IAAP D-A-CH at ZeroCon
Together with IAAP D-A-CH, we will be present at ZeroCon 2026 — not only as participants, but also as speakers. As part of the IAAP sessions on February 19, 2026, we will demonstrate how modern technologies can concretely support accessibility professionals.
BFIT Bund and the Austrian Federation for the Blind and Visually Impaired will also contribute their expertise.
Our Presentation: Meet Your New AI Co-Worker
Title: Meet Your New Co-Worker: AI for Document Accessibility in PAC 2026
Date: February 19, 2026 | 11:15–12:00
Location: Room M4
In our session, we will provide a practical insight into the PDF Accessibility Checker (PAC) 2026 and its new AI-powered checklist. Because while automated tests are essential, they do not replace expert human evaluation.
Using real documents, we will demonstrate:
- Which complex requirements AI can support in PAC 2026
- What types of accessibility issues can be detected
- How results should be professionally interpreted
- And where human expertise remains indispensable
The AI does not act as a replacement, but as an intelligent colleague who makes testing processes more efficient and provides tangible day-to-day relief. We will also give an outlook on how AI support in PAC will continue to evolve in the future.
PAC 2026 is used worldwide, available free of charge, and funded by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS).
Lightning Sessions: Compact, Inspiring, To the Point
Our presentation is part of a dynamic Lightning Sessions track in which leading experts demonstrate how new technologies are transforming digital accessibility ‒ from AI-supported testing strategies to immersive technologies, VR, smart glasses, and wearables.
The session will be moderated by adesso SE representative Anja Harport.
Join the Conversation: Meet the Developer Behind PAC
Visit us in Vienna and meet Markus Erle (CEO at axes4) and Patrick Foster (Senior Software Developer behind PAC) in person at our shared PAC & IAAP booth. We look forward to your questions, your feedback, and engaging discussions about PDF accessibility and AI!