Key Takeaways from the 2026 DAISY Technical Meeting in Oslo

This week, the global accessible publishing and reading community gathered at the National Library of Norway for the DAISY Technical Meeting 2026. As a proud Friend of the DAISY Consortium, Dot Inc. joined publishers, libraries, technology developers, and accessibility specialists in Oslo to discuss the standards and innovations shaping the future of reading for people with print disabilities.

At Dot, our core philosophy is simple: accessible information is not a niche issue. It directly impacts education, career progression, cultural participation, and personal independence.

Over the last two days, the sessions in Oslo made it clear that true accessibility goes far beyond simply converting text. It is about making information genuinely interactive, structured, and usable.

Here are the key themes and takeaways defining the future of inclusive technology from our time at the event.

1. Tactile Access and eBraille are Evolving

Text-to-speech and basic text descriptions are vital tools, but they have limitations. Complex information - such as mathematical equations, spatial diagrams, maps, and graphic storytelling - requires structure, space, and the power of touch.

Several sessions highlighted the practical implementation of eBraille (electronic braille) and advanced tools like MathCAT and MathML for accessible maths. For Dot, this strongly validates our ongoing work with multiline tactile displays. The conversations in Oslo shifted the narrative: tactile graphics are no longer viewed as a rare, "special request" feature, but as an everyday expectation for blind readers exploring spatial and technical content.

2. AI Must Serve Usability, Not Just Automation

Artificial Intelligence was a major focus, particularly during the Day 2 sessions hosted by the National Library of Norway. Discussions centered on AI-assisted production workflows, structured content creation, and converting complex PDFs into reflowable, accessible formats.

The consensus among the DAISY community is clear: the goal of AI is not automation for its own sake. Instead, the industry must focus on using AI responsibly to scale up the production of trustworthy, high-quality content. This requires strict quality control, adherence to open standards, and - most importantly - the direct involvement of blind and print-disabled users to guide development.

3. Inclusion Demands Global Standards and Shared Ecosystems

A recurring theme throughout the technical sessions and the DAISY Annual General Meeting (AGM) was collaboration. No single organization can solve the accessibility gap in isolation.

For assistive technology to be truly useful, it relies on an interconnected ecosystem:

• International standards bodies ensuring content is portable across borders.
• Publishers and libraries embedding accessibility directly into production workflows.
• Technology companies building reading systems that grant users genuine control over how they consume data.

When these elements align, content becomes usable across different devices, platforms, and countries, creating a seamless experience for the end user.

Looking Ahead

The insights gained in Oslo reinforce our commitment to building technology that seamlessly integrates with global accessibility standards. True inclusion means ensuring that everyone can study, work, create, and participate on completely equal terms.

We want to extend our gratitude to the DAISY Consortium and the National Library of Norway for hosting two days of vital, forward-looking discussions. The future of accessible reading is collaborative, and Dot is proud to be contributing alongside the organizations making it happen.

🌐 Stay Connected: Missed our live updates from Oslo? Follow our official social media channels for a recap of the event photos, and subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on Dot’s upcoming accessibility initiatives.