Reader,

June this year, I had the opportunity to attend SXSW London 2026. SXSW (South by Southwest) brings together people from across technology, culture, media, music, film, and entrepreneurship to exchange ideas and shape what’s next. While the conference did an excellent job accommodating my hearing and vision dual sensory needs, accessibility is still treated as an add-on in most media, event, and experience design, when it should be the starting point. Being in that space reminded me why I care so much about media, storytelling, events, and who gets to participate in them. Who are we creating for? Who might be missing? Who hasn’t been considered? And what would change if accessibility were part of the creative process from day one?

As a woman in the media, travel, events, and accessibility industries, these aren’t theoretical questions for me. They’re questions I encounter in my own work. And they’re questions I believe more creators, entrepreneurs, event organizers, brands, and media professionals need to be asking. And now, it would be a dream come true to bring this conversation to the SXSW stage.

I submitted a panel titled:

Who Gets Seen? Building Accessible Media, Event & Experience

Community voting is now open.

​VOTE FOR MY SXSW PANEL HERE​

If you believe accessibility should be considered when we create media, produce events, design experiences, and build communities, I’d be incredibly grateful for your vote. Voting closes August 23. It takes about 30 seconds to create a free SXSW account and click the heart to vote, no purchase or badge required. Votes are one part of how sessions get selected, alongside the SXSW evaluators and staff. I made a tutorial video in case you need it.

Why this panel?

Because accessibility is often treated like something to add or fix after the event has already been designed.

A caption gets added later.

An accommodation is figured out after someone asks.

An accessible entrance is treated as an exception rather than part of the original plan.

But what happens when we start asking different questions from the beginning?

This connects to something I’ve been building, too.

I’m continuing to develop my Accessible Creator Container and Community (ACC) work around helping people become more visible, book more stages, and create content that is inclusive from the beginning. Getting booked on a stage isn’t just about having something interesting to say. It’s about being able to communicate your expertise, package your story, make your content accessible, and create an experience that allows more people to engage with what you’re sharing.

Getting a panel selected isn't just about having a good idea. It's about positioning, timing, and knowing how to mobilize the people who believe in your work. This is what I teach in the Industry Track: how to actually get booked on stages while building content and experiences that are inclusive, not as a compliance afterthought, but as the thing that makes your work stand out in a room

You don’t have to choose between being visible and being inclusive.

You can do both.

And that’s something I want to teach more people how to do. More on how you can sign up for that next week, but until then

Here’s my ask:

Please take a minute to vote for my panel:

“Who Gets Seen? Building Accessible Media, Event, Experience”

After you vote, I’d also love for you to share the panel with someone who cares about accessibility, media, events, travel, technology, or inclusive design.

Every vote and share helps.

I’m excited about the conversation we’re building together.

Thank you for continuing to help me help you See Life Different.

P.S. — And speaking of experiences… 🇬🇭

I’m excited to be taking a group to Ghana March 1–10, 2027, for Ghana’s 70th Independence Anniversary.

We’ll be celebrating, exploring Ghanaian history and culture, connecting with community, and experiencing the country together.

If Ghana has been calling your name, take a look at the trip details here:

​EXPLORE THE GHANA 70TH INDEPENDENCE EXPERIENCE​

I hope you’ll join me.

Zaakirah Nayyar Muhammad