We Are NC Gov Conference 2025

We Are NC Gov is an annual conference organized by the NCDIT Digital Solutions team. The theme for the November 19, 2025 conference was We Are Accessible.

Approximately 150 people attended at the Dept of Environmental Quality building, 217 W Jones St, Raleigh. The event was streamed live on YouTube with 492 viewers from state agencies and local governments.

Presentations (YouTube)

• Opening Remarks
  • Liz Vines - Senior Digital Strategist - NCDIT
• Keynote Remarks
  • Teena Piccione - Secretary NCDIT & State CIO
• Expert Panel: Digital Accessibility Open Forum
  • Amy Hepler - Lead UX/Accessibility Developer - NCDIT
  • John Cotter - Digital Experience & Accessibility Specialist - NCDIT
  • Phoebe Simon - Web Strategist - NCDIT
• AI & Accessibility
  • Dawnna Lewis - User Experience Designer - NCDIT
• Accessible by Design: Web Governance that Works for Everyone
  • Kaytee Smith - Assistant Marketing Director - NCDNCR
• Accessible Web Development: Test it with a Keyboard
  • John Cotter - Digital Experience & Accessibility Specialist - NCDIT
• Vendors & Procurement Considerations
  • Donna Murray - Digital Accessibility Specialist - NCDPI

Interactive Labs

In-person attendees had the opportunity to participate in interactive accessibility labs.

• Explore Assistive Technology Tools
  • Gloria Jinks - Media and Training Coordinator - NCDHHS
• Accessible Training Design Tips
  • April Durrence - Instructional Designer - NCOSC
• How Accessible is Your Website; DubBot Demo
  • Phoebe Simon - Web Strategist - NCDIT
• Keyboard Challenge activity
  • John Cotter - Digital Experience & Accessibility Specialist - NCDIT
• Try a Screen Reader activity
  • Marla Laubisch - Software Test Engineer - NCDIT