The following may be of interest. I particularly hope that any developing
accessibility applications for Linux/Unix would join this organization.
Let's not let them get away with a Windows centric bias!
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Dear Colleagues
Date: February, 2001
RE: International Coalition of Access Engineers and Specialists (ICAES)
formed by
former Association of Access Engineering Specialists (AAES) Board of
Directors
On November 9, 2000 after serious consideration and negotiation, the
Board of
Directors
of the Association of Access Engineering Specialists (AAES) voted (9_1),
industry and
consumer representatives alike, to leave NARTE. This group has now
formed a
new
freestanding organization called the International Coalition of Access
Engineers and
Specialists (ICAES).
This new organization is based on collaboration among the different
individuals and
groups working in this area including industry, consumer, research,
government and
public sectors. It will also work to bridge the efforts of these
groups in
different
countries.
Goals and Activities
ICAES is an organization of individuals and organizations dedicated to
researching,
developing and deploying accessible technologies. Our activities and goals
include
creating a body of knowledge for the design, development and deployment
of
accessible electronic information and telecommunication technologies;
encouraging the development of techniques and standards, where
appropriate, to
promote accessibility, compatibility, and interoperability;
providing a forum for discussions regarding access_related problems,
developments,
recommendations and solutions;
supporting an ongoing and international dialog among the disability,
research,
industry, government and public sectors regarding the accessibility of
telecommunications, electronic and information technology, and;
supporting forums and groups that pursue these goals
Open to All
ICAES is open to all, and we invite those who belonged to AAES as well as
any
others
interested in this area to join with us in creating this new
organization. To
facilitate
membership in ICAES, and since many have just paid their AAES dues, we will,
for an
inaugural period only, provide a complimentary membership for anyone
(including
new members) who is interested in joining. To take advantage of this offer,
send an e_
mail with your name, contact information to our secretary Jim Tobias
tobias at inclusive.com by April 15, 2001 or see our Web site
http://www.icaes.org .
Upcoming Activities
We have an active year laid out before us. A primary goal at this point is
to identify and
disseminate ways to help improve access to mainstream technology by persons
with
disabilities in a commercially practical and effective manner. In carrying
out these
activities, we will continue to maintain a balanced representation of
industry, consumers,
and resarchers.
ICAES will be sponsoring or collaborating with other groups on the following
events:
Workshops being conducted by our members and collaborators on
commercially
practical accessible design of information and telecommunication
technologies.
Support of the ANSI / ISO efforts RE: Guidelines For
Standardization To
Address The Needs Of Older Persons And People With Disabilities
Collaboration on briefing session in Washington DC on Section 508
regulations
and resources.
A hot tips newsletter for keeping track of the latest information
and opportunities
that will be available via email or print.
Special "Birds of a Feather" information and collaboration
sessions
at major
professional conferences.
Technology, regulation and resource briefing sessions at major
disability
conferences.
A resource website on practical accessible design.
Support and collaboration on several projects with others on
development of
accessibility metrics and testing.
More in the works .
It is an important time for us to work together internationally to address
the design of
new and emerging technologies and to help harmonize both the access efforts
and
requirements in this area. We are looking forward to working with you on
this in order
to improve access for everyone to future telecommunication and information
technologies.
For further information on our organization, activities and calendar please
see our
website at http://www.icaes.org .
Sincerely,
The ICAES Board of Directors
Current board members and email addresses:
Judy Brewer _ jbrewer at w3.org
Christian Buehler _ Cb at ftb_volmarstein.de
Alexandra Enders _ enders at selway.umt.edu
Gunnar Hellstrom _ gunnar.hellstrom at omnitor.se
Steve Jacobs _ steve.jacobs at ncr.com
Bill LaPlant _ blaplant at census.gov
Linda Nelson _ linda.nelson at verizon.com
Susan Palmer _ susan.palmer at cingular.com
Mike Patrick _mike.patrick at cingular.com
Paul Schroeder _ pws at afb.net
Jim Tobias _ tobias at inclusive.com
Gregg Vanderheiden _ gv at trace.wisc.edu
Please feel free to contact any or all of us directly or through our
Secretary, Jim Tobias
for information about ICAES or how you can participate.
Jim's contact information is:
Jim Tobias
Inclusive Technologies
Temper Complex
37 Miriam Drive
Matawan, NJ 07747
email: tobias at inclusive.com
voice and TTY: 732_441_0831
fax: 732_441_0832
Janina Sajka, Director
Technology Research and Development
Governmental Relations Group
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
janina at afb.net
(202) 408-8175
http://www.afb.org/gov.html
The invention of the printing press has been named the crowning achievment
of the past millenium. Yet, electronic publishing will soon eclipse it.
Read our White Paper: "Surpassing Gutenberg" available at:
http://www.afb.org/ebook.html
Are you developing software? Make it accessible to blind computer users.
Read http://www.afb.org/technology/accessapp.html to learn how.
