Access briefly
International Coalition of Access Engineers and Specialists (ICAES) formed by former Association of Access Engineering Specialists (AAES) Board of Directors
Dear Colleagues:
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@inclusive.comby 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 researchers. ICAES will be sponsoring or collaborating with other groups on the following events:
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Workshops being conducted by our members and collaborators on commercially practical accessible design of information and telecommunication technologies.
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Support of the ANSI / ISO efforts RE: Guidelines For Standardization To Address The Needs Of Older Persons And People With Disabilities
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Collaboration on briefing session in Washington DC on Section 508 regulations and resources.
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A hot tips newsletter for keeping track of the latest information and opportunities that will be available via email or print.
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Special "Birds of a Feather" information and collaboration sessions at major professional conferences.
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Technology, regulation and resource briefing sessions at major disability conferences.
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A resource website on practical accessible design.
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Support and collaboration on several projects with others on development of accessibility metrics and testing.
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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@w3.org
Christian Buehler - Cb@ftb-volmarstein.de
Alexandra Enders - enders@selway.umt.edu
Gunnar Hellstrom - gunnar.hellstrom@omnitor.se
Steve Jacobs - steve.jacobs@ncr.com
Bill LaPlant - blaplant@census.gov
Linda Nelson - linda.nelson@verizon.com
Susan Palmer - susan.palmer@cingular.com
Mike Patrick - mike.patrick@cingular.com
Paul Schroeder - pws@afb.net
Jim Tobias - tobias@inclusive.com
Gregg Vanderheiden - gv@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@inclusive.com
voice and TTY: 732-441-0831
fax: 732-441-0832
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