(*apologies for the cross-posting)

Thought some here might find this Canadian conference of interest.

Jennison

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Gary Annable <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Accessible technology event, Winnipeg, May 10-12

"Inclusive Information Technology and Business Success"
May 10-12, 2005
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

What can be done to promote the development of a healthy Canadian
information technology industry that produces technology accessible to and
inclusive of people with disabilities? Join researchers, people with
disabilities, students, service providers, and representatives from the
technology industry and governments for this three day institute addressing
that question.

Registration fee for the full institute (3 days) is $375 + GST. Registration
for Day One (May 10) only is $150 + GST. We are pleased to offer reduced
registration fees for people with disabilities, representatives of
consumer-based disability organizations, fixed/low income, unemployed, and
students: Full Institute: $125 + GST    Day One only: $40 + GST

PROGRAM

Day One (Tuesday, May 10)

Morning

Panel Discussion:
What is required to create a Canadian IT industry that is
successful/profitable and produces technology that is accessible to and
inclusive of people with disabilities?

Panelists:
Industry: Jim Tobias (Inclusive Technologies, USA)
Academic: Gerard Goggin (University of Queensland, Australia)
People with Disabilities: (Kier Martin, Council of Canadians with
Disabilities, Canada)

Afternoon

Roundtable:
Are accessibility standards, regulations, guidelines, etc. the way to
achieve a Canadian IT industry that is successful/profitable and inclusive
of people with disabilities? Presenters from industry, government, and
organizations of people with disabilities will offer various perspectives on
the question. Representatives of companies and governments will describe the
impacts of accessibility standards, regulations, guidelines, etc. on their
organizations.

Evening

Reception

DAY TWO (WEDNESDAY, MAY 11)

Morning

Session Title: Partnership Regulation Models

Gerard Goggin (University of Queensland) and Tim Noonan (Disability Studies
and Research Institute) will discuss the government-industry-consumer body
that regulates the Australian telecommunications and networked digital
technologies industries. Ian Brodie of the Canadian Standards Association
(CSA) will discuss the government-business-NGO-consumer consultations that
are the basis for CSA standards.

Afternoon

Session Title: From Technical Innovation to Innovative Thinking

Emerging technology holds the potential to minimize disability as a source
of disadvantage for people living in the information age. However it's not
happening. Why is this so? What is it that precludes manufacturers of
mainstream technologies from designing accessible products? What can we do
about it? Do competitive market forces work against designing for access? Is
it too expensive? Steve Jacobs (IDEAL Group Inc.) will lead this workshop
that will be include presenters and audience members outside Winnipeg
participating virtually using iVocalize software.

DAY THREE (THURSDAY, MAY 12)

Morning

Topic: Challenges of Engaging Industry in Research on Accessibility

Gary Birch (Neil Squire Society) and Aldred Neufeldt (University of Calgary)
will lead this session about challenges faced by non-industry researchers
who want to engage and collaborative with industry.

1:00 to 2:00 pm

Closing Discussion

To register, or for further information, contact:
-------------------------------------
Gary Annable | Community Co-Director
Dis-IT: Disability and Information Technologies Research Alliance
Tel. (204) 947-0303 ext. 230
TTY (204) 943-4757 | Fax (204) 942-4625
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Website: http://www.dis-it.ca <http://www.dis-it.ca/>
Mail:
Council of Canadians with Disabilities
926-294 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, MB  R3C 0B9