I have maintained the header of the message below so readers of vicug-l
can see to what other groups or lists this announcement has already been
posted to.
Steve
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2001 18:03:31 -0500
From: "Jacobs, Steve I" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: [log in to unmask]
To: GLADNET <[log in to unmask]>, [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask],
[log in to unmask], [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask],
[log in to unmask],
Prof Norm Coombs <[log in to unmask]>,
Dick Banks <[log in to unmask]>, Jeffrey Pledger <[log in to unmask]>,
[log in to unmask]
Subject: News Release: 2001 International Access Engineering Awards Progra
m Announced
*** Please propagate this news release, as widely as possible,
internationally ***
Sorry, in advance, for duplicate posts.
News Release - March 7, 2001
The International Coalition of Access Engineers and Specialists today
announced the kick-off of its 2001 International Access Engineering Awards
Program.
Please read below the dotted line for details
For information not included in this post please contact:
Steve Jacobs, Chairman
2001 International Access Engineering Awards Program
[log in to unmask]
Introductory Letter, Description of the Awards Program and a Nomination form
appear below:
----------------------------------
International Coalition of Access Engineers and Specialists Announces its
2001 International Access Engineering Awards Program
March 7, 2001
Dear Reader,
As developer, organizer, and past Chairman, of the first two US-based
"Excellence in Access" awards programs it gives me great pleasure to have
been asked to Chair the first International Access Engineering Awards
Program. This awards program is being sponsored by the International
Coalition of Access Engineers and Specialists (ICAES) [See note 1] and the
Information Technology Technical Assistance And Training Center (ITTATC)
[See note 2]. As you may be aware ICAES was formed by the past Board of
Directors of the Association of Access Engineering Specialists to more
effectively facilitate collaboration between industry, consumers, research
organizations and the government, on a global basis, with respect to access
engineering.
Our information infrastructures - local, national, and global - are
connecting people to other people, businesses and government; and more
generally to sources of information, art, entertainment, and much more.
Persons in one country are being provided the opportunity to serve customers
from other countries.
Technological developments are changing our everyday lives and changing them
very rapidly. The Internet, and many other Electronic and Information
Technologies (E&IT) are no longer just tools to connect people, businesses
and information together. They are driving the creation of new economies and
communities that are altering the way people live, learn, work and play.
As our world's 21st Century information infrastructures evolve we need to
take care not to isolate consumers if it is technically feasible,
economically possible and reasonable to do so from a business standpoint.
Isolated consumers refer to individuals:
* living within low-bandwidth information infrastructures (2 billion
worldwide);
* 65 years of age and older (420 million worldwide);
* who have never been afforded the opportunity to learn to read (1.5 billion
worldwide);
* who only speak, write and/or understand the language native to a
particular piece of E&IT as a second or foreign language (4 billion
worldwide);
* who interpret the cultural meaning of certain colors variously (every
culture is slightly different) or are, to some degree, colorblind (500
million worldwide); and,
* with disabilities (550 million worldwide).
Everyone is different from everyone else, as are his or her individual
wants, needs, preferences and abilities to access information
infrastructures. In fact, this was the catalyst that sparked the evolution
of today's one-to-one marketing philosophy. Markets of billions have
evolved into billions of markets of one. In order for our businesses to
succeed in a culturally, technically and economically diverse world we need
to meet the demands of this incredibly diverse global marketplace. It is
to this end that we dedicate this awards program.
Sincerely,
Steve Jacobs, Chairman
2001 International Access Engineering Awards Program
[log in to unmask]
-----------------
The purpose of the Awards:
The purpose of ICAES' 2001 International Access Engineering Awards Program
is to recognize significant innovative technical contributions to the access
engineering profession.
Eligibility:
Any product feature, process or service; by any company, individual or
organization; in any industry, worldwide, which makes a significant
contribution to the advancement of access engineering.
What the winners receive:
The winners will have their products and services featured in the course
materials being developed by ITTATC. Publicity will also be issued to the
media.
Judging the Submissions:
The judges will include a panel of acclaimed designers, researchers and
consumer advocates who are recognized experts in universal design.
Notification of Winners:
All nominators and nominees will be notified of the results of this award
program by no later than June 10, 2001.
Judging Criteria:
All entries will be judged on innovation, creativity, scope of benefit to
consumers and the universality of the product and/or service based on the
adherence to universal design principles (if applicable).
Definition of Universal Design (UD):
UD is the design of mainstream products and/or services that are accessible
to, and usable by, as many people as reasonably possible on a global basis,
in a wide variety of situations, to the greatest extent possible... without
the need for special adaptation or specialized design.
The Principles of Universal Design:
Principle One: Equitable Use
The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.
Principle One: Guidelines
* Provide the same means of use for all users: identical whenever possible;
equivalent when not.
* Avoid segregating or stigmatizing any users.
* Provisions for privacy, security, and safety should be equally available
to all users.
* Make the design appealing to all users.
Principle Two: Flexibility in Use
The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and
abilities.
Principle Two: Guidelines
* Provide choice in methods of use.
* Accommodate right- or left-handed access and use.
* Facilitate the user's accuracy and precision.
* Provide adaptability to the user's pace.
Principle Three: Simple and Intuitive Use
Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user's
experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.
Principle Three: Guidelines
* Eliminate unnecessary complexity.
* Be consistent with user expectations and intuition.
* Accommodate a wide range of literacy and language skills.
* Arrange information consistent with its importance.
* Provide effective prompting and feedback during and after task completion.
Principle Four: Perceptible Information
The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user,
regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities.
Principle Four: Guidelines
* Use different modes (pictorial, verbal, tactile) for redundant
presentation of essential information.
* Provide adequate contrast between essential information and its
surroundings.
* Maximize "legibility" of essential information.
* Differentiate elements in ways that can be described (i.e., make it easy
to give instructions or directions).
* Provide compatibility with a variety of techniques or devices used by
people with sensory limitations.
Principle Five: Tolerance of Error
The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or
unintended actions.
Principle Five: Guidelines
* Arrange elements to minimize hazards and errors: most used elements, most
accessible; hazardous elements eliminated, isolated, or shielded.
* Provide warnings of hazards and errors.
* Provide fail-safe features.
* Discourage unconscious action in tasks that require vigilance.
Principle Six: Low Physical Effort
The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of
fatigue.
Principle Six: Guidelines:
* Allow user to maintain a neutral body position.
* Use reasonable operating forces.
* Minimize repetitive actions.
* Minimize sustained physical effort
Principle Seven: Size and Space for Approach and Use
Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation,
and use regardless of user's body size, posture, or mobility.
Principle Seven: Guidelines
* Provide a clear line of sight to important elements for any seated or
standing user.
* Make reach to all components comfortable for any seated or standing user.
* Accommodate variations in hand and grip size.
* Provide adequate space for the use of assistive devices or personal
assistance.
Entrant Eligibility:
The competition is open to everyone. Entrants may submit more than one
entry; however, each entry must be entered and packaged separately. A family
of products used together may be submitted as a single entry.
Deadline: Entries must be postmarked no later than May 15, 2001.
Award Categories:
(please select one of the following award categories)
Access Integration Award
This award covers new or newly integrated access features like voice
activation on cell phones or voice output TV remote controls or newly added
features to computer games.
Innovative Access Award
This award covers new, never before seen, products. It could include
products that have incorporated significant access features, like a video
telephone that also provides real-time sign language capability, a talking
ATM, or kiosk that is accessible to persons with disabilities. Assistive
technology (AT) which shows strong promise of being migrated into mainstream
marketplaces, like Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and the telephone,
may also be nominated in this category.
Policy and Process Award
This award goes to companies that have made significant efforts to address
accessibility for customers or employees with disabilities. This could mean
integrating universal design into a product, the integration of universal
design topics into college course curriculum or training customer care
representatives on how to communicate respectfully with people with
disabilities.
Collaboration and Coordination Award
This award recognizes national, international or industry efforts to
prevent, resolve, or address compatibility and interoperability. For
example, an effort to address TTY standards, develop a common IR access
interface, or to develop a HAC neck-loop that will work on all phones.
Outreach and Communication Award
This award is for marketing, advertising, or other outreach efforts and
could be received by companies or organizations for efforts to encourage use
of technology by people with disabilities, develop new products or
communicate the concept of accessible design and disability in a positive or
innovative way.
Eligibility:
Membership in ICAES is not an eligibility requirement for being a nominator
or nominee.
Nomination Process:
All award nominations must include a fully completed Nomination Form,
Citation and a Rationale for Nomination.
Citation:
A brief statement, not to exceed 100 words, giving the major accomplishments
for which the award is being made. This will be used if the nominee is
selected as an award recipient.
Rationale for Nomination:
A statement, not to exceed 700 words, on why the candidate is being
nominated for the award.
Nominations should not include voluminous materials or numerous
recommendations. Clear, concise statements of achievements are of more
value. Information from public sources such is helpful, but should be
supplemented by information as to specific contributions.
Award Nomination Deadline:
All award nominations must be received by ICAES no later than May 15, 2001
Nominee Information:
This section must include the following 16 pieces of information:
1. Name of product, individual or company being nominated:
2. Name of Award being nominated to receive:
3. Individual's name (individual being nominated or representative of
product and/or company):
4. Organization/Institution:
5. Department/Office:
6. Address:
7. City:
8. State:
9. Zip:
10. Country:
11. Phone:
12. Fax:
13. TTY
14. E-mail:
15. Citation: A brief statement, not to exceed 100 words, giving the major
accomplishments for which the award is being made. This will be used if the
nominee is selected as the awardee.
16. Rationale for Nomination: A statement, not to exceed 700 words, on why
the candidate is being nominated for the award.
Nominator Information:
This section must include the following 12 pieces of information:
1. Name:
2. Organization/Institution:
3. Department/Office:
4. Address:
5. City:
6. State:
7. Zip:
8. Country:
9. Phone:
10. Fax:
11. TTY:
12. E-mail:
Other rules and deadlines:
You may submit more than one nomination. All nominations must be received by
5:00 PM, May 15, 2001.
Submission of nomination forms:
Completed nomination forms and accompanying documentation should be sent to
ICAES via one of the following three methods:
1. E-mail to: sjacobs2 @columbus.rr.com
2. U.S. Postal Service: ICAES Award Nomination, Attention: Steve Jacobs,
2809 Bohlen Drive, Hilliard, OH 43026
3. Fax to: +1 (212) 618-0205
-----------------
Note 1:
About The International Coalition of Access Engineers and Specialists
(ICAES)
ICAES invites participation from individuals and organizations dedicated to
the research, development and deployment of accessible technologies. Our
activities and goals include:
* Promoting technology accessibility, usability, compatibility, and
interoperability
* Facilitating an ongoing and international dialog among the disability,
research, industry, government and public sectors regarding the
accessibility and usability of technology;
* Providing a forum and coordination point for discussions regarding access
and usability related issues, problems, developments, recommendations and
solutions;
* Fostering liaison between the disciplines involved in accessible and
usable technology, and to connect developments in other areas of science,
technology, and service delivery.
* Facilitating the creation of a body of knowledge for the design,
development and deployment of usable and accessible[1] ok to use accessible
and usable? If it is usable first, it must already be accessible.....
technology
* Encouraging the development of techniques and standards, where appropriate
For information regarding membership please send an e-mail with your name
and contact information to Jim Tobias, ICAES Secretary, [log in to unmask]
or visit our website at: http://www.icaes.org.
For further information on our organization, activities and calendar, we
encourage you to visit our website or to write to any of our board members
directly. Here is a listing of ICAES Board Members and their e-mail
addresses:
Judy Brewer [log in to unmask]
Christian Buehler [log in to unmask]
Alexandra Enders [log in to unmask]
Gunnar Hellstrom [log in to unmask]
Steve Jacobs [log in to unmask]
Bill LaPlant [log in to unmask]
Linda Nelson [log in to unmask]
Susan Palmer [log in to unmask]
Paul Schroeder [log in to unmask]
Jim Tobias [log in to unmask]
Gregg Vanderheiden [log in to unmask]
Note 2:
Information Technology Technical Assistance and Training Center (ITTATC)
The ADA has resulted in many changes in access to employment, to public
accommodations and to the built environment, but it has lagged behind in
creating access to the rapidly changing electronic environment. Sections
255 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and Section 508 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended in 1998, are the two most significant
legislative measures that address this realm. They have the potential to
ensure that people with disabilities will have full access to the
information tools that others rely on for more productive lives.
The effective implementation of both Sections 255 and 508 will require more
than addressing the engineering and design departments within information
technology companies. The engineering and design professionals within
technology companies will need to understand how people with disabilities
function in many ways and in many contexts. In a corporate environment,
some of this basic understanding should come from interaction with consumers
and employees with disabilities.
Many companies do not know how to create a corporate culture that is
"disability friendly". It will be important to investigate and document the
best practices of those companies that have embraced this culture and build
this knowledge into the training and technical assistance provided by the
ITTAT center.
A priority of the center is to assist corporations in management of
marketing, design, engineering and manufacturing so that the project design
process is broadened to include consumers with differing abilities. We will
develop training directed at senior management and marketing managers that
informs them of the needs and market potential of the aging and disabled
population. The aging population is the fastest growing segment of the
American population and has the largest disposable income. We all will most
likely become disabled, be it temporarily or permanently, as we age. Even
if accessibility is not an issue for ourselves, a growing number of us have
concerns regarding an aging family member and their continued independence.
CRT and the Information Technology Association of American will organize
three conferences each year for ITAA members and others who represent 400 of
the largest information technology and communications firms. These training
sessions will cover a broad spectrum of trans-generational and accessibility
issues that can impact product design and service delivery ultimately
enhancing customer satisfaction and product sales. Our workshops will
include a capacity building opportunity that will team each manager with a
consumer so that the managers and consumers can learn about various issues
surrounding product development and service delivery from divers
perspectives. Consumer advocates will be trained by the DBTAC's in
techniques of working with managers to create new understandings that will
lead to a culture that produces better products and services.
ITTATC project partners:
1. Georgia Institute of Technology
http://www.gatech.edu/
2. Georgia Institute of Technology Center for Rehabilitation Technology
(CRT)
http://www.arch.gatech.edu/crt/crthome.htm
3. Trace Center at the University of Wisconsin (TRACE)
http://www.trace.wisc.edu
4. World Institute for Disability (WID)
http://www.wid.org/
5. Community Options Inc. (COI)
http://www.comop.org/
6. Inclusive Technologies, Inc. (ITI)
http://www.inclusive.com/
7. Information Technology Association of America (ITAA)
http://www.itaa.org/
8. Department of Education's Disability & Business Technical Assistance
Centers (DBTAC)
http://www.adata.org/text-dbtac.html
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