Note, this message is not about an EASI project.  Therefore you should send 
all messages, not to EASI, and don't reply here, but send your email to:
Beverley Milligan, at: [log in to unmask] (mailto:[log in to unmask]).



          FORWARDED MESSAGE:

  Feasibility of New Advocacy Organization on Accessible Media

  Media access in Canada can mean many things to many people. For a 
visually impaired person, it may mean more video description, or better and 
easier access
to French and English news reading services; to a captioning company, it 
may mean some kind of regulated baseline for linguistic quality of 
captions; for
description producers, more mandated hours of description; for researchers, 
more dedicated funds for inclusive design and networking to international 
standards
organizations to ensure such design is considered; for content producers – 
a dedicated line item in CFI and other granting budgets for the production of
accessible content; for those with motor disabilities, universal design.

  To educate, advocate and participate in the creation and distribution of 
content means engaging regulatory, standards bodies and technology 
companies including
manufacturers and software design companies in a way they can understand 
and with a voice that represents a large body of interest. Advocating for the
creation and distribution of Accessible Content not only requires the 
understanding of the end user, but a complete understanding of existing and 
emerging
technology and infrastructure, government policies and processes and 
international networks of business stakeholders who create video and audio 
standards
for North America and the world.

  The organization I propose would work with and represent its member 
organizations in communicating, educating and researching their needs to 
government
and the business community at large. Potential members could include 
for-profit and not-for-profit service organizations in the accessible media 
industry,
and regional and national advocacy organizations which see the benefit in 
joining one larger voice to represent their constituency in accessible media,
including, but not limited to disability and seniors organizations.

  The need for and the scope of such an organization, its members, issues 
and underwriting its operations are what is in question in this phase of 
the feasibility
study and I would like to get your opinion:

  What are your organizational or consumer driven issues?

  Is there a need for organizations to come together and speak with one 
voice on the subject of Accessible and Inclusive Media?

  Would you participate on a founding working group to create such an 
organization? If yes, under what conditions, if no why not?

  For more information, or to send initial thoughts, please contact me, 
Beverley Milligan, at: [log in to unmask] (mailto:[log in to unmask]).