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IT Accessibility Review
Volume 1, Number 4
Breaking News
Americans with Disabilities, Dealt Blow by President´s Budget, Vow to Restore Funding for Critical Program
Millions of Americans with disabilities were disappointed with the release of the President´s FY 2006 Budget. The blow was especially painful because it was just last October when the disabled community celebrated as President Bush signed into law the Assistive Technology Act of 2004. The purpose of the law is to ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to the technology they need to help them be independent in school, at home, in the workplace, and in the community.
Millions of people with disabilities rely on assistive technology to help them gain and maintain independence. The new budget proposes to eliminate funding for the newly reauthorized Assistive Technology Act of 2004 despite evidence that the programs have benefited communities, the economy, businesses, and people with disabilities.
Last year Congress worked hard to expand critical assistive technology programs, including alternate financing in every state and US territory. The legislation, passed with unanimous bi-partisan support, sent a clear message that our government supports a federal investment in people with disabilities. This was a giant step forward in recognizing the contributions of all Americans.
To those Americans with disabilities and their advocates, this is about much more than a budget and numbers. It is about what we stand for as Americans. "This issue defines our priorities and values as a nation," said Deborah Buck, Executive Director of the Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP). "It´s about the promise of America - that all Americans, no matter what their station in life, have the freedom to dream and the opportunity to succeed."
ATAP vowed to work closely with the disabled community, advocacy groups, technology companies, public-private sector interests, and other stakeholders in order to educate the Congress about the importance of keeping the promise they made last October.
The Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs is a national, member-based organization comprised of state Assistive Technology Programs funded under the Assistive Technology Act. http://www.ataporg.org
Accessible Content Magazine-- New Trade Magazine Devoted to Accessibility
Being that spring is the time of new life and growth, it is appropriate that Accessible Content Magazine (ACM), a trade journal devoted to accessibility, launches in March with the Spring 2005 preview issue. "The accessibility market has shown enough growth to where there is an audience of developers, programmers, and designers out there who would truly benefit from a peer-reviewed journal like ACM," said Publisher Matt Vande Voorde.
The quarterly publication will reflect the current thinking of accessibility experts. You will find comprehensive how-to tips and techniques, code samples, and experience pieces where developers describe challenges they faced in reaching compliance and how they met the challenge. However, ACM has something more, too. "Accessibility is unique in that it still needs a lot of championing. People who care about it within corporations are called upon to increase awareness with their management teams or with their clients. So ACM devotes an entire department to Accessibility Champions," says Vande Voorde. Champions will be armed with powerful marketing messages, statistics, and how-to articles they can use to effectively ´sell´ accessibility within their organizations.
Mr. Vande Voorde was previously the Web Accessibility Lead for Bank of America. During his tenure, the bank won several awards from advocacy groups for their efforts to make the website accessible.
Managing Editor Jon Brundage is based in Washington DC, and has experience working on Section 508 compliance for the web sites of several government agencies and qualified GSA vendors.
The content this team chooses for ACM reflects their concern for accuracy in providing accessible solutions in today´s dynamic electronic environments. Their close ties to industry insiders keep them on the cutting edge in both government and commercial accessibility concerns.
Readers of the TecAccess IT Accessibility Review Newsletter are invited to subscribe at a charter subscription rate, which saves you 15% off the normal subscription price. This limited time offer gives you a year of quarterly issues for $37.50 (regular price $44). For more details, subscribe online at www.accessiblecontent.com
CAPTEC - Free CAP Demo Day
CAPTEC- the Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (health affairs)
Join us for a Free CAP Demo Day:
Changing Focus: Low Vision Accommodations in the Workplace
When:
March 9, 2005
9:30am - 1:30pm
Where:
CAP Technology Evaluation Center (CAPTEC)
Pentagon Room 2A259
CAP staff and local vendors will be on hand to provide demonstrations of various Low Vision assistive technology, including screen magnification software and closed circuit televisions. In addition, other technology will be demonstrated for government employees with multiple disabilities.
This is a great opportunity for employees and supervisors to learn about the assistive technology that can be made available to them from CAP, the centrally funded program under the Department of Defense, free of charge. The CAP staff will be available to answer any questions you may have.
Escorts will be available on the half hour. Sign-language interpreters will be available for the duration of the event. Please RSVP by 3/4/2005 to CAPTEC, by phone at 703-693-5160, TTY at 703-693-6189, or by email at jacob.burket@tma.osd.mil.
The National Center for Technology Innovation (NCTI)
The National Center for Technology Innovation (NCTI) helps foster new partnerships in technology innovation for individuals with disabilities. Funded by the U.S. Office of Special Education programs (OSEP), NCTI seeks to broaden and enrich technology innovation by providing resources for the development of tools and applications by developers, manufacturers, producers, publishers, and researchers. Visit NCTI´s website (www.nationaltechcenter.org) and browse the database for people, projects, or funding opportunities. Sign up for their free networking service or download presentations and transcripts from NCTI´s annual Technology Innovators´ Conference. Catch up with the latest news headlines, recently commissioned papers, articles, discussions, videos, and more.
Update on ITTATC Project
As of 1/31/05, Mimi Kessler has resigned from the ITTATC project. Mimi worked with ITTATC for 3 years, and everyone at ITTATC wishes her well in her future endeavors.
Stephen Sprigle, the director of CATEA (ITTATC´s home at Georgia Tech) has assured the program officer at NIDRR that Georgia Tech remains committed to the project. ITTATC staff and collaborators will continue to provide training and technical assistance, and will finish developing the work that is currently in the pipeline. Everyone will work to make ITTATC´s fifth year a success.
