Re: Forming an Accessibility Steering Committee

[Joanmarie Diggs <joanmarie diggs gmail com>]

My involvement with GNOME a11y has always been done without my
"professional hat" on.  However, I feel like putting it on just for a
moment so that I can say a huge "THANK YOU!" on behalf of the Carroll
Center for the Blind to the entire GNOME a11y community.  Lots of great
things have taken place over the past couple of years.  And while
there's still plenty of work to be done, we're finally getting to point
where the GNOME desktop is a viable option for users with visual
impairments.  That's awesome!!

I also cannot help but notice how many of the folks who immediately
raised their hand to sign up for this steering committee happen to be
from Sun.  I'm not at all surprised given Sun's ongoing commitment and
contributions to a11y, but I think it's noteworthy -- and it is
certainly VERY much appreciated!

Finally, I saw that Willie Walker is not only willing to help, but
"perhaps lead" this group.   It's probably a bit premature to choose a
leader given that the group hasn't actually been formed yet. :-) That
said, if Will's volunteering for the role perhaps we should take him up
on his offer before he has time to rescind it. ;-) 

--Joanie

------------------------------------
Joanmarie Diggs
Curriculum Developer, Carroll Tech
The Carroll Center for the Blind

On Mon, 2007-12-17 at 15:47 -0600, Brian Cameron wrote:
> The GNOME Foundation Board of Directors recognizes the importance
> of Accessibility in the GNOME desktop.  To help foster a more
> clear and positive vision, the board thinks it would be helpful
> to form an Accessibility Steering Committee.
> 
> The purpose of this committee would be (in general terms)
> 
> - Help oversee a11y issues with the GNOME desktop
> - Identify ways that the GNOME Foundation can better promote a11y
> - Recommend actions to the GNOME Foundation board.
> - Serve as a more clear a11y leadership team
> - Help to standardize free a11y interfaces so that a11y solutions can
>    be best shared across desktops.
> 
> I am wondering who in the GNOME a11y community would be interested
> in being a part of this Committee.  Being involved would mean
> having time to engage in discussions and related tasks.  It also
> may make sense to meet for a phone conference on a regular schedule
> (perhaps once or twice a month) if possible.
> 
> Once we have identified who would like to participate in such a
> Committee, we can work out the details.  Please respond if you would
> like to be involved with the GNOME community in this capacity, and
> any ideas you have on how this committee could work best.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Brian
> 
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