As the newly appointed chair of the TEC committee, I want to first express that I am honored and encouraged by the large amount of excitement and interest I have been hearing within both the TEC committee & within CWDO as a whole. I am hoping that we can put together something extremely valuable together as we move forward on a number of initiatives. The New Year is on the horizon and it portends to be a time of change. I wanted to bring to your attention some of the proposed change and ask you to join me in being a part of it.
Creating New Website & Content management Solution
We are moving forward with a move to Drupal, a content management system that will allow us to have a more accessible, more dynamic, more engaging and more active web site.
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED:
The site has grown well past the point where 1 person can do it all on their own. We have tons more work than I can do alone, so we are looking for volunteers to help with this project. You don’t need to be a programmer to participate. We have tasks and activities that cover the whole gambit from technical to non-technical. If you can use a word processor than we’d love your help, we can provide training.
Some Possible Roles:
- Content Movers
- Editors
- Publishers
If you are willing to help out please send me an email at jds.ncr@gmail.com if you know html, css, php or have experience with Drupal, please let me know. Please also let me know how technical you are as that will help too.
If you would like to know more about the website changes: http://blog.blackspheretech.com/?p=30
The TEC Committee:
We are working on raising awareness about barriers faced by persons with disabilities in telecommunications, new technologies that will assist persons with disabilities in their day to day activities and maintaining the most accessible website to both persons with disabilities and those who have an interest in the issues of persons with disabilities living in Ontario. The TEC through the CWDO webinars, reach out not only to persons with disabilities in Ontario but raise awareness, of issues of concern to persons with disabilities, to persons attending these electronic seminars, with and without disabilities, outside of Ontario.
We are seeking your input & direction on these very issues. If you are passionate about technology, have a great idea on how we can innovate in the area of accommodation or accessibility with technology or would like to suggest or put on a webinar on a topic you are passionate about; please contact me directly at jds.ncr@gmail.com because I want to hear from you!
If you would like to know more about the TEC Committee please visit: http://cwdo.org/TEC_welcome_page.htm
For those who would like to know a little more about me:
Jeffrey D. Stark’s Bio:
20 years of experience working in the fields of IT, assistive/adaptive technology & accessibility
Interests: Mobile junkie. Firm believer in the 3 Ts to happiness, Tools, Toys & Technology Poet, bard, lover of life & all that…
For the last 20 years, technology has been Jeffrey’s focus both professionally and personally. Professionally, Jeffrey is widely respected as an expert in his field of interest and has been a guiding voice in a number of accessibility initiatives in Canada. He has provided training for developers, publishers, technicians and a wide variety of other audiences across Canada on topics such as accessible application design, web accessibility & adaptive computer technology. Jeffrey manages a program which continues to be a driving force in the fields of accessibility and adaptive computer technology & has been internationally recognized for the unique services provided to persons with disabilities, injuries & ergonomic requirements.
In his personal life, Jeffrey has been advocating for accessibility & inclusion within Canada. Jeffrey strongly believes in the need for institutionalization of accessibility requirements into all areas with an IT component. There are internationally recognized standards that developers need to follow in order for a system to be accessible. This is a little like the accessibility standards in the build environment (i.e. doorways have to be a certain width to accommodate a wheelchair, ramps, signage, contrasting colors etc). The same exists in web content, applications and other systems. Accessibility means that people with and without disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with information, services and applications. The adoption of accessibility standards, guidelines and best practices ensure that systemic barriers are eliminated prior to individual accommodations.
Jeffrey is very aware of the technology that is deployed across Canada in the general public. He regularly volunteers his technical services in the general public to persons with disabilities and families of persons with disabilities who require technological accommodations.
Read Jeffrey’s Blog at: http://blog.blackspheretech.com
Follow Jeffrey On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/lordJeff
View & Connect with Jeffrey on LinkedIn at: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lordJeff
