AccessAbility SIG of STC: Information about the A-SIG

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Society for Technical Communication

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About The AccessAbility SIG

Mission Goals Calendar of Events Leadership and Process Documentation
Areas of Focus History Photo Archives
How Can We Help You? Sponsors Contact Us

Mission

The mission of the AccessAbility SIG is threefold: (1) provide resources, information, and support to technical communicators with disabilities; (2) provide resources that will help technical communicators make the products they create accessible to end users with disabilities; (3) provide strategic leadership in both areas through positive initiatives and open communication, both inside and outside the Society.

Goals

Assist technical communicators with disabilities.
Help technical communicators make their products accessible to end users with disabilities.
Demonstrate strategic leadership in the advocacy of improved accessibility for technical communicators and end users with disabilities.
Evolve into an autonomous virtual community in 2006-7.

Disclaimer

The AccessAbility SIG does not diagnose, prescribe, or endorse. We simply provide information to those who want it. For more information about product endorsements and other disclaimers, please see our Legal Information page.

Calendar of Events

The AccessAbility SIG's Calendar of Events displays dates in the STC calendar year that are important to the SIG and its members.

Leadership and Process Documentation

5-Year Strategic Plan (51.3 KB )
Recharter (54.9 KB )
Election Procedure (36.4 KB )
Membership Procedure (35 KB )
Officer Descriptions (42.6 KB )
Succession Plan (35.7 KB )
Transition Plan (40 KB )

Areas of Focus

The SIG aims to provide information about accessibility needs for all communicators. Within the many areas of accessibility issues, the SIG has designated seven primary areas of focus.

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History

For the background on how the SIG evolved from an initial committee for special needs to the AccessAbility SIG, see our History page. The logo was revised when the SIG was renamed. For information about the past and present logos, see Logo History. The significance of the starfish used in the navigation links on the pages is explained in "The Story of the Starfish" (116 K PDF file ) by Dan Voss.

How Can We Help You?

Examples of "accessibility needs" include speech recognition software, Braille keyboards, improved wheelchair access, or a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) business line. Managers and instructors are often unaware of resources that could help those with accessibility needs. Additionally, they may be unaware of ethical guidelines that are also important in such cases. The AccessAbility SIG is the first STC-supported endeavor to address these gaps.

By identifying products, services, and literature that may be useful to individuals with accessibility needs.
By identifying people (or their employers or instructors) who need the products, services, and literature.
By serving as a clearinghouse to match people with products, services, and/or relevant literature relating to a variety of accessibility needs.
By promoting ethical practices among professionals when working with individuals with accessibility needs.

The founding SNC Committee Manager, Judy Skinner, says, "As a communicator with disabilities, I know first-hand the importance of technology and community services." Jodie Gilmore, a senior STC member who is legally blind, points out, "Sometimes a 'need' can be as simple as a drafting table or an ergonomically correct platform for a computer." If you have a disability or accessibility need, we'd like to hear from you—especially if you have solutions you'd like to share with other people!

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We thank the generous companies that have graciously donated funds and services to the AccessAbility SIG:

Saul Carliner
Carliner & Company
Boston, Massachusetts

Dana Chisnell
UsabilityWorks
San Francisco, California 94133

Pat Guard
Columbia Litho
Camas, Washington 98607

Gail Lippincott and her husband
http://www.engl.unt.edu/~gail/
Denton, Texas

Donna Sakson
Sakson & Taylor
Seattle, Washington

Dan and Ria Voss
Orlando, Florida

STC is a Section 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational, scientific, and charitable organization.

Individuals or organizations who are interested in supporting the SIG by donating equipment, services, or financial assistance should contact

Lisa Pappas
A-SIG Co-Manager:
strategic planning, administration
E-mail:

Make checks out to the Society for Technical Communication and include a note explaining that the check is for the AccessAbility SIG. Mail checks to

Society for Technical Communication
901 North Stuart Street
Suite 904
Arlington VA 22203-1822

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Contact Us

Send comments, questions, and suggestions to the . Or contact the A-SIG Co-Managers directly:

Karen Mardahl
A-SIG Co-Manager:
international issues
E-mail:

Lisa Pappas
A-SIG Co-Manager:
strategic planning, administration
E-mail:

Karen Mardahl
A-SIG Co-Manager:
international issues
E-mail:

Lisa Pappas
A-SIG Co-Manager:
strategic planning, administration
E-mail:

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Last updated: 24 February 2008
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