STC Usability SIG Newsletter
Usability Interface

SIG News

Usability SIG News

Washington, DC Chapter Announces Professional Outreach Award Winner
Congratulations to Allen Rotz for winning the Washington, DC Chapter Professional Outreach Award.

Allen is recognized for his ownership of all Washington, DC Chapter Usability SIG events, collaboration with related organizations, excellent articles summarizing presentations, innovative ideas, and dedication to making the STC Washington, DC Chapter the best it can be.

Distinguished SIG Service Award
Whitney Quesenbery, the heart and soul of the Usability SIG, has been recognized for her contributions. Her citation: For outstanding leadership of and continuing contributions to the Usability SIG; and for sharing your enthusiasm, experience, and dedication to the profession.

Special Needs SIG News

Starfish Chamber
By Dan Voss, Special Needs SIG Manager
Since we've doubled in size since the last newsletter, let me just one more time share the story of the starfish, with apologies to those who have seen it before.

"I'm reminded of the story about the beach strewn with starfish and the little girl picking them up and throwing them back in the ocean.
'Little girl,' a passer-by said, 'what are you doing?'
'I'm saving starfish,' she replied.
'But there are so many! Your efforts can't possibly make a difference.'
As she picked up another starfish, the little girl said, 'It makes a difference to that one.'
We ask you to help us make a difference."

This poignant little vignette perfectly encapsulates the mission of the Special Needs SIG. Can we possibly ever achieve a world that is 100% accessible to every person with every disability? Clearly not. But does that mean we should give up and not even try? Not in this SIG it doesn't!

And it was with this spirit that a small band of volunteers launched a worldwide outreach to the STC chapters back in September, seeking new members both to help us pursue our initiatives and also to confront the reality of a severely reduced budget under the newly imposed per capita allocation of SIG budgets. As the Society's newest and smallest SIG, this hit us hardest. At the time, we numbered 106. Seven months later, we are at 209 and still growing. We were able to regain sufficient budget that, along with some strategic adjustments, we can continue to pursue our objectives.
I am pleased to present "starfish awards" to the Operation Starfish team:
Lori Gillen, who co-managed the operation and without whose diligent upfront work on organization and communication, it would not have been possible. The aggressiveness of this assignment pushed Lori to the very edge of her comfort zone, but she responded like a true champion and a genuine leader.

Judy Vinegar, who stepped up to relieve Lori in the later phase of the operation when she was overwhelmed at work. Judy was also one of our three "Green Berets" who took on a second round of chapter contacts to cover a few gaps created by circumstances beyond the control of other volunteers.

Other Green Berets were Jim Bersie, who has since "retired" from active duty, and Pauline Horn. Among the three, it's no exaggeration that they contacted chapters whose combined membership totaled at least 30% of STC's total population.

Rounding out this outstanding team, all of whom put substantial time and energy into phone calls and e-mails to get our message out throughout STC, were Gail Lippincott, Kim McConnell, Mike Murray, Fabien Vais, Gloria Reece, Lori Allen, Helen Marty, Jodie Gilmore, Sue Lowing, and Carolyn Watt. Fifteen people. Six months. One hundred three new members and still counting.
When we announced the results of Operation Starfish, within two days our hearts were warmed to receive not one but two corporate sponsorships. One came from Dana Chisnell, the other from Donna Sakson. Our benefactors said they recognized how hard we had worked to build our organization and that they wanted to make certain we had what we needed to fulfill our mission.

Do you know what that was like? For the 15 of us in Operation Starfish, it was like being on the beach and suddenly being joined by three knights on white chargers with large nets to help us save starfish.

Thank you, Dana. Thank you, Donna. Thank you to all our colleagues throughout STC who have rallied behind us. Thank you, Starfish volunteers. We have prevailed against all odds. And we have made new friends all over the world. And now, back to our mission.

Unveiling … Conference Guide for People with Special Needs
By Dan Voss, Special Needs SIG Manager
After several months of research, site visits, writing, and editing, the team of Fabien Vais, Gail Lippincott, Gloria Reece, Lori Gillen, Judy Vinegar, Jodi Shumway, and Melissa Haughton have completed the final draft of this year's 68-page Guide for People with Special Needs.

At press time, the Guide was at the Society Office for review/approval and was due to be posted to the conference Web site shortly. By the time you read this, you should find it there. You can also request an e-file from the project lead, Fabien Vais, at fabien.vais@videotron.ca.

The Guide is an impressive, data-rich publication with valuable information for attendees with disabilities regarding accessibility, accommodations, potential problem areas and workarounds, and available resources and services.
Fabien, Gail, Jodi, and Lori will be conducting another pre-conference onsite visit and publishing a short Addendum to the Guide to be available at registration as Fabien did for the inaugural Conference Guide at Nashville last year.

Special Needs SIG Distinguished Service Award
Judy Skinner of the Lone Star Chapter founded the Special Needs Committee (SNC) in 1997 after battling her way back from the debilitating effects of a near-fatal auto accident. She led the SNC for three years and remains our spiritual leader. Her citation reads: For pioneering and guiding STC's Special Needs Committee (now the SNSIG)-and for teaching us the lesson of the starfish