RE: [Draft 1] Share your perspectives on Text Customization for Readability

Hi Shawn, all

I think the email is fine, but have proposed some extra text, for
comment, to provide some context to this invitation.

With the message, my view is that we need to reach out to three groups
of people:
1. to encourage those who have an important perspective to share, but
couldn't - or didn't want to - submit a full 1000 word contribution, to
do so without the effort required for a full submission
2. to reassure those who did make the effort to submit an accepted
contribution that their efforts will still be rewarded as having the
prestige of accepted papers (online publication, reference in the
symposium report etc), distinct from any additional contributions we
receive.
3. to provide a second opportunity to contribute for those who did
submit, but received feedback that indicated they would need to do a lot
of work to shape their submission into something that would meet the
scope and aims of the symposium, and are maybe at the moment having
second thoughts over whether they want to take part or not. 

We also need to make clear whether we expect people who do respond to
this call to also participate in the Symposium - I think that there
should be strong encouragement that they do.

Question - should we provide specific guidance on length and format of
submission - e.g. "as a guide, we would expect contributions to be
approximately one paragraph of text"?

# suggested rewrite

Subject: : Invitation for short contributions to Text Customization for
Readability Online Symposium

The Text Customization for Readability Online Symposium will be held on
Monday 19 November 2012. This symposium will explore the needs of people
with low vision, dyslexia, and other conditions and situations that
impact reading. It focuses specifically on providing users the ability
to change (or personalize) various aspects of text display/formatting to
improve readability for their particular needs.

We have already solicited a number of high-quality full submissions,
which have been peer-reviewed, will form the basis of the symposium's
discussions, and will be published on the WAI-RDWG web site. We
recognise, though, that some potential symposium participants may wish
to share their views in a more informal manner. 

In order to ensure that the symposium can take these views into account,
**we invite short, informal, perspectives on text customization for
readability** as additional contributions. For example, you can send a
brief summary of what you learned about text customization from research
you have done in the past, or a personal perspective on the challenges
you or someone you know face in this area.

We would expect that if you submit a contribution that you will also
participate in the Symposium itself.

In order for us to consider your perspectives as we finalize plans for
the Symposium, please send your contribution via e-mail to the
publicly-archived list (that can be referenced in the Symposium and
subsequent report):
<@@>
     *by 12 November 2012*

We are specifically looking for information to help:

Etc etc...

Hope this helps
Dave

The University of Dundee is a Scottish Registered Charity, No. SC015096.

Received on Tuesday, 23 October 2012 09:50:14 UTC