RE: Communication and climate reset

Please may I echo Leonie's thoughts, as although I tend to lurk on the list I am very aware of all the amazing work being done and just try to hang on in there with the tiny bit with which I am involved. 

Best wishes
E.A. 

Mrs E.A. Draffan
WAIS, ECS , University of Southampton
Mobile +44 (0)7976 289103
http://access.ecs.soton.ac.uk

UK AAATE rep http://www.aaate.net/ 


-----Original Message-----
From: Léonie Watson [mailto:tink@tink.uk] 
Sent: 22 October 2016 11:43
To: Andrew Kirkpatrick <akirkpat@adobe.com>; WCAG <w3c-wai-gl@w3.org>
Cc: WCAG Editors <team-wcag-editors@w3.org>
Subject: Re: Communication and climate reset

Thank you Andrew and Josh, for your consideration during recent discussions, and for your efforts to make this WG a good place to get work done. As co-chair of another WG, I know how challenging it can be sometimes!

Léonie.

--
@LeonieWatson tink.uk Carpe diem

On 22/10/2016 02:42, Andrew Kirkpatrick wrote:
> WCAG’ers,
>
> It has been an interesting and challenging couple of weeks. Josh and I 
> want to follow up with the group regarding some comments we have 
> received and things we have observed in the group.
>
> First off, we know that everyone on the group is very dedicated to our 
> work. We also know that everyone is engaging in the work with the goal 
> of bettering accessibility for people with disabilities through our 
> efforts and the resulting documents we produce. It is natural that 
> there are differences in opinion as to the best ways to proceed toward 
> that goal, but we do need to make sure that we maintain a respectful 
> and collegial atmosphere as we work through these differences, and as 
> well once decisions are made.
>
> We believe that it is very difficult for a group the size of WCAG to 
> function without the occasional hiccup or even getting slightly off 
> course. Some of the discussion in group meetings and some of the email 
> discussion has caused some concern for members. Some group members 
> feel that other members are being too forceful in advocating their 
> views and may feel their inclination to engage stifled as a result.  
> Other group members feel inappropriately or indirectly targeted by sharp critiques.
>
> To help the group reach its goals we feel that it is critical that 
> everyone feel welcomed to raise ideas or comments. I know most people 
> on the group well enough that I can comfortably ask what I may worry 
> is an ignorant question or challenge a bold assertion, but that isn’t 
> the case for everyone.  I hope that others on the list can chime in to 
> share their support for hearing ideas and having regular engagement 
> from all participants (I’m sure that many of us have stories about our 
> first stressful interactions with the group of WCAG accessibility 
> experts!)
>
> Another part of the environment we are trying to have in WCAG relates 
> to email communications and group discussions. We all have our 
> passions and need to ensure that we keep ourselves in check in order 
> to make sure that we are communicating in ways that respects others in 
> the group and that respects the decisions of the group. We are all 
> expected to not only be expert in our field but to demonstrate the 
> social competencies needed to function as a part of a group. Josh and 
> I will do our best to enforce this and be good models.
>
> If anyone in the group has concerns about how the group is 
> functioning, the group's work climate, or how the chairs are (or are 
> not) doing their jobs, we would like to hear about it. Please don’t 
> hesitate to let either of us aware of concerns or suggestions, or if 
> you don’t feel comfortable talking to us please also feel free to speak to Michael.
>
> We are happy to be working with such an amazing group of dedicated, 
> passionate, and knowledgable people, and look forward to the difficult 
> and exciting challenges ahead of us!
>
> Thanks,
> AWK
>
> Andrew Kirkpatrick
> Group Product Manager, Standards and Accessibility Adobe
>
> akirkpat@adobe.com
> http://twitter.com/awkawk

Received on Saturday, 22 October 2016 11:15:11 UTC