Re: Communication and climate reset

A very big +1.  Thank you Andrew and Josh for your willingness and skill in
leading this group.

glenda sims    |   team a11y lead   |    deque.com    |    512.963.3773


*web for everyone. web on everything.* -  w3 goals

On Sat, Oct 22, 2016 at 6:14 AM, EA Draffan <ead@ecs.soton.ac.uk> wrote:

> 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
>
>