RE: Communication and climate reset

Andrew, Josh and All,

 

I too appreciate you making this specific effort in leadership of this group. Please stay vigilant, non-partisan, and open-minded.

 

I apologize to any working group who I may have offended over the last couple of weeks and for my over- zealousness over this chartering effort. (My frustration was focused at a few, and all were made to suffer for it….:-(….)

 

I was out of line at times. I think the ugliness of the US presidential race, started to rub off on me.

 

​​​​​I was new to this group once, and lurked for quite a while. What helped me most was constantly being re-assured by the group and chairs that my unique point-of-view and experience was valuable to the group - even by the people who I considered giants. 

 

In no way was I not wanting you to speak-up and share, I did feel that the voices of those who had been around the longest were not being listened to, which, in my mind is just as much of a problem as not listening to those who have been hear the shortest.

 

I would like to encourage all, especially those-who-consider-themselves-newbies to share their thoughts respectfully – and again I apologize if my actions may have thwarted your input.

 

My goal was to ensure that the voices of the newbies and non-newbies alike were not lost in the maelstrom, which appeared to me to be happening. I am glad the chairs have made this commitment to be more focused on listening, monitoring and reponding respectfully to all…..

 

I also encourage all who contacted me privately, to speak up on the list - and - with the chairs and staff, about their concerns – without fear.

 

I for one, would LOVE to see this climate be reset….:-)

 

 

* katie *

 

Katie Haritos-Shea 
Principal ICT Accessibility Architect (WCAG/Section 508/ADA/AODA)

 

Cell: 703-371-5545 |  <mailto:ryladog@gmail.com> ryladog@gmail.com | Oakton, VA |  <http://www.linkedin.com/in/katieharitosshea/> LinkedIn Profile | Office: 703-371-5545 |  <https://twitter.com/Ryladog> @ryladog

 

From: Kurt Mattes [mailto:kurt.mattes@deque.com] 
Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2016 10:16 AM
To: Glenda Sims <glenda.sims@deque.com>
Cc: EA Draffan <ead@ecs.soton.ac.uk>; tink@tink.uk; Andrew Kirkpatrick <akirkpat@adobe.com>; WCAG <w3c-wai-gl@w3.org>; WCAG Editors <team-wcag-editors@w3.org>
Subject: Re: Communication and climate reset

 

A passionate lot indeed! Maintaining the balance between healthy, strong minded, respectful debate and stifling argumentation is a fine art of leadership. 

Very thankful to Andrew and Josh for their patience to allow and encourage open discourse, and skillful ability to identify when passionate debate becomes disrespectful commentary. 

 

On Sat, Oct 22, 2016 at 8:39 AM, Glenda Sims <glenda.sims@deque.com <mailto:glenda.sims@deque.com> > wrote:

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 <http://deque.com>     |    512.963.3773 <tel: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 <mailto: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 <tel:%2B44%20%280%297976%20289103> 
http://access.ecs.soton.ac.uk
UK AAATE rep http://www.aaate.net/



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

 





 

-- 

Regards,
Kurt Mattes

Accessibility Program Manager

Deque Systems

610-368-1539