Re: Follow-up on the meetings on accessibility research with APA/RQTF and WAI-CooP

Resending (with apologies) to correct my malformed cc field !!

Carlos, All:

Below I offer a draft of language I would like to see in the
announcement we're discussing to amplify the "Personalization" and
"Pronunciation" items. Edits are welcome. I'm doing my best not to
prejudice potential work, but also to avoid proposals we already know
have no hope, e.g. anyone proposing to solve pronunciation with a "fix"
to HTML parsing will only waster our time.

<begin proposed language>

The W3C/WAI Accessible Platform Architectures (APA) Working group would also
welcome either implementing engineering or original research proposals in two
key areas of APA's current work.

1.)	APA's Personalization Task Force
	<https://www.w3.org/WAI/APA/task-forces/personalization/> welcomes
work aimed at providing technological solutions to a variety of challenges
encountered by persons with disabilities with web technology, especially
(though not exclusively) challenges for persons with cognitive and learning
disabilities, many of which are described in this W3C Note publication
<https://www.w3.org/TR/coga-usable/>.

2.)*	APA's Spoken Presentation Task Force is attempting to develop
standards based approaches, including user agent components, that could bring
consistency and predictability to TTS pronunciation of web based content
across user agents and operating environments, for languages both ancient and
modern (See <https://github.com/w3c/pronunciation/blob/main/README.md>). Two
important points are highlighted for potential proposals in this area:

*	Any solution requiring changes to HTML parsers will not be accepted by
	the industry anytime soon--possibly not for decades to come.

*	A significant engineering gap has emerged between the perceived needs
	of assistive technology vendors vis a vis the browser vendors 
in github issues as shown here: <https://github.com/w3c/pronunciation/issues> 

Carlos Duarte writes:
> Hi everyone,
> 
> Please find attached an updated call for participation, including updates
> to the list of topics (mostly to improve legibility) and the organizing
> committee with a better clarification of roles to ensure it raises no EC
> concerns about duplicate funding (through WAI-CooP and WAI-Guide projects).
> 
> Remember that we are still waiting for the official confirmation from APA
> about their co-organizer status.
> 
> Cheers,
> Carlos
> 
> 
> On Fri, 3 Sept 2021 at 19:27, Carlos Duarte <caduarte@campus.ul.pt> wrote:
> 
> > Hi all,
> >
> > As promised, I've prepared a new version of the call for participation,
> > which I'm attaching to this email. The major changes include:
> > - The list of topics. Please check if there are relevant topics missing or
> > if you would prefer some to be rephrased
> > - Including the APA as a co-organizer of the event. The answers I got back
> > from you seem to point in this direction. But this call won't go public
> > until I get an official approval.
> > - Including Josh as one of the organizers (thanks for volunteering).
> > Please check if you would like a different affiliation displayed. And I
> > don't expect there will be a lot of effort involved. Right now, suggestions
> > for people to invite to the scientific committee are welcomed.
> >
> > Wish you all a great weekend!
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Carlos
> >
> > On Fri, 3 Sept 2021 at 17:06, Joshue O'Connor <joconnor@w3.org> wrote:
> >
> >> Hi Carlos and all,
> >>
> >> Sounds good to me, and I'm happy to defer to your suggestion of a more
> >> terse overview.
> >>
> >> > It would be great if you could expand on that a
> >> >> bit and submit it to the symposium and present it there. In this way
> >> you
> >> >> will not depend on someone else picking the topic, and you would
> >> ensure
> >> >> it gets exposure during the symposium!
> >>
> >> Sounds good - I'll take an action to do that.
> >>
> >> Please do feel free to let me know if you need help or any more
> >> assistance.
> >>
> >> Have a good weekend all
> >>
> >> Josh
> >>
> >> Carlos Duarte wrote on 02/09/2021 16:39:
> >> > Hi everyone,
> >> >
> >> > Josh, thanks for volunteering for the scientific committee and for
> >> > suggesting the topics. As Shadi mentioned, it is fairly common to
> >> > include a list of topics in the calls for participation in this type of
> >> > event. So, yes, we can include such a list in the call, and I'll update
> >> > it tomorrow with additional topics that we found in our previous
> >> > analysis. Of course, I'll include Josh's and Jason's suggestions.
> >> > Janina, feel free to send additional topics.
> >> >
> >> > Regarding the inclusion of explanatory information for the topics, I
> >> > honestly don't believe we should include it. In my opinion, not only
> >> > would it make the call too verbose, it might prevent people from
> >> > exploring other perspectives for the same topic in their contributions.
> >> > But let me take this chance to take advantage of your willingness to
> >> > write the explanations. It would be great if you could expand on that a
> >> > bit and submit it to the symposium and present it there. In this way
> >> you
> >> > will not depend on someone else picking the topic, and you would ensure
> >> > it gets exposure during the symposium!
> >> >
> >> > Tomorrow I'll send the updated call. In the meantime, I'll be happy to
> >> > read more suggestions.
> >> >
> >> > Cheers,
> >> > Carlos
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > On Wed, 1 Sept 2021 at 13:54, Janina Sajka <janina@rednote.net
> >> > <mailto:janina@rednote.net>> wrote:
> >> >
> >> >     +Becky with her correct address. Please update your addressbooks as
> >> >     needed!
> >> >
> >> >     Thanks Josh, Shadi:
> >> >
> >> >     I like the list and agree that mixing in some additional topics
> >> would be
> >> >     perfectly fine. If this approach is agreeable, I'd like to provide a
> >> >     single explanatory link for a couple of the topics--where we already
> >> >     have work in progress in order to explain what the engineering
> >> >     roadblocks/opportunities are. On other topics that came from APA
> >> there's
> >> >     not even a conceptualizing overview yet, though we do expect some
> >> >     conversations at TPAC.
> >> >
> >> >     Best,
> >> >
> >> >     Janina
> >> >
> >> >     Shadi Abou-Zahra writes:
> >> >      > Hi Josh, Carlos,
> >> >      >
> >> >      > Thanks for that suggestion Josh. I like the idea. I think it's
> >> >     common for
> >> >      > calls for papers to have suggested topics as "including but not
> >> >     limited to".
> >> >      > Carlos, maybe you found other hot topics in the analysis you did,
> >> >     to mix the
> >> >      > list topics a little more?
> >> >      >
> >> >      > Best,
> >> >      >   Shadi
> >> >      >
> >> >      >
> >> >      > On 01/09/2021 12:32, Joshue O'Connor wrote:
> >> >      > > Hi Carlos,
> >> >      > >
> >> >      > > [+ Scott Hollier, Research Questions lead w Jason White]
> >> >      > >
> >> >      > > It is good to hear from you, and it was a very interesting
> >> >     discussion.
> >> >      > > Thanks for the included workshop proposal. I've some items to
> >> >     feedback
> >> >      > > to you on. Firstly, while there is potential benefit of a
> >> >     tabula rasa,
> >> >      > > or blank sheet approach to finding new areas of accessibility
> >> >     related
> >> >      > > research - maybe it would be a good idea to include some
> >> initial
> >> >      > > suggested topics?
> >> >      > >
> >> >      > > This would set the scene for researchers, and give a sense for
> >> >     potential
> >> >      > > topics of interest but not limit them either. I would not want
> >> them
> >> >      > > presented as the 'only options'. I'm therefore going to suggest
> >> >     some
> >> >      > > topics below that do reflect the collected interests and
> >> current
> >> >      > > research questions underway in the Research Questions Task
> >> >     Force, as
> >> >      > > well as APA more broadly.
> >> >      > >
> >> >      > > They are (in no particular order):
> >> >      > >
> >> >      > > * Accessibility APIs: Future directions
> >> >      > > * Emerging technologies and user requirements: XR
> >> >     Accessibility, Natural
> >> >      > > language accessibility
> >> >      > > * XR Architectures: Future directions
> >> >      > > * Assistive technology, browsers and pronunciation
> >> >      > > * Personalization and accessibility
> >> >      > >
> >> >      > > If you like this approach and agree to these suggestions, I can
> >> >     write
> >> >      > > them more descriptively.
> >> >      > >
> >> >      > > Secondly, I would be very happy to help you (wearing an APA
> >> >     hat) with
> >> >      > > paper review and organisation as you need.
> >> >      > >
> >> >      > > Happy to hear your thoughts, and indeed input from others.
> >> >      > >
> >> >      > > With thanks
> >> >      > >
> >> >      > > Josh
> >> >      >
> >> >      > --
> >> >      > Shadi Abou-Zahra - http://www.w3.org/People/shadi/
> >> >      > Accessibility Strategy and Technology Specialist
> >> >      > Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)
> >> >      > World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
> >> >
> >> >     --
> >> >
> >> >     Janina Sajka
> >> >     https://linkedin.com/in/jsajka
> >> >
> >> >     Linux Foundation Fellow
> >> >     Executive Chair, Accessibility Workgroup: http://a11y.org
> >> >
> >> >     The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), Web Accessibility Initiative
> >> (WAI)
> >> >     Co-Chair, Accessible Platform Architectures
> >> http://www.w3.org/wai/apa
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > --
> >> > *Carlos Duarte*
> >> > LASIGE, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa
> >> > Web: https://www.di.fc.ul.pt/~cad/ <https://www.di.fc.ul.pt/%7Ecad/>
> >> > Twitter: @carlosapaduarte
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> Emerging Web Technology Specialist/Accessibility (WAI/W3C)
> >>
> >
> >
> > --
> > *Carlos Duarte*
> > LASIGE, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa
> > Web: https://www.di.fc.ul.pt/~cad/
> > Twitter: @carlosapaduarte
> >
> 
> 
> -- 
> *Carlos Duarte*
> LASIGE, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa
> Web: https://www.di.fc.ul.pt/~cad/
> Twitter: @carlosapaduarte

> ---
> title: 'Shape the Future: Research and Development Questions in Digital
>   Accessibility'
> ---
> 
> Call for Submissions
> 
> The Web Accessibility Initiative - Communities of Practice
> ([WAI-CooP](https://www.w3.org/WAI/about/projects/wai-coop/)) Project
> and the W3C Accessible Platform Architectures
> ([APA](https://www.w3.org/WAI/APA/)) invite researchers, practitioners,
> and people with disabilities to participate in an international online
> symposium exploring research challenges and opportunities in digital
> accessibility.
> 
> Symposium date: **10 November 2021**
> 
> Paper submission date: **6 October 2021**
> 
> Accepted contributions will be made available on the symposium page and
> will be open to discussion prior to the symposium through the WAI-CooP
> open forum \[link?\]. Authors of accepted contributions will be invited
> to participate as panelists in the symposium. Attendance to the
> symposium is open to anyone interested.
> 
> Introduction
> ============
> 
> This online symposium brings together researchers, academics, industry,
> government, and people with disabilities, to explore the current
> state-of-the-art in accessibility research, development, and practice to
> uncover pressing topics for future research and development.
> 
> Another goal of this symposium is to explore potential gaps between the
> topics discussed by researchers and practitioners. By increasing
> awareness to the challenges faced by all communities, collaborations
> could emerge and improve the current state of accessibility research and
> practice.
> 
> We welcome submissions that address, but are not limited to, the
> following topics:
> 
> -   Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)
> 
> -   Artificial Intelligence (AI)
> 
> -   Assistive Technology
> 
> -   Data Visualization
> 
> -   Education and training
> 
> -   Emerging technologies
> 
> -   Evaluation, metrics and scoring
> 
> -   Immersive Environments (XR)
> 
> -   Machine Learning (ML)
> 
> -   Multimodal Interfaces
> 
> -   Natural Language Interfaces
> 
> -   Personalization
> 
> -   Pronunciation
> 
> -   Remote Participation
> 
> -   User requirements
> 
> We invite position papers discussing these topics using real-life
> settings and raising current issues and needs for discussion. After the
> symposium, the WAI-CooP project will publish a report, consolidating the
> discussions and findings.
> 
> Important Dates
> ===============
> 
> -   **6 October 2021:** Deadline for submissions
> 
> -   **27 October 2021:** Author notifications
> 
> -   **7 November 2021: Deadline for registration**
> 
> -   **10 November 2021:** Online symposium event
> 
> Paper Submissions
> =================
> 
> We invite the submission of position papers of no more than 1500 words.
> We encourage concise contributions clearly explaining the:
> 
> -   Problem addressed
> 
> -   Relevant background
> 
> -   Challenges
> 
> -   Outcomes
> 
> -   Future perspectives
> 
> Position papers must be submitted in the template provided, be valid
> HTML, and meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
> 
> Review Process
> ==============
> 
> Contributions will be reviewed by the Scientific Committee. Each paper
> will get at least two independent reviews for criteria including
> clarity, soundness, and relevance to the symposium. Papers will be
> accepted based on these criteria and space availability.
> 
> Logistics
> =========
> 
> This meeting will take place on the Zoom teleconference system with
> real-time captioning. Connection details will be sent by email to
> registered participants.
> 
> Registration
> ============
> 
> Participation is free, but registration is required by 7 November 2021.
> 
> Organizing Committee
> ====================
> 
> -   Chairs
> 
>     -   Carlos Duarte (LASIGE, Faculty of Sciences of the University of
>         Lisbon)
> 
>     -   Letícia Seixas Pereira (LASIGE, Faculty of Sciences of the
>         University of Lisbon)
> 
> -   APA Liaison
> 
>     -   Joshue O\'Connor (W3C/WAI)
> 
> Scientific Committee
> ====================
> 
> (Will be announced soon)
> 
> Organization
> ============
> 
> The "Shape the Future: Research and Development Questions in Digital
> Accessibility" research symposium is organized by the
> [WAI-CooP](https://www.w3.org/WAI/about/projects/wai-coop/) Project, an
> European Commission co-funded project, under the Horizon 2020 Program
> (101004794) and the W3C Accessible Platform Architectures
> ([APA](https://www.w3.org/WAI/APA/)).


-- 

Janina Sajka
https://linkedin.com/in/jsajka

Linux Foundation Fellow
Executive Chair, Accessibility Workgroup:	http://a11y.org

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)
Co-Chair, Accessible Platform Architectures	http://www.w3.org/wai/apa

Received on Wednesday, 8 September 2021 13:48:52 UTC