- From: Judy Brewer <JBrewer@w3.org>
- Date: Tue, 3 Mar 1998 11:05:00 -0500 (EST)
- To: w3c-wai-ig@w3.org
- Cc: "Mike Burks" <mburks952@worldnet.att.net>
Yes, essentially the "universal design" argument, couched in a strong business case. This has been going over well in presentations to date, is part of the reason for the recent new interest in WAI I've mentioned in a parallel posting, and so is one of the earlier pieces we will formally write up as education & outreach materials. - Judy At 10:49 AM 3/3/98 -0500, Mike Burks wrote: >I would like to add my voice in support of this idea. One of the things >that the WAI could do is help Industry see what they have to gain in real >terms by making things accessible. For example, cell phones that access the >web or e-mail via sound use essentially the same technology as screen >readers. These will be used by mainstream users. I have been thinking that >a great deal of other "assistive technology" will also be used in the >mainstream. If we can point out this advantage to these companies I believe >it will go a long way towards gaining support for this initiative. > >Sincerely, > >Mike Burks > >The opinions expressed above are mine and do not necessarily reflect those >of my employer. >-----Original Message----- >From: Mike Paciello <paciello@yuri.org> >To: Scott Luebking <phoenixl@netcom.com>; w3c-wai-ig@w3.org ><w3c-wai-ig@w3.org> >Cc: paciello@yuri.org <paciello@yuri.org> >Date: Tuesday, March 03, 1998 10:33 AM >Subject: Re: One of those pesky questions > > >>I'd second Scott's thought with an additional note. Browsing as we know it >>today is changing rapidly, particularly in the area of display interfaces. >>Kiosks, TV's, cell phones, cars, watches, consumer electronic products, >>etc..etc... all are being equipped with web based, wireless display >>interfaces. Sun, SpyGlass, Netscape, IBM, Adobe and a host of telco and >>cable manufacturers already have made the investment. Without their >>"buy-in", the WAI battle becomes much more difficult and, perhaps, somewhat >>futile. >> >>I am of the humble opinion that our "battle" would be much easier if more >>emphasis was placed on education, awareness, and outreach (with a subtle, >>but powerful PR strategy) geared at helping industry and, ultimately, >>resulting in gaining their support. >> >>After all the hard work that the Guidelines WG has put in over the past >>several months, I haven't had any inkling that the W3C is gaining >>membership support for the WAI. I really wonder what's going on in the >>minds of those 200+ members. Since the release of the guidelines, are W3C >>members eager to implement and "advertise" their support? Clearly IBM and >>Microsoft have been there right from the start (thank goodness)...But I >>really would like to see "new kids on the block", demonstrating similar >>support and zeal. >> >>Sorry for getting off on a tangent...and I am in no way trying to >>dishearten the outstanding work already accomplished...but it comes right >>back to what Scott indicated below -- development without participation = >>zero integration. >> >>- Mike >> >> >> >>At 06:40 AM 3/3/98 -0800, Scott Luebking wrote: >>>Hi, >>>Both the au and ui groups are meeting via phone this week. I'm afraid >>>I keep having one of those pesky questions cropping up for me. >>> >>>Basically, how many browser companies have shown a willingness to >>>modify their browser software. Various browser companies may show >>>something like moral support. However, this type of support can >>>be fairly cheap. What happens when they need to expend resources >>>for changing their software to include accessibility? For example, >>>as near as I can tell, Netscape has not shown any interest in taking >>>on the chore of modifying their browser software to include >>>aceesibility aspects. If the WAI decides what is needed in browsers >>>without participation of browser companies, the browser companies >>>will have less a sense of ownership of the issues and will be more >>>reluctant to make changes to their software. >>> >>>Scott >>> >>> >>> >> > ------------------------------------------------------- Judy Brewer jbrewer@w3.org 617-258-9741 Director, Web Accessibility Initiative International Program Office World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) MIT/LCS Room NE43-355 545 Technology Square, Cambridge MA 02139 USA http://www.w3.org/WAI
Received on Tuesday, 3 March 1998 11:05:05 UTC