Re: Seeking feedback on IAAP certification roadmap

The intent is to certify a person's knowledge of accessibility. The goal is
to create a certification credential (or set of certification credentials)
that truly means "accessibility professional" (at least to the extent that
an assessment can verify; I realize that experience also matters).

WCAG is an important part of that, but not the only part. Certification
won't be limited to A, AA, or AAA or even to WCAG. Charles has rightly
pointed out that ATAG and UAAG are relevant. By confirming that WCAG is
important, I didn't confirm that other things -- like voting machine
accessibility -- are out of scope for IAAP certification. Accessibility --
and digital accessibility in particular -- crosses over many domains and
industries. Accessibility professionals will need to address accessibility
concerns in a variety of environments and situations, including situations
that haven't even been invented yet.

To do this, accessibility professionals need a solid understanding of
disability types, assistive technologies, accessibility principles (such as
those in WCAG, ATAG, and UAAG), and the skills to put all of those pieces
of information together in practical solutions.

I can't say exactly what will be included in the assessment, because it
isn't written yet. In fact, that's one of the next steps: define the
competencies to be tested for certification.






Paul Bohman, PhD
Director of Training
Deque Systems, Inc
www.deque.com
703-225-0380, ext.121


On Sat, Apr 12, 2014 at 8:13 PM, <Tony.Jasionowski@us.panasonic.com> wrote:

> Paul,
> No I was not referring to certification of web sites. Will you certify a
> person based on their understanding of only WCAG 2.0 in general or their
> knowledge of the differences between Levels A, AA or AAA? In other words
> will you have 3 different levels (A, AA, AAA) of WCAG 2.0 certification or
> just one certification to cover all 3 levels?
> Thanks.
> Tony
>
> Tony Jasionowski
> Senior Group Manager Accessibility
> Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
> Two Riverfront Plaza, 9th Floor
> Newark, NJ 07102
> Email: tony.jasionowski@us.panasonic.com
> Tel/Fax: 201-348-7777
>
>
>
>
>
>
> From:        Paul Bohman <paul.bohman@deque.com>
> To:        Tony Jasionowski <Tony.Jasionowski@us.panasonic.com>,
> Cc:        Bob carroll <accessys@smart.net>, "J. Albert Bowden" <
> jalbertbowden@gmail.com>, "Lastort Joanne L [Contractor]" <
> Joanne.L.Lastort@irs.gov>, David Hilbert Poehlman <poehlman1@comcast.net>,
> W3C WAI ig <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org>
> Date:        04/11/2014 09:48 PM
> Subject:        Re: Seeking feedback on IAAP certification roadmap
> ------------------------------
>
>
>
> > Is your focus on WCAG 2.0? If not please clarify further? As you know
> AODA already requires WCAG 2.0 Level AA. Will IAAP certify each Level of
> WCAG 2.0?
>
> My response: The IAAP will certify the skills of an individual according
> to the current best practice. Right now, and for the foreseeable future,
> WCAG 2.0 is considered best practice for many kinds of digital content, so
> yes, the IAAP will test a person's knowledge and skills relative to WCAG
> 2.0. If and when that changes, the IAAP will adapt to the new best
> practices.
>
> IAAP will not certify web sites or organizations, if that's what you were
> asking.
>
>
> Paul Bohman, PhD
> Director of Training
> Deque Systems, Inc
> *www.deque.com* <http://www.deque.com/>
> 703-225-0380, ext.121
>
>
> On Fri, Apr 11, 2014 at 8:56 PM, <*Tony.Jasionowski@us.panasonic.com*<Tony.Jasionowski@us.panasonic.com>>
> wrote:
> Paul,
> Noted, IAAPs focus is based on this email list, which I totally support as
> an IAAP #1 priority? Is your focus on WCAG 2.0? If not please clarify
> further? As you know AODA already requires WCAG 2.0 Level AA. Will IAAP
> certify each Level of WCAG 2.0?
> Best wishes,
> Thanks.
> Tony
>
> Tony Jasionowski
> Senior Group Manager Accessibility
> Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
> Two Riverfront Plaza, 9th Floor
> Newark, NJ 07102
> Email: *tony.jasionowski@us.panasonic.com*<tony.jasionowski@us.panasonic.com>
> Tel/Fax: *201-348-7777* <201-348-7777>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> From:        Paul Bohman <*paul.bohman@deque.com* <paul.bohman@deque.com>>
> To:        Tony Jasionowski <*Tony.Jasionowski@us.panasonic.com*<Tony.Jasionowski@us.panasonic.com>>,
>
> Cc:        David Hilbert Poehlman <*poehlman1@comcast.net*<poehlman1@comcast.net>>,
> "Lastort Joanne L [Contractor]" <*Joanne.L.Lastort@irs.gov*<Joanne.L.Lastort@irs.gov>>,
> Bob carroll <*accessys@smart.net* <accessys@smart.net>>, "J. Albert
> Bowden" <*jalbertbowden@gmail.com* <jalbertbowden@gmail.com>>, W3C WAI ig
> <*w3c-wai-ig@w3.org* <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org>>
> Date:        04/11/2014 07:09 PM
> Subject:        Re: Seeking feedback on IAAP certification roadmap
>  ------------------------------
>
>
>
> Many people on this list are accessibility professionals, so the
> collective group of you are indeed one of the target audiences of the IAAP.
> In fact, the first certification category that will be developed is in the
> realm of digital accessibility, so right now you are the main target
> audience. If the IAAP branches out later (that's not a given), then it will
> be appropriate to engage with other similar professional groups in those
> areas.
>
>
> Paul Bohman, PhD
> Director of Training
> Deque Systems, Inc
> *www.deque.com* <http://www.deque.com/>
> *703-225-0380, ext.121* <703-225-0380%2C%20ext.121>
>
>
> On Fri, Apr 11, 2014 at 6:46 PM, <*Tony.Jasionowski@us.panasonic.com*<Tony.Jasionowski@us.panasonic.com>>
> wrote:
> Joanne,
> I agree with you that IAAP scope is beyond the scope of this list.
> Tony
>
>
> Tony Jasionowski
> Senior Group Manager Accessibility
> Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
> Two Riverfront Plaza, 9th Floor
> Newark, NJ 07102
> Email: *tony.jasionowski@us.panasonic.com*<tony.jasionowski@us.panasonic.com>
> Tel/Fax: *201-348-7777* <201-348-7777>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> From:        David Hilbert Poehlman <*poehlman1@comcast.net*<poehlman1@comcast.net>
> >
> To:        "*Tony.Jasionowski@us.panasonic.com*<Tony.Jasionowski@us.panasonic.com>"
> <*Tony.Jasionowski@us.panasonic.com* <Tony.Jasionowski@us.panasonic.com>>,
>
> Cc:        "Lastort Joanne L [Contractor]" <*Joanne.L.Lastort@irs.gov*<Joanne.L.Lastort@irs.gov>>,
> Bob carroll <*accessys@smart.net* <accessys@smart.net>>, "J. Albert
> Bowden" <*jalbertbowden@gmail.com* <jalbertbowden@gmail.com>>, Paul
> Bohman <*paul.bohman@deque.com* <paul.bohman@deque.com>>, W3C WAI ig <
> *w3c-wai-ig@w3.org* <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org>>
> Date:        04/11/2014 02:26 PM
> Subject:        Re: Seeking feedback on IAAP certification roadmap
>  ------------------------------
>
>
>
> Perhaps then it is too broad to discuss on this list?
>
>
> --
> Jonnie Appleseed
> with his
> Hands-On Technolog(eye)s
> touching the internet
> Reducing technologeyes' disabilities
> one byte at a time
>
> On Apr 11, 2014, at 14:13, *Tony.Jasionowski@us.panasonic.com*<Tony.Jasionowski@us.panasonic.com>wrote:
>
> Joanne,
> WCAG only relates to web accessibility and not the many other aspects of
> accessibility, which I assume IAAP will address and/or certify. It seems
> the scope of IAAP is intended to be international and cover all aspects of
> accessibility, which is a real challenge.
> Tony
> <mime-attachment.jpg>
> Tony Jasionowski
> Senior Group Manager Accessibility
> Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
> Two Riverfront Plaza, 9th Floor
> Newark, NJ 07102
> Email: *tony.jasionowski@us.panasonic.com*<tony.jasionowski@us.panasonic.com>
> Tel/Fax: *201-348-7777* <201-348-7777>
>
> <mime-attachment.gif>
>
>
>
>
> From:        "Lastort Joanne L [Contractor]" <*Joanne.L.Lastort@irs.gov*<Joanne.L.Lastort@irs.gov>
> >
> To:        Paul Bohman <*paul.bohman@deque.com* <paul.bohman@deque.com>>,
> "*Tony.Jasionowski@us.panasonic.com* <Tony.Jasionowski@us.panasonic.com>"
> <*Tony.Jasionowski@us.panasonic.com* <Tony.Jasionowski@us.panasonic.com>>,
>
> Cc:        Bob carroll <*accessys@smart.net* <accessys@smart.net>>, "J.
> Albert Bowden" <*jalbertbowden@gmail.com* <jalbertbowden@gmail.com>>, W3C
> WAI ig <*w3c-wai-ig@w3.org* <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org>>
> Date:        04/10/2014 09:37 AM
> Subject:        RE: Seeking feedback on IAAP certification roadmap
>  ------------------------------
>
>
>
> Most countries are aligning themselves with WCAG 2.0 - even the US (at
> least partially). That should help, if you're going to use any kind of
> standard.
>
> Thank you for your help,
>
> Joanne Lastort
> IT Specialist
> 508 Program Office (IRAP)
> *240-613-4681* <240-613-4681> (new)
> TOD: 8am-4:30pm Eastern
> IRAP Web site: *http://irap.web.irs.gov* <http://irap.web.irs.gov/>
> Please send all correspondence to *508 (*508@irs.gov* <508@irs.gov>)
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Paul Bohman [*mailto:paul.bohman@deque.com* <paul.bohman@deque.com>]
>
> Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2014 9:32 AM
> To: *Tony.Jasionowski@us.panasonic.com*<Tony.Jasionowski@us.panasonic.com>
> Cc: Bob carroll; J. Albert Bowden; W3C WAI ig
> Subject: Re: Seeking feedback on IAAP certification roadmap
>
> Tony,
>
> I agree that localization of laws is complex, but IAAP is international,
> so we can't focus only on US laws.
>
>
>
> Paul Bohman, PhD
> Director of Training
> Deque Systems, Inc
> *www.deque.com* <http://www.deque.com/>
> *703-225-0380, ext.121* <703-225-0380%2C%20ext.121>
>
>
>
> On Wed, Apr 9, 2014 at 9:31 PM, <*Tony.Jasionowski@us.panasonic.com*<Tony.Jasionowski@us.panasonic.com>>
> wrote:
>
>
>                Folks,
>                There is a wide variation between ADA, CVAA and other
> international accessibility laws, which may not be harmonized. I suggest
> IAAP should focus onto the U.S., since it may be too difficult to encompass
> international certification.
>                Tony
>
>                Tony Jasionowski
>                Senior Group Manager Accessibility
>                Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
>                Two Riverfront Plaza, 9th Floor
>                Newark, NJ 07102
>                Email: *tony.jasionowski@us.panasonic.com*<tony.jasionowski@us.panasonic.com>
>                Tel/Fax: *201-348-7777* <201-348-7777>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>                From:        Paul Bohman <*paul.bohman@deque.com*<paul.bohman@deque.com>>
>
>                To:        *accessys@smart.net* <accessys@smart.net>,
>                Cc:        "J. Albert Bowden" <*jalbertbowden@gmail.com*<jalbertbowden@gmail.com>>,
> W3C WAI ig <*w3c-wai-ig@w3.org* <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org>>
>                Date:        04/08/2014 08:05 PM
>
>                Subject:        Re: Seeking feedback on IAAP certification
> roadmap
>
> ________________________________
>
>
>
>
>                IAAP certification is not specific to any law, such as the
> ADA. It is for accessibility professionals in a variety of accessibility
> disciplines. Similarly, the IAAP is an international organization, not just
> for American laws.
>
>                It's also important to separate the concept of courses from
> certification. The IAAP will offer a variety of educational resources and
> opportunities which can impart the kind of knowledge necessary to pass
> certification, but the certification itself is an assessment; a test. The
> idea behind certification is to show that the individual has met a certain
> level of expertise in the field, according to industry-accepted
> competencies.
>
>
>                Paul Bohman, PhD
>                Director of Training
>                Deque Systems, Inc
>                *www.deque.com* <http://www.deque.com/> <
> *http://www.deque.com/* <http://www.deque.com/>>
>                *703-225-0380, ext.121* <703-225-0380%2C%20ext.121><tel:703-225-0380%2C%20ext.121>
>
>
>                On Tue, Apr 8, 2014 at 7:55 PM, <*accessys@smart.net*<accessys@smart.net><
> *mailto:accessys@smart.net* <accessys@smart.net>> > wrote:
>
>                when I took the DoJ training back in 1992 they made it very
> clear that there was going to be no accepted "Certification" for ADA, so
> wonder how this sits with the DoJ position or has it changed???
>
>                and how will it relate to DoJ training courses??
>
>                Bob
>
>                On Tue, 8 Apr 2014, J. Albert Bowden wrote:
>
>                Date: Tue, 8 Apr 2014 19:47:40 -0400
>                From: J. Albert Bowden <*jalbertbowden@gmail.com*<jalbertbowden@gmail.com><
> *mailto:jalbertbowden@gmail.com* <jalbertbowden@gmail.com>> >
>                To: Paul Bohman <*paul.bohman@deque.com*<paul.bohman@deque.com><
> *mailto:paul.bohman@deque.com* <paul.bohman@deque.com>> >
>                Cc: W3C WAI ig <*w3c-wai-ig@w3.org* <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org> <
> *mailto:w3c-wai-ig@w3.org* <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org>> >
>                Subject: Re: Seeking feedback on IAAP certification roadmap
>                Resent-Date: Tue, 08 Apr 2014 23:48:09 +0000
>                Resent-From: *w3c-wai-ig@w3.org* <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org> <
> *mailto:w3c-wai-ig@w3.org* <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org>>
>
>
>                does it cost money to get certified?
>
>
>
>                On Tue, Apr 8, 2014 at 1:15 PM, Paul Bohman <
> *paul.bohman@deque.com* <paul.bohman@deque.com> <
> *mailto:paul.bohman@deque.com* <paul.bohman@deque.com>> > wrote:
>
>                Cross posted request for feedback:
>
>                The International Association of Accessibility
> Professionals (IAAP) needs
>                your feedback on our roadmap for accessibility
> certification. Here is the
>                roadmap as it stands now:
>
>
> *http://www.accessibilityassociation.org/content.asp?contentid=163*<http://www.accessibilityassociation.org/content.asp?contentid=163><
> *http://www.accessibilityassociation.org/content.asp?contentid=163*<http://www.accessibilityassociation.org/content.asp?contentid=163>>
>
>
>                We are still in the early stages of designing the
> certification, so your
>                feedback is most valuable now, before we commit to a
> certain path.
>
>                Here are some questions to consider as you read the roadmap:
>
>                   1. What do you think of the roadmap overall?
>                   2. What would you do to improve our roadmap?
>                   3. What do you think of the *levels* of certification
> outlined in the
>                   roadmap?
>                   4. Are there any broad *Knowledge Domains and Roles*
> that we have left
>
>                   off that should be included?
>                   5. Do you like our list of *Digital Accessibility* areas
> of
>
>                   certification? Should we add to or subtract from this
> list? (For example,
>                   one person commented that we should add gaming to the
> list.)
>                   6. Do you like the idea of certifying for these areas
> separately, in a
>                   modular approach as we have done? (See the section on
> *Referencing
>                   IAAP Credentials* for an explanation of how this might
> work)
>                   7. Do you like the 3 year period for certification?
> Would you make it
>
>                   shorter (2 years) or longer (5 years)?
>                   8. What kind of certification assessment would you
> create? Keep in
>
>                   mind that it has to be a valid and meaningful test of
> the right kind of
>                   competencies, it must be challenging enough that novices
> could not pass it
>                   without first studying or gaining experience,  it must
> be scalable (not too
>                   burdensome to administer or grade/score the assessment),
> and translatable
>                   into other languages.
>                   9. Once certification becomes available, do you think
> you would go
>
>                   through the process to become certified? Why or why not?
>                   10. What else should we consider as we move forward?
>
>
>                To give feedback, you can reply directly to this email, or
> you can send an
>                email to the certification committee:
> *CC@accessibilityassociation.org* <CC@accessibilityassociation.org> <
> *mailto:CC@accessibilityassociation.org* <CC@accessibilityassociation.org>>
>
>
>                Paul Bohman, PhD
>                Chair, IAAP Certification Committee
>                Director of Training
>                Deque Systems, Inc
>                *www.deque.com* <http://www.deque.com/> <
> *http://www.deque.com/* <http://www.deque.com/>>
>                *703-225-0380, ext.121* <703-225-0380%2C%20ext.121><tel:703-225-0380%2C%20ext.121>
>
>
>
>
>                --
>                J. Albert Bowden II
>
>                *jalbertbowden@gmail.com* <jalbertbowden@gmail.com> <
> *mailto:jalbertbowden@gmail.com* <jalbertbowden@gmail.com>>
>
>                *http://bowdenweb.com/* <http://bowdenweb.com/> <
> *http://bowdenweb.com/* <http://bowdenweb.com/>>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> <Jasionowski_Tony.vcf>
>
>
>