After looking at the BCAB web site, I'd say their emphasis is significantly different from what I envisioned. I listed 3 things I thought the IAVICP would do: 1. Serve as an unbrella site for accessibility info For example, if you want to find out about accessible Windows installs, you google "site:iavicp.org install windows". It could serve as a mirror for things like nvda, speakup, and orca. 2. Provide social networking (as opposed to computer networking). For example, I'm imagining that if a member hears about a job opening, he could post about it on the IAVICP web site. I already do this with my friends. When I hear about a IT job opening at the University of Wisconsin where I work, I send it out to my friends via email. 3. Advocacy for accessibility of products essential to computer professional jobs. For example, work with Microsoft to make the Windows installer accessible, Work with vmware to make the vmware virtual infrastructure web app accessible. The BCAB is marginally involved in these kinds of things but it's not their emphasis. I mean, I seriously doubt the BCAB has contacted vmware about the inaccessibility of their application. The difference in emphasis is important in that our jobs depend on accessibility. The NFB, for example, has a committee to deal with computer accessibility issues. And, yes, they talk to Microsoft about accessible installs. But the vast majority of blind people don't care that the Windows installer is inaccessible. The vast majority of blind people don't care that the vmware web app is inaccessible. The NFB has to focus on things like the Target web sit because that kind of thing effects far more blind people than vmware's web app. ----- Original Message ----- From: "George Bell" <george@techno-vision.co.uk> To: "Blind sysadmins list" <blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org> Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 3:40 AM Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] AVICP?
Isn't that what BCAB (British Computer Association of the Blind) is for?
There web site is at http://www.bcab.org.uk/
George.
-----Original Message----- From: blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of John Heim Sent: 11 January 2009 19:33 To: Blind sysadmins list Subject: [Blind-sysadmins] AVICP?
All,
I'm thinking of trying to start an organization for blind and visually
impaired computer professionals. This group would have 3 purposes: 1. Serve as an umbrella group for providing technical information for
blind computer professionals. 2. Provide social networking services. By social networking, I don't necessarily mean fun & games. That's okay but I was thinking more in terms of jobs. 3. Provide advocacy. For example, the group could approach vmware about making their products more accessible to the blind and visually
impaired. I know the NFB has a sub-committee that attempts to address
computer accessibility but their approach is geared more toward the general public. Not that there is anything wrong with suing Target, for example, but is small potatoes from my point of view. The inaccessibility of vmware, for example, directly effects my abilityto
get and keep a job.
I am tentatively thinking of using the name Association of Visually Impaired Computer Professionals, AVICP. What do you think?
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BCAB