Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Assistive Technology & Accessibility Groups

Providing assistive technology and facilitating accessibility are two very large jobs. Several groups have been formed over the years to work on issues related to assistive technology and accessibility. In today's blog post I just want to mention a few that I've come across.

The Accessibility Interoperability Alliance (AIA) "encourages the enhancement of current technologies, the creation of new technology, and promotes the implementation of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and specifications cross-platform and across the industry." Starting with the Microsoft Active Accessibility (MSAA), APIs have been created to support AT tools and applications. The AIA seeks standardization of the interface for better interoperability.

The Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) is a network of technology resource centers, community-based organizations, agencies, individuals, and companies whose mission is to "increase the use of technology by children and adults with disabilities and functional limitations." Using a consumer-directed model, the ATA's 40 centers offer technology consultations, training, lending libraries, family advocacy, information and referral.

The Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) is "a not-for-profit membership organization of manufacturers, sellers and providers of technology-based assistive devices and/or services." The ATIA puts on the the largest AT conference in North America, "speaks with a common voice" for the AT industry, and supports publications.

The International Game Developers Association Game Accessibility Special Interest Group "helps the game community strive towards creating mainstream games that are universally accessible to all, regardless of age, experience and disability." This advocacy group promotes awareness of the problems people with disabilities have using computer games and helps provide solutions.

These organizations are only a few of those working on assistive technology and accessibility issues.

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