About

Mission

The mission of the AccessAbility SIG is threefold: (1) provide resources, information, and support to technical communicators with disabilities; (2) provide resources that will help technical communicators make the products they create accessible to end users with disabilities; (3) provide strategic leadership in both areas through positive initiatives and open communication, both inside and outside the Society.

Disclaimer

The AccessAbility SIG does not diagnose, prescribe, or endorse. We simply provide information to those who want it. For more information about product endorsements and other disclaimers, please see our Legal Information page.

Goals

Assist technical communicators with disabilities.
Help technical communicators make their products accessible to end users with disabilities.
Demonstrate strategic leadership in the advocacy of improved accessibility for technical communicators and end users with disabilities.
Evolve into an autonomous virtual community in 2006-7.

Our Logo and Tagline

Our logo represents The Wind Beneath Your Wings © Copyright 1999, Barbara Luther, WindBeneathYourWings.com. The AccessAbility SIG acknowledges Barbara’s kind permission to share her slogan. More information is in Logo Design History.

The Significance of the Starfish

The starfish was our symbol when we were an STC committee. For the meaning of the starfish, see Why the Starfish?

SIG Leaders

Primary contact: Use the Contact Us form with Subject selections.

Co-Managers: managers@stc-access.org: Karen Mardahl (Frederiksberg, Denmark); Lori Gillen (Framingham, MA; Boston Chapter)
Web Diva: webdiva@stc-access.org: Cynthia Lockley (Adelphi, Maryland; Washington, DC Chapter)
Treasurer: treasurer@stc-access.org: Carolyn Watt (Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto Chapter)

How Can We Help You?

Examples of “accessibility needs” include speech recognition software, Braille keyboards, improved wheelchair access, or a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) business line. Managers and instructors are often unaware of resources that could help those with accessibility needs. Additionally, they may be unaware of ethical guidelines that are also important in such cases. The AccessAbility SIG is the first STC-supported endeavor to address these gaps.

By identifying products, services, and literature that may be useful to individuals with accessibility needs.
By identifying people (or their employers or instructors) who need the products, services, and literature.
By serving as a clearinghouse to match people with products, services, and/or relevant literature relating to a variety of accessibility needs.
By promoting ethical practices among professionals when working with individuals with accessibility needs.

The founding SNC Committee Manager, Judy Skinner, says, “As a communicator with disabilities, I know first-hand the importance of technology and community services.” Jodie Gilmore, a senior STC member who is legally blind, points out, “Sometimes a ‘need’ can be as simple as a drafting table or an ergonomically correct platform for a computer.” If you have a disability or accessibility need, we’d like to hear from you—especially if you have solutions you’d like to share with other people!

Nonprofit

STC is a Section 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational, scientific, and charitable organization.

Individuals or organizations who are interested in supporting the SIG by donating equipment, services, or financial assistance should contact the STC headquarters.

Make checks out to the Society for Technical Communication and include a note explaining that the check is for the AccessAbility SIG. Mail checks to

Society for Technical Communication
9401 Lee Highway
Suite 300
Fairfax, Virginia 22031