Web Accessibility Groups NOT Sharing their
Best Practices with Designers? - Shared by Jojo Esposa Jr.
Jojo Esposa's Shared Query
>I got this from the GAWDS main web site and from the e-group.
>After knowing that roughly three of top 100 web sites of every country
>are accessible to persons with disabilities, the British Broadcasting
>Company (BBC) through Mr. Mark Gristock is now accusing,
>"Accessibility consultants and organisations for the disabled
>clutch their knowledge of user requirements to them like they are the
>key to future profits - which indeed they are. "
>"If they had any interest in raising standards, they would be
>sharing their findings with the world and opening dialogue with the
>design and business community about how best to integrate techniques
>with standard processes."
>Visit this site for complete details:
>http://elgg.net/slimjimb/weblog/142346.html
>Wow! I hope PWAG will not be accused of this now or even in the near
>future. We are here to promote, share and educate people about the
>benefits of web accessibility while aiming to raise the standard of
>Philippine designed web sites.
Mel Pedley's Response
>Total rubbish!
>I think this person, who is part of a company (Foviance) that carried
>out usability testing on some of the sites that were probably tested and
>failed, is currently feeling more than a little threatened by such a
>damaging report and is looking for somewhere - anywhere - to place the
>blame.
>I was particularly interested to note that Foviance are not members of
>GAWDS, so it would appear that, not only does the company not practice
>what it preaches, it fails to avail itself of the free and open
>accessible web design dialogues that *are* available.
Lemuel Cabia's Response
>Very nice point Mel.
>to all,
>I might be guessing that this would also be the case of the group *if*
>CICT-NCC and NCWDP to which PWAG is under its support banner and advocacy,
>cannot comply with even the minimum levels of accessibility for their
>web sites (as soon as possible). -- not mentioning of so many
>*reasons* that may arise. but... typically, whatever the reason is not
>the issue, yet it is the timely and fair access to information and
>services - how they (users) want it, where they want it, and when they
>want it!
>Like the foviance (usability firm na 'yan ha?!), to mention mel's
>comment again -- "it would appear that, not only they (foviance) not
>practice what it preaches, it fails to avail itself of the free and
>open accessible web design dialogues (and even guidelines) that are
>already available."
>di kaya huli na kung sasabihin pa nila na..."papunta na kami dyan". eh
>na-accuse na sila...
>so sa part natin, ano pang hinihintay natin? pasulong tayo, we are not
>procrastinating because of so many (logical?) reasons.
Abner Manlapaz' Response
>Thank you Jojo for sharing your thought about this matter...
>I hope this group will be known as the pioneers here in the Philippines
>who promoted the web accessibility and sharing your skills and knowledge
>to benefit all...
Rey Mendoza's Response
>Sing with me.....
>"wag kang bibitiw bigla...."
>Kidding aside, we the core group are from mostly private institutions
>and most of the time and money we spend are form our own
>(that's why it's called advocacy) and what we expect from the government
>is just support to attain the missions and goals of this group.
>Accessibility is just starting to gain ground here. It may be a long journey,
>but a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.
>I'm really surprised that we still dont have any line-up of things to
>do for the government, we already made known our intentions to help them.
>Sorry to be blunt about it, but I was expecting to participate in
>e-accessibility day and we did not get any news about how can we help.
Sonny Villafania's Response
>Yup, same here. I was waiting actually for an invitation last Dec. 4,
>2006. I guess I am hooked already on this accessibility thing. I've 4
>more sites to update or redesign.
>I do hope that that interesting meeting/seminar at the NCWDP will not
>be the last.
Nelia De Jesus' Response
>It will not be the last Sonny, rest assured. Quiet kami but count
>on us, ok? Lani of NCC is helping us with our site before uploading it,
>then we shall ask all your help to enhance it..be patient pls!
