17 January 2006
Association of Accessibility Professionals (AAP) Launches
The Usability & Accessibility Working Group (UA-WG) today announced that they have re-branded as the Association of Accessibility Professionals (AAP). They have also launched a new website at www.accessibility-professionals.org, to reflect the new name.
Visitors to the website will be able to access a comprehensive set of accessibility and usability articles, in addition to information on the AAP. The website will also contain information about the accessibility accreditation scheme that the AAP will be launching in the near future.
The re-brand was announced as the board of the group decided that the group's focus should be solely on promoting accessibility. The group boasts scientists, academics, and industry professionals among its members. The AAP is a non-profit organisation that has no vested interests and is vendor-neutral.
Léonie Watson, Chair-person for the AAP, was a creative designer and programmer who went from 20:20 vision to absolute blindness.
She says: "Since the evolution of the Disability Discrimination Act, web usability and accessibility have become hot issues. I am very encouraged by the commitment of people that obviously have a real passion for these issues. We already have some interesting initiatives to consider that could make a significant difference."
The first initiative the AAP is looking to promote is the first ever accessibility accreditation scheme for suppliers of web design services. The accreditation will enable the digital industry to identify qualified suppliers in what is a legally essential requirement for all organisations on the web. It will include education elements, a continuous self-assessment facility and a formal accreditation process.