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Mission Statement

The mission of Accessible Techcomm 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.

Goals

1. Assist technical communicators with disabilities.
2. Help technical communicators make their products accessible to end users with disabilities.
3. Demonstrate strategic leadership in the advocacy of improved accessibility for technical communicators and end users with disabilities.

Disclaimer

The Accessible Techcomm 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.

Areas of Focus

Accessible Techcomm aims to provide information about accessibility needs for all communicators. Within the many areas of accessibility issues, Accessible Techcomm has designated eight primary areas of focus. The following eight categories are

• Cognitive
• Hearing
• International Disability
• Internet Accessibility
• Mobility
• Speech
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Vision

Promotional Brochure

Download our "Accessible Techcomm" promotional brochure (890 KB .pdf file designed for printing) and let others know about us.

Leaders

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

Manager: Manager

Karen Mardahl (Frederiksberg, Denmark)

Web Diva: Web Diva

Cynthia Lockley (Adelphi, Maryland)

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. Accessible Techcomm endeavors 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.

A friend, Judy Skinner, says, "As a communicator with disabilities, I know first-hand the importance of technology and community services." Jodie Gilmore, 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

Accessible Techcomm is a not-for-profit educational organization.

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