ALBANY, NY - August 8, 2001 - The NYS Forum for Information Resource Management (NYSFIRM), in collaboration with the NYS Office for Technology, the Center for Technology in Government, the NYS Office of Advocate for Persons with Disabilities and the Government Technology Conference will be hosting a one-day session on Information Technology Accessibility for persons with disabilities. The session, entitled Information Technology Accessibility and Usability: Policies and Tools, will be held from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm on September 11, 2001 in the Senate Hearing Room in the Legislative Office Building on State Street in Albany, New York.
Featured speakers include Mr. Michael Corso, Manager of Residential Advocacy, NYS Public Service Commission, who will open the session with a vision of both the aspirations and difficult realities inherent to the achievement of information technology accessibility. Mr. Ken Nakata, Trial Attorney (invited), U.S. Department of Justice, will provide an overview of the legal issues surrounding accessibility. Corporations representing hardware, software and assistive technologies will be represented on a series of panels geared to inform participants of the latest developments as well as provide opportunities for questions.
Gregory Benson, Executive Director of the NYS Forum for Information Resource Management stated "New York State views the achievement of equitable information accessibility as a fundamental and time sensitive goal and is striving to become a national leader in this important arena. This program is intended to provide attendees with the very latest information concerning what tools are available at present, a glimpse of what the future holds, and an understanding of the policy and legal context that surrounds information technology accessibility. It is no surprise that the results of our recent survey of New York state agency IT staff confirmed that accessibility is a top priority. Those recent results provide a clear statement that in New York, our public sector information management professionals have a sincere commitment to achieving equitable access to information technology. The program on September 11 is designed to better enable our state and local government agency staff to achieve that important goal."
The New York State Office for Technology has implemented several initiatives to promote information technology as a seamless issue within the arena of information technology. The intent is to assure that accessibility is a recognized cornerstone of providing information and services via information technology. "The Information Technology Accessibility and Usability: Policies and Tools session is an opportunity to continue and promote the progress already made in New York regarding information technology accessibility and will serve to strengthen our State's commitment to ensuring accessibility," said William Pelgrin, Executive Deputy Commissioner of the Office for Technology.
Those interested in attending this program can register online at http://www.nysfirm.org or request a hard-copy registration form by calling (518) 443-5001 or sending an email request for a registration form to info@nysfirm.org.
NOTE: Persons with disabilities who need an accommodation to attend this program should register and indicate the accommodation needed no later than August 30, 2001.
NYSFIRM is a member organization of information resource management leadership in New York state and local government agencies whose mission is to promote policies and practices for effective development, use and management of information resources in New York State. For further information about NYSFIRM programs call (518) 443-5001 or email info@nysfirm.org. Visit NYSFIRM online at http://www.nysfirm.org.
# # #