Thread Subject: Re: idea to stimulating on-line dialog

Note

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From: Bailey Bruce
Date: Wed, Oct 11 2006 7:45 AM

> Yes, I understand how wikis work technically.

My apologies if I sounded condescending.

> But given the relatively low level of familiarity
> we could wind up with multiple appearances of the
> existing Standards,

Which is part of my reason for pinging Jared about a template. (Not
that multiple instances of the template couldn't be invoked for the same
standard, but it would inhibit people accidentally editing the a portion
of the page that was meant to be a reference.)

> and disjointed conversations.

They cannot be more disjointed than trying to follow listserv archives!

> I'm really concerned that I hear some very conflicting
> things. At one point I hear that everyone won't have to know
> how to use the WIKI. Then, I hear that we're going to use it
> for brain storming. I'm really concerned that we're rapidly
> moving toward confusion. I think we need to firmly determine
> the role of each tool, determine who is likely to make most
> use of it, and how the tools will interconnect.

The listservs will be the most familiar medium for everyone. The most
vigorous discussions and brainstorming will happen there. Look at how
this task force is thrashing things out! The wiki is a mechanism, for
those that are so inclined, to summarize and collect the concussions.
Subcommittee members should be comfortable browsing the wiki, but I do
not think most need to learn how to edit it.

The subcommittee chairs need to report to the committee at the committee
meetings. The wiki should make that task easier, but doubtless the
conversations on the listservs will also influence those reports.

> I also want to raise one more item--the conference calls. I
> would think the Access Board can support committee members
> participating in a toll call if necessary, but they can't do
> so for the general public.

The last part may not be true.

> If consumers want to participate,
> and do not have nationwide calling, it's going to be
> prohibitive. And, since no real public word has gone out, we
> don't know which committees would be most impacted if any are.

We (the Board staff) have investigated sponsoring toll-free dial-in for
the subcommittee meetings and concluded that we do not have the budget
for that. Further, we also are not convinced that calling a long
distance number is an obstacle for most people to participate. Please
encourage anyone who feels a financial hardship to contact Tim to
request reimbursement.

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