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Re: accessiBe are seeking credibility by association

for

From: Shawn Henry
Date: May 28, 2021 4:39PM

Hi Ryan, Lisa, Steve, WebAIM list folks,

In answer to your question and points: "Membership in W3C is open to all types of organizations... Any entity that can sign the Membership Agreement can become a Member." from:
Membership FAQ
https://www.w3.org/Consortium/membership-faq#who
(I think this is the latest Member Agreement, although I'd have to confirm if needed <https://www.w3.org/2009/12/Member-Agreement>.)

That is, W3C does not "allow" or deny any organization. And indeed some Members have conflicting interests with each other.

There are more perspectives on the WAI IG mailing list -- archives:
https://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/w3c-wai-ig/2021AprJun/thread.html

(If you decide to chime in there, please note: "Important: WAI IG List Conduct" with link to Code of Ethics/Conduct
https://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/w3c-wai-ig/2021AprJun/0164.html

Best,
~Shawn
<http://www.w3.org/People/Shawn/>;


On 28-May-21 4:11 PM, L Snider wrote:
> The overall question is, is W3C checking all companies that are part of
> developing standards? For professionals in the field, they are likely part
> of companies, big or small, or academic institutions, organizations, etc.
> What about conflict of interest by members?
>
> Just overall questions to consider. For example, if one is developing a
> standard such as WCAG (or even other working groups that influence WCAG),
> which is specifically put into legislation, and becomes law for countries
> around the world. This impacts millions of people, and has since 1999 (I
> would argue today it is in way more legislation world wide and now impacts
> so many more countries) it may be time to consider this at an organization
> level for all W3C work.
>
> Cheers
>
> Lisa
>
> On Fri, May 28, 2021 at 6:02 PM Ryan E. Benson < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
> wrote:
>
>> I was poking around about a week ago, and thought they and somebody like
>> them were already listed. By allowing them to the table, we give them say
>> they benefit the WG. Does the W3C allow companies that do black hat SEO to
>> be members?
>>
>> --
>> Ryan E. Benson
>>
>> On Fri, May 28, 2021, 3:26 PM Steve Green < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Earlier today on the W3C WAI email discussion group, there was a mixed
>>> reaction to the news that accessiBe plan to become members of the W3C. I
>>> say it was a mixed reaction, because it was split between "this is a
>>> terrible thing and we have to stop it" and "this is a terrible thing but
>> we
>>> should tolerate it till they break the rules". I side with the latter
>> view.
>>>
>>> Now I find that they are claiming to be building the world's first search
>>> engine for accessible sites - https://accessfind.com/. This is actually
>>> untrue - one of my colleagues created one in 2004.
>>>
>>> I was immediately suspicious, and then I found this - "accessiBe-powered
>>> websites are automatically added". Add this to their W3C membership, and
>>> they are definitely trying to gain credibility by associating themselves
>>> with the right people and causes. They recently received $28 Million
>> Series
>>> A funding, so I fear this is just the start, and that they will be a
>>> formidable adversary.
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>> Steve Green
>>> Managing Director
>>> Test Partners Ltd
>>> 020 3002 4176 (direct)
>>> 0800 612 2780 (switchboard)
>>> 07957 246 276 (mobile)
>>> 020 7692 5517 (fax)
>>> Skype: testpartners
>>> <EMAIL REMOVED>
>>> www.testpartners.co.uk
>>>
>>> Connect to me on LinkedIn - http://uk.linkedin.com/in/stevegreen2
>>> >>> >>> >>> >>>
>> >> >> >> >>
> > > > >