WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

E-mail List Archives

Re: accessiBe are seeking credibility by association

for

From: Shawn Henry
Date: Jun 25, 2021 6:16PM

Hi Steve,

W3C did not take any position on their membership, or on any other organization's membership. See previous messages on the WebAIM list and the WAI IG list. I'm not sure how else to explain this.

In case other people missed those messages, the essence is:
"Membership in W3C is open to all types of organizations (including commercial, educational and governmental entities) and individuals. Any entity that can sign the Membership Agreement can become a Member." -- from https://www.w3.org/Consortium/membership-faq#who

W3C does not pick and choose who can become members and who cannot. That is fundamental to what W3C is all about.

(Also fundamental to what WAI is all about is the W3C Process that promotes consensus of the Membership, Team, and public; and promotes fairness, responsiveness, and progress.
W3C Process Document
https://www.w3.org/Consortium/Process/
And W3C's code of conduct that promotes high standards of professional practice and ensures an environment where people can participate without fear of harassment. That is important for all involved in such discussions under W3C.
Positive Work Environment at W3C: Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
https://www.w3.org/Consortium/cepc/
)

Feel free to contact me directly if you have further questions about W3C Membership.

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



On 25-Jun-21 1:23 AM, Steve Green wrote:
> It's nice to see that there's one organisation that's willing to take a strong stand against Accessibe. It's a shame the W3C took such a lame position on their membership.
>
> https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-convention-sponsorship-statement-regarding-accessibe
>
> Steve
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Steve Green
> Sent: 28 May 2021 23:06
> To: WebAIM Discussion List < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
> Subject: RE: [WebAIM] accessiBe are seeking credibility by association
>
> That quote is under the "How do websites get listed on accessFind?" heading on the home page of https://accessfind.com/.
>
> Steve
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: WebAIM-Forum < <EMAIL REMOVED> > On Behalf Of <EMAIL REMOVED>
> Sent: 28 May 2021 20:33
> To: 'WebAIM Discussion List' < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
> Subject: Re: [WebAIM] accessiBe are seeking credibility by association
>
> Where did you find this quote. It will help with some other research I'm doing.
> "accessiBe-powered websites are automatically added"
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: WebAIM-Forum < <EMAIL REMOVED> > On Behalf Of Steve Green
> Sent: Friday, May 28, 2021 3:26 PM
> To: WebAIM Discussion List < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
> Subject: [WebAIM] accessiBe are seeking credibility by association
>
> 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
> > > >
> > > > > > > >