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Re: accessiBe are seeking credibility by association

for

From: Lucy GRECO
Date: Jun 26, 2021 9:48AM

Sadly it needed the membership to be outraged and start screaming at them
though before they actually took this move they wouldn't have done it if
people hadn't complained

On Fri, Jun 25, 2021, 5:16 PM Shawn Henry < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:

> 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
> > > > > archives at http://webaim.org/discussion/archives
> > > >
> > > > > archives at http://webaim.org/discussion/archives
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > >