Internet Accessibility Mexico 2001 - Background

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Overview Invitation Background Justification Organization Gen. Information Registration	Seminar on Internet Accessibility for All and Technological Exhibit June 4 to 7, 2001 México City
Organized by:	Fundación Mexicana de Integración Social IAP, International Organization on Independent Living for People with Disabilities, and Sistema Nacional para el Desarrollo Integral de la Familia - DIF - (an organism of Mexican Government), in collaboration with United Nations Voluntary Fund on Disability and with the assistance of AIMS and Vision Office Systems. ^ Return to top.
Background and Justification:	The rapid pace of development in information technologies and structures, particularly the Internet, has significant social and economic consequences for countries. In addition to providing new sources of income, it can facilitate communication across borders and make public and private information more readily available. Nevertheless, the lack of technological development that Latin America faces, the spread of the Internet itself and internet services an unequal and variable process from one country to another For persons with disabilities, access to the Internet can remove major obstacles to mobility and communication. However, access to the Internet is not automatic. Persons with disabilities need to have the means to communicate in the form of computers and software adapted to their disabilities and the information in web pages themselves should meet accessibility standards. This is not always the case. Accessibility standards that have been developed by voluntary bodies are often not obligatory. Government programs to encourage Internet services, either through their own web pages or through public education programs do not always take into account the needs of persons with disabilities. The Standard Rules for the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities provide for equal access to new information, but the specific measures that are needed are not specified. Persons with disabilities, through their organizations, will have to pressure for the implementation of these measures. However, persons with disabilities, like most persons, usually lack the necessary background and knowledge about the workings of the Internet and the technical requirements for accessibility. Since the Internet is borderless, they also need a regional strategy in order to advocate successfully for an accessible Internet. The seminar will permit a general diagnosis of the Internet situation in the different Latin American countries. It will permit identifying both the interests and priorities of each country regarding the use and spread of the internet, in order to develop a regional strategy to achieve "Accessibility for all" over the medium term period. ^ Return to top.
Organization:	The seminar will involve participants from the eighteen countries that form the Latin American and Caribbean region who are responsible for advocacy in their countries in the area of information. It will be held in Mexico City for 4 days from June 4 to 7, 2001. Organization of the Seminar 1. The first day of the seminar will be dedicated to providing the participants with a general overview of the internet and it most common features: Techniques of distance collaboration, including the selection and installation of software, hands on preparation for the use of text-chat and other communications methods; Technical basis and governance structure of the Internet; Current and future uses of the Internet in the economy, politics and society; Planning for Internet use; Structuring of data bases and use of search engines; Principles of accessible web-site design. As a result of this segment of the seminar, each participant will prepare an analytical assessment of the current and potential use of the Internet in the participant's country, as well as an assessment on internet accessibility. 2. The second day, the participants will be trained in: issues and trends in international norms and standards, such as the United Nations "Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities" (http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/dissre00.htm), and in information policies and structures and their implications for promoting accessible information and telecommunication services by, for and with persons with disabilities among Latin American Region member States; concepts and methods of analysis, planning and evaluation of cost-effective and sustainable approaches to promote and develop Internet accessibility among Latin American Region; tools and techniques of distance collaboration, including video conferencing, text-chat and distance learning methods; and techniques, technical requirements and international standards for making web-sites accessible to persons with all types of disabilities. 3. Workshops and practical sessions on the key aspects of internet accessibility, will be held on the third day according the the following themes: Introduction and overview of analysis, planning and management of accessible Internet-based services and practical exercises to study accessible Internet-based services; Review of methods and techniques of analysis, planning and development of accessible Internet-based resources; and drafting of a regional strategy for advocating Internet accessibility including priorities for technical standards. 4. During the fourth day participants will discuss each country's interests and priorities regarding the use, development and accessibility of the internet. Finally participants will put together a Strategic Plan of Action in order to achieve a standard development of the internet and its applications in the Latin-American and Caribbean Region, and thus gaining benefits for the population in general and specifically for the diabled population of the region. Expected results The Seminar is expected to produce a regional strategy for accessibility based on an assessment of Internet accessibility issues of concern to Latin American countries. It will produce a cadre of leaders of organizations of persons with disabilities in the region who are well-informed about the actual and potential uses and workings of the Internet and the needs for accessibility. It will result in a region-wide diagnosis of accessibility issues and create a network of leaders concerned with accessibility. It will further implementation of the Standard Rules by providing a practical focus on implementation of the rule related to information accessibility. It will also produce a set of tested materials on Internet accessibility in Spanish that can be used more widely in the region. Project monitoring and evaluation The project design is premised on discrete activities to identify and assess participant needs and interests so that the both project agent and the subcontractor to the project will be able to effect a good fit between the seminar scope, organization and conduct and actual needs, interests and capacities of participants from Latin American countries. The effectiveness of the training will be reviewed and assessed by means of both pre- and post-seminar participant questionnaires. Follow up will, to the extent possible, be done by means of on line communications, including Web-based e-mail and/or e-fax services. The longer-term impact of the project will be judged by the extent to which Latin American countries are induced to plan and develop accessible information technologies and structures by, for and with persons with disabilities. ^ Return to top.
General Information:	DATES: From June 4 to 7, 2001
Venue:	VENUE OF THE SEMINAR: Tecnológico de Monterrey - México City Campus The Technological Institute of Monterrey is a university system whose mission is to form people committed with their communities' development in order to improve it in the social, economic and political fields seeking to be highly competitive at the international level in their area of knowledge. The mission includes research and extension relevant to sustainable development of the country (http://www.ccm.itesm.mx)
Requirements:	MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PARTICIPATE: A representative from each country of Latin America and the Caribbean and from each one of the 32 states of Mexican Republic, who complies with the following requirements, will be able to participate in this seminar: To have a disability or be a relative or a friend of a disabled person o To have higher/professional education (University degree) To have knowledge regarding computer use and basic internet functions To send a letter (1 Page) explaining the reasons why you consider yourself a good candidate to represent your country in this seminar. To send a brief resume (curriculum vitae) To have a strong commitment to continue working on the activities issued from the seminar. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF CANDIDATURES: April 17, 2001
Exhibit:	In order to complement the contents of the seminar, we are also organizing a parallel exhibit with the presence of computer equipment (software and hardware) providers; Internet services providers and specific functions of the World Wide Web providers (such as long distance calls by internet, or chat and distance communications servers). All people interested in participating in this seminar must send as soon as possible the inscription form dully filled as well as the letter explaining the reasons to be interested in participating in this seminar. We will the get back to you with more information regarding seminar's programme, and information related to transportation, lodging and food. The organizing committee will evaluate all candidatures, and the results of selected participants to the seminar will be informed no later than April 24, 2001.
Logistics	The seminar's organizers will cover air and local transportation, lodging and food of selected candidates. The office of Fundación Mexicana de Integración Social IAP, venue of the logistics coordination office will take care of hotel and plane reservations for selected candidates. Lodging: Participants will be lodged in the Hotel located south of Mexico City (to be confirmed). The organizers of the seminar will cover 5 nights of hotel, and will take care of hotel reservations from June 3 to June 7. Meals: Seminar's organizers will also cover participant's food expenses including 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 5 dinners. Air Transportation: Round Plane ticket costs will be covered by the seminar's organizers. The logistics coordination office will make the reservations and inform participants how to pick up their plane tickets. The arrival day to Mexico City will be June 3 and the departure date will be June 8. Airport Taxes will be covered by participants Local Transportation: Transportation in México City will be covered by the seminar's organizers and will include transportation for airport to hotel, from hotel to the seminar venue during the seminar, and from hotel to the airport on the departure day. VISAS: We highly recommend to all candidates to review their countries policies regarding visa to México in order to avoid problems in their access to the country. If a major problem arises, the organizers could be able to contribute in the visa granting process through the appropriate governmental institutions and by providing a personalized invitation letter. The organizers will not take any responsibility regarding any participant's expense not specifically stipulated in this document. If any participant needs the assistance of a personal attendant, the participant will have to cover all attendant's expenses (including transportation, food and lodging) NOTE: PLEASE SEND THIS INFORMATION TO ANYONE YOU FEEL MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THE SEMINAR Ing. Santiago Velázquez Duarte PRESIDENT OF THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE. CENTRAL ORGANIZING OFFICE Fundación Mexicana de Integración Social IAP Congreso N° 20 Col. Talpan CP 14000 México D.F, MÉXICO Tel/Fax: +52-5-5-13-12-91 or +52-5-5-73-15-40 exts 159, 168 and 198 E-mail: fundacion @ vidaindependiente Web site: http://worldenable.net/mexico2001 www.vidaindependiente.com José Luis Caudillo LOGISTICS COORDINATOR Martha Delgado PARTICIPANTS COORDINATOR ^ Return to top.

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Last updated 11/02/03.