Knowbility Invites Web Pros to Compete in AIR-Houston 2006; Web Designers and Developers Will Create Accessible Web Sites in One Day

September 7, 2006; 03:10 AM
For most Americans, the Internet is a powerful, simple-to-use communication tool. But for the nation's 54-million citizens with a disability, using the Internet is often frustrating and difficult, if not impossible. A local group is working to change that through a friendly competition. (see www.knowbility.org)

Knowbility, founded to help ensure children and adults with disabilities have accessible technology, invites local Web designers and developers to join the third annual Accessibility Internet Rally for Houston (AIR-Houston).

This one-day event, set for October 21, pairs local Web-savvy professionals with non-profit organizations to create media-rich, interactive Web sites that are accessible to Internet users with disabilities. Web sites made accessible previously include Taping for the Blind, SEARCH, Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council, Texas Paralyzed Veterans Association, ESCAPE Family Resource Center, the University of Houston Center for Students with Disabilities and more.

"AIR-Houston is an important initiative," said Harris County Judge Robert Eckels, this year's co-chair. "All of our citizens, including people with disabilities, can access information and better use the Internet as a tool to gain knowledge, economic power and explore job possibilities."

"We invite Web professionals to strengthen their skills in Web accessibility, and participate in AIR-Houston 2006 to show our community how accessible Web sites benefit everyone," said co-chair Robert Bartlett, president of Taping for the Blind.

Web pro participants will:

-- Learn tools, techniques and standards that make online information available to everyone

-- Learn how to make Web sites conform to worldwide accessibility standards and to comply with emerging government mandates

-- Take advanced classes on CSS, JavaScript and multimedia

-- Receive recognition in AIR-Houston promotional efforts

Non-profit organization participants will:

-- Gain access to a professional Web team

-- Be trained in the tools, techniques and standards that make online information available to everyone and meet emerging government mandates

-- Receive one year of free Web hosting

Register professional teams at http://www.knowbility.org/air-houston

About Knowbility

Knowbility (www.knowbility.org) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1999 to help ensure that children and adults with disabilities have accessible technology to actively in the information marketplace.