About GAATES
The Global Alliance on Accessible Technologies and Environments (GAATES) is the leading international not-for-profit organization that brings together individuals and organizations dedicated to promoting accessibility of electronic and communication technologies and accessibility of the built environment. GAATES was incorporated in 2007 by an international consortium dedicated to promoting accessibility worldwide.
GAATES' mission is to promote the understanding and implementation of accessibility of the sustainable built, social and virtual environments, including architectural, infrastructural design, transportation systems, habitat, and electronic information and communication technologies so that everyone, including people with disabilities and older persons are able to fully participate and contribute to society.
GAATES is dedicated to promoting the Guiding Principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, adopted in December 2006, including:
- The development, promotion and dissemination of knowledge and information regarding the understanding and implementation of accessibility of sustainable built, social, and virtual environments.
- The promotion and implementation of accessibility as part of the building, adaptation, and re-construction of sustainable built, social and virtual environments.
- The provision of technical expertise in the development of accessible electronic, information and communication technologies.
- The promotion and implementation of accessible user interface technologies.
- The promotion of effective communication through the provision of alternative formats, telecommunications, and electronic, information and communication technology products.
- The promotion and implementation of accessibility as an integral part of sustainable development.
Membership Information
Membership is open to anyone interested in the supporting and promoting accessibility of the built, virtual and social environments.
Contact:
Contact us via Email at info@gaates.org for more information
Telephone: +1.613.725.0566
Web: www.gaates.org
About the GAATES Logo
The GAATES logo was designed by Bob Topping, and the explanation which follows describes the meaning behind the design.
- The green GAATES text is intended to represent accessibility and inclusion as a component of sustainability and 'green' design.
- The sphere in the logo represents the world and it is subdivided into regions.
- The subdivision of the sphere into three identifiable 'quadrants', further emphasized by the use of three colours, represents the three primary focuses of GAATES - people - technology - environments.
- Lastly, the 'equator-dividing line' is dynamic, breaking out from the sphere, defining a positive direction forward.