What's New at GAATES: Other News
GAATES Projects
GAATES managed and participated in the Accessibility Enablement project on behalf of ADSIC to address accessibility for 3 components of their customer service delivery: counter service, kiosk services and TTY communication. Working with funding from the Ontario Government (Canada), the Accessible Information and Communication Guide for Small Businesses was developed by GAATES and promotes accessibility to architects and interior designers based in Ontario. GAATES will explore using this project as a model for an International initiative. The project is available on-line, and additional work will be undertaken on this project in Phase II funding. GAATES is undertaking a new project for UNESCO - Scientific Editorial Services. This upcoming project was made possible due to the sheer effort of Cynthia Wadell and Tammy Cosseboom and company.GAATES Conferences
- UN-ECOSOC high level meetings in Geneva, Switzerland from July 4 to 8, 2011
- Inauguration Ceremony of Princess Nora Bint Abdul Rahman University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 15, 2011.
- Gulf Disability Conference in Kuwait on April 5 to 7, 2011.
- On December 13 to 14, 2010 GAATES organized a conference entitled the Right to Access for Persons with Disabilities to the Built Environment and Transportation, Design for All in Benghazi, Libya.
GAATES Committees
The GAATES board continues to be busy with a number of existing committees and is in the process of initiating new Committees.
A meeting of the Country Representative Committee will be scheduled for this fall to review and evaluate the applications which have been received from the candidates interesting in representing GAATES in their regions.
A GAATES Committee is currently working on a Certification Program. This program would provide education and training on universal design and accessibility to ensure that communities and organizations around the world will be able to find and engage the services of qualified consultants who are leaders in the field of universal design.
The Communications Committee will continue working together to promote GAATES using a number of mediums, including social media, conference attendance and presentations and the GAATES website and Global Accessibility News electronic newsletter.
The Photo Committee continues to explore avenues for the cataloguing and distribution of photos that demonstrate best practices in universal design.
GAATES is currently evaluating requests for a number of collaborative agreements while continuing to work within the partnerships that have already been established.
Last updated: September 23, 2009