---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1998 15:48:24 -0500 (EST)
From: Jamal Mazrui <empower@smart.net>
Reply-To: uaccess-l@trace.wisc.edu
To: uaccess-l@tracecenter.org,
telecom-l@tracecenter.org,
program-l@LISTSERV.NAS.NET
Subject: Microsoft announces international accessibility grant program
>From the web page
http://microsoft.com/presspass/features/12-3access.htm
Microsoft to Award $250,000 in Grants to Non-Profit and
Educational Institutions Researching PC Accessibility
REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 3, 1998 - Whether they write code or use a
PC to draft their church newsletter, few people would disagree
that computer technology evolves at break-neck speed. This pace
of change means that new products and technologies are
constantly finding their way into our lives at work, home and
school. For people with disabilities, however, new technologies
too often are out of reach unless they are retrofitted to
function with existing software and accessibility aids.
Microsoft's Accessibility and Disabilities Group, in concert
with Microsoft Community Affairs, has created an international
accessibility grant program designed to attack this problem. The
program, "Exploring PC Accessibility: New Discoveries," was
announced this week in conjunction with the United Nation's
International Day of Disabled Persons. It will support
non-profit research and product development to increase
accessibility of PC technologies for people with disabilities.
"There is a compelling need for Microsoft and the PC industry to
anticipate how evolving technology can be made accessible," said
Greg Lowney, director of accessibility for Microsoft. "Microsoft
is committed to building accessible products and fostering
innovation in accessibility across the industry. We believe that
the research initiatives supported by this grant will have
near-term benefits for computer users with disabilities."
One-year grants of $10,000 and $50,000 will be awarded to
non-profit and educational institutions for exploration of
technology concepts and actual research and development. A total
of $250,000 will be awarded in 1999 through the program.
Applications for Exploring PC Accessibility: New Discoveries
grants must be submitted on or before Feb. 12, 1999. Information
about the grant program and application process can be obtained
from Microsoft's accessibility Web site. Award winners will be
announced March 16 at the Technology and Persons with
Disabilities Conference, hosted by California State University,
Northridge, in Los Angeles.
(c)1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
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Microsoft Corporation Tel 425 882 8080
One Microsoft Way Fax 425 936 7329
Redmond, WA 98052-6399 www.microsoft.com
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Exploring PC Accessibility: New Discoveries
Overview:
The Microsoft Corporation is pleased to announce a new
international initiative to support the research and development
of innovative concepts and products that will contribute to
increased accessibility to PC technology for individuals with
disabilities. This program will provide one-year grants of up to
$50,000 to educational or not-for-profit organizations that are
developing accessibility products that will be made available to
the public. Applicants also may apply for one-year grants of
$10,000 to support research on an accessibility concept.
Microsoft software will be donated in addition to the cash grants
in support of the proposed project. Proposals are due on or
before February 12, 1999. Awards will be announced at the
"Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference" (aka CSUN)
to be held in Los Angeles, California 16-20 March 1999.
Background:
Microsoft is committed to supporting the development of hardware
and software that is fully accessible to individuals with
disabilities and enables them to use the latest technology at
work, at school and at home. The company is doing this by
building accessibility options into its operating systems (e.g.
Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0) and including features specifically
for individuals with disabilities in its software applications
(e.g. captioning in Encarta '98). In addition, Microsoft is
creating technology that can be used by software developers to
make their products more accessible (e.g. Microsoft Active
Accessibility MSAA).
Despite the commitment on the part of Microsoft and other
companies, individuals with disabilities do not have equal access
to PC (and related) technology. They can not automatically use
state-of-the-art technology because access to technology is not
built into these products; rather, adaptive hardware and software
is typically retrofitted to PC products to allow their use by
individuals with disabilities. Given the unrelenting speed of
technological evolution, the disabled community is continually in
the position of playing "catch up" instead of being able to take
advantage of technological innovations as they occur. The delays
they encounter can have profound effects, including lost jobs and
an inability to keep up with school classmates.
In spite of the efforts already being made, there is a compelling
need for those working on accessibility issues to look to the
future and work to anticipate how evolving technology can be made
accessible rather than reacting to advances that have already
been made. There is a need to ensure that individuals with
disabilities will be able to benefit from the same advances in PC
technology at the same time as other users. For example:
· What implications will "hands-free, eyes-free" interfaces
have for individuals with disabilities?
· What complications will "mobile computing" and "handheld"
computers have for individuals who have physical disabilities?
· Will the integration of telecommunications, the Web and PC
technology present access problems for individuals who are
deaf/hard-of-hearing or instead, will it present marvelous new
opportunities for individuals with disabilities to be integrated
into the mainstream?
· What problems will the increased use of sound, animation and
agents present for individuals with disabilities?
· What will a Web-based lifestyle mean for an individual
dependent upon environmental control?
The challenge that presents itself is, how can these barriers be
anticipated and these problems solved prior to the introduction
of innovative products? How can accessible hardware and software
stay current with technological innovation so that individuals
with disabilities are given the same opportunities to enjoy and
benefit from these innovations as other users?
Program Goals:
To support innovative research and/or product development to
advance the ways in which computer technology can assist
individuals with disabilities in their work, school and
recreational activities. To share the results of this work with
the broadest possible audience to maximize its impact.
Program Objectives:
· Advance research and product development targeted to
increasing the accessibility of PC technology for individuals
with disabilities;
· Increase the knowledge-base of all groups dedicated to
improving accessibility of PC technology;
· Facilitate the dissemination of new accessibility concepts
and products;
· Provide an opportunity for the accessibility field to share
new thinking.
Eligibility Requirements
Grant proposals will be accepted from local, national or
international nonprofit or educational institutions. United
States-based applicants must be nonprofit and tax-exempt under
Section 501(c)3 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Organizations
located outside the United States must possess charitable status
in their country.
Review Criteria
Applicants will be evaluated on the following basis:
· How well the proposed research or concept-development
project meets Microsoft's program objectives;
· Demonstrated commitment to field of accessibility as
evidenced by previous work;
· How well the project utilizes PC or hand-held PC platforms
(Windows 98/NT or CE only);
· How well project documents relate to the specific needs of
individuals with disabilities to use a PC to be more independent
and employable.
How to Apply
Proposals should be submitted to the address below at Microsoft
on or before February 12, 1999. Applications must be in English.
If you have questions during the preparation of your proposal,
send e-mail to, NewDisco@Microsoft.com.
Proposals must include:
· Cover page with relevant contact information;
· Executive Summary of proposal including type of project and
amount requested (concept research, up to $10,000 or development
of accessibility product/prototype, up to $50,000);
· A narrative description of the proposed project (do not
exceed 5 pages double-spaced, 12 point font for the narrative
portion of proposal) that includes the following:
¨ addresses the review criteria outlined above;
¨ clearly describes the project to be undertaken;
¨ articulates the accessibility need being addressed by the
project;
¨ identifies the target population;
¨ identifies the project's key personnel and their
qualifications;
¨ describes the host institution where research will occur
including background on the organization's involvement with
accessibility issues;
¨ outlines the project timeline with an action plan
(culminating in a presentation of findings at the CSUN conference
in March 2000);
· Detailed project budget with accompanying narrative
explaining budget allocations and source of additional funds
should project budget exceed maximum grant ($10,000 for concept
research, $50,000 for product development);
· List of Microsoft software being requested with a brief
explanation of how the provision of this software will support
the proposed project;
· Evidence of nonprofit tax-exempt status (501c3 letter if
U.S. organization) or equivalent for non-United States
organizations.
Submission of completed proposal:
Mail original plus 5 copies of completed proposal to:
Microsoft Community Affairs
Attn: Exploring PC Accessibility: New Discoveries
Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052-6399
U.S.A.
Proposals submitted by e-mail or fax will not be accepted.
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