Mayor Will Wynn, past Chair Jamie Rhodes, honored Grande Communication's CEO Bill MorrowÂ’s leadership in support of the technology access needs of people with disabilities and urge tech sector participation in AIR-Austin 2003.
People with disabilities, eager to join millions worldwide on the Internet, are receiving a boost from Grande Communications CEO Bill Morrow, Austin City Mayor Will Wynn and other community leaders. Mr. Morrow is the newly announced Chair of AIR-Austin 2003, and will issue an open invitation on Tuesday July 29 for technology companies to participate and support the Accessibility Internet Rally for Austin (AIR-Austin).
Austin, Texas (PRWEB) July 30, 2003
People with disabilities, eager to join millions worldwide on the Internet, are receiving a boost from Grande Communications CEO Bill Morrow, Austin City Mayor Will Wynn and other community leaders. Mr. Morrow is the newly announced Chair of AIR-Austin 2003, and will issue an open invitation on Tuesday July 29 for technology companies to participate and support the Accessibility Internet Rally for Austin (AIR-Austin). The program, to which the public is invited, consists of:
Location: East Atrium, MCC Building. 3925 W. Braker Lane
Agenda: 3:00 – 4:30 pm, table exhibits open with demos of assistive technologies.
3:30 short program featuring Mayor Will Wynn, past Chair Jamie Rhodes, and Bill Morrow.
“I am honored to serve as this year’s chair of AIR-Austin because I believe in the power of technology to transform people’s lives,” said Grande Communications Vice Chairman and CEO Bill Morrow. “A large part of why Grande succeeds is that we understand how to put the power of technology to work for diverse people with diverse needs. I encourage all of Austin’s technology companies to join Grande in supporting the important work of AIR-Austin.”
AIR is a series of training and networking activities that culminates in one high-energy work day in which web professionals donate their skills and build accessible web sites for more than 20 local nonprofit agencies that serve the arts, environment, health and human service needs of Central Texans.
The City of AustinÂ’s Telecommunications and Regulatory CommissionÂ’s Grant for Technology Opportunity provides partial funding for the AIR program and Mayor Will Wynn will be on hand to talk about the CityÂ’s commitment to accessibility. City of Austin web developers participate in the annual program each year and have donated their services to schools, arts and social service organizations.
Outgoing AIR-Austin 2002 Chair Jamie Rhodes (CEO of AustinUsability) moderates the conference. “The value of participating in AIR-Austin, both to my company and to me personally, has been tremendous, ” according to Jamie. “It has been such a rewarding way to support the important work of so many nonprofit organizations while learning about the technology access needs of millions. I look forward to working with Bill to continue to raise awareness of this critical issue.”
The AIR-Austin Chairs will both be available for comment and questions. Knowbility, the nonprofit that produces AIR-Austin will officially open registration for sponsors, teams and nonprofits to join the race to accessibility. Among early registrants are AustinUsability, Athens Group, Dell, St. EdwardsÂ’s University and First Choice Software.
For more information, visit KnowbilityÂ’s web site www. knowbility. org or call 305-0311.
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