ACM SIGACCESS is the

Association for Computing Machinery The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) is a US-based international learned society for computing. It was founded in 1947 and is the world's largest scientific and educational computing society. The ACM is a non-profit professional member ...

's Special Interest Group on

Accessible computing Computer accessibility (also known as accessible computing) refers to the accessibility of a computer system to all people, regardless of disability type or severity of impairment. The term ''accessibility'' is most often used in reference to sp ...

, an interdisciplinary group of academic and industrial researchers, clinicians and rehabilitation personnel, policy makers, end users, and students to develop technologies for use by people with disabilities.

History

In 1964, the

started a Committee on Professional Activities for the Blind, which published a newsletter for four years and organized a conference in 1969. The purpose of the committee was to promote and support

blind people Visual impairment, also known as vision impairment, is a medical definition primarily measured based on an individual's better eye visual acuity; in the absence of treatment such as correctable eyewear, assistive devices, and medical treatment� ...

as capable programmers. The committee broadened its focus to include other people with disabilities and became the "Special Interest Group on Computers and the Physically Handicapped" (SIGCAPH) in 1971. In 2003, the SIG was renamed to SIGACCESS.

Conferences

The ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS) is the flagship annual conference. All conference contributions are

peer-reviewed Peer review is the evaluation of work by one or more people with similar competencies as the producers of the work ( peers). It functions as a form of self-regulation by qualified members of a profession within the relevant field. Peer revie ...

by an international program committee, and accepted papers, posters and demonstrations are archived in the

ACM Digital Library The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) is a US-based international learned society for computing. It was founded in 1947 and is the world's largest scientific and educational computing society. The ACM is a non-profit professional member ...

. All authors of accepted papers will be invited to submit extended versions of their papers to a special issue of the ''ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing'' (''TACCESS''). SIGACCESS also sponsors other ACM workshops and conferences on a rotating basis.

Journal

'' Transactions on Accessible Computing'' is a quarterly ACM journal that publishes refereed articles about

accessible computing Computer accessibility (also known as accessible computing) refers to the accessibility of a computer system to all people, regardless of disability type or severity of impairment. The term ''accessibility'' is most often used in reference to sp ...

. The journal places emphasis on contributions with experimental results, but also accepts papers with new theoretical insights or positions. SIGACCESS also publishes the ''Accessibility and Computing'' newsletter.

Awards

ASSETS Paper Impact Award

The ASSETS Paper Impact Award is given to authors whose papers have made a significant impact on the field. Papers must be at least ten years old to be considered.

Outstanding Contribution to Computing and Accessibility Award

The Outstanding Contribution award is given in even-numbered years and recipients give a keynote presentation at the following ASSETS conference. Previous recipients: * 2018 - Judy Brewer * 2016 - Richard E. Ladner * 2014 -

Vicki L. Hanson Vicki Hanson FACM FRSE FBCS, is an American computer scientist noted for her research on human-computer interaction and accessibility and for her leadership in broadening participation in computing. She was named the Chief Executive Officer of ...

* 2012 -

John A. Gardner John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second ...

* 2010 -

Albert M. Cook Albert may refer to: Companies * Albert (supermarket), a supermarket chain in the Czech Republic * Albert Heijn, a supermarket chain in the Netherlands * Albert Market, a street market in The Gambia * Albert Productions, a record label * Albert C ...

* 2008 -

James Thatcher James Thatcher may refer to: * James Thatcher (musician), American hornist * James Thatcher (MP), English politician * James W. Thatcher, American computer scientist See also * James Thacher James Thacher (February 14, 1754 – May 26, 1844) ...

References

{{Authority control Association for Computing Machinery Special Interest Groups Computer accessibility Assistive technology Web accessibility