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>Reply-To: Museums Computer Group <[log in to unmask]> >Sender: Museums Computer Group <[log in to unmask]> >From: Matthew Cock <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Jodi Awards 2007 - Call for nominations >To: [log in to unmask] > > >Jodi Awards 2007 - Call for nominations > > > > Nominations are now being sought for the Jodi Awards 2007. The awards >previously recognised excellence in museum, library and archive website >accessibility - but this year, for the first time, the awards will >include any project that uses technology to provide access to >collections for disabled people. > > > >Launched in 2003, the Jodi Awards now recognise museum, gallery, >library, archive or heritage projects that demonstrate commitment to >using technology in the service of accessibility. Nominated websites, >interactive objects, audio-guides, PDAs, telephone systems etc. pass >before an experienced panel of judges. Disabled users will test entries >and websites submitted for an Award which will also be subject to >automated testing. > >The awards are developed and sustained by the Museums, Libraries and >Archives Council, (MLA), 24 Hour Museum, the British Museum and >University of Leicester. > > > >Mark Wood, Chairman, MLA, said: "The Jodi Awards will keep promoting >high web accessibility standards and this year the judges are also keen >to celebrate sites that use technology in practical and imaginative ways >for making cultural resources accessible to disabled people. The whole >initiative generates competition to be recognised as the best in this >vital area of development. The Disability Discrimination Act has led to >innovative uses of technology and it's time we celebrated the best." > > > >Matthew Cock, Head of Web, British Museum, commented: "We want to keep >accessibility at the forefront of the sector's consciousness when >creating or commissioning websites and their content." > > > >The deadline for nominations is Monday 30 April 2007 and the awards will >be announced at a high profile event on Wednesday 13 June 2007 at the >British Museum. Full information on how to apply is available at: >www.mla.gov.uk/website/policy/Diversity/Web_Accessibility > > > >Sponsorship for the Jodi Awards 2006 is provided by Simulacra, the new >media consultancy offering award-winning web-based information >management solutions. > > > >Ends > > > > > >Notes to editors: > > > > > >1. The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council works with the nine >regional agencies in the MLA Partnership to improve people's lives by >building knowledge, supporting learning, inspiring creativity and >celebrating identity. The Partnership acts collectively for the benefit >of the sector and the public, leading the transformation of museums, >libraries and archives for the future. Visit: www.mla.gov.uk ><http://www.mla.gov.uk/> . Media Enquires: Anne Marie Todaro, Media >Relations Manager, MLA tel: 020 7273 1472. Urgent news media enquiries >until 7pm: 07747 564 209. > > > >2. The Awards are named in memory of Jodi Mattes (1973-2001). Jodi >worked as part of the British Museum's COMPASS team, and then at the >Royal National Institute for the Blind. > > > >At the British Museum, Jodi worked to ensure that the British Museum's >COMPASS website (live in June 2000) was as accessible as possible. She >also specified desks in the Reading Room that were accessible to >wheelchair users. > > > >Previously known as the "Jodi Mattes Web Accessibility Awards", the >Awards were established in 2003, European Year of Disabled People and >celebrate the most accessible museum, library and archive websites. They >were initiated by former colleagues of Jodi Mattes, and supported by >MLA, the Museums Computer Group (MCG) and the Department of Museum >Studies, University of Leicester. The Organising Committee has been >formed to give continuity to the Awards. > > > >3. The Jodi Awards Organising Committee includes: > >Marcus Weisen, Policy Adviser: Inclusion and Communities, (Chair), MLA >[log in to unmask] > >Matthew Cock, Head of Web, British Museum [log in to unmask] > >Jon Pratty, Editor, 24 Hour Museum [log in to unmask] > >Ross Parry, Lecturer in New Media, Department of Museums Studies, >University of Leicester, [log in to unmask] > > > > > >Head of Web | Department of Learning and Information | The British >Museum | www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk <http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/> > > >tel: 020 7323 8169 | work mobile: 07971 433841 > > > > >-- > >The Past from Above >Admission £5, concessions available >Until 11 February 2007 >A journey over the world's greatest >archaeological sites through Georg Gerster's >aerial photography. See them without leaving a carbon footprint. >http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/thepastfromabove > >Subscribe to the British Museum's online newsletter Mercury >and never miss out on any events, exhibitions, films or study opportunities: >http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/index.html > > >************************************************** >For mcg information and to manage your >subscription to the list, visit the website at >http://www.museumscomputergroup.org.uk >************************************************** --- Martin Bazley ICT4Learning 15 Margin Drive Wimbledon SW19 5HA 07803 580 727 www.ICT4Learning.com