[Athen] AccessText News

[Jane Berk via athen-list]

[like]  Jane Berk reacted to your message:
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Sent: Sunday, April 7, 2024 2:07:29 PM
To: 'Access Technology Higher Education Network' <athen-list at u.washington.edu>; 'Ali Steenis' <ali.steenis at bellevuecollege.edu>
Subject: Re: [Athen] AccessText News

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Dear ATHENS folks,

When the news broke about ATN shutting down, I reached out to my contacts at ATN, but nobody was available.

I have heard that the AAP and publishers are searching for a way to reestablish the service. Here is what I have learned:

The AAP and Georgia Techs CIDI were negotiating the ATN contract. Without warning, Georgia Tech pulled out of negotiations and shut down the site. AAP has attempted to reopen negotiations and Georgia Tech refused. AAP, which has been financially supporting ATN and plans to continue at the request of its Publisher members who were also shocked at this turn of events, is now exploring other hosting options.

Publishers have been relying on ATN for years to help manage the volume of requests we receive for alternative text formats. No one wants to see this go.

George thinks, Hopefully we will hear about developments in the near future. I know that the AAP has been supporting accessibility for their members.

Best
George
[Drawing of a guide dog in harness sitting looking up at a dangling rope in front of a mountain wall. Credits, Outdoor Life.]

George Kerscher Ph.D.
-In our Information Age, access to information is a fundamental human right.
Chief Innovations Officer, DAISY Consortium
http://www.daisy.org<http://www.daisy.org/>
Senior Advisor, Global Literacy, Benetech
http://www.benetech.org<http://www.benetech.org/>
President, International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF)
http://www.idpf.org<http://www.idpf.org/>
Chair Steering Council Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), at W3C
http://www.w3.org/WAI
Cell:+1 406/544-2466
Email: kerscher at montana.com<mailto:kerscher at montana.com>



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