IMS Global Learning Consortium Meta-data Working Group, CEN-ISSS Learning Technologies Accessibility Properties for Learning Resources group and Dublin Core.

The IMS Global Learning Consortium AccessForAll Meta-data Specification

The Accessibility Meta-Data Working Group of the IMS Global Learning Consortium invites the DIWG to consider the relevance of the AccessForAll Meta-data Specification to your work <http://www.imsglobal.org/accessibility>.

IMS develops and promotes the adoption of open technical specifications for interoperable learning technology. However, many of the content adaptation issues for learning technology are identical to the issues for any other electronic content. The IMS accessibility efforts have resulted in two inter-related specifications: the Accessibility for Learner Information Profile Specification (ACCLIP) is the IMS specification for expressing learner accessibility preferences and needs. ACCLIP and the AccessForAll Meta-data specification provide the two sides of the match needed to address the needs and preferences of learners. One specifies what the learner needs or prefers and the other labels resources using the same terms. Both specifications, while initiated in the educational community, are suitable for any user in any computer-mediated context.

As an introduction to this work, we suggest reading the Overview document at:
http://www.imsglobal.org/accessibility/accmdv1p0/imsaccmd_oviewv1p0.html

The CEN-ISSS Learning Technologies Workshop Accessibility Properties for Learning Resources (APLR) Accessibility Profile of the IEEE LOM.

The CEN-ISSS Learning Technologies Workshop Accessibility Properties for Learning Resources group (APLR) invites you to consider the relevance of the Accessibility Application Profile of IEEE Learning Object Metadata Standard to your work http://www.cen-aplr.org. We further invite you to participate in its evaluation and refinement as we work towards it becoming a standard (a CEN Workshop Agreement).

The APLR group works on Accessibility Meta-data Standards with the purpose of enabling Access For All to Learning, Education and Training. We work by email list and conference call and participation is open to all. Our scope extends to the use of the LOM and other standards for Accessibility of eLearning including online and online/offline blended learning.

The LOM Accessibility Application Profile has been developed in close collaboration with the Accessibility Meta-Data Working Group of the IMS Global Learning Consortium and participants from other Metadata groups.

CEN Workshop Agreements can be found on http://www.cenorm.be/isss/Workshop/lt/

The Dublin Core Accessibility Proposal

The IMS Accessibility Meta-Data Working Group, APLR and a participant from Dublin Core have endeavoured in this work to harmonise efforts across all three organisations. At time of writing no position paper from Dublin Core was available to post but there is an active proposal that can be found on

http://www.ozewai.org/DC-term-proposal/

Authorship

I am representing the CEN-ISSS Learning Technologies Workshop Accessibility Properties for Learning Resources group but presenting this position statement to DIWG on behalf of all three groups. The list of contributors to each group is extensive. Please consult the sites referred to for specific authors.

Andy Heath, 10th October 2004.