Shadi Abou-Zahra joined the W3C in 2003 and coordinates WAI outreach in Europe, and accessibility evaluation techniques. He is the Activity Lead of the WAI International Program Office, which includes groups that are responsible for education and outreach, coordination with research, general discussion on Web accessibility, coordination with the WAI Technical Activity, and WAI liaisons with other organizations including standards organizations. Shadi also chairs the W3C Evaluation and Repair Tools Working Group (ERT WG), is a staff person of the WAI Ageing Education and Harmonisation (WAI-AGE) project, and is a participant in good standing of the W3C Education and Outreach Working Group (EOWG).
Prior to joining W3C, Shadi was a lead Web developer and managed the design and implementation of Web productions, online community platforms, and online games. Shadi also worked as a Web Consultant for the International Data Centre (IDC) of the United Nations Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), as well as for other international organizations. During his computer science studies, Shadi actively participated in the Austrian national student council at the Technical University of Vienna as a representative for students with disabilities, where he advocated for equal opportunities in education and employment.
"Due to a family health emergency, Mike Paciello deeply regrets that he is unable to speak at this year's conference. Mike expresses his sincere gratitude to the conference organizers for their understanding on this matter, particularly our host colleagues in Beijing. He extends his warm wishes to all participants and looks forward to seeing everyone again at the next Web4All event. Sincerely, Mike Paciello, Founder, The Paciello Group, LLC."
Michael Paciello is Founder and President of The Paciello Group, LLC., a software accessibility consultancy. For more than 20 years, Mr. Paciello has served as an international leader, technologist and lecturer in the areas of assistive technology, usability, and accessible interface design.
In 2006, Mike was appointed co-chair to the United States Federal Access Board's Telecommunications and Electronic and Information Technology Advisory Committee (TEITAC).
In 1997, Mr. Paciello received recognition from President William Clinton for his work in the creation of World Wide Web Consortium's (W3C) Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI). Mike is author of the first book on web accessibility and usability, 'Web Accessibility for People with Disabilities' and is chiefly responsible for founding the International Committee for Accessible Document Design (ICADD) and W3C's Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI).
