Find out about the company and meet the AccEase team.
AccEase was founded in 2001 by Graham Oliver and Robyn Hunt.
AccEase formed a strategic partnership with publications specialists Knighton & Associates Ltd from 2003 to 2006. Judy Knighton continues to advise and consult for AccEase.
Mike Osborne came on board in 2006.
In late 2008 we decided to widen our focus to include the range of accessible communications and information.
Robyn is acknowledged as one of New Zealand’s leading experts in the field of disability. She has been honoured for her work in the disability community. Her expertise has allowed us to take a focused and inclusive view of information accessibility and put together a unique panel of disabled web site testers.
As an award-winning journalist and communicator she brings extensive experience in those fields to the creation of readable, accessible web content, and accessible information beyond the web.
She is an experienced writer for the web, print, radio and TV and believes that writing for each medium in a way that will engage the widest audience is an important element of accessibility.
As well as experience in different media Robyn has worked in public relations, and is skilled at working with disabled and non-disabled people, and helping them work together She has contributed to a number of international conferences, forums and working groups.
She is an innovator who has developed and launched a number of successful media and communications projects. Robyn has run her own consulting, writing and training business, working with the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Before that she worked in policy and management roles as well as a writer and broadcaster.
Robyn has served eight years as a human rights commissioner with responsibility for disability at the New Zealand Human Rights Commission. She regularly traveled to the United Nations in New York as part of the New Zealand delegation negotiating the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, (CRPD) New Zealand has since ratified the CRPD which includes specific provisions on information access.
In 2001 she received an ONZM for services to disabled people.
Robyn represents DPA, from the perspective of disabled users, on the government Web Standards Working Group.
She is one of two New Zealand Representatives on ICTA, Rehabilitation International (RI) International Commission on Technology and Accessibility.
In 2008 she was awarded the Chairman's Award for services to blind and vision impaired people.
Strengths
Robyn’s strengths include:
She also has links with the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
Qualifications
Robyn has a BA(Hons) and a diploma in public sector management.
Robyn's blog
Robyn's blog is Low Visionary (www.lowvisionary.com) a blog about disability issues, disability rights, information and web accessibility.
Mike has a long background in Information Technology and been involved with the internet since the mid-90s. He has focussed on software quality, methodology and software usability. Mike was a past president of Software Quality New Zealand.
Mike has been involved with leading edge innovation in the area of "at a glance" dashboard reporting and measurement techniques. He is also a partner in an effective meetings practice as a meetings designer, trainer and facilitator.
Since 2000, Mike has been engaged as a business and Information Technology consultant working with both private and public organisations.
Mike brings a wealth of technical experience to AccEase and his focus on simple presentation of information and usability naturally lead him into the accessibility field.
Strengths
Mike's blog
Mike writes blog posts to No Wombats (www.nowombats.com) a blog that looks at wasteful practices of many sorts focusing mainly on repetitive failure, meetings and usability.
The team comprises our technical experts, user testers an administrative support.
Kalpesh has had a passion in Information Technology since his early childhood and is very keen to learn new emerging technologies. He is excited about the challenge of moving forward in his career by using his skills he's learnt in completing his degree.
Kalpesh is self employed, and works part time for AccEase and develops websites for individuals and businesses. He also runs his own web hosting business.
Strengths
Kalpesh's strengths include:
Qualifications
Kalpesh has successfully completed a Certificate in Interactive Computing and Bachelor of Information Technology degree at Wellington Institute of Technology.
Bill's long background is in the computer industry, including technical support, training, service management, and - since 1996 - marketing, intranet and Internet sites. This strenthened his belief in clear accessible communication, and coordinated development of print and electronic media.
From 1997 Bill was trustee and chair of various trusts helping schools and community organisations make good use of computers and the Internet.
In 2000, Bill became an internet consultant, working with universities, government and community organisations. This included web management, e-learning, and nationwide research into community use of ICT.
From 2003 to 2007, Bill worked on CommunityNet Aotearoa, managing all aspects of the website. Its accessibility and usability led to CommunityNet receiving an inaugural AccEase award. Bill also contributed to the government's Digital Strategy.
Since then Bill has worked on website and content projects for a firm specialising in accessible websites. These websites win awards for effectiveness and for Plain English - and also look really good.
Bill brings a passion for effective and useful knowledge sharing, and embraces the inclusiveness of the Internet. This leads to his commitment to website clarity, usability and accessibility.
He is married with two daughters and a son.
Strengths
Qualifications
1975: BSc (Hon) in Computer Science with Mathematics; Bristol University. 2007: Master of Information Management, majoring in e-Business; Victoria University of Wellington, NZ.
Liz Smith is our invaluable administrator. She has worked in similar roles for Diabetes Research and Reliance Software. She began her career as an Enrolled Nurse.
As well as keeping AccEase organised Liz also works part time for a cordial making business.
She is married with three boys.
Strengths
Liz’s strengths include:
Qualifications
Liz has five papers towards a NZ Diploma in Business/Accounting Technician through Wellington Institute of Technology and is continuing her studies. She is a qualified Enrolled Nurse.
