Resolution 2009-03 Regarding Dr. Jonathan Lazar and Towson University

        WHEREAS, the Universal Usability Laboratory (UUL) in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences at Towson University does cutting-edge research on computer accessibility for people with disabilities, focusing particularly  on blind people; and

WHEREAS, the UUL is nationally recognized for its contributions to universal accessibility, not only for blind people but also for computer users of different ages and users with motor and cognitive impairments; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Jonathan Lazar, the UUL’s Director since it was formally created in 2003, has adopted a sensible approach to conducting research by seeking the opinions and advice of the beneficiaries of the UUL’s research projects; and

WHEREAS, under Dr. Lazar’s leadership, the UUL has demonstrated its commitment to performing relevant research by not only consulting with disabled consumers at the beginning of each project but also by continuing these consultations through the projects' completion; and

WHEREAS, among its crowning achievements, the UUL has completed research on replacing CAPCHA graphics with more accessible security technologies and studied methods that blind users employ to interact with Websites through screen readers to purchase items online; and

WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland has been pleased to work with Dr. Lazar and his students and staff since 2002, a year before the UUL was formally organized, in a continuing partnership to achieve full accessibility to computers and other digital technologies for blind people; and

 

WHEREAS, Dr. Lazar has publicized the need for universal access by presenting his research in the most prestigious national and international forums such as the Cambridge (U.K.) Workshop on Universal Access and Assistive Technology, held in London in 2008: Now, therefore

 

BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in Convention assembled this  15th day of November, 2009, in the City of Ocean City, Maryland, that this organization commend Dr. Lazar and the Universal Usability Laboratory in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences at Towson University for their outstanding research contributions in the arena of universal accessibility to computer and digital technology; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization especially commend Dr. Jonathan Lazar for his unwavering commitment to working with the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland to achieve nonvisual access to all computer and digital technologies.