Dr Chandra Harrison Reappointed as New Zealand Country Advisor for IAAP 

First to explain a little, the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) and the Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs (G3ict) are leading organisations dedicated to promoting digital accessibility and inclusion across the world.  

The IAAP focuses on advancing the profession of accessibility by providing resources, training, and certification for accessibility professionals worldwide, fostering a community committed to best practices in the field.  

G3ict, on the other hand, operates at a global scale, advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). By engaging with diverse stakeholders—from governments to private sectors—G3ict aims to enhance the accessibility of information and communications technologies (ICTs) and built environments.  

Together, IAAP and G3ict create a powerful synergy that drives awareness, education, and the implementation of inclusive practices, ensuring that individuals of all abilities have equal access to opportunities in the digital age. 

Each country can nominate a specialist to be part of the Country Advisory Network (CAN) and membership is reviewed annually. Being part of the network means I'm directly linked to a worldwide network dedicated to enhancing accessibility for all, particularly for disabled people.  

Over the last three years, through IAAP I’ve already met some amazing practitioners from around the world. We connect once a month to share best practices, resources, and advocate for policies that promote accessibility. 

Here are some other benefits of our collaboration:  

1. Expertise at Your Fingertips: My role includes access to international resources and the best practices in the industry. Whether you’re seeking advice on making your services more accessible or need insights into inclusive technologies, reach out, I’m here to help and love to share. 
2. Networking Opportunities: I’m not just representing New Zealand—I’m part of a global organisation. This means connections with like-minded professionals who are enthusiastic about accessibility. We can tap into this wealth of knowledge to enrich our projects and initiatives. If you want an introduction or have a question, reach out, I love connecting people. 
3. M-Enabling Conference: As a G3ict member, get to attend fabulous events like the M-Enabling Summit in Washington, DC. The knowledge I gather and bring back helps enhance local discussions and actions. If you want to learn more, reach out, you know I love chatting. 
4. Certifications and Training: I’m eager to support anyone interested in gaining professional recognition in accessibility. Thanks to G3ict, we have access to resources that can help you obtain IAAP certification at no cost for the first year of our agreement! This is an outstanding opportunity to advance your career and skills in the accessibility field. Last year Access Advisors ran an informal certification meetup once a fortnight. If there is enough interest we are happy to restart that. 
5. Bringing New Ideas Home: I’ll be representing New Zealand on a global platform, sharing our achievements and challenges. This means local insights and New Zealand-specific solutions will have a voice on the international stage, ensuring we aren’t just part of the conversation. 

I’m looking forward to what the next year brings for me. Even more importantly I’m looking forward to sharing all the benefits with you. If you’re passionate about accessibility or simply curious about how we can improve, reach out.