We are pleased to announce that Dr. Albert Cook (University of Alberta) has been selected as the 2010 recipient of the SIGACCESS Award for Outstanding Contributions to Computing and Accessibility. This award was established to recognize individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the development of computing technologies which improve the accessibility of media and services to people with disabilities.

Dr. Cook was selected in recognition of his life-long dedication to accessibility. Dr. Cook began his academic career at the California State University, Sacramento, where he founded the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program and co-directed the Assistive Device Center. He moved to Canada to assume the position of Dean of the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Alberta, where he helped to establish the Faculty as a world reference in research, development, and service provision in rehabilitation medicine and assistive technology. He authored more than 200 scientific publications. He is the co-author of the classic reference book in the field “Assistive Technologies: Principles and Practice”. As president of the RESNA, he worked to regulate the profession of Assistive Technology Practitioners and Engineers, bringing scientific methods to everyday practice.

Dr. Cook will present a Keynote address titled "The Future of Assistive Technologies: A Time of Promise and Apprehension" at ASSETS 2010 in Orlando, Florida.

Labels: Awards, Outstanding Achievement, SIGACCESS