Stephen Andrew Lee

Professional Profile

A freelance Open Source Accessibility and Assistive Technology Software evangelist, developer, technical writer, consultant and trainer with wide experience. Has a preference for explaining in simple language and creating solutions that address specific user needs by using appropriate Open technologies and standards. Active in the Open Source accessibility communities including Mozilla & GNOME, a founder of OATSoft.org and on the board of schoolforge.org.uk. Has worked in accessibility, education, financial products, development process tools and mobile communication systems. Currently interests include how Open Collaborative Communities can benefit and engage Assistive Technology users. A keen team player who thrives in a user facing role solving real-world problems using creative, interpersonal and analytical skills.

Key Experience

• Evangelism to accessible IT developer and user communities of Open Accessibility in general and Mozilla & GNOME specifically. Represented Mozilla at various accessibility events.
• Developing Jambu assistive technology software and concept to provide first class support for users of Alternative Input devices such as switches. Funded through accessibility grants from Mozilla Foundation and currently developed using the GTK and pyatspi while also investigating migration to web technologies. Collaborating with GNOME and Mozilla accessibility teams and an Open Symbol set for communication (AAC).
• Developing the Open Source Assistive Technology Software (OATS) concept and www.oatsoft.org web site by working with AT experts on various collaborative projects. Created PowerTalk the program which narrates PowerPoint presentations in order solve a specific request for help.
• Leading a 'Computing for the terrified' course with Age Concern in response to age related exclusion from the web and in order to help raise awareness of Open Source and Open Accessibility solutions.
• Proactively improving FE college administration processes and MIS using ICT development. Supporting and guiding management, teaching and support staff. Development of an advanced MIS intranet that integrates or replaces existing educational support systems presenting complex statistical data in accessible formats.
• Working with individuals and teams to determine their requirements and then designing and developing solutions using agile methods and rapid prototyping. Providing full support and further development.
• Bringing many projects to a successful conclusion including: ID card system, Inland Revenue on-line filing, UK features for Microsoft Money, live stocks feed for MSN (seconded to Microsoft in Redmond), Windows and X ports of development tools, mission critical mobile data systems.
• Providing technical consultancy, training and mentoring including a database for fast, safe entry and analysis of medical data for a successful cancer research project, assistive technology and music technology projects (Drake Music Project).
• Joint web mastering of the Schoolforge-UK community which helps schools utilise Open Content and Software and is Becta's point of contact with the Open Source community.
• Authoring technical articles including those published in Ability Magazine, the campaigning publication for people who have difficulty using IT (examples).
• Resolving requests for information and computer problems from people with disabilities as an IT Can Help (ITCH Network) volunteer. Mantains the ITCH Wiki for sharing knowledge between volunteers
• Providing first class Customer Support and liaising with customers, development team and product support team to solve individual problems and eliminate reoccurring issues.
• Designing and delivering technical presentations and training workshops.

Expert Technical Knowledge

• Software development processes including configuaration management, version control, build, test suites and documentation.
• Application, user interface & system development in Microsoft Windows, UNIX with X-Windows, Office tools and embedded real-time.
• Internet/web client/server development incl. Ajax, web service, XML, HTML, CSS, PHP, ASP, iHTML, XUL.
• Relational Database design and development with database programs and RDBMS.
• Programming C/C++, Python, JavaScript, SQL, VB, Assembly and others.
• Protocols and communications: TCP/IP, HTTP, FTP, SOAP, REST, SMTP, POP3. APIs: WinSocks, MAPI, MIDI.

Career Summary

Other Relevant Experience

• Member of BCS Disability Group.
• Construction of electronics projects including a computer, musical instruments and audio.
• Design and operation of audio/visual effects for live stage productions to semi-professional standards.
• Live sound engineering. Analogue and digital music recording.
• Keen 'armchair musician' and can play a little guitar and keyboards.