The Dog's Blog

News is spreading of the sudden and tragic passing of Jack Pickard.

When I first heard the news myself I felt an immediate sense of great loss and sadness. Which is strange – because I, like many hundreds of people, never actually met Jack.

He first came into my life a few years ago. I had just started out on the road to standards and accessibility on the web. Quite by chance I discovered Accessify Forum where Jack was part of the Admin team.

I quickly realised that there were a ‘core’ of professionals whose advice and words were always worth taking careful note of. Jack was a prominent member of this core and his advice and opinion were always given both willingly and freely.

Through his blog, he showed us what an extremely powerful and emotive wordsmith he was. He had informed, fair-minded and well-balanced opinions on just about every topic under the sun.

He also had an amazingly dry sense of humour, the sharp end of which I am happy to have been the target of on several occasions!

The many, many comments, posts and tweets that are spreading through cyberspace are a reminder of the countless numbers of people Jack touched.

Jack’s Mam has made on comment on Jack’s last blog post. People are leaving their own messages. It will be both a fitting memory to a wonderful man, and a physical sign of just how popular he was.

My thoughts and condolences are extended to his wife Tracey, his two small boys, his physical family and friends and his extended cyber-family.

Rest easy Jack.

Today, 3rd December 2009, is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

For more information please visit the United Nations Enable site.

My head is hung low in shame…

Today, apparently, is Web Accessibility Day, 2009 and I knew nothing about the occasion until a few minutes ago.

All I can say is ‘Good Luck’ to those organising and taking part in the various events.

Next year, I’ll have a suitable post lined up.