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Michael S. Elledge Named Assistant Director, Usability & Accessibility Center at Michigan State University

Contact: Carla Hills, University Outreach and Engagement, 353-8977, hillsc@msu.edu
1/23/06

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michael S. Elledge has been named assistant director of the Usability & Accessibility Center (UAC) at Michigan State University. He begins March 1, 2006.

Elledge is currently Accessibility Specialist at the University of Michigan and Accessibility Team Leader of the Sakai Project, a multi-university effort to design, build, and deploy new software for online learning and collaborations.

"The position represents a unique combination of my experiences in marketing and HCI: usability and accessibility, consumer research and analysis, strategic marketing, corporate-client interaction, and challenging technology issues," said Elledge. "I'm impressed with MSU's new Usability & Accessibility Center and its commitment to be a leader in usability and accessibility research, teaching, and service. It's an honor to join the UAC team."

Sarah Swierenga, director of the Usability & Accessibility Center, said Elledge will contribute a unique perspective from his combination of academic and corporate business experiences.

"Mike Elledge understands the mission and goals of the UAC. His background with the Sakai Project familiarized him with a wide array of academic issues regarding accessibility and usability. Mike also brings strong experience in marketing and consumer promotion. He will be a valued member of our team as we fulfill our mission to bring a cross-disciplinary approach to researching and evaluating new interface technologies," Swierenga said.

Mr. Elledge joined the University of Michigan in 2001 as a usability consultant working with Web developers to improve user experience. He has since become an accessibility specialist ensuring the usability of Web sites and software for persons with disabilities. Elledge also acts as an independent consultant to Factotem, a business accelerator and global technology outsourcing firm for commercializing new products and ventures based in Ann Arbor.

Prior to earning a Master of Science in Information degree at the University of Michigan School of Information, Elledge worked in marketing and planning positions for Henry Ford Health System, D'Arcy Masius Benton and Bowles, Wells Rich Greene/BDDP Advertising, Campbell-Ewald, and Vlasic Foods. His clients included Ballpark, Sara Lee, Ford Corporate, GM Parts and Service, Dow Automotive, and the American Plastics Council.

In addition to his MSI, he has an undergraduate degree from Vassar College and a Master's in Business Administration from Columbia University.

The Michigan State University Usability & Accessibility Center (UAC) opened in October 2004. UAC's goal is to understand how the needs and aspirations of people are reflected in communication technologies, and to make assistive, information, and computer technologies as accessible and usable as possible for as many people as possible. The UAC advocates for the development of accessible interface technologies for people with disabilities.

UAC's state-of-the-art testing facilities were developed to incorporate cutting-edge technologies and multipurpose spaces within an aesthetically appealing and accessible business environment. The UAC serves as a regional hub for professional, scholarly, and public discourse about usability and accessibility.