Frances West is director of the IBM Human Ability & Accessibility Center whose mission is to enable human capability through innovation so that all people can reach their potential, regardless of age or ability. Ms. West is charged with the worldwide responsibility of establishing IBM market leadership by promoting advanced research technology, products, services and solutions in the area of human ability and accessibility. Her other positions at IBM include director, Channels, Alliances and Business Development for the Lotus Software Group and director, Financial Services Sector Solutions, IBM Global Services. Ms. West also has held various management positions in IBM Sales and Marketing. She is currently a board member of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the Assistive Technology Industry Association, and the US Business Leadership Network. She has testified on behalf of the IT industry at a US Senate hearing on the impact of accessibility open standards on the European Union and she has spoken at the UN e-Accessibility Conference in New York City. Ms. West attended the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Washington & Lee University in Virginia, and graduated with a marketing degree from the University of Kentucky.
