Fires, Education and Designing for Social Change – How the Austin American-Statesman utilized social media to inform a community during Central Texas’ wildfires.

Join us at November's Austin UPA meeting celebrating World Usability Day.  World Usability Day was founded in 2005 as an initiative of the Usability Professionals' Association to ensure that services and products important to human life are easier to access and simpler to use.  This year’s theme is “Education, Designing for Social Change” and is an opportunity for the community to learn more about making our world work better.

On Sept. 4, 2011, a major fire disaster erupted within just a few hours, and swept across several parts of Central Texas.  Homes, pets and livestock were lost and two deaths were attributed to the wildfires. The Austin American-Statesman, through their reporting, web and social media efforts, became THE source for the latest fire news.  Almost immediately, the Statesman’s Social Media Editor Maira Garcia, sprang into action. The Statesman’s tens of thousands of Twitter and Facebook followers turned to them for up-to-date fire coverage. The Statesman became the leader in breaking fire news. Social media became one of the primary ways for many in the community to stay informed about a live and on-going disaster.

In this free World Usability Day seminar, Maira Garcia, the Statesman’s Social Media Editor, will provide a rare glimpse into the strategy and tactics surrounding the Austin Statesman’s disaster coverage. You will learn how news was gleaned, vetted and distributed. This is a very special opportunity to hear directly from those leading
the coverage how they did it, what they learned, and how education can be provided by designing for social change

When: Thursday, November 10, 2011, 7pm to 9pm

Where: Austin American Statesman, 305 S. Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78704

Food and drinks provided by National Instruments