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Lighthouse International Awards TecAccess the 2005 Employer Recognition Award
Celebrating Success and Independence in the Academic and Working Worlds
Contact: Wendy Maurice
(212) 821-9760
wmaurice@lighthouse.org
New York-- The 26th annual Lighthouse Scholarships and Career Awards were held on June 8th, 2005, at Lighthouse International in New York to honor outstanding students and employed individuals for overcoming the challenges of vision loss.
Special recognition was also given to corporations that have demonstrated a commitment to recruit and hire people who are visually impaired.
The winners of the prestigious awards were selected by an independent panel of judges from the business, human services and academic communities. The 2005 Scholarships and Career Awards judges were: David McIntee, McIntee & Fusaro Associates, LLC; Thomas A. Robertson, Associate Commissioner, New York State Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped; Dora Torres, Verizon; and Erica M Torres, Lehman Brothers.
Dynamic contributors to the stirring atmosphere of the event were former White Press Secretary Ari Fleischer, who delivered the keynote address, and Dr. Max Gomez, Health and Science Editor, NewsChannel 4, who, as Master of Ceremonies, introduced each of the award winners with poignant remarks.
Lighthouse International´s Scholarships and Career Awards are designed to reward excellence, recognize accomplishments and help students who are blind or partially sighted achieve their career goals. The 2005 Scholarships of $5,000 were given to Kelly Matula of Marlton, NJ; Laura Wolk of Allentown, PA; Michael Stanek of Ashley, PA; and Terrence Murphy of Mineola, NY.
A National Merit Finalist and recipient of the Rensselaer Medal and the Society of Women Engineers Award, Kelly Matula will enter Princeton University this fall. Laura Wolk, a member of the National Honor Society, will begin her freshman year at Swarthmore College this fall. Currently a doctoral student at Teachers College, Terrence Murphy holds a Master of Science from NYU´s Department of Health Studies. A part-time adjunct professor at both CW Post College and Adelphi University, he aspires to gain a full-time faculty position. Michael Stenek of Ashley, PA is studying mathematics, as well as counseling and human resources at the University of Scranton (PA) where he will be a sophomore this fall.
The awards presentation was concluded with the Special President´s Award of $1,000 to a graduate of the Lighthouse Youth Transition Services program, Terraine Hall. One of the Lighthouse´s numerous success stories, Terraine first came to the Lighthouse as a student in the Child Development Center at age three. Through the years, he graduated from one Lighthouse program to another, including the Saturday Skills program, which builds social and academic skills to prepare youth with impaired vision to meet their full potential. A graduate of the New York Institute, he returned to the Lighthouse as an adult for job training, first in Computer and Customer Service, followed by Information and Referral Services. Terraine finally has the career he has worked so diligently to achieve; he was recently promoted to a full-time Customer Service Representative in Keyspan's Emergency Services Unit.
The Lighthouse´s prestigious Career Awards Program recognizes exceptional employees who are blind or partially sighted and have successfully overcome their vision limitations by securing employment in the competitive marketplace. In addition, the awards acknowledge employers who demonstrate that people with impaired vision are a vital part of the workforce.
The 2005 Career Awards of $5,000 for Employees and Employers were awarded to Bruce Archer of Presque Isle, ME, and TecAccess of Rockville, VA.
Bruce Archer works for a local agency on aging, where he began a computer access program to connect shut-in adults, including those with vision loss, with the outside world. The program has given more computers to older people who are blind than the state of Maine has, and Bruce´s commitment has been recognized by his Congressman, Michael Michaud, who submitted a recommendation letter for this award.
TecAccess is a recognized leader in information technology accessibility and in the employment of people with disabilities; more than 90 percent of people on staff have a disability, and more than 25 percent have a vision impairment. With 46 associates who have a disability telecommuting from around the world, this consulting business helps clients, ranging from Federal governmental agencies to corporate leaders, design more accessible technology to meet legal compliance standards.
About Lighthouse International
Lighthouse International is a leading resource worldwide on vision impairment and vision rehabilitation. Through its pioneering work in vision rehabilitation services, education, research, prevention and advocacy, Lighthouse International enables people of all ages who are blind or partially sighted to lead independent and productive lives. Founded in 1905 and headquartered in New York, Lighthouse International is a not-for-profit organization, and depends on the support and generosity of individuals, foundations and corporations.
About TecAccess
Winner of numerous awards, including the 2005 Secretary of Labor´s New Freedom Initiative Award, TecAccess is an industry-leading IT firm providing Section 508 compliance and electronic and information technology (E&IT) accessibility solutions for clients in government, private industry, and higher education throughout the world. TecAccess is a certified Woman-Owned and SBA certified 8(a) and Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) committed to hiring people with disabilities.
For further information about TecAccess, please call: (804) 749-8646 , e-mail info@tecaccess.net, or visit our website at www.TecAccess.net.
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