IT Accessibility Review
Volume 1, Number 10
TecAccess in the News
TecAccess, VITA, and DRS Lay Out ´Roadmap to Accessibility´
TecAccess LLC joined Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) and the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) on April 19, 2006 at the Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, VA for the "Road to Accessibility" workshop.
VITA, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services, hosted this informative training session to better explain the implementation of the Virginia IT Accessibility Standard (GOV103-00) for non-Web applications and systems and to learn more about IT accessibility vendors and resources.
"The high level of attendance and participation from various State departments at the conference is a testimony to the Commonwealth´s commitment to making technology accessible to all Virginians," said Walter Andes, Business Development Manager for TecAccess.
VITA and DRS launched this energetic effort to encourage compliance to the Virginia IT Accessibility Standard, which is predicated on Section 508 of the US Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, for all technology procurements throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Section 508 is a U.S. law requiring electronic technology used by the Federal government to be accessible to persons with varying degrees of disabilities.
Disability statistics from the U.S. Census indicate that one in five households is affected by some form of a disability. VITA´s initiative to make sure all technology purchased and utilized throughout Virginia emphasizes the importance of equal access to technology by all citizens of the Commonwealth.
The April 19th workshop, geared towards IT developers responsible for non-Web applications and systems, also provided a special focus on Best Practices. Ms. Debra Ruh addressed assistive technology implementation, and using the perspective of (and the utilization of) persons with disabilities to test for compliance and offer accessibility solutions.
"But we don´t have any employees with disabilities in our department´ is a common response - but a significant misunderstanding," said Debra Ruh, president and CEO of TecAccess. "Yes, the challenge ahead is to address the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities, but equally important to our Commonwealth is the 20% of our State´s population that have some form of disability. As one of the world´s fastest growing minority groups, these numbers will only continue to grow as the Baby Boomer demographic ages."
Representatives such as Mr. Fred DiFiore, Director of Section 508 & 504 compliance, United States Patent and Trademark Office, explained the federal government´s successful implementation of Section 508. In addition, Ms. Linda Harris, Disability Services Administrator at Tidewater Community College and Mr. Tomas Babinszki, Senior Accessibility Engineer at USPTO, shared their own success stories in implementing Section 508.
Workshop attendees also discussed strategies for implementing software applications and operating systems, telecommunications products, video and multimedia products, and Self-Contained, Closed Products, and featured presentations from The Honorable Aneesh P. Chopra, Secretary of Technology, The Honorable Marilyn B. Tavenner, Secretary of Health and Human Resources, and Jim Rothrock, Commissioner of the Department of Rehabilitative Services.
TecAccess CEO Presents at EU Workshop in Brussels
"I was truly honored to have the opportunity to speak before the international community on the importance of eAccessibility," said Debra Ruh, President and CEO of TecAccess LLC.
TecAccess offers Section 508 accessibility compliance testing and consulting to ensure that their clients, including many Federal Government agencies, produce websites that can be accessed by individuals with a variety of disabilities. Widely recognized for expertise in accessibility issues, TecAccess employs a diverse, skilled team of professionals, most of whom are people with disabilities. This uniquely positions the company to realistically evaluate compliance, accessibility, and usability from the perspective of people with disabilities.
There are 45 million people with disabilities in the EU, while the number of older Europeans is steadily increasing. These groups often face many technical barriers when using the internet. Most of these barriers can be easily avoided if website designers were to follow a set of simple rules covering site content, structure, and coding.
The Road to eAccessibility
Since, 1994, the international World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) develops interoperable technologies (specifications, guidelines, software, and tools) to lead the web to its full potential as a forum for information, commerce, communication, and collective understanding. Hence its Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) creates guidelines regarding content, browsers, authoring tools and is actively present for the specification of the new web technologies. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG version 1.0) are recognized as a de facto standard for the design of accessible Web sites. Version 2.0 of the guidelines is now being prepared.
In the United States, President Clinton signed into law the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998, on August 7, 1998, which covers access to federally funded programs and services. The law strengthens Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act that speaks to various means for disseminating information, including computers, software, and electronic office equipment. It requires access to electronic and information technology provided by the Federal government. The law applies to all Federal agencies when they develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology. Federal agencies must ensure that this technology is accessible to employees and members of the public with disabilities.
While in Europe, in December 1999, the initiative "eEurope: an Information Society for All" was launched by the European Commission to bring the benefits of the Information Society to all Europeans. In June 2000 the subsequent eEurope 2002 Action Plan, adopted at the European Council of Feira, set out a roadmap to achieve eEurope´s targets. The point "e-Accessibility" includes the specific target of Publication of "Design for all" standards for accessibility of information technology products, in particular to improve the employability and social inclusion of people with special needs.
A United Accessibility Front
The EU workshop in Brussels further contributed to the US-EU exchange of information regarding the planned use of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) standards in support of regulations and other public policies, in the field of eAccessibility.
The objectives for the EU workshop were: to establish a creative dialogue between stakeholders in this important issue of eAccessibility; to identify practical approaches to demonstrating conformance; and to contribute to consensus building around the means to provide eAccessibility conformance within products and services in Europe.
TecAccess LLC Saluted as ´The Most Creative Workplace´
"If it were not for this open way of doing business, I would have never had the honor to work with some of the brightest people out there," said Tracy Buetow to Style Weekly & Career Climber magazines on her experience working as Director of Production for such a creative company as TecAccess, LLC.
Style Weekly & Career Climber magazines recently saluted TecAccess as the "MOST CREATIVE WORKPLACE" during their 5th Annual Best Company Awards. "There was no scientific formula, really," a representative for the magazine said. "We published a ballot in our magazine for six weeks asking you, the workers, to tell us why you think your company is the best."
When the magazine wanted to know, "How does TecAccess succeed?" the award-winning company´s dedicated employees never batted an eye in giving their responses.
"60 TecAccess associates have a variety of mobility, vision, hearing, and cognitive disabilities, who are utilizing a virtual office," says Walter Andes, who is part of the sales and business development team.
Utilizing a virtual office allows TecAccess employees to telecommute, which Ed Ziegler, of the TecAccess Communication´s team, finds immensely beneficial. "Working from a virtual office allows not only unparalleled creativity, but most importantly, it provides the very opportunity to work, as many persons with disabilities are met with a daunting job market."
Indeed, Style Weekly & Career Climber magazines put it this way, "Imagine having an infinite store of contributions to make to society, but because you are "alternately-abled," you are assumed to be unable to make those contributions. TecAccess has tapped into these previously overlooked resources."
Tracy Buetow also told the magazine that TecAccess recognizes the evolution of work environments and the accelerated changes in technology, and responds creatively. "The company is open to growing as things around us change." Telecommuting has been a challenge for the young firm, but as Tracy states, "it does open the door for people who would be unable to come into an office."
Last Year´s Winners (2005) included: Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, LandAmerica Financial Group, Bon Secours, and Capital One.
Virginia Small Businesses Partner to Offer Usability and Accessibility Consulting Services
TecAccess LLC and The Merge Computer Group Inc., two Virginia-based firms, have joined forces to offer their respective services to commercial and government clients.
The Merge Computer Group provides usability consulting services to a variety of clients from small, non-profit organizations to large, international manufacturing companies to enable them to develop web sites and business applications that are more intuitive and easily-navigable by their respective customers and users.
TecAccess offers Section 508 accessibility compliance testing and consulting to ensure that their clients, including many Federal Government agencies, produce websites that can be accessed by individuals with a variety of disabilities. Widely recognized for expertise in accessibility issues, TecAccess employs a diverse, skilled team of professionals, most of whom are people with disabilities. This uniquely positions the company to realistically evaluate compliance, accessibility, and usability from the perspective of people with disabilities.
Usability and accessibility are both essential aspects of the user experience for web sites and business applications, yet considerable confusion exists over the differences in something being "usable" versus "accessible." As these best practices mature and drive regulatory initiatives, understanding the difference will become increasingly important to those responsible for delivering web-based content and services. The collaboration by Merge and TecAccess will provide a seamless means for addressing both of these critical issues.
Ed Gooding, President of The Merge Computer Group, stated "We are delighted to partner with Debra Ruh and her very fine and reputable company. We see a natural synergy between our services and feel that, by providing them as a package, we can offer our clients the best chance of "getting it right the first time" when they spend significant money on a new website or business application."
Debra Ruh, founder and CEO of TecAccess, remarked, "This strategic partnership will further our goal to make accessibility a reality. Together, Merge Computer Group and TecAccess will demonstrate that businesses and organizations that develop accessible and user-friendly electronic and information technology will effectively reach the world´s largest minority group - people with disabilities, and the aging baby boomer population. We look forward to the opportunity to work together to show others that it simply makes good economic sense for technology to be both accessible and usable."
Dana Marlowe Joins the TecAccess LLC Team
TecAccess LLC is pleased to announce the addition of Dana Marlowe to the growing company´s team.
Dana Marlowe joins TecAccess LLC as Director of Business Development. An impressive record in management, marketing, and communications precedes her in industry and government through her dedicated work on many committees, collaboration, and numerous national speaking engagements with agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission, Departments of Defense and Labor, IDEAS Advisory Board, NOD, and DHS, as well as many other state and federal agencies.
Ms. Marlowe has also written several articles that have appeared in such publications as Professional Woman´s Magazine, Sign News, Deaf Women United, and Genessee Valley Parent Magazine.
She is a graduate from the University of Texas at Austin, with a M.A. in Communication Studies; a B.S. in Professional & Technical Communication from the Rochester Institute of Technology; and an A.A.S. in Sign Language Interpreting from the National Technical Institute of the Deaf.
The award-winning leader of the E&IT accessibility industry, TecAccess, LLC, welcomes Ms. Marlowe´s expertise as a valuable asset to its rapidly growing team.
TecAccess´ Ruh Sworn in to Olmstead Board
TecAccess LLC is proud to announce that president and CEO Debra Ruh has been sworn in as a member of the newly formed Olmstead Board.
Governor Timothy Kaine signed Executive Order 2 (2006), creating a 21-state-agency, 4-Secretariat Implementation Team to develop a comprehensive, cross-governmental strategic plan for integrating Virginians with disabilities into communities. In addition, Executive Order 2 created a 21-member stakeholder Oversight Advisory Board appointed by the Governor.
Debra Ruh will serve proudly on the Oversight Advisory Board, which is composed entirely of people with disabilities, family members of people with disabilities, advocates and providers. A Director of Community Integration for People with Disabilities chairs the Implementation Team and provides staff support to the Oversight Advisory Committee.
With over twenty years of experience, Ruh will be a prime contributor and welcome addition to the Olmstead Board. As the catalyst for TecAccess and as a parent of a child with Down syndrome, her first- hand experience with disability issues, as well as her expertise in the E&IT accessibility and Section 508 compliance field, should allow Ms. Ruh to serve the Olmstead Board and help toward the initiative´s goal "to assure Virginians with all types of physical, mental, or sensory disabilities have an opportunity to live in the community. (from: olmsteadva.com)"
TecAccess LLC and EASI Partner to Enable Accessible Technology for All
TecAccess LLC and EASI (Equal Access to Software and Information) have announced a strategic partnership that builds on the mission of both organizations to reach a new and expanding audience in the push for more accessible electronic and information technology for all users - regardless of age or disability.
"It´s a great honor to announce the partnership between TecAccess and a long time leader in accessibility - Dr. Norm Coombs and EASI," said Debra Ruh, President and CEO of TecAccess LLC.
EASI´s mission is to serve as a resource by providing information and guidance in the area of access-to-information technologies by individuals with disabilities. "We stay informed about developments and advancements within the adaptive computer technology field and spread that information to colleges, universities, K-12 schools, libraries and into the workplace," said Dr. Norm Coombs, CEO of EASI.
This partnership opens the door for over 58 million Americans with disabilities, including an aging baby boomer population, which TecAccess and EASI believe have the same right to access electronic and information technology as everyone else.
Debra Ruh Authors Two-Part eLearning Article for Learning Solutions Magazine
Debra Ruh, president and CEO of TecAccess, is the author of a two-part article for the popular Learning Solutions e-Magazine. "Making PDF´s Accessible: New Directions, New Possibilities" addresses strategies for maximizing accessibility for PDF files.
Ruh and her team of associates were tapped to author this groundbreaking series in Learning Solutions e- Magazine due to the fact that TecAccess routinely assists clients in making PDF files accessible to persons with disabilities and the elderly.
Since its inception, Learning Solutions e- MagazineTM (formerly The eLearning Developers´ Journal) has focused on being a forum for members to share their strategies, techniques and best practices for designing, developing, delivering, and managing e-Learning. Every issue includes thoughtful articles written by e-Learning Guild members and offers practical advice and solutions for solving a variety of e-Learning challenges.
"TecAccess applauds Learning Solutions e-Magazine for bringing accessibility issues to the forefront," says Debra Ruh. "We´re happy to share the expert accessibility solutions that we create at TecAccess on a daily basis with the magazine´s readership and everyone in the e-Learning arena."
TecAccess LLC, N-syst to Form Dynamic Partnership
TecAccess LLC and N-syst (Net Systems Informatics (India) Pvt. Ltd.) have announced a dynamic partnership that couples two clear leaders in Section 508 compliance, W3C standards, and accessibility solutions. Both organizations share a common mission to deliver best-in-class accessibility solutions in electronic and information technology (E&IT) throughout the world.
Since many of the associates at TecAccess and N-syst are disabled, the very individuals for whom Section 508 was designed, this uniquely positions these partnered organizations to realistically evaluate accessibility and compliance technology from the perspective of the target audience: people with disabilities.
"I am very pleased and look forward to working with the talented, dedicated group of associates at N- syst -- a company that consistently and continuously strives to exceed client expectation in delivering solid accessibility solutions," said Debra Ruh, President and CEO of TecAccess LLC.
From their suite of services, N-syst offers testing and training in Section 508 compliance. It also offers integration services for e-learning, which gives the company the insightful understanding for the need to adapt to meet the challenge of client needs that are driven by ever-changing technologies.
"This partnership between N-syst and TecAccess will help us leverage each others knowledge and skill sets. Thereby providing comprehensive accessibility services around the globe," said Shilpi Kedia, Managing Director of Net Systems Informatics (India) Pvt. Ltd.
With N-syst´s presence in the US and India, TecAccess is certain that the collaboration of talent will represent a global presence that is not only the most competitive in cost, but a clear leader in quality accessibility services.
