IT Accessibility Review
Volume 1, Number 12
Keynote Speakers
Expanding Speakers Bureau Helps Businesses Increase Brand Loyalty and Market Share
TecAccess is expanding again! As our Suite of Services grow, we´ve received increasing requests for professional speakers representing disability employment, accessibility/usability, and marketing to customers with disabilities and Baby Boomers. We have therefore increased our Speakers Bureau and now offer some of the biggest names in disability advocacy, along with a specialized focus for the business community that provides key information pertaining to:
- The ROI involved in hiring people with disabilities
- How to target customers with disabilities
- How to improve brand awareness and customer loyalty
- As well as many other topics relating to disability and the business community
Our talented roster of speakers are skilled at leading meetings, symposiums and conferences with one goal in mind -- creating results for the audience and building a culture of success.
The spring and summer of 2007 has seen TecAccess´ growing Speakers Bureau invited to present throughout Europe, Africa, North America, and South America. This month, TecAccess is extremely pleased to add three new professional keynote speakers John Kemp, Sara Ruh, and David Banes. Please take a moment to learn about these impressive leaders, and contact us for a customized speaking engagement or workshop at your business, government agency, conference, or educational institution.
John D. Kemp
World Renowned Disability Advocate, Author, Speaker
John D. Kemp is widely respected for his many achievements, both in the corporate and non-profit worlds. As a person with personal disability experience who uses four prostheses, John inspires others to achieve the impossible through knowledge, experience, vision, personality, and persistence. Mr. Kemp graduated from Georgetown University in 1971 and from Washburn University School of Law in 1974. Mr. Kemp was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law from Washburn University School of Law in May, 2003.
With more than 45 years of direct experience in the disability movement, currently, John D. Kemp is a principal at the Washington, D.C. Law Firm of Powers, Pyles, Sutter & Verville, P.C.. In his practice, he serves as the CEO ACCSES, HalfthePlanet Foundation and The One Percent Coalition, as well as the Executive Director and General Counsel to the US Business Leadership Network and represents several technology companies interested in disability.
In March 2006, Mr. Kemp received the Henry B. Betts Award, widely regarded as Americas highest honor for disability leadership and service. Presented jointly by the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the Betts Award recognizes a persons work and scope of influence that have significantly improved the quality of life for people with disabilities in the past and who continues to be a force for change in the future.
Appointed by Secretary Leavitt of Health and Human Services, Mr. Kemp served on the Medicaid Commission from July 2005 through December 2006. He currently serves on the State Departments Advisory Committee on Persons with Disabilities, which guides the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the Agency for International Development (USAID) in the formulation and implementation of U.S. foreign policy and assistance with respect to people with disabilities.
Keynote & Workshop Topics:
Johns highly anticipated speeches are specially tailored to be both practical and inspirational, addressing such topics as: Government and the Disability Community; Leadership and Diversity; Assistive Technologys Contributions to the Independence of People with Disabilities; Cultural Differences of the Disability Community; The Disability Market for Corporate Products; Disability Employment; The Past, Present and Future Significance of the ADA; and Website Accessibility.
Sara Ruh
TecAccess´ Inspiration
Sara Ruh has always had big dreams. At 20 years of age she has effectively advocated for people with Down syndrome, as well as those with a wide array of physical and cognitive disabilities.
Despite facing similar challenges and battling misperceptions of what people with disabilities can achieve, Sara has traveled the country in an effort to help her mother, Debra Ruh, grow TecAccess, while speaking to government leaders and corporations about the many benefits of hiring others with disabilities and taking accessibility seriously.
Sara enjoys sharing the stage with her mother or speaking on her own -- relaying to a vast array of audiences her inspiring dreams and goals for the future; her experiences transitioning from high school to employment as a person with a disability; as well as her many work and school accolades. At a recent keynote address at the National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center, Sara discussed college and employment for people with disabilities. She has also been interviewed for NBC´s People Making a Difference, and participated in feature interviews with SBTV, Wells Fargo, and an Easter Seals commercial with the Mayor of Jacksonville, Florida.
In addition, Sara is actively pursuing her interests in dance and theatre, performing in a number of productions, and she is instrumental in Special Olympics Cheerleading. When not speaking and inspiring others, Sara volunteers her time helping others at Henrico Doctor´s Hospital in Richmond, Virginia.
Keynote & Workshop Topics:
Disability Employment; High School/Work Transition for People with Disabilities; Inspiration/Motivation; Diversity in the Workforce; Accomplishments of People with Disabilities; Don´t Be Afraid to Dream.
Dave Banes
Director of Developement for AbilityNet and Keynote Speaker
Dave Banes is Director of Development for AbilityNet, the UK based non-profit organization dealing with all aspects of accessibility to technology for people with disabilities.
Prior to working at AbilityNet, David was Headteacher at Meldreth Manor School for young people with Cerebral Palsy. He has also authored numerous articles and books on the topic of information technology and the internet for all. Davids work at AbilityNet addresses all aspects of accessibility -- in the workplace, in the educational environment, and for individuals in their own homes.
In 2001 he established AbilityNets web accessibility services, pioneering a pragmatic approach that combined international standards with user experience. David has also been at the forefront of promoting innovation in delivering advice and information to people with disabilities in using new technologies throughout Europe.
Under the banner of Barrier-Free Services he has created a suite of services that integrate website resources, including self-help guides at AbilityNet and the BBC, with personal assessments and support delivered through a combination of low cost video conferencing and desktop sharing.
Keynote & Workshop Topics:
Disabilities and Technology; IT Accessibility for All; Accessibility and the Use of Social Networks; Disabilities and Web 2.0; International Accessibility Standards.
