IT Accessibility Review
Volume 1, Number 6
TecAccess in the News
TecAccess Wins International Award
TecAccess has been selected as the recipient of the 2005 Lighthouse International Careers Awards Employer Recognition Award.
This award is especially meaningful this year as Lighthouse International celebrates its 100 th anniversary of helping individuals overcome the challenges of vision loss. The 2005 Career Award in the employer category was presented on Wednesday, June 08, 2005. Ari Fleisher, former press secretary to President Bush, was the keynote speaker.
Canon (USA) representatives nominated TecAccess for the Lighthouse International Award in the category of "Best Employer" due to TecAccess´ dedication and initiative in hiring and advancing workers with vision impairments in non-traditional jobs. The willingness of TecAccess to introduce modifications and promote special adaptive devices has integrated people with vision impairments into the workplace alongside sighted co-workers.
"We are very honored to receive this award," said Debra Ruh, President and Founder of TecAccess. "Lighthouse International has been helping people with disabilities for over 100 years, and we are humbled to be selected as a Best Practice Award recipient by this prestigious organization. We are appreciative of Canon´s confidence in TecAccess. We also are honored to partner with Canon (USA) because of their ongoing dedication to accessibility and making sure that all people, including people with disabilities, have access to their products."
TecAccess Publishes White Paper on Telecommunications Accessibility
TecAccess has published a comprehensive white paper titled, "Accessibility: What you need to know before purchasing telecommunication products." The paper was written by Debra Ruh, TecAccess President and Founder, and Colette Buckley, TecAccess Project Manager.
The paper discusses the various types of accessible telecommunication systems, including teletypewriters (TTYs), and hearing and voice over IP (VoIP). It also focuses on the different types of individuals who can benefit from accessible telecom devices and services. Furthermore, the white paper explains the positive impact that telecommunication accessibility can have on businesses.
The white paper is available at:
What You Need to Know Before Purchasing Telecommunication Products
TecAccess Conducts Level 100 Telecommunications Course for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has invited TecAccess to conduct a Level 100 Telecommunications course. The course will be held on July 21, 2005, from 1 pm to 4 pm.
Taught by Debra Ruh, President and Founder of TecAccess, and Rob Rice of BayFirst, the training classes will examine standards on how to render telecommunications products accessible and compliant for persons with disabilities. All course participants will receive a CD copy of the complete USPTO Section 508 Reference Guide and other reference materials.
To register for the course or for further information, visit:
http://www.uspto.gov/web/offi ces/cio/s508/courses.htm
TecAccess Conducts Level 200 E-Learning and Multimedia Training Course for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has invited TecAccess to conduct a Level 200 E-learning and Multimedia Training Course. The course will be held on July 21 and 26. All sessions will occur from 9 am to 12 pm.
Taught by Debra Ruh, President and Founder of TecAccess, the interactive workshop will examine the various types of e-learning programs and describe standards to render them Section 508 compliant. It will cover Learning Management Systems, Learning Content Systems, Online Training, and E-Learning Portals. Additionally, the workshop will review Best Practices issues that regard E-learning and multimedia.
Attendees will then work in teams to discuss reasons for non-compliancy and solutions to make E-learning and multimedia products compliant. As a prerequisite, participants must take Level 100 E-Learning and Multimedia Training.
To register for the course or for further information, visit:
http://www.uspto.gov/web/offi ces/cio/s508/courses.htm
George Washington University Invites TecAccess as a Guest Presenter
George Washington University (GWU) invited the highly sought-after Debra Ruh, President and Founder of TecAccess, as a guest presenter on June 30, 2005, at a graduate course titled, "Universal Design for Learning Implications for Career Assessment and Transition." Mrs. Ruh discussed best practices regarding Section 508 compliance and web accessibility.
TecAccess Featured in the Business Section of the Richmond Times-Dispatch
TecAccess is very honored to be featured in the business section of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Sunday edition. The article was published May 29, 2005.
The high profile piece titled, "His Disability is a Key Part of the Business," discusses how TecAccess has offered Sean Stapleford and Edward Ziegler, two of its top associates, a key to economic independence. The article also discusses how Debra Ruh, Founder and President of TecAccess, has strived to make the company a profitable business so she can continue to offer employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
