CHAMPIONING CHANGE FOR WORKERS WITH DISABILITIES
For More Information:
Contact: Paul Spicer
Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications
(804) 749-8646
info@tecaccess.net
Manakin Sabot-May 18, 2006-- TecAccess Participates in First-Ever Information Exchange with New Freedom Initiative (NFI) Circle of Champions
"We are entering a ´perfect storm,´ where employment is up, the economy is strong, and workers are migrating into retirement. This is a ´perfect opportunity´ for people with disabilities."
Sue Meisinger´s words set the tone for a rich, energized discussion at the NFI Circle of Champions Information Exchange, held at the U.S. Department of Labor on April 6, 2006. Meisinger, who is President and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), facilitated a dialogue between Debra Ruh, President and Founder of TecAccess, and other corporate leaders on effective practices and innovative strategies for advancing employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
TecAccess is an information technology (IT) business that helps companies in making IT software, products and Web sites accessible to everyone. Forty-six of TecAccess´ 52 accessibility experts have developmental, physical, sensory and emotional disabilities. They telecommute from around the world and are paid equal to or above the industry standard.
"We salute TecAccess for its dedicated efforts in increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities and for their willingness to share their successes and lessons learned with other businesses," said Dr. W. Roy Grizzard Jr., Assistant Secretary of the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP).
The first-ever exchange, hosted by ODEP, marks the beginning of a movement to realize ODEP´s vision - a world in which people with disabilities have unlimited employment opportunities - by working directly with corporate leaders.
A key theme of the meeting was the importance of public-private partnerships to help ODEP foster its initiatives, as well as extend its reach and strengthen its impact. Dr. Grizzard called on TecAccess and other participants to share information, resources, and contacts with each other to build momentum and bring other companies to the cause.
Other effective practices identified include:
- Securing commitment from top levels of leadership within a company.
- Making the commitment to employees with disabilities intrinsic to a company´s culture.
- Developing ways to measure success and holding managers accountable.
- Offering flexible and adaptable work practices.
- Building active relationships with disability employment groups.
In addition to TecAccess, participants at the exchange represented myriad sectors and industries and included members of ODEP´s NFI Circle of Champions, employers who have won the prestigious New Freedom Initiative (NFI) Award.
TecAccess won the NFI Award in 2005 in recognition of its advances in making online technologies accessible to people with disabilities. By hiring staff who deal with technology barriers daily, TecAccess offers clients meaningful, reliable test assessment from the people for whom the access is designed.
The award also recognizes TecAccess´ commitment to providing employment and advancement opportunities for people with disabilities:
- TecAccess provides training in electronic and information technology for its employees.
- Many employees have become partners in the business, owning shares and a vested interest in the future of the company.
- Company President, Ruh travels worldwide to provide training to universities, supported employment programs, vocational rehabilitation facilities, and corporate groups on how to implement fair standards in the workplace and increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Over the coming months, TecAccess will work with ODEP to raise awareness of disability employment among corporate peers and will assist in planning future events.
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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