US Dept of Labor Taps TecAccess Expertise, Other Richmond Leaders

For immediate release
(804) 749-3565
info@tecaccess.net

Richmond, VA - July 26, 2007-- TecAccess, an award-winning accessibility consulting firm headquartered in Richmond, VA, has joined with other local standouts Positive Vibe Cafè and Get Loaded.com, to highlight their successful hiring of people with disabilities who now lead each of the respected businesses. The inspiring stories of the three businesses were shared with the US Department of Labor´s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) in an impressive roundtable discussion held at Virginia Commonwealth University, and video taped for nationwide distribution.

The Office of Disability Employment Policy was authorized by Congress in the Department of Labor´s FY 2001 appropriation to ensure that people with disabilities are fully integrated into the 21st century workforce. The highly anticipated panel discussion between ODEP and Richmond´s leaders in disability employment, as well as the subsequent release of its video, "How to Improve ROI: Employment Solutions for Small Business," coincides with the 17th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The informative video opens with the narrator stating, "You´re about to see and hear what the leaders of three small businesses have to say about leadership, commitment, and how to increase return on investment by employing innovative practices and making proactive efforts to recruit, hire, and advance people with disabilities."

Garth Larcen, owner of Positive Vibe Cafè, and Bryan Jones, president of Getloaded.com, share their firsthand experiences, explaining that employees with disabilities often exhibit a stronger work ethic, higher morale, better attendance, and dedication when compared to non-disabled peers. Debra Ruh, founder of TecAccess, echoes these observations, explaining to the panel and video audience her inspiring story of creating the SBA´s "Small Business of the Year" after finding employment options difficult for her daughter who has Down syndrome. Now 50 employees strong, her company, which grew out of a need for greater employment opportunities, is today a leader in accessibility solutions and IT consulting with many of her employees with disabilities appropriately leading the way.

Joining the business leaders was Dr. Roy Grizzard, the country´s first Assistant Secretary of Labor Department´s Office of Disability Employment Policy. Dr. Grizzard, a Virginia Commonwealth alumnus, who was formerly the commissioner for the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired for the Commonwealth of Virginia, served as the moderator of the event.

"How to Improve ROI: Employment Solutions for Small Businesses" can be viewed on the ODEP website (www.dol.gov/odep) or by requesting a copy from TecAccess, www.tecaccess.net. ODEP is also distributing the video to the public in hopes of encouraging businesses across the country to follow the examples of Richmond´s leaders in disability employment. Watch this roundtable discussion and learn more about how these employers saved time and money by including employees with disabilities in their companies.

About ODEP
ODEP is the nation´s first assistant secretary-led office that specifically addresses policies that impact the employment of people with disabilities. For example, ODEP has developed methods for the 3,500 One-Stop Career Centers nationwide to serve people with barriers to employment, including individuals with disabilities. Also, collaborating with sister Labor Department agencies the Employment and Training Administration and the Civil Rights Center ODEP developed a disability checklist to assist with implementation of Section 188 of the Workforce Investment Act at the local level.

About TecAccess

TecAccess is the most awarded risk management and accessibility consultancy in the world. TecAccess turns potential risks into a marketplace advantage through leading accessibility services and products. With a focus on Section 508 compliance, TecAccess makes Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) accessible to the world´s largest and fastest growing demographic - people with disabilities. TecAccess is a certified Woman-Owned and SBA certified 8(a) and Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB).

For further information about TecAccess, please call: (804) 749-3565, e-mail info@tecaccess.net, or visit our website at www.TecAccess.net.

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