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PROFESSIONAL SPEAKERS
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Debra Ruh
President and CEO
Debra Ruh is an internationally recognized leader in the electronic and information technology (E&IT) accessibility arena, and a major advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities. Her steadfast dedication to making Section 508 and other accessibility legislation truly helpful to persons with disabilities is inspired by her daughter, Sara, who was born with Down syndrome. When Sara reached middle school, Debra realized her daughter´s employment options were going to be extremely limited, and decided to become an employer that values the talents and skills of persons with disabilities.
Inspired by her mission to create employment opportunities for people with disabilities and drawing upon more than 25 years of international experience developing and implementing solutions for government agencies and organizations, Debra started TecAccess in 2001. Her award-winning company works tirelessly to create a fully accessible world of technology.
Debra Ruh is a keynote speaker and has authored numerous articles appearing in consumer publications and trade journals such as Learning Solutions eMagazine. She has also been featured in Washington Technology and Entrepreneur Magazine. She has spoken before the European Union, Executive Offices of the President, USDA Conference on Disabilities, IDEAS, CSUN, GSA Usability Universes, Fed Web Conference, USPTO Panel on Accessible E-Learning, and the Leadership Institution on Design of Accessible Online Education at Georgia Tech Global Learning Center.
Keynote & Workshop Topics:
Accessible Technology and Universal Design, How to Make Your Website Compliant, Section 508 Strategies, How to Make e-Learning Section 508 Compliant, How to get ROI from Section 508, Section 508 Compliance Training, Accessible E-Learning, How Section 508 Compliments Accessibility & Usability, How to Make Software Section 508 Compliant, How to Test for Section 508, Section 508 Compliance Overview, How to Start a Successful Telework Business Model, How to Hire People with Disabilities as Accessibility Testers, and much more!
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 at 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 America´s 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 person´s 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 Department´s 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:
John´s 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 technology´s 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.
Dr. Roy Grizzard
Former Assistant Secretary of the Office of Disability Employment Policy
Dr. Roy Grizzard, who served as the first Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), has been at the forefront of disability employment initiatives for over twenty years.
In addition to his presidential appointment at ODEP, Roy was formerly the commissioner for the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired for the Commonwealth of Virginia. In his capacity as chief administrator, he orchestrated comprehensive services to the state´s blind, visually impaired and deaf blind, as well as supervised 196 employees.
As a person with a disability, Roy understands the positive impact employees with disabilities are making in today´s workforce. He combines this first hand perspective with a keen sense of the operational procedures of business and government. Through his work and years of dedication, Roy has demonstrated the business case for hiring people with disabilities, proving that employees with disabilities can improve an organization´s productivity, efficiency, staff retention, and morale.
Roy holds a Bachelor of Science in health and physical education and a Master of Science in education administration and supervision from the Virginia Commonwealth University. He also holds a doctorate in education in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University. Roy is a board member of Prevent Blindness Virginia and former chairman of the research committee of the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Keynote & Workshop Topics:
Access for People with Disabilities to Employment, Business Case for Hiring People with Disabilities, Achieving an Inclusive Corporate Culture, Exploring Employment and Retention Strategies, and Workforce Recruitment.
Dennis Stone
Senior Vice President of Veterans Programs
Dennis Stone leads TecAccess´ award-winning DVET program, in which Veterans with Disabilities participate in groundbreaking training opportunities and secure employment in highly competitive positions around the country. Dennis´ success with the DVET program has earned him speaking engagements across the country, as he speaks to VA Hospitals, government agencies, and private industry looking to tap into the emerging workforce made up of Veterans with Disabilities.
Dennis draws upon thirty years of sales and marketing experience, plus twenty-two years of experience in the Army in active and reserve components. His business experience includes twenty-five years with Thomson NETg and four years with Control Data Corporation. Dennis was commissioned in the Army after graduation from Norwich University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Magna Cum Laude. He spent seven years on active duty and fifteen in the reserve Units retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Dennis served in a number of command and staff assignments including Platoon Leader, Company Commander, Special Forces Detachment Commander, Special Forces Company Commander, and Information Systems Officer. Military schooling includes Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced, Airborne, Ranger, Military Mountaineering, Special Forces Officer and Command and General Staff College.
Dennis was recently featured in Boomer Life Magazine for his efforts with the successful disabled veteran training program.
Keynote & Workshop Topics:
Veterans with Disabilities, Disability Employment, Workforce Solutions, How to Tap into the Unique Skill Sets of Veterans with Disabilities, and the ROI of Employing Veterans with Disabilities.
Dana Marlowe
Senior Vice President of Business Development
Dana Marlowe, Dana Marlowe is the Senior Vice President at TecAccess, an award-winning accessibility consulting firm in the United States. Dana has an impressive record in business management, marketing, and communications as it relates to accessible technology and disability in both government and private industry.
She has served on numerous committees and performed national speaking engagements with agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission, Departments of Defense and Labor, IDEAS Advisory Board, National Organization of Disability, and Department of Homeland Security, as well as many other US federal agencies.
When not addressing governmental agencies, Dana speaks before leading corporations and academic institutions throughout the world. Most recently, Dana has been invited to present to countries throughout South America, Europe and Africa on topics such as disability employment, assistive technology, and the business case for accessible technology.
With over thirteen years dedicated in the accessibility industry, Dana is known for her stewardship in advocating for all aspects of disability rights.
Dana has also written several articles that have appeared in such diverse publications as Professional Woman´s Magazine, The Chicago Tribune, Teen Ink book, Sign News, and Deaf Women United.
She is a graduate from the University of Texas at Austin, with a M.A. in Communication Studies focusing on Deaf studies; a B.S. in Professional & Technical Communication from the Rochester Institute of Technology; and a degree in Sign Language Interpreting from the National Technical Institute of the Deaf.
Keynote & Workshop Topics:
Diversity in the Workplace: Employing People with Disabilities, Working with Coworkers with Disabilities, How to Create Disability Access Technology Perspectives on Employees with Disabilities, Guide to Disability Awareness Empowering People with Disabilities with Technology, Assistive Technology in the Workplace, Working with Someone who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Beginner American Sign Language, How to Use a Sign Language Interpreter, How to Find and Procure the Right Assistive Technology, Disability Awareness and Sensitivity Training, How to Maximize Your Accessible Workplace, Disability Awareness, Advocacy, and Etiquette Deaf Culture in America, Marketing to the Disability Market
Norman Coombs, Ph.D.
Professor
Norman Coombs taught at the Rochester Institute of Technology from 1961 to 1998. He was instrumental in the college beginning its extensive online learning courses and has also taught online for the New School for Social Research, San Diego State University, the University of Washington and for EASI. He has taught several thousand students in more than 3 dozen countries. Coombs, himself, is blind, and besides being an international distance learning pioneer, has been the leading champion for making online learning accessible to students and faculty with disabilities. Coombs has lectured on online learning in 7 different countries including being a invited speaker at the Istanbul Turkey conference of the International Federation of Library Associations. He has presented at dozens of national and international education-related and disability-related conferences as well as publishing many articles on the topic. (See a partial listing of articles at http://www.rit.edu/~nrcgsh/).
Keynote & Workshop Topics:
Accessible eLearning, Section 508, disability awareness, podcasting, barrier-free web design, train the trainer, assistive computer technology on a shoestring, and many more!
Richard Hodgkinson
Senior Accessibility Consultant
Richard Hodgkinson of Hampshire, United Kingdom is a Senior Technical Consultant for TecAccess, bringing his extensive accessibility knowledge and experience in worldwide IT accessibility regulations. Working in software development for more than 35 years, Richard has represented the United Kingdom and Sweden in countless international committees, while developing International (ISO) Standards that address accessibility, as well as documentation and icons for software products. As the editor of both ISO and European standards, such as the new ISO 9241 part 171 (Guidelines for Software Accessibility), Richard is frequently featured in global workshops, conferences, and technical journals.
As a Fellow of the UK Institute of Scientific Technical Communicators (ISTC), Richard has presented throughout the US, Europe, Singapore, and Australia. Like wise, his articles on international standards regularly appear in The Communicator, as well as in the Australian and New Zealand version, Southern Communicator. Honored with the "Horace Hockley" Award from the ISTC, Richard was recently invited to join the European standards committee, which will be developing a standard to provide a set of access symbols for video and ICT devices.
Keynote & Workshop Topics:
Global Overviews of Accessibility Standards Development
International (ISO) Standards and European Standards
Accessible Video and ICT Devices
Karen Beauregard
Senior Accessibility Consultant
Karen Beauregard brings over 20 years experience and a winning track record of accomplishments in product marketing, market research and business development. Karen has the proven abilities to function in fast-paced environments including web-based marketing, web-based training and web-based market research. Adept at working with Fortune 500 clients: ATT, Verizon, Bank of America, Manpower, as well as, many government agencies: SSA, Dept of Education, VA, IRS to identify their needs and provide on time, cost effective solutions.
Karen has spent the past 10 years working with a number of eLearning companies with a special focus on Section 508 and accessibility. Karen has worked with the top eLearning companies to develop their accessibility product and content strategy for their entire content library, content player(s), learning management systems and services.
Karen has held a number of marketing and product management positions at various high-tech firms including Wang Laboratories, Gartner Group, Thomson NETg, Engage Technologies and SkillSoft, Inc.
Keynote & Workshop Topics:
eLearning Overview, Making eLearning Accessible, and Effective eLearning Strategies
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, as she relays to audiences her inspiring dreams, 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.
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 she helps others, as Sara volunteers her time 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.
Loretta Chittum
Senior Vice President for Government and Customer Relations
Loretta is the former Deputy Assistant Secretary/Special Assistant at the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. She has served as principal advisor to the Assistant Secretary and has provided management leadership in designing & directing the operations of national disability programs.
She has worked extensively with the Rehabilitation Act/Workforce Investment Act and has served as an (alternate) member of the Access Board. Loretta also initiated and led the efforts for the agency´s evacuation of people with disabilities & other post-9/11 security measures, and she has testified before the U.S. House of Representatives´ Committee on Education and the Workforce, as well as before the Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure regarding Coordinating Human Services Transportation.
Prior to working for the U.S. Department of Education, Loretta served as the Chief Deputy Commissioner and Director of the Center for Elder Rights.
She has also worked as the Chief Deputy Commissioner for the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services and as Legislative Coordinator for the Secretary of Health and Human Resources.
Keynote & Workshop Topics:
Disability and Sensitivity Training, Disability Awareness for Government Agencies, Disability Employment for Private Industry, and The Power of Customers with Disabilities.
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. David´s 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 AbilityNet´s 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.
Mary Schnack
Professional Speaker and Founder of Mary Schnack Media Services
Mary Schnack has more than 30 years of experience in journalism, public relations and public affairs, crisis communications, writing, and marketing communications. As public relations consultants they represent associations, corporations, entrepreneurs, government entities, small businesses, and non-profit organizations.
A noted communications specialist, Mary also has been giving speeches and presentations worldwide for more than 25 years. Mary is articulate, witty and knowledgeable about communications for both business and personal relevance. Her topics are interesting and thought provoking and offer communication and entrepreneurial tips that can be put to immediate use.
Mary also has been a single mother for more than 20 years and advocated for her daughter through special education and employment challenges. Now as a young adult, Erika lives independently at age 25 with a caregiver to help with some basic tasks. She works at a sheltered work environment, where she was promoted from a client to a minimum wage employee.
Keynote & Workshop Topics:
Mary and Erika can provide inspiration in speeches on such topics as Being Your Own Advocate, Transitioning From Home To Independence, Living In Both Worlds, What To Do When There´s No Diagnosis To Receive Services.
LaMondrè Pough
Inspirational Speaker and Radio Personality
LaMondrè Pough´s dedication to helping people unleash their personal potential has quickly established him as a primer inspirational speaker and trainer.
He believes that in order for an organization to be at its very best, the people who make up the organization be at their best.
Addressing such areas as inspiration, empowerment, leadership and diversity, LaMondrè helps people and organizations achieve just that, their best.
Organizations and business executives hire LaMondrè for his inspiring presentations which translate into an increase in employee and member morale and productivity.
Living with a severe disability, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, LaMondrè has faced many challenges and has accomplished many things. He was a founding leader at South Carolina´s first Independent Living Center, he is the host of a daily radio program (Power Minute with LaMondrè Pough), he is the founding partner in TechnoAngels, and the founder and CEO of LaMondrè Pough Unlimited.
Keynote & Workshop Topics:
Presentations Include:
"Do Something" (inspiration), "To Be Empowered You Must Act Empowered" (empowerment), "Walking the Talk" (leadership), and "Peering Through A Different Window" (diversity)
Michael Chenail
Senior Accessibility Consultant
Michael Chenail - The founder of Compliance Alliance, a facility management consulting firm, Michael is a widely recognized leader in the disability community and is dedicated to creating awareness of social obstacles and unconscious discrimination of those with disabilities. Four years, post spinal cord injury, resulting form a motorcycle accident in 1985, Mr. Chenail began his work in the disability field in 1989.
Mr. Chenail has worked with businesses, community organizations, and local government agencies assisting in the recognition and resolution of accessibility related problems for persons with disabilities, as well as the overall interaction of persons with disabilities within the community. Michael comes to TecAccess with many years of service to the disability community.
His passion brings an awareness of both physical and technological barriers faced by persons with disabilities, and he knows first hand how easily discrimination can dissolve with increased awareness. When not advocating in the boardroom, Mr. Chenail is diligently working within the community... advocating for change.
Keynote & Workshop Topics:
Affirmative Action and Disability, Disability Etiquette, Reasonable Accommodation, Access and Liability, Consumer Marketing, Hiring & Managing Employees with Disabilities.
Edward Ziegler
Account Executive
Edward Ziegler was involved in an automobile accident in 1982 that left him in a coma for two months. What is taken for granted by most -- such as walking, talking, swallowing, eating, rolling over in bed, or even using the bathroom - Ed had to relearn and modify.
Despite the limitations caused by his brain injury, Ed has participated four times as a runner in the Richmond Marathon and the Super Cities Walk for MS. In 1991 and 1992 he also participated in Walk Through the Clouds, to raise public awareness of brain injury. This drive and energy were thought to be assets by his employer at Richmond´s Capital Club, and at Johnson-Willis Hospital where he had done extensive rehabilitation. Since 1989 Ed has appeared in several newspaper articles and TV interviews featuring his drive and determination.
In the years since 1982, he has continually demonstrated a willingness to learn how to adapt his strengths to overcome his present limitations. In 1985, Ed was introduced to his first computer as a Christmas gift. He had severe ataxia in his left arm and a nonfunctional right arm, making it impossible to write or type.
In 1992, Virginia´s Department of Rehabilitation Services came through with Ed´s first piece of adaptive equipment, Dragon Dictate, and a computer to use it. In the years since, he has continued to improve his use of voice recognition software, and is now using Dragon Naturally Speaking 8.0.
TecAccess has allowed Ed to fulfill his dream of helping, supporting, and advocating for persons with disabilities. As Ed has grown in his position at TecAccess, he has developed a following of fans who embrace his inspirational message. Ed is currently pursing this aspect of his career development by delivering motivational speeches and keynote addresses for churches, clubs, non-profit organizations, and businesses.
Keynote & Workshop Topics:
The Importance of Accessible Technology - a first hand perspective, Disability Awareness & Sensitivity, Motivational & Inspirational
