Blind Ambition: A CEO’s Vision
Making 'sense' of the $
Earlier last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that the current state of U.S. paper-based currency is discriminatory against blind and partially sighted consumers. Given that a $1 and a $100 bill essentially feel the same, it was agreed that blind individuals are being denied meaningful access to the standard currency.
Here in Canada, I have come across several bills, granted it is those more recently produced, that can be identified by a helpful...
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Posted on: 26 May 2008
Accessible retirement, survivors & disability benefits
It was recently ruled that the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) must accommodate to the real and legitimate needs of people with visual impairments who receive benefits. Currently, the agency communicates with blind and visually impaired applicants and beneficiaries in standard 12-point font print, which they are unable to read. The ruling came after SSA sought to dismiss a class action filed in federal court in 2005, alleging that the agency fails to provide the most basic...
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Posted on: 14 May 2008
Call for nominations
I am pleased to announce that we are now accepting nominations of blind and/or partially sighted athletes for the 2008/09 T-Base Athletic Sponsorship program. This annual sponsorship is awarded to a blind or partially sighted individual who actively participates in a competitive sport, and exhibits true dedication and commitment in his/her field.
The awarded recipient of the sponsorship receives a variety of accessible communication materials such as braille business cards and alternate...
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Posted on: 01 May 2008
Accessible credit reports provide increased independence and enhanced security
Previously only available in standard print, it was recently announced that blind, deafblind and partially sighted consumers will soon have the ability to obtain/access their credit reports in a variety of accessible formats.
Free online reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion will be available through the Central Source site, and will comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines by October of this year. Equifax, Experian and TransUnion are nationwide Consumer Reporting Agencies (...
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Posted on: 29 Apr 2008
Improving information, communications and barrier removal
Ontario has an important law called the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. It’s the first of its kind in Canada. In direct relation to the mission of my company, it’s intent is to ensure that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as all others and be able to do the things that most of us take for granted. Businesses and organizations that provide goods and services to people in Ontario will have to meet certain accessibility standards...
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Posted on: 28 Apr 2008
Spring into Accessibility
Since launching this blog in early January, I have really enjoyed commenting on a variety of topics that both interest and affect me, and am most excited by the conversations it has sparked among individuals as a result. To help facilitate further discussions, I am inviting readers to enter into our “Spring into Accessibility†blog contest where one lucky blogger will win an iPod Nano! To enter, you must first register for the contest. Once you are registered, you can enter...
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Posted on: 17 Apr 2008
Something different to everyone
There has been a flurry of widespread discussions since blind New York Governor David Paterson assumed his newfound position just one month ago. While the primary focus has centered around the governor’s inspirational story of success in the face of adversity, reports have also spotlighted Paterson’s attained success despite his personal choice not to learn braille, use a cane or guide dog, etc. To some observers, this active decision may demonstrate great independence, while to some...
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Posted on: 09 Apr 2008
A sound strategy for reaching out
Although our primary focus is providing alternate format materials for organizations, from time to time T-Base also provides accessible communications for blind, deafblind and partially sighted individuals. A prime example is our annual athletic sponsorship of a blind athlete where we assisted deafblind speed skater Kevin Frost, as well as this year’s recipient, blind runner Jason Dunkerley, who aspires to represent Canada at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China. When I heard...
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Posted on: 27 Mar 2008
When it is needed most!
Based on recent developments witnessed in the North American banking industry, stemming from the so called “sub-prime mortgage crisisâ€, there are rumours of an economic crisis looming. Among many things, difficulty in the housing market and concerns about the broader economy has forced central banks to aggressively slash interest rates, in an effort to ease pressures in the capital markets. Retail banks have followed suit with rate reductions, hoping to stimulate consumer demand....
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Posted on: 21 Mar 2008
Consumer confidence and brand loyalty is not the only thing at risk
While the advances in technology over the past decade have allowed organizations to reach a much wider client base, they have, in the same breath, exposed corporate North America to a greater potential of security risk. Subsequently, when we think of “access to information†for blind, deafblind and partially sighted individuals, we think in terms of reaching this consumer base with alternate format communication materials. Among the many benefits of providing such a service,...
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Posted on: 14 Mar 2008
