Accessible Technology in Today Business

Empower your workforce with technology that's accessible to all!

Retain your best employees. Recruit the most talented minds. Attract new customers. With ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY IN TODAY'S BUSINESS, you can empower workers of all abilities and ages. Discover how to meet the unique needs and preferences of employees with disabilities by teaming assistive technology products with Microsoft® software. And explore accessibility solutions in action—on the job—through illuminating case studies. Packed with practical tools and best practices, this timely book can help you enhance the way everyone in your organization communicates, collaborates, and contributes!

• Learn from the real-world experiences of major companies to choose the right solutions for your organization
• Develop an accessible technology plan—including strategy, needs analysis, purchasing criteria, training, and rollout
• Know your options—choosing technology solutions that accommodate the widest range of permanent, temporary, and age-related impairments
• Get hundreds of additional pages of accessibility and technology planning resources—plus complete eBook—on CD-ROM
• Make technology a powerful tool for everyone in your workplace !

Table of contents

PART I - THE VALUE OF ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY

The Business Value of Integrating Accessible Technology into Your Organization

• Retain Your Most Valued Employees
• Recruit the Most Talented Minds
• Attract New Customers
• Understand Regulations That Promote Accessibility
• Summary

Understanding Accessible Technology and Disabilities 25

• What Is Accessibility?
• What Is Accessible Technology?
• Defining "Disability"
• Understanding Impairment Types
• Occurrence of Different Types of Impairments
• For More Information
• Leading by Example

PART II - BUSINESS CASE STUDIES

Accessible Technology in the Healthcare Industry

• A Company Committed to People with Disabilities
• Technology That Helps Customers
• The Fruits of a Formal Decision Tree
• It Takes a Village—of Experts
• Lessons Learned
• Summary

Accessible Technology in the Financial Industry

• A Long History of Helping People with Disabilities
• A Barrier-Free Workplace Is Good Business
• Building a Company-Wide Commitment to Accessible Technology
• Technology That Helps Customers
• Dream Products for People with Disabilities
• Lessons Learned
• Summary

Accessible Technology in Government

• Accessible Technology Slashes Workers' Compensation Costs
• Cultural Barriers Remain
• The Future of Accessible Technology in the U.S. Government
• Legislative History of Accessible Technology
• Georgia: A Leader in Accessible Technology
• Lessons Learned
• Summary

Accessible Technology in the Retail Industry

• A History of Commitment to Workforce Diversity
• Making a Case for Business Value When Every Dollar Counts
• A Commonsense Approach to Accommodations
• Room to Improve: Building IT Policies on Proven Practices
• Removing Barriers for Customers
• Lessons Learned
• Summary

Accessible Technology in the Manufacturing Industry

• Broad-Based Commitments from a Broad Range of Manufacturers
• What It Takes to Be an Employer of Choice
• "Access Makes Good Business Sense" at Cingular Wireless
• Lessons Learned
• Summary

PART III - ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY AND YOUR BUSINESS

Developing an Accessible Technology Plan

• Step 1: Define the Accessible Technology Strategy
• Step 2: Identify Requirements
• Step 3: Design, Develop, and Purchase Accessible Technology
• Step 4: Implement and Train
• Step 5: Maintain Technology and Continue Learning
• Consultants and Resources
• Summary
• The Future of Accessible Technology
• Trends and Expectations
• The Workplace of Tomorrow
• Accessible Technology Becomes Mainstream

GLOSSARY

BIBLIOGRAPHY

INDEX