AT Needs Exposed During ATIA Orlando BLV Town Hall Meeting

This year's Town Hall Meeting at ATIA Orlando 2011 exposed many needs that still exist in the Accessible Technology field. Not only were the needs expressed but the concept of self-advocacy was an important topic.

The meeting began with important discussion surrounding job accessibility for visually impaired job seekers. Many were under the impression that with today's advances in computer technology the need to fill out a form by hand was no longer an issue. The group was quick to learn that while often this is the case, there are still many times when employers will intentionally not hire a visually impaired candidate because of this issue.

After discussing the need that still exists for certain kinds of accessible technologies in the workplace, the idea was put on the table that manufactures should be working together when developing these new technologies. Attendees expressed how important it is to visually impaired users that there is consistency across products. This is in regards to implementing similar hot-keys and compatibility between different, noncompeting, devices.

In addition to advocating for increased workplace technologies, STEM was also brought forward. STEM, an abbreviation for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, is an educational coalition with many different goals relating to students, especially those with disabilities. Many commented that by working with STEM to create policies that provide for the advanced technologies in the classroom, the ability for disabled students to enter the workforce in the above mentioned career fields will be greatly enhanced.

Lastly, the meeting ended with a simple yet very important topic; the idea of self-advocacy. It was mentioned that students will have a much greater opportunity to acquire their needed resources if they ask for it themselves. Not only ask, but demand these technologies. If put in the context "I need 'X' to succeed" the student will have much more power versus a company or other advocate saying what is needed.

Overall, the Town Hall Meeting was a great success. It brought awareness of these important issues directly to the general public, consumers, teachers, and vendor executives. ViewPlus always looks forward to the ATIA Town Hall Meeting and is proud to be part of the events facilitation.