I’m excited to be writing this introductory blog post officially announcing the launch of PEATworks.org, an interactive online resource focused on accessible technology in the workplace. This new web portal is the result of work done over the past year by the Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology (PEAT), a multi-faceted initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy to promote the employment of people with disabilities through the development and adoption of accessible technology.
There’s a reason that the first word in our initiative’s name is “Partnership.” We truly want to partner with you to optimize PEAT’s offerings and provide valuable resources to our stakeholders—employers, technology providers, and technology users with disabilities. With your input and feedback, PEATworks.org will become a catalyst for innovation, policy development, and the adoption of accessible technology as a part of everyday business practice. Achieving this vision will require active dialogue and partnering with all of you!
PEATworks.org is a dynamic, evolving hub of resources and collaborative opportunities focused on incorporating accessible technology into all aspects of employment. We invite you to explore the site to learn more about the companies and organizations partnering with PEAT and to check out the wide range of features and tools available, including:
- TechCheck, an interactive benchmarking tool that helps you assess your workplace’s technology accessibility practices and find tools to improve them;
- Accessible Technology Action Steps for Employers, a simple tool for breaking down accessibility issues into well-defined and understandable steps;
- PEAT Spotlight, a series of articles on companies that are engaged in “doing it right,” including Canon, Ernst & Young, and Oracle; and
- Join the Conversation, specific opportunities to discuss the issues you are facing, share your success stories, and learn from your peers.
Today technology is an indispensable part of our work, education, social, and community lives. Ensuring the accessibility of workplace technology is essential to hiring and employing qualified and talented individuals with disabilities–and to ultimately making sure that economic and employment opportunities are available to all. Those of us at RESNA managing this initiative, along with the PEAT staff and partners, look forward to you joining us in this effort.
Sincerely,
Michael J. Brogioli, Executive Director
Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA)
