Dear AccessWorld readers,
In this issue of AccessWorld we celebrate October as Disability Employment Awareness Month. We take this opportunity to focus on employment with articles that provide strategies, insider perspectives, and information about employment resources.
October is a time to celebrate the skills and accomplishments of American workers with disabilities. Further, it's a time to illuminate and discuss the employment barriers that still exist and to pursue with renewed vigor their removal.
The effort to educate the American public about issues related to disability and employment began in 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October as National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week. In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
As you will see from reading this issue, AccessWorld writer Joe Strechay has been quite busy authoring four employment-related articles, each of which provides an important perspective on the employment of people with vision loss. I am also sure you will find Deborah Kendrick's review of the BrailleSense OnHand a very informative read.
I encourage you to respond to the two surveys you'll find described in AccessWorld News. By participating in this research, you can help improve accessibility for the over 25 million Americans who experience vision loss.
I am also very excited to announce in this issue the launch of the brand new AccessWorld app. Read Ricky Kirkendall and Darren Burton's article to learn how you can have AccessWorld on your iPhone!
I hope you enjoy this issue, and I hope you will join AccessWorld in recognizing and celebrating the inroads individuals with vision loss—and all types of disabilities— have made in the world of employment.
Sincerely,
Lee Huffman
AccessWorld Editor-in-Chief
