Dear AccessWorld readers,
October is Disability Employment Awareness Month and we at AccessWorld have taken 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, with renewed vigor, pursue 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.
In observance of this month-long celebration, AccessWorld writer Joe Strechay developed two employment-related articles, each providing an important perspective on the employment of people with vision loss. AFB Public Policy Director Mark Richert also reviews and critiques a recent Justice Department report assessing the implementation of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requiring accessibility of electronic and information technology. For our readers with low vision, John Rempel's evaluation of the new features of ZoomText 10 will be of particular interest, and I'm sure those of you interested in Android accessibility will find J.J. Meddaugh's evaluation of Google Jelly Bean to be a very informative read.
This October also marks the one year anniversary of the AccessWorld app. I'm very excited to announce that the app has been downloaded nearly 1,500 times. If you have an iPhone and haven't yet downloaded the app, I encourage you to 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 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
