[Blindtlk] National Federation of the Blind and Deque Systems to Launch Nonvisual Access Certification Program

[David Andrews]

>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
>CONTACT:
>Chris Danielsen
>Public Relations Specialist
>National Federation of the Blind
>(410) 659-9314, ext. 2330
>(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
><mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org
>
>MEDIA ADVISORY
>
>National Federation of the Blind and Deque Systems to Launch
>Nonvisual Access Certification Program
>
>The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the 
>nation’s leading advocate for access by the 
>blind to the Internet, in partnership with its 
>Web accessibility consultant Deque Systems, 
>Inc., will launch the NFB Nonvisual Access (NVA) 
>Certification Program later this week.  The 
>launch will take place at the annual Technology 
>and People with Disabilities Conference 
>conducted in Los Angeles by the Center on 
>Disability at California State University at 
>Northridge­commonly referred to as the CSUN conference.
>
>Date:              March 13, 2008
>
>Location:       Los Angeles Airport Marriott
>                        5855 West Century Boulevard
>                        Los Angeles, California 90045
>
>Time:             8:00 a.m. - NFB and Deque 
>officials available to answer questions at Booth 
>411, New Orleans Section, Hall of Cities
>                       3:10 p.m. - Presentation, 
> “The NFB Nonvisual Access Seal of Approval,” Dallas Ballroom
>
>The Nonvisual Access Certification Program 
>provides a way for Web site and application 
>developers to work with leading experts on 
>blindness and accessibility to ensure that their 
>Internet sites or applications are fully 
>accessible to and usable by blind people 
>employing screen access software.  Applicants go 
>through a rigorous evaluation and testing 
>procedure and work with a web accessibility 
>consultant (WAC) to address any accessibility 
>issues discovered during the evaluation.  Once 
>the site or application has addressed all 
>accessibility issues, it is granted the right to 
>display an NFB-NVA seal of approval on its 
>site.  Participating in the Nonvisual Access 
>Certification Program is an excellent way for 
>corporations and organizations to demonstrate 
>social responsibility and commitment to access for everyone.
>
># # #
>
>About the National Federation of the Blind
>With more than fifty thousand members, the 
>National Federation of the Blind is the largest 
>and most influential membership organization of 
>blind people in the United States.   The NFB 
>improves blind people’s lives through advocacy, 
>education, research, technology, and programs 
>encouraging independence and 
>self-confidence.  It is the leading force in the 
>blindness field today and the voice of the 
>nation's blind.  In January 2004 the NFB opened 
>the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan 
>Institute, the first research and training 
>center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.
>
>About Deque Systems, Inc.
>Deque Systems, Inc. is a leading technology 
>provider of end-to-end integrated Web compliance 
>solutions that deliver accessibility, privacy, 
>and security.  Deque's unmatched abilities have 
>earned us the trust of government agencies, 
>small and mid-sized businesses, and Fortune 500 
>companies seeking solutions that optimize their 
>Web based systems, and empower employees to work 
>collaboratively. Deque is also an 8A Certified 
>Woman-owned business that values diversity. For 
>more information, visit <http://www.deque.com>www.deque.com.
>