[Blindtlk] National Federation of the Blind and Deque Systems, Inc. Launch Nonvisual Access Certification Program NFB-NVA Seal of Approval Provides Assurance to Web Developers and Makes Web Sites More Friendly to Blind Users

[David Andrews]

>
>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
>CONTACT:
>Chris Danielsen
>Public Relations Specialist
>National Federation of the Blind
>(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
>(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
><mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org
>
>National Federation of the Blind and Deque Systems, Inc.
>Launch Nonvisual Access Certification Program
>NFB-NVA Seal of Approval Provides Assurance to Web Developers and
>Makes Web Sites More Friendly to Blind Users
>
>Los Angeles, California (March 12, 2008): The National Federation of 
>the Blind, the nation's leading advocate for Internet access by 
>blind Americans, and its Web accessibility consulting partner Deque 
>Systems, Inc., based in Reston, VA, today announced the launch of an 
>innovative program to provide a Nonvisual Access (NVA) Seal of 
>Approval to recognize Web site and application developers who make 
>special efforts to ensure that their sites or applications are fully 
>accessible to the blind.  The certification program, which will be 
>launched officially tomorrow afternoon in a presentation at the 
>Technology and People with Disabilities Conference at the Los 
>Angeles Airport Marriott, will help companies to identify and remedy 
>problems with their Web sites that may present barriers to blind 
>people using assistive technology to access the Internet.  The 
>NFB-NVA Certification Program is the first accessibility 
>certification procedure designed to address access issues specific 
>to blind computer users.
>
>Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, 
>said: "The Internet has become integrated into every aspect of daily 
>living, from working to shopping to entertainment.  The blind 
>population, which stands at 1.3 million and is growing as Americans 
>age, must have access to Web sites and new Web applications if we 
>are to participate fully in modern society and the information 
>economy.  The blind access the Internet using special software that 
>translates what is on the screen into speech or Braille, but 
>designers of Web sites sometimes unintentionally create content that 
>cannot be interpreted by this technology.  Yet when Web sites are 
>accessible, the Internet is a powerful tool for independent access 
>to information and services, giving the blind maximum flexibility 
>and freedom.  The National Federation of the Blind seeks to help 
>organizations that place content on the Internet to make sure that 
>their sites are fully accessible to the blind, thereby benefiting 
>blind Americans and giving companies access to a new pool of 
>customers and clients.  As the nation's leading organization of the 
>blind, the National Federation of the Blind is uniquely qualified to 
>provide specific guidance on the steps a company needs to take in 
>order for its Web site to provide full access to blind people."
>
>Preety Kumar, founder and chief executive officer of Deque Systems, 
>Inc., said: "By partnering with the National Federation of the Blind 
>and using the innovative tools we have developed, Deque Systems is 
>in a superior position to help companies to remove access barriers 
>that unnecessarily block blind users from taking full advantage of 
>their Web sites."
>
>The Nonvisual Access Certification Program connects Web site and 
>application developers 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.  Sites are continuously monitored to 
>ensure that they remain compliant with certification criteria.  If a 
>site remains accessible, its certification is renewed on an annual 
>basis.  If accessibility issues arise, the National Federation of 
>the Blind and the WAC will work with the site developers to remedy them.
>
>"It's an honor to be granted the NFB-NVA Certification once more 
>this year for our leadership in making information on our Web site 
>accessible to people with disabilities, " said Larry Tattoli, 
>associate director of Merck.com for pharmaceutical manufacturer 
>Merck & Co., Inc., one of the first recipients of an NFB-NVA Seal of 
>Approval.  "We realized early on that this had to be a sustainable 
>effort.  Deque Systems, Inc. has made this possible with their 
>continuous monitoring service."
>
>For more information about the NFB-NVA Seal of Approval, interested 
>persons can attend the launch event tomorrow afternoon.  The event 
>will take place at 3:10 p.m. in the Dallas Ballroom of the Los 
>Angeles Airport Marriott, 5855 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles, 
>California 90045.  Interested persons or companies can also visit 
><http://www.nfb.org/nfb/certification_intro.asp>www.nfb.org/nfb/certification_intro.asp.
>
># # #
>
>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.
>