Accommodations for Blind and Low Vision Employees

Introduction Providing accommodations for blind and low vision employees is not just a privilege for these members of your staff, it is a right. People who do not have full vision should have the same access to company resources as the rest of your team. When you hire a person who is blind or has […]

The Role of Deaf and ASL Interpreters in COVID-19 Messaging

Here in Maryland, Governor Larry Hogan has been addressing the Coronavirus situation at least a few times each week. One aspect of these briefings that people have noticed and commented on is the Deaf interpreter standing to the side of Governor Hogan. While there have been various ASL interpreters over the course of the last […]

Justification and Approval Threshold Change for Small Business Association 8(a) Participants

As a certified 8a, HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, and Woman-Owned federal contractor, Applied Development is able to participate in the Small Business Associations 8(a) program. This program’s main goal is to award at least 5% of government contracts to small, disadvantaged businesses each year. Earlier this week, we received a notification that for any government procurements […]

The Future of Accessibility and Technology

Technology is changing lives every day. It is allowing more and more people to work remotely, stay in contact with loved ones thousands of miles away, and enabling people with disabilities to experience a stronger sense of inclusion and community. The technology we have today is likely only the tip of the iceberg. In fact, […]

Sign Language Interpretation vs CART Services: How to Choose the Right Service for Your Event

Large events can be difficult for the diversability (diverse ability) community, especially when these events are not easily accessible. Under compliance laws, all individuals who attend your event should be able to take the same value from it. If your company is hosting a conference, trade show, or large-scale training, you need to make sure […]

Making Your Business Processes Work for Everyone

From a small retail store to an international conglomerate, having efficient business processes is important for any organization. Those processes may look very different in practice, but the goals of business operations are often the same. You want to streamline the work, make things as easy as possible on your employees, and ultimately create a […]

Creating an Accessible Website

Last week’s blog discussed Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) demand letters and what to do if you receive one. As a follow up to that article, we wanted to touch on ways you can make your website more accessible. Assistive Technology vs. Accessible Technology One thing most people are not aware of is that there […]

ADA Demand Letters: How to Avoid Them and What to Do if You Get One

If your company is determined to build an inclusive culture, it is important to start from the first touchpoint people have with your business: your website. If your company has any kind of web presence, it needs to be inclusive. Blind and low-vision people have a legal right to equal access to your website, meaning […]

How to Walk The Talk: Ensuring Your Business Practices Match Your Marketing

Many companies have started marketing campaigns around corporate culture. While this can be a great marketing strategy, it doesn’t hold up unless the company also embodies the message. It’s not enough today to just say that your company is supportive. Both employees and consumers need to be able to see an alignment in your public […]

The Benefits of CART Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals

CART services (communication access real-time translation) provide live captioning for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals in a variety of situations. These services are described as” the instant translation of the spoken word into English text using a stenotype machine, notebook computer and real-time software” by the National Court Reporters Association. CART services can be […]