WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2003 — Technology is a crucial means of empowerment for the 54 million Americans with disabilities who might otherwise not be able to perform competitively in the workplace or achieve economic self-sufficiency. But awareness of assistive technology is low, and there are a number of economic barriers to its adoption. Consequently, millions of people with disabilities who could otherwise benefit from assistive technology have yet to experience it. Easter Seals and Microsoft are co-sponsoring an event Oct. 14 in Washington, D.C., to raise the visibility of the growing assistive technology industry and discuss solutions for making assistive technology more widely and readily available.
What: In Washington, Sen. Tom Harkin will converse with actress Marlee Matlin, who will use Sprint’s Video Relay Service from Los Angeles. In addition, assistive technology companies LLC, ScanSoft Inc. and Teltronics Inc. will demonstrate bold new product designs.
Also, attendees can learn more about an Easter Seals Web-based assistive technology resource that will create new opportunities for millions of children and adults with disabilities at home, school, work and in their communities.
When: Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003, 10–11 a.m. EDT
Where: G-50 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Who: In addition to Harkin and Matlin, the following speakers will participate:
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Phillip J. Bond, Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce
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Dinah Cohen, Director, Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP), U.S. Department of Defense
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James E. Williams Jr., president and CEO, Easter Seals
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Jack Krumholtz, Managing Director, Federal Government Affairs and Associate General Counsel, Microsoft
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