The Viscardi Center, a network of non-profit organizations that educate, employ, and empower children, adults, and veterans with disabilities, announced it is the lead organization providing Digital Accessibility and Usability Testing and Remediation Reporting Services (DAUTRRS) through New York State Industries for the Disabled (NYSID). The Preferred Source Offering was approved by the New York State Procurement Council on September 12, 2023. The addition of DAUTRRS as a NYSID Preferred Source Offering will help ensure a disabled workforce at The Viscardi Center is provided with ongoing, meaningful employment as quality assurance analysts/testers and document accessibility specialists. It also positions Viscardi to remain at the forefront of ensuring people with disabilities have equal access to digital content and environments.
As noted in the Preferred Source Offerings definition, DAUTRRS is the evaluation of a customer’s digital platforms, websites, mobile applications, software programs, PDFs and other digital documents to ensure the compliance with accessibility and usability regulations and standards to allow people who are blind, visually impaired, or print disabled to enjoy barrier-free use of, digitized communications and information. Viscardi’s team of professionals will ensure compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
“NYSID is honored to have its member Agency, the distinguished Viscardi Center, take the lead on this new service offering thereby expanding employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and qualified veterans,” said Maureen O’Brien, president and CEO. “The more we can do to improve employment and financial security for the individuals we serve, the more inclusive our communities become. A job truly can change everything.”
One in five people are estimated to be living with a disability with a combined disposable income of more than $1.2 trillion. This represents the largest minority group in the U.S. The Internet is currently built with little or no attention paid to accessibility. With more and more lawsuits being filed for noncompliance, it is anticipated that organizations and businesses including government agencies will be more mindful of the statutory requirements and guidelines of providing digital accessibility.
“From the first moment our founder, Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr., opened our doors he was committed to making the world more inclusive. His innovative, groundbreaking work, which became a model for the world, centered on creating employment and education opportunities for children, adults and veterans with disabilities,” said Mike Caprara, Chief Information Officer, The Viscardi Center. “Over 70 years later, we continue his mission as technology has evolved and plays an ever-growing role in our daily lives.”
About The Viscardi Center
The Viscardi Center, a network of non-profit organizations based in Albertson, NY, provides a lifespan of services that educate, employ, and empower people with disabilities. Its programs and services include Pre-K through High School education (to age 21), school-to-work transition services, vocational training and job placement, digital accessibility services, entrepreneurship, veteran employment and workforce diversification assistance for children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities and businesses. It was founded in 1952 by Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. who himself wore prosthetic legs, served as disability advisor to eight U.S. Presidents, from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Jimmy Carter, and became one of the world’s leading advocates for people with disabilities.
About NYSID
NYSID is a not-for-profit membership organization with a mission of “Advancing employment and other opportunities for individuals with disabilities and qualified veterans.” Through a statewide network of more than 135 non-profit disability service provider agencies and private sector business partners, NYSID provides products and services to state and local governments and private sector financial, medical, non-profit, and other businesses. All purchases create meaningful employment and wages to individuals who typically experience barriers to inclusion in the workplace and more. Learn more at www.nysid.org.