TecAccess
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Technology, Assistive technology |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Founder | Debra Ruh |
| Headquarters | Rockville , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Debra Ruh (Founder, former CEO), Rich Belyea (CEO as of 2016) |
| Products | Digital learning platforms, accessible websites, consulting, software creation, quality assurance, training programs, compliance auditing, certification, policy evaluation |
Number of employees | 25 employees and 60 contractors (as of 2006) |
TecAccess is a United States-based firm located in Rockville, Virginia that creates digital learning platforms and websites designed for individuals with disabilities. The company offers a range of services including consulting, software creation, quality assurance, training programs, compliance auditing, certification, and policy evaluation, with a strong focus on Section 508 adherence and IT accessibility across both governmental and commercial sectors.
History
Established in 2001 by Debra Ruh, TecAccess grew notably after the implementation of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments in 2001, which required accessible telecommunications and web content for disabled users.
In 2003, TecAccess collaborated with Canon to improve the accessibility of their ImageRunner photocopiers by integrating voice-recognition capabilities for users who cannot manipulate physical controls. This advancement was recognized with an award from the American Foundation for the Blind in 2007. Additionally, the company was honored with the United States Department of Labor's New Freedom Initiative Award in 2005.
By 2006, TecAccess had generated $2.5 million in revenue, mainly serving government agencies and corporations such as the Department of Education, the Internal Revenue Service, Hewlett-Packard, and the Patent and Trademark Office. The workforce comprised 25 employees and 60 contractors, with a notable 80% of staff having disabilities and employing assistive technology. A significant portion of the team worked remotely from diverse locations.
In 2011, TecAccess merged with SSB BART Group; while Ruh assumed the role of chief marketing officer at SSB, she retained her position as CEO of TecAccess, which continued operating independently. By 2016, Rich Belyea had taken over as CEO, with Ruh transitioning to president.
Further reading
- Bloomberg Staff, Getting People with Disabilities Back to Work, Bloomberg, 2011-07-06
- Renee Davies, Putting Disabilities to Work, The Vermont Association of Business Industry and Rehabilitation, 2011-11-08
- Colleen Debaise, Sarah E. Needleman, Emily Maltby, Married to the Job (And Each Other), Wall Street Journal, 2011-02-14
- Global Accessibility News, Mom, daughter with Down syndrome runs ‘TecAccess’ company to create accessible technology, 2011-08-04
- Phaedra Hise, Disabled workers connect with high-tech jobs, Money.cnn.com, 2008-09-15
- SHRM, Turning Disability into Business Advantage, 2011-04-29
- VoiceAmerica Staff, Disability Matters, VoiceAmerica, 2007-01-16