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U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao presented the New Freedom Initiative Award to HP for the company's work to provide products that are accessible to people with disabilities. The Secretary of Labor gives the award annually to individuals, non-profit organizations and corporations that further U.S. President George W. Bush's New Freedom Initiative by increasing employment opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities.
Other winners include Microsoft and the Cincinnati Children's Hospital, which is running a pilot program using an assistive technology built on the HP iPAQ Pocket PC.
HP integrates accessibility features into the design of all of its products. Free membership in the HP Developer and Solution Partner Program helps AT (assistive technology) companies use HP technologies, platforms and operating systems to create their own innovative solutions. The company also provides a channel for AT companies to get products to market faster and to a wider audience.
HP's worldwide accessibility initiative is led by the HP Accessibility Program Office, which is dedicated to connecting people to the power of technology. HP is committed to developing products, services and information that are accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities or age-related limitations.
HP's Web Accessibility Program is very comprehensive, and industry recognizes this commitment. The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) awarded HP.com its Nonvisual Accessibility Web (NVA) Certification, making HP one of a handful of companies to be so certified. NFB noted that “the scope of the accessibility has expanded with HP's homepage, gateway pages, and a representative set of over 40,000 public-facing Web pages demonstrating an expanded commitment to accessibility.”
HP's Developer & Solution Partner Program (DSPP) recently won a da Vinci Award. The awards recognize the most innovative developments and research in adaptive and assistive technology that embrace the universal design principle. Each year, nominations are sought worldwide and subsequently judged. The winners and their achievements are recognized at the annual, prestigious event hosted by National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), Michigan Chapter.
The publishers of Diversity Inc magazine compiled a list of the Top Ten Companies for People with Disabilities. HP ranked third on this list. Here's what Diversity Inc has to say about HP:
"The Palo Alto, Calif.-based technology company has an employee-resource group for workers with disabilities. The company's excellent Web site lists disability organizations, educational institutions and other resources for people with disabilities. Hewlett-Packard also has an Accessibility Program Office, a worldwide effort to improve accessibility to technology and information."
In addition, the magazine rated HP as Number 1 on the Top 10 Companies for Supplier Diversity, and also placed HP on the 25 Noteworthy Companies list.
» Top 10 Companies for People with Disabilities
HP Won the World Ability Federation New Ability Award for best organization in a supporting role. In addition, HP was also nominated for the best new ability product or technology.
The Boise HP site was recently presented with the Idaho Disability Rights Leadership Award by the Idaho Task Force on the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA Task Force Board of Directors recognized HP for showing excellence in the employment of people with disabilities.
Amber Mausling, Board president, stated "HP has shown they are committed to hiring and accommodating people with disabilities. There are many employees who have been employed with HP and are treated just as all other employees. HP has created an atmosphere that is positive for all of their employees and for that, we would like to thank them."
In addition, Angela Lindig, who is the wife of HP employee Darin Lindig, received a Leadership Award for her efforts to create the first playground in Idaho that is universally accessible to children of all abilities. The "Adventure Island Playground" is located in Meridian and many HP employees have volunteered to help fund and build this wonderful facility.
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