Integration Technologies Group, Inc. (ITG) Provides Easy Access.

Federal Employees Learn Advanced Excel Skills in State-of-the-Art Classroom For Assistive Technologies

FALLS CHURCH, Va. -- Leonard Robinson works at the Department of Defense at the Pentagon as a Materials Handler, responsible for inventory management. Donna Smith is a Training and Technical Assistance Specialist who works for the Easter Seals Project Action, and Rodney Neeley works for the Environmental Protection Agency as a Contract Specialist. Each of these professionals has one thing in common: they have a visual disability and must use Assistive Technology to access a computer.

Integration Technologies Group (ITG) is conducting a series of courses entitled Training with Accessibility in the Forefront aimed at enhancing persons with disabilities' use of Windows-based software. On February 7, 2007, ITG, the Federal Government's largest provider of Assistive Technology equipment and training solutions conducted a two-day Excel Workshop in its state-of-the art computer classroom. The classroom features the latest Assistive Technology for persons with disabilities. According to Doug Wakefield, the chief architect of Section 508 and ITG Assistive Technology Specialist, "Everybody here has a workstation that is equipped with the same speech output software that they have at work. Our biggest advantage is that in a classroom environment users are able to learn on customized equipment that meets their needs. This is the first time in the DC area that an accessible classroom has ever been available to the public."

The biggest benefit to attending the class, according to Robinson, is, "the patience, understanding and professionalism provided with the hands-on training". Robinson took the course to improve his skills and prepare himself for career advancement. Neeley uses Excel for cost and price analysis. "Attending the workshop will help me to access the more advanced Excel functions," stated Neeley. He adds that, "in addition, we can now help others to use the keyboard to access these functions, which in some cases takes less time than using the mouse."

ITG's innovation has been greatly needed and long-awaited, according to Smith. "I have been frustrated during other Excel training classes by trainers who have no understanding of the interface of assistive technologies with Microsoft Office software. Without this understanding, it is very difficult to keep up with colleagues attending the same training," explains Smith.

Patricia Zawasky, manager of the Accessibility Solutions Group, notes that the recent offering from ITG is the first of many. "We are offering similar courses on PowerPoint, Internet Explorer and MS Word later this month, in March and throughout the year." We attend various area conferences such as one coming up in March for law students with disabilities. Our goal is to enhance the ability of persons with disabilities to work efficiently and at the same level of productivity as their peers," states Zawasky.

For more information about the course schedule, please visit http://www.itgonline.com/accessclassesdates.html.

About ITG and Accessibility Solutions Group

Since 1984, government agencies, commercial enterprises, and non-profit / educational organizations have relied on Integration Technologies Group, Inc., for high quality computer services, products, and support required to improve and maintain their information systems productivity. ITG's Accessibility Solutions Group engages disability experts to assist with customer needs which include installation, configuration, training and maintenance on workstations that incorporate Assistive Technologies. ITG currently services over 3,000 government end users. ITG's solutions for mobility impaired users include alternate input devices and speech recognition systems. Assistive Technology solutions are also available for computer users with learning disabilities, neurological disorders and other conditions.