26 Jul Access=Ability infinite possibilities
Access=Ability infinite possibilities
My Blind Spot, Inc. to Enable Access to Intuit QuickBooks:
Blind and Print Disabled Individuals to Gain Access to Leading Small Business Accounting
Software
My Blind Spot, a not-for-profit dedicated to advancing personal independence and societal inclusion for
the blind and visually impaired, is working with Intuit to ensure that QuickBooks for Windows*, the
leading small business accounting software, is usable by those with conditions that impede them from
reading text on-screen. Albert J. Rizzi, founder of My Blind Spot, stated that “improving the accessibility
of QuickBooks will lead to job opportunities, job retention, and greater financial independence for this
historically underserved population.”
The blind and visually impaired number an estimated 300 million worldwide. In the United States, there
are approximately 25 million severely visually impaired individuals, of whom 18.7 million are of working
age—between 18 and 64. Among this group, it is estimated that more than two-thirds are unemployed;
8.5 million are counted as “poor” or “near poor;” and 10.4 million have family income of less than
$35,000. This is due in large part to inaccessible work environments and inadequate resources. A key
way to foster financial well-being and overcome barriers to employment is to promote and advance
screen reader technology, through which users can listen to text.
Mr. Rizzi noted, “Expanding employment and improving accessibility are two major goals of My Blind
Spot. To work toward these goals with a product that over 4 million people already rely on is very
exciting. My Blind Spot’s team of educators and accessibility experts are thrilled to bring QuickBooks to
the blind and visually impaired.”
My Blind Spot has put together an exceptional interdisciplinary team of educators and accessibility
experts dedicated to expanding accessible employment options in the financial arena for the print
disabled. This dedicated and committed group consists of educators who teach and design curriculum
for blind and visually impaired students, programmers, and scripters, as well as some of the leading
accessibility experts in the field. Since 1997, members of My Blind Spot’s team have supported the
accessibility initiatives of thousands of organizations, and have provided virtual access solutions and
scripting for leading banking institutions and state agencies. They have worked extensively with private
clients to integrate various screen readers with a variety of software programs, soon to include
QuickBooks. These individuals, who are highly regarded and nationally known in their fields, are
pooling their vast experience to focus on bridging the digital divide that isolates those who are blind,
visually impaired, or otherwise print disabled.
To learn more about this initiative or My Blind Spot, contact Albert Rizzi at
or
direct general inquiries to
My Blind Spot is a 501 (c) (3) corporation based in New York City.
*Intuit, Inc.’s QuickBooks for Windows includes QuickBooks Pro, QuickBooks Premier, and QuickBooks Enterprise.
Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
Founder and CEO
My Blind Spot, Inc.
90 Broad Street – 18th Fl.
New York, New York 10004
www.myblindspot.org
PH: 917-553-0347
“The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn’t interrupt the one who is doing it.”