Accessibility Today, Inclusion Tomorrow

With the rise of accessibility, disability inclusion can become reality for more and more people. 
To help us understand what that might mean, we asked our partners on the AT&T Advisory Panel on Access and Aging (AAPAA) to weigh in. These national leaders in assistive technology, aging and cross-disability issues provide AT&T with regular, ongoing input on how we are doing on issues related to accessibility. They offer a rich and diverse perspective on the many facets of disability that informs our approach.

 

When posed a simple question, “What does inclusion mean to you?”  their heartfelt and sincere responses illuminate what’s possible.  

"Inclusion at work, school, home and in the community means we can contribute equally alongside our colleagues, friends, and family members. Inclusion means we are not an afterthought, but an equal member of the community. An equal part of life itself."

HTML Editor Component
*Contents may not have visible height

 

 
Lise Hamlin
Director of Public Policy
Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA)

Lise Hamlin has advocated for those with hearing loss for 25+ years. In her public policy role at HLAA, she helps those who experience barriers to employment, technology, public places and telecommunications - an experience made more meaningful by her own experience with hearing loss. Lise represents HLAA on multiple, high profile federal advisory committees, consumer coalitions and industry advisory groups, including AAPAA. A true leader in the field, she has taken part in developing and presenting on hearing assistive technology and emergency preparedness, and she has been nationally recognized for advocacy and community service, including as a recipient of TDI's prestigious Karen Peltz Strass Advocacy Award.

Close
"Inclusion means genuine respect: respect for similarities, respect for differences, respect for unique perspective that only varied life experiences can bring. Inclusion means the sum, the total of all voices, of all people, who have a stake in an outcome. Inclusion means remembering that we have, whether intentionally or unintentionally, forgotten others in the past. Inclusion means recognition and validation of everyone's' worthiness. Inclusion means creating a better, brighter reality."

HTML Editor Component
*Contents may not have visible height

 

 
Lee Huffman
Accessible Community Development Strategist
American Printing House for the Blind

An expert in low vision access technology and a user of assistive technology himself, Lee Huffman analyzes products on the basis of accessibility to persons who have low vision. He is a leader in the field of vision impairment and blindness with a combined 16 years of experience at both American Printing House of the Blind and American Foundation for the Blind (AFB).  He has published extensively as editor-in chief of AFB’s online technology magazine, AccessWorld, has achieved national recognition for his work on video magnification technology and also has developed close working relationships with national technology and device manufacturers, some of whom have changed their products on the basis of his product evaluation findings.

Close
“To me, inclusion means that all people are respected, appreciated and capable of contributing to society regardless of ability, community type, disability, ethnicity, gender, healthcare needs, sexual orientation or skin color.”

HTML Editor Component
*Contents may not have visible height

 

 
Amy Van DeVelde
Technology Education Director
The Oasis Institute

Since 2012, Amy VanDeVelde has led the Oasis Connections program, which has offered thousands of classes under her leadership. Expert at helping digital newcomers and older adults access the internet safely, she guides them in the use of technology to support and enhance interpersonal relationships by decreasing social isolation. Amy obtained a certificate from Harvard University in Cybersecurity Risk Management in 2020.

Close

Find Devices

HTML Editor Component
*Contents may not have visible height

Custom CSS for quotes