WeCo Accessibility Services Named National Organization on Disability Employer for the Third Year in a Row
For Immediate Release
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – October 8, 2021 — WeCo Accessibility Services has been named a National Organization on Disability (NOD) Employer for the third year in a row!
This prestigious award is given yearly to companies for their exemplary disability hiring and employment practices. With this recognition, NOD endeavors to shine a light on employers, like WeCo, that are committed to building an inclusive workforce by adopting exemplary employment practices for people with disabilities.
When asked what this award means for the company, President and Founder, Lynn Wehrman said, “Being a Leading Disability Employer is simply part of WeCo’s business model. It demonstrates that professionals with disabilities have skills that are not only viable in the for-profit workplace, but the perspective they bring with those skills is necessary as companies work to be inclusive and comply with federal disability employment requirements.”
It is notable that WeCo is one of very few small businesses included on this highly respectable list, right alongside big hitters like Boeing, Dow, the Mayo Clinic, and Sony.
The services WeCo provides, as well as the example it sets for other employers nationwide is commendable, and this NOD designation is yet another example of the great work being done to advance accessibility and inclusion.
More About WeCo Accessibility Services
WeCo is a mission-based company that helps organizations and governments achieve real-life accessibility results through a team of professionals living with disabilities. All services are provided by Accessibility Specialists and trained usability Testers, who actually live with disabilities. Our team reflects the four recognized primary disability groups:
- Cognitive
- Hearing
- Mobility
- Sight
As a mission-based for-profit company that insists on creating opportunities for professionals who live with disabilities. Currently, 100% of WeCo’s support staff team also live with a disability.
More About the NOD Leading Disability Employer Seal
The NOD Leading Disability Employer Seal is a selective award given to companies demonstrating the positive outcomes in recruiting, hiring, retaining, and advancing people with disabilities in their workforces. To see current and past winners of the NOD Leading Disability Employer seal, visit www.NOD.org/seal.
Download a PDF copy of this press release.
OTHER NEWS:
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WeCo Brings Accessibility to Twin Cities Startup Week
With the “Accessible Startups: Simple Tips for Digital and Social Inclusion” event, the team at WeCo Accessibility Services is making accessibility even more accessible for MN Startups.
For Immediate Release
MINNEAPOLIS, MN -August 30, 2021 –Every year since 2014, Twin Cities Startup Week has highlighted the amazing startup community in the Twin Cities. They provide a platform for entrepreneurs to share their good work with each other and the larger community.
This year, WeCo Accessibility Services will bring a focus on diversity and accessibility by sharing some simple tips and best practices through a new virtual event. Accessible Startups: Simple Tips for Digital and Social Inclusion will be held over the lunch hour on Wednesday, September 22nd, 2021.
Registration for the event is open now:
This #A11y event will be conducted by President and Founder of WeCo Accessibility Services, Lynn Wehrman. “Every startup wants to be diverse and inclusive, but few understand that the digital needs of people with disabilities is part of reaching that goal. Websites, software, social media, videos, presentations, emails and documents that are accessible to people living with cognitive, hearing, mobility and sight-related disabilities is not only possible, it’s essential in the current legal landscape, for companies engaged in startup and beyond.”
In a recent video, Lynn explains why she is so excited to give this presentation and bring accessibility to the world of MN startups. If you are interested in further information or to conduct an interview with Lynn, please contact Communications Specialist, Valerie Lockhart, at pr@theweco.com.
Download a PDF version of this press release.
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THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION ON DISABILITY ANNOUNCES WeCo Accessibility Services as a 2019 ‘LEADING DISABILITY EMPLOYER’
WeCo Accessibility Services, a Minneapolis-based, independent, disability-owned businesses recognized for its exemplary disability hiring and employment practices alongside Fortune 500’s
Arlington, VA (September 26, 2019) – The National Organization on Disability (NOD) today announced WeCo Accessibility Services of Minneapolis, Minnesota, is among fifty-nine organizations that have been named a 2019 NOD Leading Disability Employer™. Now in its fourth year, the NOD Leading Disability Employer Seal recognizes companies that demonstrate exemplary employment practices for people with disabilities. This annual recognition is designed to applaud those organizations that are leading the way in disability hiring.
The winning organizations were announced at NOD’s Corporate Leadership Council Annual Forum, Shifting the Talent Paradigm: Inclusive Culture for a Modern Workforce, hosted by lead sponsors PwC and Charter Communications – Spectrum.
“These winning organizations understand that by welcoming people with disabilities, they reap the benefits of a more productive and engaged workforce,” said NOD Chairman Governor Tom Ridge. “The preeminent challenge before us is to ensure that people with disabilities enjoy full opportunity for employment, enterprise and earnings, and that employers know how to put their talents to work. As a company pioneering the concept of disability applied as a skill set to help organizations and agencies become digitally accessible, we thank WeCo for their leadership and for their commitment to hiring people with disabilities.”
Read Complete WeCo 2019 NOD Leading Disability Employer Press Release (PDF)
Past Press Clippings
[Minneapolis, MN]─ 6/1/2018 A Minneapolis-based tech business which assists organizations facing ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) website accessibility lawsuits, founded and operated by digital experts who live with disabilities, WeCo Accessibility Services (WECO), has been named a winner of The 2018 American Small Business Championship by SCORE. SCORE is the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors. The competition is being sponsored by Sam’s Club.
Local Disability Tech Startup Selected as an American Small Business Champion by SCORE – .pdf 6/1/2018
WeCo Discusses IT Accessibility with United Arab Emirates Visitors 5-19-15
The Wehrman Collaborative (WeCo)…hosted on May 4 visitors from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). WeCo Founder Lynn Wehrman and the group of international visitors who are current and emerging leaders in disability issues discussed compliance with IT accessibility requirements and standards for which WeCo tests its clients’ websites. Two WeCo Accessibility Specialists demonstrated technology commonly used by Internet users living with disabilities.
See this visit on video at: WeCo Host IVL Delegates from United Arab Emirates
Carroll Center for the Blind’s IT consulting practice gets a partner 10-14-2013
“The Carroll Center, based in Newton, has been offering this consulting service for about a year but last week announced a partnership with WeCo, a Minnesota-based company that develops website content for people with disabilities. Through the partnership, the Carroll Center will continue offering its consulting analysis and WeCo will be able to make the necessary modifications so that client websites are accessible. …”
