Accenture Empowers PWD’s With Suite of Accessibility Solutions

Accenture continues their mission to empower Persons With Disability (PWD) with the launching of the Suite of Accessibility Solutions yesterday, December 10, 2019, in Accenture Cebu, Alabang, and Mandaluyong.

The suite of Accessibility Solutions is a program created by Accenture to empower PWD’s with the help of technology. The program helps people with hearing, speech, vision, and mobility impairment with proper tools and technology helping them to be more comfortable and productive at work.

Rudy Guiao, IT Lead for ASEAN and Greater China Infrastructure Services for Accenture Advanced Technology Centers in the Philippines (Photo by Aljun Cainghog)

Rudy Guiao, IT Lead for ASEAN and Greater China Infrastructure Services for Accenture Advanced Technology Centers in the Philippines said that with the help of stakeholders and non-government agencies, they have gathered the necessary technology and PWD’s can choose a variety of tools that fits their needs.

“There’s no such thing as one size fits all with Persons With Disability and that’s the beauty of having the Suite of Accessibility Solutions,” Guiao said.

“PWD’s doesn’t need pity, but opportunity,” Guiao also believed that having a disability is not a hindrance in achieving your full potential.

In line with Accenture’s commitment in providing equal opportunities for Filipino talent regardless of their age, ability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, or sexual orientation thus the Suite of Accessibility Solutions was created to help pave the way for more opportunities for persons with disabilities in the Philippines.

Lito Tayag, Country Managing Director Accenture in the Philippines. (Photo by Aljun Cainghog)

“As a people-driven company, we take pride in developing and pioneering initiatives for persons with disabilities in the Philippines, which underscore our unwavering commitment in advancing inclusion and diversity and the welfare of our people,” said Lito Tayag, Country Managing Director Accenture in the Philippines.

Ambe Tierro, Senior Managing Director of Advanced Technology Centers in the Philippines Lead Global Artificial Intelligence Capability Lead said that they hire PWD’s because they are qualified and have the necessary skills for the job they applied for.

“We don’t create special roles for them, they get accepted because they are qualified,” Ambe Tierro.

The suite of Accessibility Solutions tools and technologies that are currently available:

• Sense of Hearing: Tools include color Dhvani (Hindi word for “sound”), Accenture developed software that creates real-time subtitles for videos and can translate voice responses into typed text and vice versa during video and conferences calls, allowing for more meaningful interactions among employees; specialty and noise-cancellation headset and speaker models; and noise level meters;
• Sense of Sight: Tools include color contrast and Braille-stickered keyboards, electronic magnifier, and non-visual desktop access, voice control technologies, blind stick, Braille blocks and panels; and
• Mobility: Tools include smart lights, sliding doors, and manual and automated wheelchairs.

For more on Accenture’s Suite of Accessibility Solutions tools and technologies, visit www.accenture.com/pwd.

Meanwhile, the Hour of Code for Persons with Disabilities, a yearly event hosted by Accenture was also held. This is in-line with the company’s observance of International Persons with Disabilities Day and Computer Science Education Week from December 9 to 15.

Ambe Tierro, Senior Managing Director of Advanced Technology Centers in the Philippines Lead Global Artificial Intelligence Capability Lead (Photo by Aljun Cainghog)

Hour of Code is powered by Accenture volunteer employees to help introduce coding to children and PWD’s.

“Hour of Code is one of our initiatives in Accenture where we start at the grassroots and it’s sparking the love of technology and innovation for our young people,” said Tierro. (ASC)