Re: An Introduction: Pooja Nahata

Welcome Pooja,

I am so pleased to hear that you are joining 
EO!  The rest of our group may be interested in 
the fact that Pooja put together a team to 
compete in the first online version of 
Knowbility's Accessibility Internet Rally (AIR) 
program in 2011.  Given her impressive background 
you won't be surprised to learn that her team won!

I am so glad to be working with you Pooja, thanks for joining us!

Best,
Sharron
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Sharron Rush |  Executive Director  |  www.Knowbility.org |  512 305-0310
Equal access to technology for people with disabilities

At 10:03 PM 11/6/2011, Pooja.Nahata@cognizant.com wrote:
>Greetings EWOG,
>
>I am Pooja Nahata, new addition to the EWOG. I 
>am a passionate Accessibility evangelist, with 
>main interest in spreading awareness about 
>accessibility and the need for accessible 
>solutions as that’s the base to create a demand 
>and thereby a lucrative business for Accessibility Services.
>
>I lead the Accessibility CoE at Cognizant, set 
>it up in 2010 when I joined them after working 
>with BarrierBreak Technologies for 7 years. I 
>started off my career as a Technical Writer 
>authoring educational content on technologies. I 
>was introduced to the concept of Accessibility 
>when first time in life I had interacted with a 
>blind person using computers in 2004– I was as 
>shocked as one could be, as in the Indian 
>educational system there is no concept of 
>equality for persons with disabilities, we were 
>never made aware that there are persons with 
>disabilities so understanding their problems and 
>needs was out of the question.  That’s when I 
>decided to use my knowledge on technology to 
>empower persons with disabilities.
>
>During my tenure at BarrierBreak Technologies – 
>I started as an Accessibility consultant 
>evaluating websites, providing recommendations, 
>AT testing etc. Since Indian companies were 
>naïve to the concept of accessibility we decided 
>to create awareness by conducting trainings – I 
>authored training content for web and software 
>based on Section 508 and WCAG 1.0. Since I was 
>breathing accessibility 24*7, I decided to take 
>on marketing and sales for BarrierBreak 
>Accessibility offerings. I was instrumental in 
>conceptualizing and executing Techshare India 
>2008 & 2010 – an international conference on 
>accessibility and assistive technology 
>exhibition with over 400 delegates and 50 
>assistive technology vendors across the globe.
>
>At Cognizant, the goal is to institutionalize 
>accessibility –setup Accessibility Task Force, 
>Conduct Trainings – WCAG 2.0, Business 
>Development etc. Working with different LoBs to 
>make Web, PDF, and Mobile accessible.  In March 
>2011, lead a team to win the first place at 
>Knowbility’s AIR competition. My goal is to 
>educate every technology stakeholder about 
>accessibility, as it not only empowers persons 
>with disabilities but also makes good business 
>sense. I look forward to my participation in 
>EOWG as another way of achieving the same goal.
>
>Apart from my day job at Cognizant I am on the 
>advisory committee of NASSCOM foundation 
>focusing on Accessibility Initiatives for Indian 
>IT companies. In addition, I am working with W3C 
>India team as technical expert. During my spare 
>time I read, watch movies, indulge in 
>adventurous sports and enjoy backpack 
>travelling. I am currently based out of Mumbai, 
>India but keep travelling to the states for work.
>
>I look forward to actively learn and share!
>
>Pooja Nahata | Accessibility Practice Lead
>Content & Design Services @ Cognizant Technology Solutions
>Vnet: 283170 | Hand Phone: +91-9820725102
>LinkedIn: 
><http://in.linkedin.com/in/poojanahata>http://in.linkedin.com/in/poojanahata
>Twitter: <http://twitter.com/Pooja_Nahata>http://twitter.com/Pooja_Nahata
>For most people, Accessibility makes things 
>easier. For people with disabilities, Accessibility makes things possible.
>Get your competitive advantage with Accessibility today!
>
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