RE: An Introduction: Pooja Nahata

Hi, Pooja :-)

 

Yay! Another writer :-) Welcome to EO…I look forward to working with you.

 

Char James-Tanny

 

From: Sharron Rush [mailto:srush@knowbility.org] 
Sent: Tuesday, November 08, 2011 9:20 AM
To: Pooja.Nahata@cognizant.com; w3c-wai-eo@w3.org
Subject: 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------
Sharron Rush |  Executive Director  |  www.Knowbility.org
<http://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
Twitter: 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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