This page provides basic information about Converge Accessibility for responding to Requests for Proposals and preparing other sales- and marketing-related efforts.
Company Name and Address
Converge Accessibility LLC, 17217 SE 23rd Drive, Vancouver, WA 98683. Tel: 425.306.3123
Company Description
Biography for Ken Nakata
Ken Nakata is a former Senior Trial Attorney with the U.S. Justice Department's Disability Rights Section. He developed nationwide ADA policies for the internet, was awarded the Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Information Technology by Attorney General Janet Reno, served as lead counsel for the interagency working group making the Federal government's information technology accessible to people with disabilities (pursuant to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act), and represented the United States many times in litigation in Federal courts.
Ken is a frequent lecturer and he is sought after by major international accessibility conferences separately for his knowledge of law and technology. He has trained teams on the proper coding in HTML for accessibility as well as led continuing legal education (CLE) courses for attorneys on legal defenses in web accessibility cases under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California's Unruh Act.
Ken is a Founding and former Board Member of the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) and currently serves on the IAAP’s Certification Committee. Ken is admitted to the bars of New York, Washington, and the District of Columbia and is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He also received his undergraduate degree in mathematics from the Johns Hopkins University. He is also certified as a privacy professional with the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Principals (CPACP) with the IAAP, and a Sun Certified Programmer for the Java 2 Platform.
Biography for Jeff Singleton
Jeff Singleton is one of the nation's leading authorities on web accessibility and testing. He is a former member of Microsoft's Accessible Technology Group (ATG) and led the quality assurance team for Windows Narrator. An expert user of most assistive technologies, Jeff has a keen understanding of accessibility standards (such as WCAG and Section 508) as well as the practical impact of accessibility issues on people with disabilities.
Jeff has led important projects with leading companies such as HP and Microsoft. And he has helped government agencies like the Veteran's Health Administration make their technology accessible. For the last several years, NASA has also trusted Jeff to perform accessibility reviews of the technologies (including web sites) used by its grantees.
One of Jeff's strongest talents and passions is educating others about accessibility. For the last twelve years, he has led training sessions at important international accessibility conferences, such as the California State University, Northridge Center on Disabilities CSUN Assistive Technology Conference and the National ADA Symposium. Jeff also holds an ADA Coordinator Title III Business Certificate and is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE).
Biography for Laura Ruby
Laura Ruby is one of the world’s leading experts in digital accessibility and communications technology policy. As Microsoft’s Director of Worldwide Accessibility Policy and Standards she developed technology regulatory policy and industry-wide standards that ensure accessible technology for people with disabilities around the globe.
Over her 22 years at Microsoft, Laura spearheaded Microsoft’s accessibility compliance program, partnered with governments around the world to develop laws, regulations, and policies that promoted digital accessibility, and collaborated with national and international disability organizations and industry associations. Through this work, Laura helped lead Microsoft’s transformation into a global leader in digital accessibility.
Prior to working at Microsoft, Laura worked at AT&T Wireless Services as a Manager of Law & Government Affairs. At AT&T, she oversaw all Federal disability related regulatory proceedings and advised the company on accessibility compliance matters.
A recognized global expert in accessibility policy, Laura collaborates with advocacy organizations and governments to ensure that as cities, courts and justice systems worldwide digitally transform, they do so in a smart and accessible way that empowers all citizens.
Laura has advised numerous public and private organizations on how to leverage accessibility criteria in their procurement policies to increase accessibility and inclusion. Laura’s expertise has been critical to the G20 and World Economic Forum’s model accessibility policy which is being adopted by cities worldwide.
Laura has also advised governments on issues regarding accessible technology through her work on
- the US FCC’s Consumer and Disability Telecommunications Advisory Committee.
- the Telecommunications Access Advisory Committee for U. S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board.
- the Information and Technology Industry Council’s Accessibility Committee (founding member and inaugural chair).
- the Global Initiative for Inclusive Information Technologies (G3ict) (Senior Fellow).
Laura received her bachelor’s degree in social work from Pacific Lutheran University where she minored in psychology and studied American Sign Language.
Laura Ruby, 206.499.0341, lbruby@live.com, www.linkedin.com/in/laurabethruby
Other Company Information
- WA UBI: 604 619 375 (founded June 26, 2020)
- EIN: 85-1459812
- DUNS: 118264223
- NAICS: 541519
Proposal Material
- How We Ensure Web and Digital Technologies are Accessible. This 4-slide PowerPoint presentation provides an overview of how we test websites and other digital content for accessibility. This presentation can be included in partner presentations for Self-Evaluations and Transition Plans under ADA Title II or Section 504. It includes extensive speaker notes that can be trimmed down as needed but should give presenters a detailed script for confidently presenting with us as a partner.
Sample Audit Reports
The following reports are redacted examples that offer a glimpse of the level of detail that we typically provide in accessibility audit reports.
- Sample PDF Format Audit Report. Some developers and program managers prefer our older reports in Microsoft Word.
- Sample Excel Format Audit Report. Other developers prefer our newer reports in Microsoft Excel.
Services
Expert-level reviews in the following areas:
- Website accessibility
- Mobile and desktop application accessibility
- Document accessibility
- Title II and Section 504 self-evaluations and compliance reviews