媒体巨头康卡斯特电信公司副总裁汤姆·沃德科夫斯基确保公司产品和服务便于残疾人获得和使用。

“如果一位盲人能够登上珠穆朗玛峰（Mount Everest），那么他当能去他想去的任何地方。” 媒体巨头康卡斯特公司（Comcast Corporation）负责媒体便用业务的副总裁汤姆·沃德科夫斯基（Tom Wlodkowski）在他办公室墙上这句标语的激励下，致力于让公司的产品和服务便于残障人获得和使用。

沃德科夫斯基自己是盲人，多年来他一直在帮助残障人驾驭通讯技术。过去他在美国在线公司（AOL Inc.）工作时，负责推出了“AIM Relay”，这项服务让聋人或有有听力和言语障碍的人可以通过AOL即时通讯软件拨打电话。作为一位主管，沃德科夫斯基运用技术辅助工具从事日常工作，如带有屏幕阅读器功能的电脑和智能电话等。

所有雇员都需要合适的工具和设施条件来有效从事他们的工作。美国劳工部（Department of Labor）表示，为残障员工提供的大多数设施条件成本不高，然而获益可观。

Media Giant Makes Communications Services Accessible

“If a man who is blind can get to the top of Mount Everest, then he should be able to get anywhere he wants.” Inspired by this message on a poster in his office, Tom Wlodkowski, vice president of accessibility at media giant Comcast Corporation, ensures that the company’s products and services are easily available and functional for people with disabilities.

Wlodkowski, who is blind, for years has helped people with disabilities navigate communications technologies. In his previous job at AOL Inc., he oversaw the launch of AIM Relay, a service that allows people who are deaf or hard of hearing or have a speech disability to place phone calls through the AOL Instant Messenger software. To carry out his own day-to-day tasks, the executive uses assistive technology like a computer and smartphone with screen-reader capability.

All employees need the right tools and accommodations to effectively perform their jobs. Most accommodations for workers with disabilities are low-cost yet yield considerable benefits, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Above, Wlodkowski works in his office.