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May 20, 2009
Strengthen Your Online Presence
The Disability Rights Section, Civil Right Division, U.S. Department of Justice, recently published online guidelines for "Accessible Information Exchange: Meeting on a Level Playing Field."
The article's guidelines cover everything from meeting room setup to content accessibility. It even has suggestions for how to temporarily remove barriers to make a meeting's features more accessible.
I believe this article offers valuable information for both employers and employees.
Right now, I'm asking you, as an eSight member, to think about a recent meeting you have attended.
What made it particularly accessible or inaccessible? What advice can you offer a meeting planner who wants to understand your particular needs?
How will this help you in your job search?
As you craft your submission, remember that Google and other search engines treat your postings to forums and blogs as web sites. Recruiters and hiring managers often check the online presence of job candidates as part of their decision-making process.
So, potential employers, in doing research about you online, will likely see your online submissions and can get a feel for how you think, write and interact with others when they "google"your name.
It's all about personal branding.
By participating in online discussions about things that directly affect you and others with disabilities, you continually extend your online visibility.
As a result, your personal network – both online and offline – evolves, based on your personal interests and expertise. Using your personal experience to identify what works well and what doesn't not only helps you but helps others in an extended community such as we have here at eSight.
So, we'll compile the ideas you and other eSight members submit to the eSight Networking Forum about accessible meetings and publish as well highlight them online as a fact sheet for meeting planners. This is another opportunity to showcase your insight and strengthen your online presence among fellow eSight members and prospective employers.
Be the change you want to see in this world. It'll help others. And, it'll help you.
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Posted by Liz Seger at May 20, 2009 12:10 PM