U.S. Department of Agriculture
Technology Accessible Resource Gives Employment Today (TARGET)
This program oversees four main areas:
- the TARGET Centers,
- acquisition information and services,
- an ergonomics program, and
- interagency coordination.
At the cornerstone, the TARGET Centers provide assessments and demonstrations to ensure proper implementation of assistive technology and ergonomic solutions for the Department's workforce.
New Editions Consulting, Inc. is a subcontractor to Cherry Engineering Support Services, Inc. (CESSI). CESSI operates a task order contract to provide management and technical support services and develop public relations strategy, including information dissemination for the TARGET Centers. New Editions staff contributes to the success of this Center. The headquarters TARGET Center, where staff provide hands-on needs assessment, technology demonstrations, and training, has eight workstations for evaluation of assistive technology. These services ensure equal access to electronic and information technology essential to today’s employment. The Center assists in making information and microcomputer technology accessible to persons with sight, hearing, speech and dexterity impairments, helping to enhance their careers at USDA and other federal agencies. Specific functions of the work order include:
Management
- Develop guidelines to ensure compliance
- Conduct requirement analysis
- Maintain an electronic information library
- Develop procedures for selecting AT
Technical
- Perform work site analysis; identify individual accessibility needs
- Provide product information for procurement
- Implement effective accommodation strategies
- Develop systems to disseminate disability information to USDA employees
Information Dissemination
- Develop strategies to ensure awareness of program initiatives
- Coordinate a series of conferences, seminars, and other awareness programs
- Coordinate production of information materials
