SBC Communications Named Employer of the Year by the Michigan Deaf Association
Award Recognizes SBC for Its Commitment to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community
Detroit, Michigan, December 18, 2001
The Michigan Deaf Association (MDA), Inc. recently named SBC Ameritech Michigan Employer of the Year for its contributions to the professional growth and development of its deaf and hard of hearing employees.
SBC's career development programs include the SBC Medical Absence and Accommodations Resource Team (SMAART), which works one-on-one with employees with disabilities to meet their workplace needs.
"SBC's ability to connect with every customer is paramount," said Gail Torreano, president of SBC Ameritech Michigan. "We believe that being a leader in the telecommunications industry, we also should lead the way in bridging any perceived boundaries for our employees as well as for customers."
In awarding the honor to SBC, the MDA noted that in 2001 SBC made accommodations in Michigan to hire two deaf employees to work as communications technicians and promote one deaf employee in an administrative position.
"SBC believes that Deaf people are capable of doing more challenging jobs," said Richard Harkleroad, MDA president. "We thank SBC for setting an excellent example."
SBC's commitment to the deaf community runs even deeper. In February 2001, SBC made available text telephone-enabled SBC Ameritech service representatives. A text telephone (TTY) allows deaf and hard of hearing individuals to communicate over standard phone lines by sending and receiving text messages with other TTY users. Through the use of TTY devices, customers throughout SBC Ameritech's five-state operating region can interact directly with SBC service representatives to answer billing questions, order new products and services and handle other customer service functions.
SBC Communications Inc. (www.sbc.com) is a global communications leader. Through its subsidiaries' trusted brands - Southwestern Bell, Ameritech, Pacific Bell, Nevada Bell, SNET and Sterling Commerce - and world-class network, SBC and its affiliated companies provide a full range of voice, data, networking and e-business services, including local and long-distance voice, high-speed Internet access and data transport, voice and data network integration, software and process integration, Web site and application hosting, e-marketplace development, paging and messaging, as well as cable and satellite television, and directory advertising and publishing. In the United States, the company currently has 61.3 million access lines and is undertaking a national expansion program under SBC Telecom that will bring SBC service to new U.S. markets. SBC has a 60 percent equity interest in Cingular Wireless, its joint venture with BellSouth, which serves more than 20 million wireless customers. Internationally, SBC has telecommunications investments in 28 countries and has annual revenues that rank it among the largest Fortune 500 companies.
