Released on = January 17, 2007, 3:26 pm

Press Release Author = Henry Beathard/HW&B Public Relations

Industry = Education

Press Release Summary = After being blinded in an auto accident, a Texas prison
captain changed his career to help the disabled.

Press Release Body = In 1993, Ron Graham was a 31-year-old captain in the Texas
Department of Criminal Justice, supervising 120 prison guards and advancing toward
his goal of becoming a warden. But an automobile accident on a dark night in West
Texas left him blind, ending his prison career and causing him to completely
reassess his future.
Today, Graham is a computer whiz who produces a blog called Access Ability. The
blog, which is targeted to college professionals in the disability support service
field, is located at www.accessability.blogspot.com.
After undergoing rehabilitation and training about how to deal with his blindness,
Graham focused on a new goal of becoming a counselor for people with disabilities.
He entered college and earned an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice, a Bachelors
Degree in Behavioral Science, and a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology.
While attending graduate school at the University of Houston, Clear Lake, Graham
worked part time as a graduate assistant in the Student Disability Services office.
He later served as Coordinator of Disability Support Services at Central Texas
College in Killeen. After leaving that position to return to Houston, Graham saw a
need which he felt could be filled by a blog.
His Access Ability blog was started six months ago. Graham writes the blog with
the help of software called JAWS that reads information on the screen and drop-down
menus. He enters commands with keystrokes and does not use a monitor or mouse.
Graham is the sole editor of the blog, providing information, news, and resources
to professionals who counsel people with disabilities.
Access Ability is a combination of two characteristics Graham feels are important
for people with disabilities. "Give us access and we'll provide the ability," he
said, "With those two things, people with disabilities can do most anything."
Graham's blog provides a public forum where professionals in the disability services
field can find resources and news as well as air concerns, brainstorm solutions, and
find like-minded individuals to share thoughts. Students with disabilities, as well
as their family members, can also share in the discussions.
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Web Site = http://

Contact Details = Henry Beathard Public Relations
Kingwood, TX 77345
281-360-3495
hwbeathard@cebridge.com