Testimonial

Wachovia

With Wachovia: Helping People with Disabilities Thrive

Wayne Thompson
Corporate Communications
(336) 732-3358

"Without Wachovia, thousands of people with disabilities would remain unplugged from opportunity."

That´s according to Wachovia client Debra Ruh, whose business makes technology accessible to everyone. The company is called TecAccess, and its clients include state and local governments, federal agencies and Fortune 500 companies.

Ruh, a veteran in technology and training for financial services, approached one of Wachovia´s competitors in 2001 and outlined her business plan to hire the disabled and partner with clients to make Web sites, training and technology accessible. She had cashed in her 401(k) and put her savings on the line for her dream.

Ruh recalled, "I said, ´I am starting a new business and want you to give me a loan´ They said, ´No, because you are not currently employed.´ I then approached a Wachovia Small Business banker, and he said, ´Yes.´ Because of that, I´m still with Wachovia today - both for my personal and my business accounts. Other banks do a lot of talking, but Wachovia held our hands through the rough times and the mistakes I made in building my business. I´m loyal to Wachovia because it´s been loyal to us."

Disability Champions
Ruh said it´s easy to recommend Wachovia to others because of the way the company shares her commitment to hire employees who have disabilities and empower consumers who have disabilities - a message being highlighted nationwide during October through National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

She serves on the board of the U.S. Business Leadership Network with Beth Butler, Wachovia´s first disabilities and compliance consultant. About 70 percent of TecAccess´s 70-person workforce is disabled. The network is the only national disability organization for businesses promoting the hiring, retention and marketing of products to people with disabilities. It has 51 chapters in 32 states and the District of Columbia.

Ruh said that Wachovia has removed barriers by:

Making wachovia.com fully accessible.
Creating employment programs to recruit employees with disabilities. "Wachovia has really stepped up to make sure those with disabilities know they are valued customers," she said.

Service Excellence
Throughout the growth of TecAccess, Ruh has worked with Wachovia through the Manakin Sabot financial center in Richmond, Va. "It´s wonderful, and I have had some wonderful relationships over the years," she said. "I know Wachovia is big, but to have this small branch that just caters to customers´ needs in such a personal way and that is the face of the company is great."

A proactive call from the financial center made her aware of the remote deposit capture service she now uses to make deposits without ever leaving the TecAccess headquarters northwest of Richmond. "Good service to me is someone who is rooting for me and on my side," Ruh said. "I want my bank to be working with me, checking on me, understanding my business and asking, ´How was your first quarter, and how can we work together to further improve results?´ I also want a bank that communicates with me and knows who I am when I call and that will stay with me as my business grows."

Wells Fargo Merger
Ruh said she doesn´t expect much to change when the Wachovia signs change to Wells Fargo, which is one of her company´s Web site accessibility clients. In 2005, Wells Fargo also named TecAccess one of the three national winners of its Trailblazer Award for women-owned businesses. The video shot by Wells Fargo is still on her company´s Web site.

"Just like Wachovia, Wells Fargo gets the importance of removing barriers for people with disabilities and what they have to offer the workforce and to companies as consumers," she said.

Debra Ruh and her daughter, Sara - one of her inspirations for launching TecAccess in 2001.

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