T-Base Reduces its Carbon Footprint with Braille and Large Print

OTTAWA, Nov. 12, 2013 /CNW/ - Last week marked the first of many in a new year- long program where T-Base Communications is going to give back to the earth by planting 12 trees across North America for every tree that is consumed in the production of braille and large print statements, documents & textbooks, on behalf of their customers. What makes this program different is that customers are not required to sign up or do anything special like many 'plant a tree' corporate campaigns that are saturating the marketplace. "Our factories are using the paper, so we are planting the trees," said Jeff Potts, CEO of T-Base Communications.

Working with American Forests and Tree Canada, T-Base is supporting its banking, telecommunications and education customer sites across North America with this environmental thank you for recognizing the importance of communicating with their blind and low vision customers. The company is also offering customers the ability to send a message to their braille and large print end users to let them know they are giving back to the environment on their behalf.

T-Base specializes in the transformation of private and secure financial statements, telecom statements and other important documents into the widest range of accessible formats, including accessible web and accessible PDF online. As CEO, Jeff Potts explains, for some, paper is an absolute necessity, "While we provide many of our customers with accessible online paperless options, without braille and large print, individuals who require these formats in hard copy can't fully access the information they need in order to advance or make informed decisions in managing their affairs."

The World Health Organization Fact Sheet number 282 - October 2013 states that 285 million people are estimated to be visually impaired worldwide: 39 million are blind and 246 million have low vision. Additionally, according to the Royal Bank of Canada, people with disabilities have $25 billion in spending power; a number that is sure to grow as the number of visually impaired and blind/low vision population increases.

Mr. Potts emphasizes that students who require braille or large print need access to their textbooks and other learning materials in order to advance in their student careers. Banking customers require access to the financial account statements and similarly, telecom customers need to know how much they are spending on their cell phone plans. "We produce it because it's essential that our customers provide their blind, low vision and print disabled customers who prefer these formats with equal access to their information. But that doesn't mean we can't help reduce our collective carbon footprint as we provide these services on behalf of our customers."

Under this program, T-Base will plant thousands upon thousands of trees over the next 12 months and plans to announce its progress in April 2014, during the week of Earth Day in Canada and Arbor Day in the United States. "American Forests applauds the commitment by T-Base Communications to reduce its carbon footprint and plant trees," said Lea Sloan, Vice President of Communications at American Forests. "Not only are their efforts significant from an environmental standpoint, but through promoting the planting of trees for the health of the planet, they are raising awareness among employees and customers of the essential role of forests."

About T-Base Communications

T-Base Communications helps organizations communicate effectively with their blind, low vision and print disabled customers who cannot access information in conventional print or online formats, while at the same time ensuring full compliance with all applicable legislation. T-Base is the North American leader in the secure design, production and delivery of alternate format communications materials in braille, large print, and audio, as well as online with web accessibility and accessible PDF. http://www.tbase.com/

About American Forests

American Forests restores and protects urban and rural forests. Founded in 1875, the oldest national non-profit conservation organization in the country has served as a catalyst for many of the most important milestones in the conservation movement, including the founding of the U.S. Forest Service, the national forest and national park systems and literally thousands of forest ecosystem restoration projects and public education efforts. In the last two decades, American Forests has planted more than 44 million trees in forests throughout the U.S. and in 44 countries, resulting in cleaner air and drinking water, restored habitat for wildlife and fish, and the removal of millions of tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Learn more at www.americanforests.org.

About the T-Base Planting by the Dozen Program

Starting November 5th 2013, for every tree that is consumed over the next twelve months producing braille and large print statements, documents & textbooks, T-Base Communications is going to give back to the earth by planting 12 more trees across North America on behalf of their banking, telecom and educational customers. http://www.tbase.com/ Look for the campaign hashtag #tbasedoztrees on Twitter https://twitter.com/TBaseComm and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TBaseCommunity.

SOURCE: T-Base Communications

Media Contact:
Deanna White
Media Relations
T-Base Communications
[phone] Ext. 231
[email protected]