NEW YORK, NY – Jun. 17, 2015 – Quality Services for the Autism Community (QSAC), aNew York-based charity supporting children and adults with autism, honored Samsung with its 2015 Innovation in Accessibility Award for their commitment to ensuring that their products are accessible for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.

Each year, QSAC’s Innovation in Accessibility Award recognizes a company that has worked to ensure its products are disability-friendly. This year, QSAC recognized Samsung for the accessibility features of its Galaxy S6, Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Tab devices. The devices are neurodiversity-friendly and include accessibility features for individuals with impaired dexterity and speech, enabling them to be used as augmentative communication and learning devices for individuals with autism.

In addition to their strong commitment to accessibility, Samsung has also made giving back to the community a hallmark of their corporate social responsibility efforts. On Thursday, June 11,2015, Samsung employees – including CEO and President of Samsung Electronics North America Gregory Lee – visited the QSAC Preschool in Queens where they volunteered for the day. Hosted as a part of Samsung’s “Day of Service” program, employees spent the day gardening, designing bulletin boards, and working on art projects with QSAC’s students. 

“Samsung’s devices are helping our students with autism unlock their potential, communicate with their peers, and discover a love for learning,” said Gary Maffei, Executive Director of QSAC. “Samsung’s commitment to the autism community extends well beyond their products.Their employees’ willingness to volunteer at our preschool demonstrates how Samsung encourages their employees to give back. Companies like Samsung inspire us to believe that together we can make a difference in the lives of children and adults with autism.”

“We are so honored to be recognized by QSAC – true experts in the field who help the autism community on a daily basis,” said CEO and President of Samsung Electronics North America Gregory Lee. “It warms our hearts to know that Samsung is part of the community and is playing an active role in helping children and adults with autism achieve greater independence and realize their full potential.”
Accepting the award on behalf of Samsung at the Tuesday night gala was Giovanni DeChoudens, Vice President/General Manager of Carrier Sales for Samsung Electronics America.Past recipients of awards from QSAC have included Sprint, PIMCO, Pfizer, and Duncan Niederauer of NYSE Euronext. Each year, QSAC’s gala brings together more than 500 people to increase autism awareness while raising funds to support QSAC’s programs and services for the autism community of New York and Long Island.

Additional details regarding the gala are available online at www.qsac.com/gala.

About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.

Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), is are cognized innovation leader in consumer electronics design and technology.  A wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., SEA delivers a broad range of digital consumer electronics, mobile products and wearables, wireless infrastructure, IT and home appliance products. Samsung is the market leader for HDTVs in the U.S and one of America’s fastest growing home appliance brand. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.

About QSAC

QSAC is a New York City and Long Island based nonprofit that supports children and adults with autism, together with their families, in achieving greater independence, realizing their full potential, and contributing to their communities in a meaningful way by offering person-centered services. Founded in 1978 by group of parents, QSAC pursues its mission through direct services that provide a supportive and individualized setting for children and adults with autism to improve their communication, socialization, academic, and functional skills. Today, QSA Coperates more than 25 unique programs throughout the region and provides direct services to more than 2,000 children and adults with autism. You can learn more about QSAC online at www.qsac.com or www.twitter.com/qsac and www.facebook.com/qsacinc.