Introduction to Disability and IT: Policy Development

Fedro S. Zazueta Professor and Director Office of Academic Technology University of Florida

Why is Policy Important?

• The Law: Protect the institution.

• It’s the right thing to do: Ensure that persons with disabilities communicate.

• Usability benefits everyone.

Rehabilitation Act of 1973: Section 504 • All public or private institutions receiving federal funding, must make programs and services accessible for individuals with disabilities.

• Enforcing agency: Office for Civil Rights (OCR) • OCR has ruled … – Not whether student with disability is provided access, but extent that communication is actually as effective as that provided to others.

– In favor of making information technology (IT) accessible for students with disabilities.

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 • Passed 1990 before Internet.

• Disability if meet one of three part definition.

• Title II “Effective communication” applies to Internet per Department of Justice.

www.adabasics.org

Section 902 • Prohibits discrimination of a qualified individual in the workplace.

• The intent is to prohibit discrimination.

• Disability for ADA differs from other disability definitions.

http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/902cm.html

Test for disability • A physical or mental impairment that limits one or more of life’s major life activities.

• A record of such impairment.

• Being regarded as having such an impairment.

What is Section 508?

• Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act that when Federal agencies develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology, they shall ensure that this technology allows: requires – Federal employees with disabilities to have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to that by Federal employees who are not individuals with disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency, and – Individuals with disabilities, who are members of the public seeking information or services from a Federal agency, to have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to that provided to the public who are not individuals with disabilities. • Interpreted applicable to state entities,

including public colleges and universities.

Definition of IT: • Information technology. Any equipment or interconnected system or subsystem of equipment, that is used in the automatic acquisition, storage, manipulation, management, movement, control, display, switching, interchange, transmission, or reception of data or information. The term 'information technology' includes computers, ancillary equipment, software, firmware and similar procedures, services (including support services), and related resources.

http://www.section508.gov

. • The law establishes a complaint procedure and reporting requirements. Complaints . • Under Section 508, individuals may also sue an agency in Federal court to correct an alleged violation.

http://www.section508.gov

. • • • The statute (the law), The standard (developed by the Access Board) The Federal Acquisition Regulation (the FAR). • States: http://www.ittatc.org/laws/state LawAtGlance.php

Requirements: • A non-federal entity such as a university or a city, county, or state government that receives federal monies needs to comply with Section 504 (of the Rehabilitation Act) requirements to provide reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. • Section 504 does not require accommodations to be provided through conformance with Section 508 accessibility standards. • Adherence to Section 508 requirements can be used as a way of meeting Section 504 obligations.

Section 508: Standards • • • • • Subpart B -- Technical Standards • 1194.21 Software applications and operating systems.

• 1194.22 Web-based intranet and internet information and applications. 16 rules.

1194.23 Telecommunications products.

1194.24 Video and multimedia products.

1194.25 Self contained, closed products.

• 1194.26 Desktop and portable computers.

• Subpart C -- Functional Performance Criteria 1194.31 Functional performance criteria.

• Subpart D -- Information, Documentation, and Support • 1194.41 Information, documentation, and support

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) • World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) • 1.0 current; 2.0 due this year.

• 3 voluntary compliance levels www.w3c.org/WAI

What is Assistive Technology (AT)?

• Assists a person with a disability in performing a task that most people can do without such technology.

www.assistivetech.net

Accessible IT IT enabled with assistive technology that allow users with disabilities to use the IT resource. Accessibility allows users to effectively interact with the technology.

Principles of Usability 1) Equitable Use: The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities. 2) Flexibility in Use: The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and 3) Simple and Intuitive Use: Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level. 4) Perceptible Information: The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities. 5) Tolerance for Error: The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.

6) Low Physical Effort: The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue. 7) Size and Space for Approach and Use. Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user's body size, posture, or mobility.

Universal Design • The design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. • The intent of universal design is to simplify life for everyone by making products, communications, and the built environment more usable by as many people as possible at little or no extra cost. • Universal design benefits people of all ages and abilities.