Importance of Accessibility

Student Access Center Ann Pearce

Importance of Accessibility

• Providing accessible content to students in a timely manner is important because of: – Required legal guidelines – Benefits it provides to diverse learners – Responsibility to provide an equitable education to all students

Laws and Policies

• Institutions of higher education are under the obligation to meet the requirements of the following laws and regulations.

– Rehabilitation Act, Sections 504 and 508 – Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended – Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act – Kansas Web Content Accessibility Guidelines – Kansas State Course Accessibility Standards Policy

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Rehabilitation Act, Sections 504 &508

Rehabilitation Act of 1973 – First legislative effort to provide access rights to people with physical and cognitive disabilities – Section 504 prohibits discrimination by employers and organizations that receive federal funding – Section 508 was added in 1998 barring any federal government from creating any electronic and information technology that is inaccessible – As Kansas State University is a federally funded institution, we are obligated not to discriminate and to create and use accessible technology

Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended

• ADAA – People with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in programs, services, and activities – Title II – communications must be as “effective as communication with others” [28 C.F.R. ss 35.160 (a)] – Title III – addresses accommodating people with disabilities in all public facilities

Telecommunications Act, Section 255

• FCC Information on the Act – – access-board.gov has a brief overview Telecommunication devices must be designed and fabricated to be accessible – Telecommunications technology that is purchased for student use, especially that which is required for student programs, must be accessible – There are no provisions for damages, although complaints are filed with the FCC

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Kansas Web Content Accessibility Guidelines

Information Technology Policy 1210 – The purpose of the policy is to define accessibility requirements for all State of Kansas internet, intranet, and extranet websites, web services, and web applications including those developed internally, by contract, or purchased products – “6.1 All Entity websites, web services, and web applications shall be accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities in accordance with federal and state law”

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Kansas State Course Accessibility Standards Policy

Course Accessibility Standards Policy – “Many of the courses offered at Kansas State University use technology to enhance course delivery, both on campus and through distance learning (referred to as eLearning). The United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has stated that eLearning must be designed and delivered in such a way that all students, including students with disabilities, have equal access to course content.”

Other Reasons for Accessibility

• Course content that is accessible is often easier for all students to use (Universal Design) – Accessible PDF files are searchable – Accessible videos allow ESL students access to the printed word if they are still working on verbal skills – Accessible Word documents are easier for you to change in the future thanks to style sheets

Add Accessibility from the Start!

• • It is far easier to build accessible content during the creation phase rather than add in accessibility as a retrofit once a student needs accommodations.

All students deserve content in a timely manner; don’t let students fall behind while making files accessible.