Emerging Technologies, Access and Accommodation

Mark Hale, University of IowaAlan Vetter, Iowa State University

Agenda

• Emerging Technologies• Accessibility Efforts• Accommodation and Assistive Technology

Recently Emerged Technologies

• Web and Web-based services• E-text• iPhone/iPad and other mobile devices• GPS and location-based services• electronic signage• instant video publishing, lecture capture,

clickers, ….

Importance of Technology

• See ECAR National study of students and information technology in higher education, 2011 (just published by EDUCAUSE)

• http://www.educause.edu/Resources/ECARNationalStudyofUndergradua/238012

Technology Promise

• The Web– The power of the Web is in its universality.

Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect. (Tim Berners-Lee)

• iPhone, iPad and mobile devices• GPS and location-based services• electronic signage• instant video publishing

Technology Problems

• Badly designed web pages• Visual – only presentation of content• Online courses that don’t provide access to

screen reader programs• Videos presented in classes that are not

captioned

• Technologies not designed with accessibility in mind

The legal context

• Rehabilitation Act – accommodation

• ADA – accessibility

• NFB complaints re Kindle, Google Docs, and Penn State

Extension of ADA

• “There is no doubt that the websites of state and local government entities are covered by title II of the ADA. “ (DOJ OCR ANPRM for web content)

• It is unacceptable for universities to use emerging technology without insisting that this technology be accessible to all students. (DOJ/DOE OCR “Kindle” letter)

NFB and Penn State

• Policy endorsing accessibility• Plan for improvement, and progress• Purchasing rules to avoid future problems

• Remediate critical problems in current environment

Compare to ADA for facilities

• Policy regarding access• Remediation plan• Industry standards for accessible construction

UI Web Accessibility Project

• Policy and governance• Platform• Support– Coordinator– Training– Web resources

Policy and Governance

• WCAG 2.0 AA for new material• Units should assess, plan, and make progress– Remediate 20% a year

• Governance joint between CIO and VPSC• Technical advisory bodies for web and media

Platform

• Drupal 7 with accessible templates• Institutional assessment tool (HiSoftware

Compliance Sheriff)

Accessibility Tools

• FAE• WAVE toolbar• SSBART Group InFocus• Deque Ramp• WorldSpace FireEyes• Page Screamer Spider

Support

• Hired Web Accessibility Coordinator• Developing and buying training• Developing guidelines, to post on website• http://itaccessibility.uiowa.edu

Universal Design as Accessibility Strategy

• Pedagogy, not technology, comes first• Get design right up front, don’t repair as an

afterthought

• Accessibility is one part of flexibility, usability for all users

• However, there is an important exception. For some students, the use of personal assistive technologies – e.g., an electric wheelchair, eyeglasses, or a cochlear implant – is essential for basic physical and sensory access to learning environments. Those students will need their assistive technologies, even during activities where other students may not use any technologies at all. Even in classrooms that are well equipped with UDL materials and methods, their assistive technology neither precludes nor replaces the need for UDL overall.

Accommodation

• Focus on individual, not resource• Assistive Technology often plays a role• Delivered through Disability Services office(s)

Software

• Kurzweil 3000• ReadPlease• Read & Write Gold• Dragon NaturallySpeaking• Windows Eyes• ZoomText• JAWS

Hardware

• CCTV• Head mounted Mouse Controller• Magnification Devices• Talking Calculators• Talking Alarm Clocks• Audio Equipment for CART captioning

Student Disability Resource Checkout Program (ISU)

• Combined effort between Student Disability Resource Office (SDR) and IT Services (ITS).

• SDR interviews student and determines need.• If approved student is given Student Academic

Accommodation Request (SAAR) to bring to Solution Center.

• Software is loaded on student computer or checkout computer for the semester.

• There is a short training session provided for students new to the program.

Accommodation at Iowa

• SDS (in Student Life)• FSDS (in HR)– Much accommodation done at local level

• Assistive tech support scattered– ITS lab support group– iCATER– SDS and library provide e-text

• Need better coordination of AT services– Proposal – half-time coordinator for assistive tech