Policy & Leadership
NCDAE has several policy projects focused on the evaluation of state and local education technology policies, and national policies. The goal is to identify promising models that can be adapted and used by state and local education agencies as they develop, implement and revise required education technology plans. Research topics include policies and standards governing technology procurement and development, availability of hardware and software tools that permit access to electronic information by students with disabilities, and incentives for design of educational tools that permit universal access. We are also studying policies and practices that affect electronically mediated education for students with cognitive disabilities.
These policy research topics were identified in two national summit meetings held in 2004 and 2005. The Summit meeting summaries form the beginnings of a national agenda for the study and improvement of distance education access for students with disabilities. This agenda has served as the basis for the NCDAE Audio Webcast Series that addresses timely and important electronically-mediated education issues for students, education curriculum developers and vendors, educators and policy makers.
NCDAE collaborates with the Access IT project at the University of Washington to conduct national policy research and to analyze emerging policies and practices regarding accessible education technology for students with disabilities.
The Times, They Are A Changin'
Added May 17, 2007
It has been almost a decade since Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to require that electronic and information technology used, purchased, or maintained by federal agencies be accessible to persons with disabilities. However, Section 508 has remained largely misunderstood and, while some efforts have been made to comply with the standards set forth in the amendment, enforcement has proven to be problematic. Most products and websites still have a long way to go before they can truly be considered accessible (or usable) for persons with disabilities.
Read the entire article: The Times, They are A Changin'
NIMAS in IDEA: Department of Education response to public comments and final regulations
Added August 4. 2006: The final federal regulations are now available for the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS) in Part B of IDEA 2004. They were published by the Department of Education yesterday in an "unofficial" form pending their publication in the Federal Register. Although the document is well over 1700 pages, staff from NCDAE has collected only those items that pertain to NIMAS. Verbatim sections pulled from the "unofficial" federal document are available for (1) a summary of changes to NIMAS, (2) the Department of Education's analysis of comments and change, and (3) the final regulation including the technical standard.
Read a compilation of NIMAS excerpts.
Telecommunications and Electronic and Information Technology Advisory Committee
Added July 6, 2006: The National Center on Disability and Access to Education is pleased to announce that it has been appointed a seat on the newly formed Telecommunications and Electronic and Information Technology Advisory Committee. This committee will be reviewing and updating the existing Section 508 and Telecommunications Act accessibility guidelines for telecommunications products and accessibility standards for electronic and information technology. These laws apply widely throughout U.S. federal government and industry.
The appointees include some very big names in the IT industry and we are excited to be able to represent our constituent groups in influencing accessibility at such a scale. As the process begins, we will be looking for ideas and feedback on how these accessibility standards and guidelines might best be revised to increase accessibility for all.
Other Articles
Wish List and Beyond
Added August 28, 2006: In January 2006, the International Society for Technology and Education (ISTE) published an editorial in the E-School News describing its education technology Wish List for 2006. It was an intriguing list of ideas to consider with respect to improving the accessibility and usability of technology in our nation's schools. Among those items of interest to the disability community was a call for a systemic national conversation regarding the essential elements of technology in schools and national education technology standards. There was a recognition of essential 21st century literacies for our nation's students. Modern teacher preparation, including highly qualified teachers and “effective use of modern digital tools and resources” were among the highlights of the list. Those of us concerned with access to educational technology by children, youth, and adults with disabilities agree that this wish list is important, in fact, we want to make it our own and suggest several additions.
Read the entire article: Wish List and Beyond
Let the Buyer be Aware: The Importance of Procurement in Accessibility Policy
Added April 24, 2006: Education entities are making the important move to create policies that cover accessible technologies in general, and Web accessibility in particular. However, very few of these policies explicitly include procedures for the procurement of accessible goods and services. This is vital for any group that wants to adhere to their policy and avoid expensive accommodation if newly purchased materials pose barriers to access for persons with disabilities. A brilliant aspect of the Section 508 regulation is that procurement is tied to the overall federal strategy to transform, over time, into an environment supporting accessibility. This article discusses the importance of procurement language in policies to encourage accessibility. It also provides sample language that others can use in their own policies and recommends links to those who have already included accessibility requirements. In this age of technology procurement, let the buyer be aware!
