RE: Web Accessibility Myths and The Kynn Challenge (was:

Hi, Cynthia

I may have not been very clear in the distinction I was making about
providing specialized computers.  One type of specialized computer is one
where a standard computer is configured by adding additional
available hardware/software.  It is my understanding that it is
not unreasonable to expect universities to provide this type
of specialized computer.

A second type of specialized computer is one where specialized hardware
and/or software is researched and created for a particular
purpose.  I may be wrong, but it doesn't seem that 504/ADA
is requiring that universities spend money to create this type of
specialized computer for disabled students.  Is my understanding
of this incorrect?

Scott



> Scott,
> I highly recommend that you read my paper "The Growing Digital Divide in
> Access for People with Disabilities:  Overcoming Barriers to Participation."
> It was commissioned for President Clinton's first national conference on the
> digital economy and provides a legal update on access to electronic and
> information technology.  Please take a look at the discussion impacting
> universities and libraries.  Ever since Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
> Act of 1973, universities that have computer labs have been required to
> provide specialized computers so that students with disabilities have equal
> access.  It quickly became obvious that a second layer of accessibility was
> needed when the computers equipped for students with disabilities could not
> access the internet.  The first ADA case was filed against a university for
> failing to provide screenreaders for the computer.  We then saw that even if
> the computer stations were properly equipped, they could not access the
> internet if the web pages were not designed to be accessible.  For a full
> discussion of the legal requirements for universities, please see my paper
> at http://www.aasa.dshs.wa.gov/access/waddell.htm.
> 
> Cynthia D. Waddell

Received on Tuesday, 26 October 1999 16:31:21 UTC