TECHNOLOGY IS AN EMPTY PROMISE WITHOUT ACCESSIBILITY AND CONNECTIVITY

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The first challenge that comes with addressing accessibility concerns defining terms. 

Broadly, “accessibility” refers to allowing individuals with disabilities to use a system as easily as someone without disabilities. Estimates put the number of students in higher education with disabilities at around 10 percent -- though that number is complicated by the fact that many students with disabilities don’t feel empowered to share those details.

Looking at the current prevailing crisis of Covid19, if you don't live in a major urban area, you might have a much less consistent experience when it comes to getting fast broadband. For many, internet connections range from low speed to no connection at all. I got to hear first-hand how this is directly impacting some of our Children in the rural areas as they are adjusting to remote schooling.

This disparity of access truly impacts people’s lives, as many children are deprived of one of their human rights: education. Internet access has become a basic human right. Hoping our society works quickly to fix this inequity in our system.

Under a federal law established in 1973, organizations are required to ensure equal accessibility for people with disabilities. That law and subsequent federal guidance served as the basis for a 2013 case in which a blind Louisiana Tech University student successfully sued the institution because his professor didn’t provide an alternative to an internet-based application he couldn’t use. The judge ruled that the institution needed to allow that student and all others to be integrated into a class, rather than separated based on availability.

Institutions should work harder to ensure digital accessibility than ever before. Technology tools in the LMS and elsewhere can help, but only so much if connectivity and accessibility is streamlined


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