Information Technology Accessibility Initiative

We are one of ten regional DBTAC: ADA Centers that promote technology access and inclusion by all individuals, and facilitate the widespread use of universal design with funding from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR).

The National Center on Accessible Information Technology in Education (AccessIT) at the University of Washington provides information and training to educational institutions on information technology access for students and employees, with and without disabilities.

Information Technology in Education Accessibility Initiative (2001-2006)

• Education Leadership Initiative - ELI (2001-2006)
• Information Technology Accessibility in Education Projects (2001-2006)
• Objectives of Information Technology in Education Accessibility Initiative
• Goals of Information Technology in Education Accessibility Initiative
• Contact for More Information

Objectives

The Information Technology in Education Accessibility Initiative (2001-2006) had three (3) objectives:

1. Be proactive in reaching a full spectrum of educational entities, including but not limited to:
   • Elementary and secondary schools
   • Postsecondary schools, colleges, community colleges, and universities
   • Proprietary schools, particularly those offering information technology training
   • Vocational, Technical and Adult Education Programs
   • Programs serving Youth in Transition
   
   
   
2. Work through an Education Leadership Team consisting of key stakeholders representing educational entities from the eight U.S. Southeast Region states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi , North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee).
   
   
3. Launch an Education Leadership Initiative (ELI) to support the formation of innovative partnerships among groups interested in encouraging educational entities to provide accessible information technology to students and staff with disabilities.

Goals

The DBTAC: Southeast ADA Center worked with its Education Leadership Team to achieve the fourteen (14) goals of the Information Technology in Education Accessibility Initiative (2001-2006).

1. Establish expectations for access by creating an educational environment where full technology access for all students is expected in K-12 schools.
   
   
2. Encourage self-advocacy by improving parents' and high school students' knowledge of technology access issues and encouraging them to self-advocate for increased accessibility.
   
   
3. Improve access to facilities at community colleges and universities by making classrooms and computer labs physically accessible to all students; making websites, educational materials, and distance education more accessible; and providing training to faculty, support staff, administration, and students.
   
   
4. Improve technology access and computer literacy for students in other educational settings by creating activities targeted at students who did not graduate high school, students who attend community-based learning centers, and students of all ages who participate in vocational, technical or adult education.
   
   
5. Improve understanding of accessible technology by increasing knowledge about how to make information technology more accessible for people with disabilities across all targeted audiences.
   
   
6. Use DBTAC-developed access checklists within K-12 and post-secondary schools to help remove barriers to technology access.
   
   
7. Educate K-12 school principals by developing training in accessible technology and working with them to improve access, including teacher training and support, on-site technology staff, and classroom/laboratory accessibility.
   
   
8. Include accessible technology in teacher licensing and recertification by having states require teachers to have training in accessible technology before receiving a license or recertification.
   
   
9. Support changes in policy that increase access by working with state and local policymakers to implement changes to policies, procedures, and budgeting to insure technology access, including increased budget allocation for accessible information technology across educational environments.
   
   
10. Apply Section 508 standards through having all websites of targeted audiences meet the Section 508 standards for access, as well as a 50% increase in the use of web authoring tools that promote access.
    
    
11. Create and maintain a resource directory of experts in accessible technology and promising practices developed by organizations and schools.
    
    
12. Develop promising practices by identifying, documenting, and replicating promising practices across educational environments throughout the Southeast region.
    
    
13. Create alliances and collaborations within a network of education professionals in targeted audiences, as well as promoting collaboration among Education Leadership Team members and the Southeast DBTAC to provide training, develop materials, and distribute information about accessible technology.
    
    
14. Establish model institutions through having at least one school, one community college, one university, one state department of education, and one model community learning center in the Southeast region be models for others in access to information technology. Model institutions will implement changes in the following areas:
    • Include access in procurement policies
    • Improve website accessibility
    • Remove barriers to classrooms, labs, and distance learning
    • Improve awareness and skills of faculty and staff
    • Provide funding for access improvements
    • Increase participation of students with disabilities and families

Contact for More Information:

DBTAC: Southeast ADA Center
Toll-Free: 1-800-949-4232 (voice/tty)
Phone: 404-541-9001 (voice/tty)
Fax: 404-541-9002
Email: sedbtacproject@law.syr.edu

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