[Ag-eq] Fwd: Blind student files discrimination suit against Miami University

[Tracy Carcione]

Sorry, I didn't mean to send an attachment.  Trying again.
I believe Aleeha is a member of this list, so I am forwarding this press 
release.

----- Original Message ----- 
Sent: Monday, January 13, 2014 12:55 PM
Received from Jessica Freeh, NFB, Public Relations Specialist.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


CONTACT:
Chris Danielsen
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
cdanielsen at nfb.org



Stacy Brannan-Smith
Disability Rights Ohio
(614) 466-7264, extension 101
sbrannan at disabilityrightsohio.org



Blind Student Files Discrimination Suit Against Miami University



Oxford, Ohio (January 13, 2014): With the assistance of the National 
Federation of the Blind, Aleeha Dudley, a blind student pursuing a degree in 
zoology with hopes of attending veterinary school, has filed suit (case 
number: 1:14-CV-00038) in the United States District Court for the Southern 
District of Ohio against Miami University for discriminating against her on 
the basis of her disability.  The complaint alleges that Miami University 
violated Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 
504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 by deliberately failing to make 
necessary modifications for Ms. Dudley so that she could complete her 
coursework.  Among other things, the university failed to provide textbooks 
and course materials in accessible formats, including Braille; failed to 
provide proper tactile graphics to represent visual components of course 
materials; purchased and deployed inaccessible course management and 
assignment software; and more.  If these modifications had been made, Ms. 
Dudley would have been able to use text-to-speech software and a refreshable 
Braille display to obtain the information she needed to succeed in her 
courses.  Instead, the complaint alleges, her grades have suffered and she 
is behind in her degree requirements, not because of any deficiency in her 
own capabilities, desire to learn, or work habits, but because of Miami 
University's failure to make modifications that it promised to make and that 
are required by federal law.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: 
"Ms. Dudley is only one of many blind students who experience frustrating 
and unnecessary barriers to a full and equal education in our nation's 
institutions of higher education.  Technology, if properly designed and 
implemented, can make it possible for students like Ms. Dudley to experience 
an equal education to an extent unheard of in the past, but Miami University 
has ignored its legal and moral obligations and failed to procure accessible 
technology and take other steps necessary to give Ms. Dudley the full 
benefit of her educational experience.  The National Federation of the Blind 
cannot and will not tolerate such discrimination against Ms. Dudley and the 
rest of America's blind students.  We will pursue this case and others with 
vigor, continue to inform colleges and universities of their obligations, 
and insist that they meet those obligations."

Ms. Dudley said: "My dream of becoming a veterinarian has turned in to a 
nightmare.  I am so far behind in my coursework, and my grades have suffered 
so much, that I will not be able to pursue a veterinary degree and enter the 
job market on time, if at all.  I am pursuing this case not only for myself, 
but so that other blind students who matriculate at Miami University will 
not experience the same frustration, exhaustion, and sadness that I feel 
today."

Ms. Dudley is represented with the support of the National Federation of the 
Blind by Sharon Krevor-Weisbaum and Daniel F. Goldstein of the Baltimore 
firm Brown, Goldstein, & Levy, and Kerstin Sjoberg-Witt of Disability Rights 
Ohio.



###



About the National Federation of the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the oldest, largest, and most 
influential nationwide membership organization of blind people in the United 
States. Founded in 1940, the NFB advocates for the civil rights and equality 
of blind Americans, and develops innovative education, technology, and 
training programs to provide the blind and those who are losing vision with 
the tools they need to become independent and successful. We need your 
support. To make a donation, please go to www.nfb.org.

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410 659-9314





Forwarded by:



Brian A. Mackey



Brian A. Mackey

Mackey Enterprises LLC

National Federation of the Blind of NJ, Secretary

609-953-6988

bmackey88 at gmail.com



"Happy are those who dream dreams and are willing to pay the price to make 
those dreams come true."

        - Vince Papale