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

Thu Jan 16 20:52:39 UTC 2014

Thanks for sending this Tracy about Aleeha.  I hope she gets the results 
she's looking for and is able to continue with her studies.  Limitations on 
your education should never be because you are not provided accessable class 
materials like everyone else.

Susan
dogwoodfarm at verizon.net
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tracy Carcione" <carcione at access.net>
To: "Agricultural and Equestrean Division List" <ag-eq at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 15, 2014 8:20 AM
Subject: [Ag-eq] Fwd: Blind student files discrimination suit against 
MiamiUniversity

> 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.
>
> Unsubscribe from this mailing
> Or you may opt-out of all future mailings from us
> National Federation of the Blind
>
> 200 East Wells Street
> at Jernigan Place
> Baltimore, MD 21230
> United States
>
> 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
>
>
>
>
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