[IABS-Talk] FW: Equip for Equality/Blind Community Group - Victory! Systemic Changes in Digital Accessibility at UIC as a Result of EFE's Advocacy

Fri Nov 12 16:00:39 UTC 2021

FYI.

Denise Avant, ESQ

1st Vice President

National Federation of the Blind of Illinois

For more information about NFBI,

Go to www.nfbofillinois.org

From: Andrew Webb <AndrewW at equipforequality.org> 
Sent: Friday, November 12, 2021 9:24 AM
To: Andrew Webb <AndrewW at equipforequality.org>
Subject: Equip for Equality/Blind Community Group - Victory! Systemic
Changes in Digital Accessibility at UIC as a Result of EFE's Advocacy

Hello,

We are pleased to announce that Equip for Equality has reached an Agreement
with the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) to make systemic changes that
will significantly improve digital access for blind users. Please see the
media statement below for additional information.

*****

University of Illinois Chicago Demonstrates Strong Commitment to Employees
and Students with Disabilities by Improving Digital Access for Blind Users

Chicago, IL - Today, the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) announces the
outcome of a yearlong collaborative process aimed at improving digital
accessibility for UIC employees, students and community members who are
blind or have low vision.

"UIC is committed to full inclusion and participation of people with
disabilities who study and work at the university and we value the
importance of digital accessibility across all platforms," said Caryn
Bills-Windt, Associate Chancellor, UIC Office for Access and Equity.

To achieve these outcomes, UIC partnered with Equip for Equality (EFE),
Illinois' federally mandated, governor-designated Protection and Advocacy
System for people with disabilities, as well as with blind UIC employee
Peter Berg. Through dialog, regular meetings and a thoughtful exchange of
ideas, UIC, EFE and Berg collaborated to identify barriers, solutions and
best practices for digital access.

"I appreciate UIC's intent to be proactive about digital accessibility
through its new policies, training and procurement rules," said Berg. "A
proactive approach is critically important to ensure blind employees and
students can independently access what we need to do our jobs and be part of
the community."

As a result of this collaboration, UIC has already made substantial
improvements to several digital technologies and resources. For example, now
when blind users open UIC's SAFE App, a digital resource for on-campus
safety, it is readable with assistive technology. Blind users similarly can
now access UIC's COVID-19 Safety Training, COVID-19 Dashboard, and Human
Resources website.

UIC has also demonstrated its commitment by hiring an Assistant Director for
Digital Accessibility and by creating ADA and Electronic Information
Technology (EIT) accessibility committees, which will support UIC's ongoing
efforts to improve digital accessibility for blind and low vision members of
the UIC community.

UIC is actively developing campus EIT Accessibility Policies, Practices and
Procedures that will include requirements about training staff on digital
accessibility, establishing guidelines for the procurement process, and
implementing a digital accessibility complaint system.

These important developments will also support the University of Illinois'
system-wide efforts to improve digital accessibility. In the past year, the
University of Illinois System has published its new
<https://www.vpaa.uillinois.edu/cms/One.aspx?portalId=420456&pageId=1550005>
System-Wide Electronic Information Technology Accessibility Policy Guide as
well as its new
<https://www.vpaa.uillinois.edu/cms/One.aspx?portalId=420456&pageId=1651249>
System-Wide Electronic Information Technology Accessibility Implementation
Guidelines. Both will help steer UIC's future work to ensure digital
accessibility.

"It has been a pleasure collaborating with UIC, which has demonstrated its
commitment to improving digital accessibility," said Rachel M. Weisberg,
attorney with Equip for Equality.

About Equip for Equality

Equip for Equality (EFE) is a private, not-for-profit entity designated in
1985 by the Governor to administer the federally mandated Protection and
Advocacy System for safeguarding the rights of people with disabilities in
Illinois. EFE is dedicated to expanding opportunities for people with
disabilities to live full and independent lives by providing self-advocacy
assistance, legal services, disability rights education, public policy
advocacy and abuse investigations. For more information, go to
<https://www.equipforequality.org/> equipforequality.org.

About UIC

The University of Illinois Chicago is the city's largest university and its
only public Carnegie Research 1 institution. Its 16 academic colleges serve
more than 34,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UIC is
recognized as one of the best public universities and one of the most
ethnically rich and culturally diverse campuses in the nation, located in
the heart of Chicago, it is an integral part of the educational,
technological and cultural fabric of one of the world's greatest cities.

Andrew R. Webb

Staff Attorney and PAAT Program Manager

Equip For Equality

20 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 300

Chicago, IL  60602

(312) 895-7347

andreww at equipforequality.org <mailto:andreww at equipforequality.org>  