<div dir="ltr"><div>Hello All,</div><div><br></div><div>If you intend to participate in our Week in Annapolis, January 20 through January 27, please come to a meeting at 7:30 pm on Sunday, January 16 so that we can discuss our two issues. We will meet on Zoom.</div><div><br></div><div>Below is the fact sheet for our first issue. I will send the second issue in a separate email. Please read and come to the meeting with questions. Thanks for your participation. Let's make nonvisual access a reality in Maryland. <br></div><div><br></div><div>
<p style="margin:0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:12pt">Join Zoom Meeting</span><span style="font-size:12pt"></span></p><p style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";font-size:12pt"><a href="https://zoom.us/j/6248138327?pwd=eTZlYUgwR3ZQVVl1dXBLSHcrbml1QT09" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,255)">https://zoom.us/j/6248138327?pwd=eTZlYUgwR3ZQVVl1dXBLSHcrbml1QT09</span></u></a><span style="font-size:12pt"></span></p><p style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt">Meeting ID: 624 813 8327</span><span style="font-size:12pt"></span></p><p style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt">Passcode: 63263</span><span style="font-size:12pt"></span></p><p style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt">One tap mobile</span><span style="font-size:12pt"></span></p><p style="margin:0pt 0pt 8pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt">+13017158592,,6248138327# US (Washington D.C)</span></p>
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<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 1in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Subject: <span> </span>The Accountability Act for Accessible K-12 Education for Students
with Disabilities<span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">To:<span> </span>Members
of the Maryland General Assembly<span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">From:<span> </span>Members of the National Federation of the Blind of
Maryland<span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Contact:<span> </span>Sharon Maneki, Director of Legislation and Advocacy<span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;text-indent:0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">National Federation of the Blind of
Maryland<span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;text-indent:0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">9013 Nelson Way<span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;text-indent:0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Columbia, MD 21045<span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;text-indent:0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Phone: 410-715-9596<span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;text-indent:0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Email: </span></b><a href="mailto:nfbmdsm@gmail.com" style="color:rgb(5,99,193);text-decoration:underline"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">nfbmdsm@gmail.com</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;text-indent:0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></b></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Date: <span> </span>January 2022<span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">THE
PROBLEM<span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></b></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Blind
students in grades K-12 cannot access their educational content because local
school systems use inaccessible instructional technologies. Although federal
and state laws <span> </span>require the accessibility
of information and communication technology (ICT), digital content <span> </span>and services such as educational apps and
websites, local school systems and the Maryland State Department of Education
(MSDE) have not enforced the requirement for developers to ensure accessibility
before purchasing and implementing technologies and have not prohibited staff
members from using inaccessible materials that they find on their own. Local
school systems and MSDE have no accountability for accessibility. Consequently,
blind students are denied the opportunity to fully participate in their education.
<span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">PROPOSED
ACTION<span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></b></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The
Maryland General Assembly should enact legislation that provides accountability
for accessibility by both local school systems and the MSDE. This legislation must
include procurement procedures that force local school systems to comply with
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. There should be a penalty for
non-compliance by developers. The MSDE must annually publicize the record of
accessibility compliance by all jurisdictions on its website. The need for
action is urgent. Barriers to full participation in education that blind
students face must be eliminated. <span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">BACKGROUND<span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></b></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Blind
students encounter accessibility problems whether their instruction is
in-person or virtual. Accessibility problems are exacerbated during this
pandemic because of the need to shift between in- person instruction <span> </span>and virtual instruction. The trend in K-12
education today is to make greater use of computers and interactive
instructional technologies. Students are expected to use technology to access digital
content, complete and submit their homework, participate in class discussions,
complete pop quizzes and tests, or check their grades. Blind students can no
longer perform these tasks independently when instructional technologies are
inaccessible. In other words, inaccessible technologies shut blind students out
of their education. Additionally, blind parents and blind teachers cannot help
students who must use these technologies. Federal laws such as the Americans
with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act have required
elementary and secondary schools to use accessible ICT to provide students with
disabilities full and equal access to programs. Since 2002, Maryland law has also
required that online instruction must be accessible to students with
disabilities. Since these laws have existed for decades, why does this problem
remain? <span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Screen
access software makes electronic information accessible by rendering
information in either a text-to-speech, magnified, or refreshable Braille
format. These screen access devices will work only if websites, document
formats, or other hardware and software are designed and coded to accommodate
nonvisual access. The methods for nonvisual access are well known and well
documented. The first publicly available accessibility guidelines were
published in 1995 and have been updated periodically. These guidelines have
been incorporated into Section 508 requirements of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973. The law requires accessibility, and developers already know how to
provide accessibility. What is missing is accountability and enforcement. <span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">BENEFITS
OF THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION<span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></b></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span>1.<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">By
ensuring accountability, the proposed legislation will prevent local school
systems and the MSDE <span> </span>from overlooking or
ignoring accessibility requirements. </span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">This
legislation will require local school systems to establish a process to
evaluate the accessibility of ICT and digital content that it is considering
for purchase. A local school <span> </span>system
employee, knowledgeable in accessibility and the web content accessibility
guidelines must be involved in this evaluation. When selecting the product, the
local school system shall “prioritize <span class="gmail-markedcontent">the available
product that best meets the specifications and has the greatest functionality</span>
<span class="gmail-markedcontent">for accessibility standards for students with
disabilities,</span> <span class="gmail-markedcontent">including blindness</span>”. The
legislation will also close and accessibility loophole by also requiring teacher
prepared material to be accessible. <span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></b></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The
proposed legislation strengthens the role of MSDE in monitoring the compliance
of accessibility in the local school systems. The legislation will require the MSDE
to annually publish the progress of all local school systems concerning
accessibility on its website. Making this information publicly available
demonstrates that accessibility is a priority for the MSDE. Publishing this
information on the website is also a valuable accountability tool because it
allows the public to demand explanations. <span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span>2.<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The
proposed legislation introduces vendor accountability at the beginning of the
procurement process.</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
Local school systems will be required to include in a procurement contract, for
ICT or digital content, an indemnification clause making the vendor liable if
the product does not meet the accessibility standards. The legislation clearly
informs the vendor of accessibility requirements by getting the vendors
attention in the request for <span> </span>proposals
or bids.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">In
this legislation, the local school system must require the vendor to provide
specific information of how the vendor intends to achieve accessibility in the
product or software. For instance, the legislation will stipulate that <span> </span>“Beginning on September 1, 2023, an invitation
for bids or request for proposals for a digital tool issued by the State or
County board shall require a vendor to submit an accessibility conformance
report” or Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT). The VPAT <span> </span>is a document that explains how ICT products
such as software, hardware, electronic content, and support documentation meet
(conform to) the Revised Section 508 Standards for ICT accessibility. Vendors
are familiar with VPATs since they are already required by many federal
government entities. Accessibility is less expensive and more effective if it
is designed during the initial development of ICT. Thus, requiring an <span> </span>Accessibility Conformance Report or VPAT will
help the developers in the long run.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span>3.<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The
proposed legislation enhances vendor accountability for accessibility by creating
consequences.</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
Currently, a vendor has no incentive to comply with procurement accessibility
requirements. Strengthening the procurement law by providing for vendor
penalties will demonstrate the importance of the requirement to the vendor.
Charging any vendor to remediate the product so it contains nonvisual access
components will also save money for the local school systems. The proposed
legislation states that local school systems shall notify vendors of any access
barriers found upon a determination within eighteen months from procurement or
latest upgrade. The vendor will be required to remediate said barriers at its
own expense. Should that vendor fail to remediate the access barrier within
twelve months from the date of notice, a civil penalty shall be applied. For
the first offense, the fine shall not exceed $5,000. For a subsequent offense,
the fine shall not exceed $10,000. No vendor should object to this requirement
because it has a year to fix the problem before any penalty is invoked. The
vendor </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">shall
indemnify the local school system for liability resulting from the use of
information technology that does not meet the nonvisual access standards. </span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">In the long run, such a penalty
will allow full accountability and enforcement of the contract while saving local
school systems money.<span> </span><span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span>4.<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Precedent
for a civil penalty against vendors for noncompliance with accessibility laws
already exists in Maryland with the enactment of HB1088/SB286 in 2018.</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span>
</span><span> </span>Assessing a civil penalty on
vendors for noncompliance with accessibility requirements has not had a
detrimental effect on other agencies in the executive branch of government.<span> </span>The legislature should demand the same
accountability for accessible education that it demands from the rest of the
executive branch.<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">CONCLUSION<span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></b></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The
use of inaccessible ICT and digital content by local school systems has denied
full and equal participation to blind students in K-12 education. Although
accessibility to ICT is required by state and federal laws, it does not occur
because there is no accountability or enforcement by local school systems and
the MSDE. There are no consequences for vendors who fail to deliver accessible
ICT. The proposed legislation will reduce accessibility barriers by
establishing methods of enforcement and accountability. Blind students deserve
the same opportunities for full participation in education that are afforded to
non-disabled students. This legislation will fulfill the demand that
accessibility must become a reality. If blind students have the opportunity to
obtain a quality education, they will be able to become successful taxpayers
and productive members of society.<span></span></span></p>
</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><b><font size="2">Sharon Maneki, Director of Legislation and Advocacy</font></b></div><div><font size="2">National Federation of the Blind of Maryland</font></div><div><font size="2">410-715-9596</font></div><div><font size="2"><br></font></div><div><font size="2">The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Everyday we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.<br></font></div><div><b><font size="2"></font></b></div><div><b><font size="2"><br></font></b></div></div></div></div></div></div>