[NABS-L] College website accessibility

Fri Jan 14 20:58:55 UTC 2022

Here’s the latest update that I have received from the disability manager at my college.

“Thank you for your observation.  We will communicate with our technology department.  We are currently in the process of launching a new website soon.  Additionally, GMC is committed to the full and total inclusion of all individuals providing equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from all programs, services and activities. Georgia Military College is also supportive of individual rights and responsibilities.  As a public institution receiving Federal funds, Georgia Military College adheres to the provisions of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008.”

I have followed up with a question on how to contact the technology department.

> On Jan 14, 2022, at 3:34 PM, Kendra Schaber via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi all!
> Welcome to the world of college life as a blind student! I hope we can
> help you with the good, the bad, and the ugly! I totally agree with Nick.
> I don't believe that there is such a thing as full accessibility in the
> college world because even though we have made a lot of progress, we still
> have miles to go, especially in the fields of math and science. Even
> without math and science, you will always run into inaccessible websites,
> inaccessible videos, slides with inaccessible pictures, especially in
> cases where your school doesn't have the ability to make their own braille
> graphics, and, there are those inaccessible apps, and dodgy resources that
> are accessible, but are not inclusive, especially to those such as myself
> who is not enough of a techie to completely keep up with all of the 2021
> features, but is more techie than is required to live in the 1990s. Even
> when things are accessible, you're always going to have products that you
> enjoy a lot and products that are not accessible to you because even
> though they are conciddered to be accessible, they are either above your
> skill leval, or they are so clunky that the developers didn't include work
> flow into their deffenation of what accessibility means. In my mind, work
> flow counts because without the ability of having good work flow, that's a
> form of inaccessibility because without that work flow, you can't
> completely keep up with the pace of college. For example, I don't like
> Google Dox because even though it's conciddered to be accessible, it's not
> accessible to me because when I go to use it, it's either too buggy, or it
> doesn't have the right work flow that would allow me to keep up with the
> fast pace of the college world. I stick to the old school Microsoft Word
> document as much as possible because I like Microsoft Word much better
> because it actually includes work flow as a required accessible feature.
> You might like Google Dox better than I which is fine, but this is also
> what you run into as a blind student. Also, since the world is semi
> virtual, you have to understand what your school can do for you, what they
> can't do for you, and how to line up your resources with theirs as needed.
> Also, keep in mind that your school's accessibility department might have
> a biest perspective that's in favor of your school, so therefore, they
> might have somewhat of a less than accurate ability to figure out what's
> accessible, what's not accessible, and/or even, where they're able to
> completely keep up with the pace of your classes. From stories I've heard
> over the years, most schools also don't completely understand your needs
> as a blind student which also impacts your ability to get a completely
> inclusive experience at your school as a blind student. With that in mind,
> it's always a good idea to observe how your school is able to keep up with
> you and your classes, what resources they have avalible to them, what
> resources you have avalible to you, and determine whether or not they're
> able to fully help you throughout your entire education. If you find that
> they can't completely cover your education in the accessibility
> department, or they can't keep up with everything, then you'll either need
> to come up with your own resources, change your education plan, change
> your school, or escalate the case, or some combination of these, depending
> on your situation. I'd start with knowing everyone's avalible resources,
> and step it up leval by leval from there. Only escalate the case as a last
> resort.
> Kendra
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NABS-L <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of nspohn0--- via
> NABS-L
> Sent: Friday, January 14, 2022 12:07 PM
> To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: nspohn0 at gmail.com
> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] College website accessibility
> 
> Another thing to add:
> 
> I am also working with my university to improve the accessibility of the
> athletics website, bookstore website, and the software we use to schedule
> courses. I am also helping to make HR training modules for student
> employees to be accessible.
> 
> I say all of that to let you know that it is likely you will run into
> inaccessible websites and other resources.
> 
> Welcome to postsecondary education! (sarcasm)
> 
> Nick
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nspohn0 at gmail.com <nspohn0 at gmail.com>
> Sent: Friday, January 14, 2022 2:58 PM
> To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: 'Armando Vias' <armando at armandovias.com>
> Subject: RE: [NABS-L] College website accessibility
> 
> Hello,
> 
> Penn State has an accessibility statement, but you have to click on a link
> called "accessibility" to get to it. Even though Penn State has this
> statement, I think Penn State needs improvement when it comes to
> accessibility.
> 
> Personally, I think an accessibility statement is not helpful to have.
> What is really helpful to have is a quality education that is accessible.
> Chances are, if your college does not want to have an accessibility
> statement (or seems to be dragging their feet about it), then that is not
> a good sign.
> 
> Nick
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NABS-L <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Armando Vias via
> NABS-L
> Sent: Friday, January 14, 2022 2:50 PM
> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Armando Vias <armando at armandovias.com>
> Subject: [NABS-L] College website accessibility
> 
> Hello everyone. I am trying to advocate to my college about implementing
> an accessibility statement on their website. Other colleges in my area
> have an accessibility statement on their website. Does your college have
> an accessibility statement on their website? They are trying to send
> information to me on applying for accessibility accommodations, but all I
> need is my question answered on if they are going to implement an
> accessibility statement on their website.
> 
> 
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> 
> 
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