[Nfbf-l] Justice Department Settles with Louisiana Tech University Over Inaccessible Course Materials

[Alan Dicey]

Justice Department Settles with Louisiana Tech University Over Inaccessible 
Course Materials
Jul 23, 2013
The Justice Department announced today that it has reached a settlement with 
Louisiana Tech University and the Board of Supervisors for the University of 
Louisiana System to remedy alleged violations of the Americans with 
Disabilities Act (ADA).
The settlement resolves allegations that the University violated the ADA by 
using a version of an online learning product that was inaccessible to a 
blind student.
The student's lack of access to the course materials persisted nearly one 
month into the University quarter, at which point the student was so far 
behind in his coursework that he felt compelled to withdraw from the course.

The settlement also resolves allegations that in a subsequent course, the 
same student was not provided accessible course materials for in-class 
discussion or exam preparation in a timely manner.

Under the settlement agreement, the university will adopt a number of 
disability-related policies, including the requirement to deploy learning 
technology, web pages and course content that is accessible in accordance 
with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA standard 
in the university setting.
The university will also make existing web pages and materials created since 
2010 accessible.
The agreement also requires the university to train its instructors and 
administrators on the requirements of the ADA, and secured a total of 
$23,543 in damages for the student from the university and the Board.

"Emerging technologies, including internet-based learning platforms, are 
changing the way we learn, and we need to ensure that people with 
disabilities are not excluded or left behind," said Eve L. Hill, Deputy 
Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.
"This is a positive move by Louisiana Tech University and the Board of 
Supervisors. Their efforts reflect a commitment to ensuring that all 
individuals with disabilities have full access to the University," said 
Stephanie A. Finley, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana.

The ADA protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination in the 
services, programs or activities of state and local government entities.
Under Title II of the ADA, state and local governments must afford 
individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in or 
benefit from aids, benefits or services provided. For more information about 
the ADA, call the Department's toll-free ADA Information Line at
 800-514-0301
(TDD
800-514-0383)
or access the ADA website at
http://www.ada.gov/.13-831 Civil Rights Division

http://education.tmcnet.com/news/2013/07/23/7297194.htm

__._,_.___