[Nfbk] FW: National Federation of the Blind and Blackboard to Demonstrate New Accessibility Features at CSUN

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From: Freeh, Jessica [mailto:JFreeh at nfb.org]
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Subject: National Federation of the Blind and Blackboard to Demonstrate New
Accessibility Features at CSUN


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



National Federation of the Blind and Blackboard to
Demonstrate New Accessibility Features at CSUN



Blackboard Learn Platform Brings Accessibility Enhancements for the Blind



San Diego, California (March 25, 2010): The National Federation of the Blind
(NFB), the nation's leading advocate for equal education for blind students,
and Blackboard Inc., will present and demonstrate the new accessibility
features of the Blackboard LearnT platform at the California State
University, Northridge, (CSUN) 25th annual International Technology &
Persons with Disabilities conference, held in San Diego, CA, March 22-27.
The presentation of Blackboard's improved and more accessible experience
will be held on March 25 at 4:20 p.m. Pacific Time.



Blackboard Learn, an online learning platform, is used by thousands of
institutions to provide online education, course materials, discussion
boards, assignment submissions, electronic grading, and numerous other
components intended to enhance the learning experience or to provide
distance education.  Previously, blind students encountered a number of
accessibility barriers when using the Blackboard platform with nonvisual
screen access technology.  Blackboard Learn, Release 9,  showed great
improvement over prior releases, and during the past year, Blackboard has
invested further in a range of enhancements to Blackboard Learn that
represent significant improvements to the usability of Blackboard for blind
users.



Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said:
"We are pleased to help Blackboard present the accessibility features of the
Blackboard Learn platform to the influential audience at CSUN.  These
features will ensure that blind students are not



at a disadvantage in classes utilizing Blackboard and can access course
materials online just as their sighted peers do.  We commend Blackboard for
their hard work in this area."



The accessibility improvements to Blackboard Learn include faster navigation
and improved form interaction, allowing blind users to submit assignments,
participate in discussion forums, send and receive e-mail, take tests and
quizzes, and participate in polls.  Blind instructors can also submit
content with the improved accessible forms.



For more information about the National Federation of the Blind, please
visit www.nfb.org.



###





About the National Federation of the Blind

With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the
largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the
United States.  The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy,
education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and
self-confidence.  It is the leading force in the blindness field today and
the voice of the nation's blind.  In January 2004 the NFB opened the
National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and
training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.
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