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<b><a name="OLE_LINK2"></a>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br>
<br>
CONTACT:<br>
</b>Chris Danielsen<br>
Director of Public Relations<br>
National Federation of the Blind<br>
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330<br>
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)<br>
<a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org">cdanielsen@nfb.org</a><br>
<br>
<div align="center"><b>National Federation of the Blind and Maricopa
Community College District Resolve Litigation<br>
MCCD Will Take Steps to Make Technology Accessible<br>
</b></div>
<br>
<b>Phoenix, Arizona (October 23, 2014):</b>
<a href="http://www.nfb.org">The National Federation of the Blind</a>
today announced an agreement with the Maricopa Community College District
(MCCD) and Mesa Community College resolving litigation brought by the
Federation in 2012. Under the agreement, MCCD will take a series of steps
that will result in the procurement and deployment of electronic and
information technology that is accessible to all students, including
those who are blind. The technologies covered by the agreement include
the college’s public website, library website, learning management
system, personal response systems (or clickers) used in the classroom,
campus ATM’s, and more. The blind use computers, smartphones, and tablets
equipped with special software that allows the contents of websites,
applications, and documents to be read aloud or displayed in Braille on a
connected Braille device. When websites or documents are not properly
coded, however, they cannot be accessed with the technology used by the
blind. ATM’s can also be equipped with headphone jacks and text-to-speech
software that guides blind users through transactions via audio
prompts.<br>
<br>
Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said:
“The technology procured and deployed by America’s institutions of higher
education must be accessible if blind students are to acquire the full
benefit of their education and participate fully in campus life. We are
pleased that the Maricopa Community College District and Mesa Community
College are committed to equal access for all students, including the
blind.”<br>
<br>
The plaintiffs were represented in this matter by Joseph B. Espo of the
Baltimore firm Brown, Goldstein, & Levy, LLP. <br>
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About the National Federation of the Blind<br><br>
</b> <br><br>
The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day 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>
<br>
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