<html>
<body>
<b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br>
</b> <br><br>
<b>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>
Tony Vizzini<br>
Provost and Senior Vice President<br>
Wichita State University<br>
316-978-3010<br>
<a href="mailto:Tony.vizzini@wichita.edu">Tony.vizzini@wichita.edu</a><br>
<br>
<br>
<b>National Federation of the Blind and Blind Student Reach Agreement
with Wichita State University<br>
<i>WSU to Make Materials and Technology Accessible to Blind Students<br>
</i> <br>
Wichita, Kansas (August 16, 2016):</b> <a href="http://www.nfb.org/">The
National Federation of the Blind</a> and Emily Schlenker, a blind
student, have entered into an agreement with Wichita State University
(WSU) to improve opportunities for blind students attending WSU. <br>
<br>
The agreement resolves concerns raised by Ms. Schlenker with faculty and
staff at the university and with the National Federation of the Blind.
Under the agreement, WSU will take steps voluntarily over the next
several years to improve the educational experience of blind students,
ensuring they receive the opportunities provided to all students. Some
steps being taken by WSU, with the assistance of the National Federation
of the Blind, include:
<ul>
<li>hiring or designating an accessibility coordinator;
<li>conducting a technology audit and, based on the audit results,
developing a plan to make student-facing electronic and information
technology used by WSU accessible to blind students;
<li>making WSU’s website and web interface to student and library
information systems, as well as online forms, accessible to blind
students;
<li>developing and implementing a plan to provide accessible
instructional materials, including textbooks, course materials, and
tactile graphics, to blind students at the same time that these materials
are made available to other students;
<li>having WSU staff and faculty respond in a timely way to accommodation
requests made by blind students;
<li>reviewing and revising, if needed, WSU’s policies and procedures for
accommodating students with disabilities and for processing and resolving
grievances brought by blind students; and
<li>having training of all Instructors and appropriate administrators as
determined by WSU on WSU’s policies for accommodating blind students, as
well as training for such students on their rights and the procedures
available to them to enforce those rights.
</ul> <br>
Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind,
said: “We commend Wichita State University for acting quickly to resolve
the concerns that Ms. Schlenker and the National Federation of the Blind
raised, and for WSU's willingness to adopt a comprehensive, systemic
approach to ensuring that all of its students, including the blind,
receive an equal education. The National Federation of the Blind looks
forward to providing our experience and expertise to WSU as this
institution's dedicated faculty and staff work toward a fully inclusive
educational environment.”<br>
<br>
Tony Vizzini, Provost and Senior Vice President of WSU said: "We
want every student of ours to be successful and contribute to society.
WSU appreciates Ms. Schlenker raising these concerns on behalf of herself
and similarly situated students. We are excited to be working with the
National Federation of the Blind to enhance the educational experiences
of our blind and visually impaired students."<br>
<br>
<b>###<br>
<br>
About the National Federation of the Blind <br>
</b> <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>
Christopher S. Danielsen, J.D.<br>
Director of Public Relations<br>
National Federation of the Blind<br>
200 East Wells Street<br>
Baltimore, MD 21230<br>
Office: (410) 659-9314, extension 2330<br>
Mobile: (410) 262-1281<br>
Email: <a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org">cdanielsen@nfb.org</a><br>
Twitter: @rlawyer and @NFB_Voice<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>
We are celebrating our 75th year and planning for the future we will
build together! <br>
<a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=1">
Make your contribution</a> to that future now.<br>
<br>
<br>
</body>
</html>