[Nfbf-l] {Disarmed} Fw: National Federation of the Blind Applauds Groundbreaking Agreement on Equal Access in Higher Education

[Sherri]

Some great news! Sharing.
----- Original Message ----- 
Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2014 11:30 AM
Subject: National Federation of the Blind Applauds Groundbreaking Agreement 
on Equal Access in Higher Education


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 Applauds Groundbreaking Agreement on Equal 
Access in Higher Education

University of Montana Will Implement Comprehensive Accessibility Measures

Baltimore, Maryland (March 19, 2014): The National Federation of the Blind 
(NFB), the nation’s leading advocate for equal access in higher education by 
blind students, today applauded a groundbreaking agreement that has been 
reached between the University of Montana and the United States Department 
of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Under the agreement, the 
University of Montana will develop a comprehensive set of policies and 
procedures to ensure that all electronic and information technology procured 
or deployed by the university can be used by the blind and other students 
with disabilities. Steps that will be taken by the university include 
developing an accessibility policy; training faculty and staff on the 
policy; conducting a survey of current and former students with disabilities 
to identify the problems that they have experienced: developing a grievance 
procedure for students and faculty who experience access issues; and more. 
The agreement covers technology used in all aspects of education and campus 
life, including electronic textbooks and course materials, online course 
registration, online courseware and learning management systems, classroom 
technology (such as smart podiums and clickers used to take attendance or 
conduct classroom quizzes), library services, on-campus banking services, 
university office equipment, and much more. In order for technology to be 
accessible to students who are blind, it must have the ability to provide 
audio or Braille output or to work with technology used by the blind that 
can provide such output, such as text-to-speech screen access software or 
electronic Braille displays.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: 
“While complaints by individual students and legal actions can incrementally 
improve access to higher education, there is no substitute for comprehensive 
and effective policies that are implemented and enforced at the highest 
levels by university administrations. This agreement, which is the most 
comprehensive of its kind to date, represents a thorough and systematic 
approach that will benefit University of Montana students for years to come 
and serve as a model for university policies and practices across the 
nation. We applaud the University of Montana for the extraordinary 
commitment that it is making to ensure that all of its students, including 
those who are blind or who have other disabilities, receive the equal 
education that the law demands and the full benefit of the college 
experience that the university provides. We also applaud the work of the 
Office for Civil Rights, which has crafted this agreement with extensive 
input from the National Federation of the Blind and which will work with the 
university to ensure its full implementation.”

"The University of Montana is committed to making sure that all students 
have access to education, and in today's world that includes access to 
technology," said University of Montana President Royce Engstrom. "We want 
to make sure that the technology we use on our Web site, in our classrooms, 
and in our offices is available to all."





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About the National Federation of the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the oldest, largest, and most 
influential nationwide membership organization of blind people in the United 
States. Founded in 1940, the NFB advocates for the civil rights and equality 
of blind Americans, and develops innovative education, technology, and 
training programs to provide the blind and those who are losing vision with 
the tools they need to become independent and successful.

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National Federation of the Blind
200 East Wells Street
at Jernigan Place
Baltimore, MD 21230
United States
410 659-9314