Category: Social Issues

Not All Students Are Treated Equally in Today’s Digital Era

Recently I ran across an article in the August 7, Huffington Post by Sean Devine, CEO of CourseSmart, the world’s largest provider of eTextbooks and digital course materials.

Writing about the truly digital age that today’s students live in  Devine  has this to say

“Many colleges and universities are trying to capitalize on students’ technological prowess, introducing a variety of device integrations and technology adoptions on their campus. Technology allows for a level of interaction and customization not previously possible and can substantially lower costs for students. Unfortunately, not all students are treated equally in the digital era. Students with print-related disabilities are often ignored and stuck using archaic learning resources strictly because many in the higher education ecosystem have blatantly neglected this student population.”

As CEO of CourseSmart, Devine is not exactly a disinterested party about e-books but he  is correct in asserting that it is the responsibility of every player in the higher education environment —  from  administrators, faculty, to technology providers  — to make sure that all students, including those with visual impairments, can benefit from today’s technology and receive the best education available.

To read the full article, visit the permalink: A Call for Accessible Technology in Higher Education

2012 a Year of Anniversaries

There are a number of historically significant anniversaries in 2012.  This  year marks the  the bicentennial of the War of 1812, the sesquicentennial of the Homestead Act, and the centennial of the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Although there are many other noteworthy anniversaries, two watershed events in the struggle for civil rights for African Americans and people with disabilities come to mind.

Notable Anniversaries in the Civil Rights Movement

  • Fifty years ago, in 1962, Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black ordered the immediate admittance of James Meredith to the University of Mississippi. Mississippi’s governor, Ross Barnett, attempted to bar Meredith’s entry. President Kennedy, however, federalized the National Guard, which then forced his admittance.
  • Thirty-five years ago, in 1977, the Section 504 demonstration at the San Francisco Regional Office of HEW proved to be a watershed event for the civil rights of people with disabilities.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 adaptive the concept of reasonable accommodation that was originally applied to religious practices was applied to people with disabilities.  504 established and still provides for accommodations in all programs receiving federal funds (education, transportation, arts programs, health care).

This landmark legislation was passed in 1973 but was not being enforced because the implementing regulations were held up in Heath, Education and Welfare. The disability community became increasingly frustrated and on April 5, 1977, roughly 600 people assembled at the San Francisco regional office of United Stated Department of Health, Education and Welfare.

The protest in San Francisco became the longest occupation of a Federal building in U.S. history. After 28 days, Section 504 was signed which was a great victory.

CBS Evening News 504 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbfNJpFni-E

(This video is from a show called “Instant Recall” which aired in the late eighties, and which used footage from the CBS Evening News.)

The Power of 504 part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMC5UuiIQkI&feature=watch_response

The Power of 504 part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vOM0-IOrKg&feature=watch_response

(The Power of 504 Part 1 & 2 form an award-winning 18-minute documentary video, which captures the drama and emotions of the historic civil rights demonstration of people with disabilities in 1977, resulting in the signing of the 504 Regulations, the first Federal Civil Rights Law protecting people with disabilities. The documentary includes contemporary news footage and news interviews with participants and demonstration leaders. It is available in open caption, audio descriptive and standard formats.)

Related articles

Olmstead Act Turns 13

“For the Department of Justice, turning the promise of the Olmstead decision into a reality for individuals with disabilities across the nation has become a major component of ADA enforcement.”
Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez

The Supreme Court heard the case Olmstead vs. L.C. on April 21, 1999 and decided it on June 22, 1999. This week marks the thirteenth anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in which the Supreme Court recognized that the civil rights of people with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are violated when they are unnecessarily segregated from the rest of society.  The promise of Olmstead is that people with disabilities will have the opportunity to live like people without disabilities – to have friends, work, be part of a family, and participate in community activities because states are required to ensure that persons with disabilities receive services in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs.

In reaffirming its commitment to enforcement of the Olmstead decision, the Department of Justice has chosen to commemorate the anniversary of the Olmsted decision by presenting “Faces of Olmstead” a website profiling stories of some of the thousands of people whose lives have been affected by the Olmstead decision and the Department’s enforcement efforts.

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the decision, President Obama issued a proclamation launching the “Year of Community Living,” and directed the Administration to redouble enforcement efforts. In a press release commemorating the 13th anniversary President Obama had this to say: “The landmark Olmstead case affirmed the rights of Americans with disabilities to live independently,” said President Obama. “On this anniversary, let’s recommit ourselves to building on the promise of Olmstead by working to end all forms of discrimination, and uphold the rights of Americans with disabilities and all Americans.”

To learn more about the Olmstead decision and the Civil Rights Division’s enforcement activities, visit, Olmstead: Community Integration for Everyone. A brief explanation of the Olmstead may also be found at The Olmstead Act – What Is It?


Related articles