WHEREAS, technology has revolutionized access to information, textbooks, course materials, testing, software, interaction with college administrations, and other facets of student life in postsecondary education; and
WHEREAS, Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibit colleges and universities from discriminating against persons with disabilities and mandates equal access to educational opportunities; and
WHEREAS, many postsecondary institutions are failing to comply with these mandates as they apply in the digital world by routinely developing, procuring, or deploying inaccessible technology, which makes it impossible for blind and visually impaired students to compete on terms of equality with other students; and
WHEREAS, examples of ADA compliant solutions include: - Adding captions and audio description to post-production videos - providing Accessible textbooks and related core materials including tests used for teaching and learning
- ensuring websites and online documentation can be accessed using assistive technology (e.g., screen readers, voice recognition, etc.)
- the ability to navigate a website or software application (e.g., learning management system, institutional communication platforms, grade portals) without using a mouse
- using sufficient color contrast
- the addition of alternative text for images, graphics, and charts
- other features that provide greater access to digital content sources; and
WHEREAS, solutions exist to make technology accessible to blind and visually impaired students, but such solutions must be prioritized in the higher education market: NOW THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia, on this 30 th day of October, 2022, that this organization demand that institutions of postsecondary education in the State of Virginia be required to utilize technology such as access to information, textbooks, course materials, testing, software, interaction with college administrations, and other facets of student life that is accessible to students who are blind or visually impaired; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia request that the Virginia General Assembly pass legislation requiring public institutions of postsecondary education be required to develop, procure, or deploy textbooks and related material and other technology that is accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired.