Accessibility

Schools and government agencies have another year to comply with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, after some organizations argued that compliance will be costly and require extensive staff time.

Plus, the digital accessibility compliance deadline has moved but the need remains, Kansas is investing millions in broadband, federal legislation has advanced to support deployment, and more.

A week before the deadline, the U.S. Department of Justice has prefiled its Interim Final Rule, which offers state and local governments a one-year extension for digital accessibility compliance.

As state and local governments work to ensure online materials comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County Board approved only posting ADA-compliant materials online starting this month.

The coming deadline for compliance with new provisions in the Americans with Disabilities Act is an opportunity for K-12 school districts to reconsider the places and formats in which they publish public information.

An incoming doctoral student in the UM School of Information built a digital campus map focused on student needs: empty classrooms for studying, transit routes, university services and even weather information.

Government procurement processes are evolving ahead of the April 24 deadline to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as contract language is updated to integrate accessibility.

From building AI tools to running everyday operations, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers finds CIO and accessibility officer collaboration are key to inclusive, efficient digital services.

Officials are considering how to comply with new federal rules around accessibility for people with disabilities. Meeting agenda packets are one area of concern ahead of the April deadline.

Free, teacher-vetted lessons offered online by the nonprofit CYBER.ORG are designed to support and re-establish the caregiver’s role as an active participant in a student’s tech-driven education.

Larger jurisdictions have until April 24 to comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, which means building accessibility into digital public services is no longer just a matter of best practice.

The Department of Information Resources Governing Board has passed rule changes expected to guide how state agencies handle AI oversight, data governance assessments and digital accessibility.

Grammar Laboratory, a new tool developed by an ASL instructor at Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf, uses the live feedback capabilities of AI to personalize English lessons.

The state will widen its use of an American Sign Language app across all agencies and buildings, in an effort to bring new levels of service for people who are hard of hearing.

States have until April to meet the federal mandate established under the Americans with Disabilities Act, requiring all digital products be accessible for people with disabilities. Readiness levels vary.

Speaking to the challenges of ed-tech procurement, Lisa Berghoff of Highland Park High School said school districts should overlook hype and focus instead on whether a new tool is accessible and backed by sound research.

At the annual Future of Education Technology Conference last month in Orlando, FETC Chair Jennifer Womble explained why the K-12 community must reclaim the narrative around digital tools.

With a $755,000 grant from the nonprofit Proof Positive, the play2PREVENT Lab at Dartmouth College is leveraging behavioral science to build “serious games” for youth on the autism spectrum.