A great number of other federal laws impact the need for accessibility in Web-based materials. The most important are listed below.
Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act (1996)
Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act (1996) requires equipment manufacturers and service providers to ensure that telecommunications equipment and services are accessible to people with disabilities, if readily achievable. This provision affects some universities, particularly larger institutions that provide Internet service for students. Section 255 does not directly impact the creation and management of online learning materials, but should help to ensure an accessible technology base on campus.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) relates to special education services for students in the pre K-12 public education system. Under IDEA, students with disabilities are guaranteed free education in public school systems. However, until 1997, such students were too often streamed into remedial curricula that separated them from students in the general education curricula. The 1997 Amendments to IDEA mandated that students with disabilities should have the same access to general education curricula and examinations as their peers. An awareness of how IDEA transitions students with disabilities from K-12 to higher education may help faculty members understand the educational environment from which these students have come.
The Assistive Technology Act (1998)
The Assistive Technology Act (1998), or "ATA," provides federal funds for state programs that address the 
assistive technology needs of people with disabilities. The grants have taken a variety of forms ranging from establishing assistive technology education and loan programs to policy initiatives designed to increase the use and availability of assistive technology. To receive Tech Act funding, state entities, including public universities, must agree to comply with Section 508 standards.
State Regulations
Numerous states have additional requirements concerning accessibility. Contact your state education department to find out if your state has special accessibility provisions. Information about U.S. states and local governments can be found on the Library of Congress Web site (http://www.loc.gov/global/state/).
|
|
As Web-based education becomes more popular, you may expect to see increasing numbers of students with disabilities in your online courses. An awareness of relevant disability laws and expertise in making online learning materials fully accessible improves the quality of Web-based education for all.
|
|
