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Strategy for Legal Compliance: Section 504 & 508

Strategy for Legal Compliance: Section 504 & 508. Gaeir Dietrich  Director High Tech Center Training Unit of the California Community Colleges. High Tech Center Training Unit (HTCTU). Grant Program Funded by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office

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Strategy for Legal Compliance: Section 504 & 508

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  1. Strategy for Legal Compliance:Section 504 & 508 Gaeir Dietrich  Director High Tech Center Training Unitof the California Community Colleges www.htctu.net

  2. High Tech Center Training Unit (HTCTU) Grant Program Funded by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office Located at De Anza College in Cupertino, California Free training and information on using technology to assist students with disabilities www.htctu.net

  3. Why Consider Accessibility? • Equal rights • Requiring use of inaccessible technology is discrimination • Campus diversity • Students with disabilities are part of a rich, multicultural environment • Better pedagogy • Teaching practices that acknowledge learning differences benefit all students

  4. Emerging Technologies and the Issue of Access It’s new and cool…but is it accessible?

  5. Concerns about Technology Office for Civil Rights… DCL June 29, 2010 “It is unacceptable for universities to use emerging technology without insisting that this technology be accessible to all students.” www.htctu.net 5

  6. The Kindle Complaint • Kindle DX was part of a pilot study • Arizona State University and Amazon.com • Was required device in classes piloting it • ASU’s intention was to test the device with the hope of adopting it campuswide • Device was to be issued to students with all textbooks www.htctu.net 6

  7. The “Kindle Letter” June 29, 2010 Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) Issued by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) Cosponsored by DOJ and Dept of Ed Expresses concern over campuses adopting inaccessible technology www.htctu.net 7

  8. The Kindle Letter Reminds Us… Opportunity to participate must be equal Opportunity to achieve must be equal Services offered must be as effective Services should be equally integrated Should allow for independence andself-sufficiency www.htctu.net 8

  9. Not Equal • Digital does not mean accessible! • Just because something is digital does not mean that it is accessible to all!

  10. Potential Areas of Inequality Learning management systems Distance ed courses Software in campus labs Online books OER materials www.htctu.net 10

  11. Legal Background Understanding the Framework www.htctu.net

  12. Various Laws Apply ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Title II (public colleges/universities) Title III (private colleges/universities) Rehabilitation Act Section 504 Section 508 State laws Title 5, SB 105, AB 422, etc. 11/14/2013 www.htctu.net 12

  13. Focus on Two • Both from Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as Amended • Section 504 • Applies due to federal law • Applies to all colleges that accept federal funds • Section 508 • Applies due to state law (SB 105) • Applies to all state entities—including CCCs

  14. Section 504 • Auxiliary aids and services are provided to allow full participation by disabled student • Accommodation model • i.e., if it doesn’t work for a student fix it for that student www.htctu.net

  15. Section 508 • Applies to all Electronic and Information Technology (E&IT) • AKA Information and Communication Technology (ICT) • Access model

  16. Section 504 vs.Section 508 One Act (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as Amended) Two Laws www.htctu.net

  17. Section 504 vs. Section 508 Section 504 addresses individuals’ needs for auxiliary aids and services (accommodations). Section 508 addresses the infrastructure that allows access. www.htctu.net

  18. Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Section 504 is about accommodation. Making it work for individuals Disability service offices (DSPS) created to serve students’ needs Section 508 is about access. Create accessible software, Web sites, videos, and documents Purchase accessible products Campuswide responsibility www.htctu.net

  19. A Campus Analogy Section 504 Deaf student requests that videos for her class be captioned Section 508 New videos must be captioned before being shown in the classroom for the first time www.htctu.net

  20. Section 504 Accommodation Based on disabled person’s request and preference Disability office handles student requests / HR handles employee requests Begins where 508 ends Section 508 Access No prior request needed—”open door” All E&IT purchases are affected for entire campus—students, staff, and faculty Ends where 504 begins Comparison www.htctu.net

  21. United We Stand • Access and accommodation work together • It’s a continuum • Not fully accessible? Accommodate. • But beware… • Some technology cannot be accommodated! www.htctu.net

  22. Access vs. Accommodation www.htctu.net

  23. Working Together • The campus buys accessible products/creates accessible media • Individual accommodations may still be required • However, an accessible infrastructure will make providing accommodations far less difficult and expensive! www.htctu.net

  24. One Example • Provide free AT in all campus labs • Balabolka / Natural Reader (document access, TTS) • NVDA (free screen reader) • Provide more sophisticated solutions upon request • Install JAWS as needed/when requested

  25. Risk Management The more long-lasting and broadly available, the more things need to be accessible One-use materials or very limited availability, the more can rely on accommodation www.htctu.net

  26. How will you accommodate? • Can still use materials that are not fully accessible, as long as you can accommodate individual needs in an equally effective manner • Make accommodation planning part of the design strategy and buying decisions! www.htctu.net

  27. Example • PDFs for a DE class with access limited to class participants • Text-based • Recommend including alt text • Add tags and reading order upon request • PDFs available to the general public • Greater level of access www.htctu.net

  28. And Remember • Do not require technology (software or hardware) of all students that cannot be accommodated! • The lesson of the “Kindle Letter” • In other words, if it is impossible to make the technology equally as effective for *all* students, do not require it of all students. www.htctu.net

  29. AND Also • Remember that compliance is a campus responsibility • DSPS helps but cannot completely fulfill your legal requirement • AND…when DSPS runs out of money, accommodations will come out of the general fund!

  30. Dollars and Sense • So how do we make accommodation cost less? • Buy Accessible!

  31. How Section 508 Helps with Compliance Technology and Information That Everyone Can Use!

  32. Access is Multifaceted • Hardware must be accessible • Software must be accessible • Content loaded into software must be accessible

  33. Standards Apply • Section 508 standards apply to the college • As purchaser • As creator • Applies to Electronic and Information Technology (E&IT), aka Information & Communication Tech (ICT)

  34. Section 508 in Action • Make Web sites accessible • Follow the 508 or WCAG Standards • Make media posted to Web sites & LMS accessible • Make software created by institution accessible • Make videos accessible • Purchase accessible technology www.htctu.net

  35. Content vs. Container Academic freedom is about the content. Section 508 is about the container. Conforming to Section 508 simply allows equal access to the content. www.htctu.net 35

  36. Purchasing Electronic and Information Technology E&IT www.htctu.net

  37. Complying with Section 508 • Applies ONLY to electronic and information technology (E&IT) • Two types of E&IT standards • Standards for creating • Web pages • Web applications • Software • Standards for purchasing www.htctu.net

  38. Categories of E&IT • Software applications and operating systems • Web-based information and applications • Telecommunications products • Video and multimedia products • Self-contained, closed products (e.g., many office products, kiosks) • Desktop and portable computers www.htctu.net

  39. Fax Machines Scanners Printers Copiers PDAs Computers Computer software Computer operating systems Phones Information kiosks ATMs Multimedia Videos World Wide Web Examples of E&IT under 508 www.htctu.net

  40. Not E&IT under 508 • Microwaves (unless it sends faxes, too) • Coffee makers • Heating and ventilation systems • Thermostats • Tables, desks, and chairs www.htctu.net

  41. The Gray Area • “Back office” E&IT is exempted • Must literally be somewhere that people do not go all the time • Applies to equipment that only technicians interact with www.htctu.net

  42. Reminder • Section 508 does not just apply to students • Applies to *all* E&IT purchases • The campus is also required to ensure access for employees www.htctu.net

  43. Buying Accessible • Section 508 purchasing • Buy the most accessible product that you can that meets your business and academic needs • Compare and contrast models/software etc. and purchase the most accessible one • When it’s not accessible, plan for accommodation www.htctu.net

  44. Purchasing Proceduresunder Section 508 The Process www.htctu.net

  45. Considerations • Functional requirements drive the procurement, not Section 508. • First determine your business/academic needs. • Then consider accessibility under the Section 508 Standards. www.htctu.net

  46. The Process • Figure out as specifically as possible what you need. • Do market research. • Do accessibility research. • Section 508 Subpart B standards. • Use VPATs and/or a checklist. • In some cases, may need to do testing (508 Standards, Subpart C). • Pick the most accessible product that meets your needs. www.htctu.net

  47. Developing a Model It is essential to piggy-back buying accessible on current workflows IT, DSPS, and procurement must all have their needs met in process Forms must be developed All participants must be trained

  48. Step One: Requestor The person/department making the purchase Writes functional requirements for product Does market research Gets VPATs (Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates) Someone signs off on a checklist and passes to the next person

  49. Step Two: Analysis Checks for completeness of packet Analyzes against standards Checks against Subpart B of Section 508 Determines if testing might be needed Contacts vendors as needed—may request additional checklists Determines most accessible product Signs off on packet and moves forward

  50. Step Three: Claiming an Exemption ONLY one person should have authority to grant exemptions Can grant four possible exemptions Commercial non-availability Fundamental alteration Undue burden Back office

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