Hello,
I thought some here might find this information and call for action of
interest.
Jennison
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 2005 08:41:28 -0600
From: John Gugerty <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Fwd: [WebAIM] National Education Technology Plan leaves millions
behind
>>> [log in to unmask] 1/7/2005 6:49:44 PM >>>
Please distribute and act!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 7, 2005
WebAIM's response to the National Education Technology Plan and Call
for Action
Today, the U.S. Department of Education released its National Education
Technology Plan 2004, "Toward a New Golden Age in American Education:
How the Internet, the law and today's students are revolutionizing
expectations"
(http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/os/technology/plan/2004/index.html).
This is the third such plan and was developed over the past several
years with input from thousands of educators, students, administrators,
and those in educational organizations, as well as the technology
industry. It acknowledges the importance of technology in academic
achievement as well as the role of technology in the 21st century. The
blueprint frames the direction for educational technology in American
schools for years to come. The plan released today is impressive in
scope, visionary in action, and notable in detail. As these plans
become reality, the academic outcomes of students without disabilities
will benefit greatly. Moreover, we can anticipate that both our society
and economy will benefit in obvious ways.
WebAIM applauds the plan with the exception of one prominent omission.
The plan does not mention the critical need for accessible technology
for millions of students with disabilities. Because this need is not
identified, nor addressed, there are no apparent plans to remedy this
ever-increasing digital divide. Perhaps there was a lack of input from
the disability, or technology access, community. It appears that these
stakeholders were not included in the work of the committee.
Technology holds the promise for individuals with disabilities.
However, even with assistive technologies, many students are barred from
participation in Internet- and electronic-based curricula. This is
because of the ways in which the technologies are designed. A plan that
includes recommendations for universally-designed technologies removes
the need for expensive, and often ineffective, accommodations after the
fact. Furthermore, accessible technologies benefit everyone, not just
those with disabilities.
The principles contained in No Child Left Behind would embrace the
practice of full accessibility to Internet-based curricula, digital
texts, and electronic assessments. Without planning, however, this
reality will remain a dream for millions. Currently, federal agencies
are mandated to create electronic information that can be accessed by
all. It seems appropriate then that our nation's education technology
plan should do no less.
Research indicates that technology can improve educational outcomes for
all students, both with and without disabilities. Moreover, education
and technology proficiency are related to employment success. The 2000
U.S. Census data reports rates of unemployment and underemployment that
are unacceptably high. The President's New Freedom Initiative reported
unemployment rates as high as 70% for those with severe disabilities.
It is vital that our education systems prepare citizens who can maximize
their independence, can fully participate in our increasingly
technologic society, and can secure meaningful employment. This will
happen only if technology is accessible to all students during their
educational journey.
WebAIM invites the U.S. Department of Education to respond to this
apparent omission within the National Education Technology Plan. We
would also ask other groups interested in technology access to contact
the U.S. Department of Education to express concerns that they have on
this important issue.
-- <[log in to unmask]>
Cyndi Rowland, Ph.D.
Director, Web Accessibility In Mind (WebAIM)
Center for Persons with Disabilities (UCEDD)
Utah State University
Logan, Utah 84322-6800
(435) 797-3381
FAX (435) 797-2044
<http://www.webaim.org>
This list is intended to serve as a forum for professionals involved in the delivery of services to students with disabilities in higher education. Any commercial posts or posts that are deemed by the listowner to be inappropriate for the list will result in the poster being removed from the list.
To sign off the list, send a message to
* [log in to unmask]
* with the message
* signoff dsshe-l
To search the archives, go to
http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/archives/dsshe-l.html
Questions? Contact Listowner Dan Ryan at [log in to unmask]
|
