Access To Multimedia Technology By People With Sensory Disabilities

This report provides an overview of multimedia access barriers and solutions for people with sensory disabilities, including recommended public policy interventions. A letter of transmittal to the President and both houses of Congress precedes the main body of the report. An executive summary groups recommendations under the following categories: establishment and tasks of a National Advisory Task Force on Multimedia Access; legislative/regulatory policies (at both federal and state levels); and research, education, and collaboration. The report's main body is divided into five sections which address: (1) use and importance of multimedia; (2) barriers to accessing multimedia; (3) solutions for making multimedia products accessible; (4) voluntary efforts to improve access to multimedia; and (5) recommendations for further action. Seven appendices provide information on a framework of multimedia categories; statistics on the number of people who are visually or hearing impaired in the United States; results of a survey of educators of people with visual impairments working with multimedia products; results of a questionnaire for educators of people who are blind or visually impaired; questions for educators and media specialists working with people with hearing impairments; a listing of current multimedia projects focusing on accessibility; and the mission statement of the National Council on Disability. A glossary is included. (Contains 90 references.) (DB)

This report provides an overview of multimedia access barriers and solutions for people with sensory disabilities, including recommended public policy interventions. A letter of transmittal to the President and both houses of Congress precedes the main body of the report. An executive summary groups recommendations under the following categories: establishment and tasks of a National Advisory Task Force on Multimedia Access; legislative/regulatory policies (at both federal and state levels); and research, education, and collaboration. The report's main body is divided into five sections which address: (1) use and importance of multimedia; (2) barriers to accessing multimedia; (3) solutions for making multimedia products accessible; (4) voluntary efforts to improve access to multimedia; and (5) recommendations for further action. Seven appendices provide information on a framework of multimedia categories; statistics on the number of people who are visually or hearing impaired in the United States; results of a survey of educators of people with visual impairments working with multimedia products; results of a questionnaire for educators of people who are blind or visually impaired; questions for educators and media specialists working with people with hearing impairments; a listing of current multimedia projects focusing on accessibility; and the mission statement of the National Council on Disability. A glossary is included. (Contains 90 references.) (DB)

This report provides the first evaluation of the enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Focuses specifically on the efforts of the Justice Dept. (DOJ) to enforce Title II, Subtitle A, of the ADA, which prohibits discrimination based on disability by public entities such as State and local governments. It evaluates DOJs regulations and policies clarifying the language of the statute; processing of complaints of discrimination based on disability; litigation; and outreach, education, and technical assistance efforts relating to the act. Assesses DOJ's effectiveness as coordinator of the ADA enforcement efforts of 7 other Federal agencies.

Incorporating Compass Computer Access Assessment software, Computer Access for People with Disabilities: A Human Factors Approach provides the information clinicians need to know in order to provide effective alternative computer access solutions to individuals with disabilities. Originally developed for a masters-level course on computer access for rehabilitation engineers and rehabilitation counselors, it provides practical guidance on how to provide computer access services and sufficient background knowledge to allow the reader to interpret the research literature. Presents technology for individuals with physical, cognitive, and sensory impairments, and for older adults Covers text entry devices, pointing devices, switch access, automatic speech recognition, and web accessibility Emphasizes fundamental concepts and principles that remain true regardless of which specific operating system or product is being used Draws on research from the fields of rehabilitation engineering, occupational therapy, and human-computer interaction (HCI)

Case Studies on Information Technology in Higher Education: Implications for Policy and Practice is a collection of cases by researchers and practitioners that investigates examples of integrating IT in higher education, examining both successes and failures in college and university settings.

Seniors are America's most dependable voters; they vote in all elections and contests on the ballot. But definitions of seniors are changing and so, too, must the campaign outreach techniques and strategies used by candidates, consultants, political parties, and advocacy groups, especially to reach seniors with limited sight, hearing, and mobility.