[Nfbnet-members-list] Fwd: National Federation of the Blind and Penn State Resolve Accessibility Complaint

[David Andrews]

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>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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>
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>CONTACT:
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>Chris Danielsen
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>Director of Public Relations
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>National Federation of the Blind
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>(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
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>(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
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><mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org
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>
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>National Federation of the Blind and <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns 
>= "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Penn State
>Resolve Accessibility Complaint
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>Baltimore, Maryland (October 11, 2011): The 
><http://www.nfb.org/>National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and 
><http://www.equity.psu.edu/ods/>The Pennsylvania State University 
>(Penn State) announced today that they have reached an agreement 
>that will resolve a complaint filed against Penn State by the NFB 
>with the United States Department of Education, Office for Civil 
>Rights.  There was no admission of any wrongdoing.
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>Penn State has agreed to continue implementing a strategy to make 
>all electronic and information technology systems used on its 
>campuses fully accessible to blind students, faculty, and 
>staff.  The information technology systems covered include course 
>management systems, Web sites, classroom technology, library 
>resources, banking services, and more.  University Spokesman Lisa 
>Powers said that Penn State strives to maintain strong academic 
>leadership and has a long record of providing equal access to 
>educational information and services for all students, faculty, and staff.
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>
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>Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, 
>said: "Universities must commit to making sure all of the technology 
>that they use is accessible to blind students, or else the blind 
>will be left behind in education and denied opportunity.  We are 
>pleased that Penn State, one of the largest and most recognized 
>public universities in the country, has agreed to take additional 
>steps to create an environment of equality in which blind students 
>can pursue their educational and career aspirations without 
>unnecessary barriers.  The National Federation of the Blind hopes 
>and believes that the steps that Penn State is taking will set an 
>example for colleges and universities throughout the nation."
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>"For more than twenty years Penn State has provided assistive 
>technologies to students, faculty, and staff," Powers said.  "We 
>will work with the National Federation of the Blind and the 
>Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, to put in place the 
>additional technologies, procedures, and ongoing policies that will 
>help us continue meeting our strong commitment to access."
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>The university has had a number of policies and programs in place to 
>help individuals with disabilities, such as a classroom note-taking 
>service, textbooks and course materials in electronic format, 
>technology assistance, and adjustments in testing procedures, to 
>name just a few.  The university has a longstanding policy of 
>providing reasonable accommodations to anyone requesting assistance.
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>"We can always do more," Powers said.  "In addition to any continued 
>adjustments to our policies, we also are working with our outside 
>vendors to see if their products and procedures can be adjusted to 
>meet the needs of our students."
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>Russlynn Ali, assistant secretary for civil rights, with the U.S. 
>Department of Education, said: "Colleges and universities have 
>specific legal obligations to provide students, faculty, and staff 
>with disabilities the same benefits, programs, and services.  This 
>office is committed to working with complainants and institutions to 
>ensure that the important nondiscrimination provisions of this 
>nation's laws are enforced and implemented."
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>###
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>About the National Federation of the Blind
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>With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind 
>is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind 
>people in the United States.  The NFB improves blind people's lives 
>through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs 
>encouraging independence and self-confidence.  It is the leading 
>force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's 
>blind.  In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of 
>the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center 
>in the United States for the blind led by the blind.
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