Monday, 31 March 2014

Miami University Faces Accessibility Lawsuit

A visually impaired university attendee, Aleeha Dudley, with the help of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), has filed an accessibility lawsuit opposing Miami University. Ms. Dudley was a remarkable pupil enrolled the school’s zoology program and had ideas of one day becoming a veterinarian, but her aspirations were ruined when course work for her program were incomprehensible for her as a blind student. The accessibility lawsuit declares that the University violated the ADA (American with Disabilities Act) in addition to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act by intentionally not providing necessary supplies for the impaired attendee that would allow her to meet stage necessary requirements. Miami University fell short in delivering items, such as schoolbooks and course materials that could be used by those with visual impairments. If the university had appropriately offered the supplies, Ms. Dudley could have had the opportunity to maintain her grades and sustain her position in the zoology program. Ms. Dudley has fallen behind within her program, not as a result of her abilities but, alas, because of the university's inability to adapt and supply for their impairment students.

The Disability Rights Ohio Advocacy Group and the NFB will be representing the blind student in the accessibility lawsuit. Evidently, Ms. Dudley’s situation is not the first or even the sole visually impaired individual to be discriminated against at Miami University. Other blind students have faced similar discouragements and pointless challenges to efficiently accesses course work and supplies. A university has an incredible chance to insure a brilliant future for those with impairments, but as Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the NFB, said in an announcement regarding this circumstance, the university did not acknowledge its moral and lawful obligations, they failed to supply accessible material for Ms. Dudley’s education. The NFB is taking a stand and claims they will not allow the inequalities happening to Ms. Dudley and or to any other visually impaired students in America. The NFB may fervently pursue this lawsuit and is encouraging other university facilities and educational facilities to take the mandatory measures to ensure accessibility for their students.

The university attendee has described her experience at the school as being a nightmare. Ms. Dudley is now behind her in her degree and may have no chance of fulfilling her dream of becoming a veterinarian. Ms. Dudley explains her actions in submitting the accessibility lawsuit stating she is taking this case on not just for herself, but to support a path for other visually impaired students looking to attend Miami University, so they will not have to experience the same dismal challenges and anguish she had to undergo.

Thursday, 27 March 2014

5 great reasons to focus on web accessibility in 2014

Opening the New Year brings resolutions, ambitions, a rejuvenated desire to make changes for the better. New Year’s resolutions cover a broad area ranging from creating food regimens and working out to world influencing decisions. In spite of the resolutions in store for 2014, there's certainly one area business can improve which can have a profound outcome, by setting a new year’s resolution to make the company website easily accessible. Having an easily accessible web site is going to improve the everyday life of individuals with impairments moreover it will generate more visits for to the company's internet site. Become a part of the movement to have online accessibility in 2014.

5 great reasons to focus on web accessibility in 2014:

1. Improve the Everyday Life of Impaired Individuals:
Ensuring a internet website is accessible would permit disabled individuals to have an opportunity to access identical facts, goods or services as other individuals.

2. New Consumers:
Increasing web accessibility will give the opportunity to allow impaired users to visit and navigate a website and may open companies to new clients.

3. Enhanced Usability of a Web-page:
Focusing on web accessibility will not simply help impaired clients navigate a website better, but moreover will help to facilitate the overall performance of a site.

4. Boost Search Engine Optimization and Internet browser Compatibility:
SEO, internet browser capabilities, in addition to accessibility are all attached. The adjustments utilized to further boost web accessibility also may allow website crawlers to locate an internet site more easily. The easier it is for internet crawlers to locate and navigate a website the more an organization will be visible online.

5. Maximize Earnings:
By improving a company's consumer reach as well as improving SEO, will help to acquire new customers and bring in additional sales.

Isn't it time for the web to become similarly accessible for every online client? Businesses ought to take action, support web accessibility and make a new year’s goal to have internet website that is accessible in 2014.