Accessible Assistive Technology in Education: New Mexico's Trailblazing Law
By Dunning, Tajuana M.; New Mexico Technology Assistance Program (NMTAP)Publication Date: 2004
Article discusses New Mexico’s House Bill (HB) 708, which requires electronic accessibility to be provided to all students attending grades kindergarten through 12, as well as those attending post-secondary schools in New Mexico. On the basis of HB 708, also referred to as the Distance Learning for Disabled Persons law, students who require uniformity of screen layout in order for their assistive devices to work properly will receive such modifications. Students who use screen readers will benefit because the bill requires programmers to use compatible computer formats instead of those that are not compatible with assistive technology devices. For many students with disabilities in New Mexico, the law has been life changing. Students who once could not take a distance-learning course or even obtain course information in the classroom because of inaccessible software, can take courses and earn degrees or certificates. With the success of HB 708, optimism is created that other educational organizations in the United States will follow suit.
Published by: New Mexico Technology Assistance Program (NMTAP) (Website:http://www.nmtap.com)
Link to text: http://www.nmtap.com/accessTech.html
