Friday, October 14, 2016

School Bells Ring in Brave New World of Digital Compliance - Andrea Gosfield 
and Christine E. Weller, The Legal Intelligencer

After delays, new accessibility rules are anticipated in 2018. This impending regulatory change, as well as two recent actions involving edX and Harvard University over the accessibility of online course offerings, has many schools contemplating appropriate digital accessibility plans. Schools in the United States are subject to two main federal laws against disability discrimination: Title II and Title III of the ADA, and The Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. Section 701 (1973). Title II of the ADA covers public universities, while Title III covers private colleges and universities. Analogous state and local laws may also apply. Specifically, as amended, Section 794 of the Rehabilitation Act (referred to as Section 504) provides jurisdiction over schools receiving federal financial assistance. Under these laws, schools are prohibited from discriminating against disabled individuals, and denying them access to school programs or activities on the basis of their disability. http://www.thelegalintelligencer.com/home/id=1202768883558/School-Bells-Ring-in-Brave-New-World-of-Digital-Compliance