Running Head: Disability Discrimination and How They Apply to Online Education 1

“Laws Against Disability Discrimination and How They Apply to Online Education”

Kimberly Chisom

Texas A&M University-Commerce

Robert Wolfe, Instructor

March 23, 2020

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Abstract

In recent years, technology has forced itself into our homes and businesses and has succeeded.

This turnover has allowed many people to keep up with the times by allowing them to be in the

know of technology and to implement it into their lives to make the world a better place and

work environments much easier. It has even allowed individuals with disabilities to be a part of

the work force, and become one with todays society, but the question is; how does technology

benefit those who are trying to pursue a degree through a college course online? 508 has

structured rules and guidelines so that no one is left behind when technology is involved, and it

has also loosen the restrictions in having to be in a designated area in order to use technology

outside of the workplace if there is a disability involved.

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“Laws Against Disability Discrimination and How They Apply to Online Education”

("Section 508 Compliance Checker", 2020) proposed a law that “IT-based solutions and

web-based solutions can be used by all, including disabled people”. This is wonderful news for

individuals who are impacted by a disability because it allows them to be afforded the same

opportunity as those who are not disabled. This law also gives them the freedom to use

technology anywhere that they may require it instead of being restricted only to areas that

allotted handicapped provisions.

Section 508 was mainly structed to help those in the federal environment, but this new

bill enforced it to cover college-based instruction as well because colleges are listed as a

recipient of Title II Funding. How accessible it is for information to be obtained is also a key role

that plays out under the Section 508 Compliance. (lagrow, 2017) argued that accessibility means

that “it can be use effectively by those with or without a disability”. Many instructors believe

that for online videos it is not their responsibility to make sure that students with a handicap can

access the information, but it is. Institutions across America are making sure that their

technology guidelines and requirements are up to code.

Although there may be many who have questions about how to setup operations for their

classrooms, Section 508.gov has set up a web page with instructions on how to setup a 508 web-

based program. Under this browser an Instructor can Create Assessible Products, Manage a 508

Program, Test for Accessibility, and View Products. This site also gives the option to Buy and

Sell equipment, it gives information on how to access the tools needed, and how to use them. In

the accessibility and requirement tools tab, ("Section508.gov | GSA Government-wide IT

Accessibility Program", 2020) it “will help you determine if accessibility requirements apply
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when purchasing products”, so that equipment can be useful and not go to waste when

purchased.

Overall, by making sure that every student can access information through technology is

beneficial. Whether if it is hearing impairment, vision impairment, or not being able to control a

mouse by coordination, there is help for the modern-day classroom, and with thanks to Section

508 our online classrooms are improving every day.

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References

Lagrow, M. (2017). The Section 508 Refresh and What It Means for Higher Education.

Retrieved 23 March 2020, from https://er.educause.edu/articles/2017/12/the-section-508-refresh-

and-what-it-means-for-higher-education

In-text: (lagrow, 2017)

Section 508 Compliance Checker. (2020). Retrieved 23 March 2020, from

https://siteimprove.com/en/accessibility/section-508-compliance-website-checker/?

utm_campaign=us_fy20_ppc_accessibility&utm_medium=ppc&utm_source=google&utm_term

=us-508

In-text: ("Section 508 Compliance Checker", 2020)

Section508.gov | GSA Government-wide IT Accessibility Program. (2020). Retrieved 23 March

2020, from https://www.section508.gov/

In-text: ("Section508.gov | GSA Government-wide IT Accessibility Program", 2020)