Adaptive Technology / Assistive Technology Introduction 

Adaptive technology, more commonly known as assistive technology, refers to technological devices meant to improve functioning for individuals with disabilities. Implementation of assistive technology focuses on removing barriers and increasing accessibility to desired resources.

The CS-SIS Adaptive Technologies Committee created these pages to introduce readers to assistive technology, and allow readers to educate themselves about various issues and products. These pages contain neither a comprehensive list of links nor a comprehensive analysis of disability issues. These pages currently focus on two areas likely to be of interest to our core readership of law librarians: popular assistive technology products and Web accessibility. The Committee will add more substance on the current focus areas and other areas may be added as time permits and reader interest indicates a need.

A brief discussion of the law follows the links.

Popular Adaptive Technology / Assistive Technology Products

Find manufacturers of screen readers, assisted listening devices, speech recognition software and more.

Web Accessibility

Find Section 508 guidelines, the Web Accessibility Initiative and more.

Adaptive Technology / Assistive Technology Legal Issues

The following paragraphs are a general discussion of legal issues and should not be construed as legal advice applicable to a reader's particular situation.

There are no "bright line" adaptive technology legal requirements for higher education.  Adaptive technology has been litigated in some of the cases concerning the "free appropriate public education" mandated for K through 12 education by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). However, it has rarely if ever been the focus of IDEA litigation. The same is generally true of adaptive technology in other contexts.

The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights has stated in resolution letters that "effective communication" under the ADA requires higher education institutions to make their web sites accessible.[1] The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division (Disability Rights Section) states the same on its ADA web site.[2] The OCR implicitly acknowledges that its statements are not legally binding.[3]

The law may be evolving in this direction, however, and creating accessible web sites may offer colleges and universities safe harbors against future litigation provided they are otherwise in compliance with the ADA.

Acknowledging the ambiguity of the law should not be construed as a statement against making web sites accessible. The Committee would like to emphasize that good service is more than just meeting any legal minimums. Making web sites accessible is an excellent way to communicate effectively to patrons who use adaptive technology.

[1] OCR DOCKET NUMBER: 09-97-2002.RES archived at http://uwctds.washington.edu/policy/09972002.RES.htm

[2] http://www.ada.gov/websites2.htm

[3] 2002 OCR Power Point slides 12 & 17 archived at http://uwctds.washington.edu/ocr_slides/index.htm