[Athen] Letter to Blackboard/WebCT

Terry Thompson tft at u.washington.edu
Fri Apr 13 11:54:34 PDT 2007


I apologize if this has already appeared on the ATHEN list, but I don't
think I've seen it, so...

For those of you whose institutions use Blackboard or WebCT, the Blackboard
and WebCT Accessibility Interest Groups have joined forces in writing a
letter that will be sent to high-ranking officials within Blackboard.
Blackboard has big plans concerning integration of Web 2.0 technologies into
future releases of their products, and we feel it's critical that we have a
closer relationship with them in order to influence their commitment to
accessibility. If they don't carefully consider accessibility early in the
development cycle, students and faculty members with disabilities are going
to be completely shut out of their academic courses.

The letter is here:
http://cita.uiuc.edu/collaborate/webct/docs/letter_to_ui_draft5.doc

The plan is for high-ranking IT officials at a large number of
Blackboard/WebCT customer institutions to sign the letter, each on their own
letterhead. The letters will then be assembled and submitted collectively.
If possible, please collect the needed signatures and send three copies (one
for each recipient at Blackboard) to the following address:

ATTN: Jon Gunderson
Blackboard Accessibility Letter
Rehabilitation Education Center
1207 S. Oak Street
Champaign, IL 61820

Jon's hoping to have all the letters by 4/23. If things are moving forward
but you need more time, just let Jon know (jongund at uiuc dot edu).

Thanks!
Terry

Terry Thompson
Technology Specialist, DO-IT
University of Washington
tft at u.washington.edu
206/221-4168
http://www.washington.edu/doit






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