[Athen] National Federation of the Blind and Penn State

[Laurie Vasquez]

National Federation of the Blind and Penn State  Resolve Accessibility Complaint

Baltimore, Maryland (October 11, 2011): 


The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) announced 
today that they have reached an agreement that will resolve a complaint 
filed against Penn State by the NFB with the United States Department of 
Education, Office for Civil Rights.  There was no admission of any 
wrongdoing.

Penn State has agreed to continue implementing a strategy to make all 
electronic and information technology systems used on its campuses fully 
accessible to blind students, faculty, and staff.  The information 
technology systems covered include course management systems, Web sites, 
classroom technology, library resources, banking services, and more.  
University Spokesman Lisa Powers said that Penn State strives to 
maintain strong academic leadership and has a long record of providing 
equal access to educational information and services for all students, 
faculty, and staff.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, 
said: "Universities must commit to making sure all of the technology 
that they use is accessible to blind students, or else the blind will be 
left behind in education and denied opportunity.  We are pleased that 
Penn State, one of the largest and most recognized public universities 
in the country, has agreed to take additional steps to create an 
environment of equality in which blind students can pursue their 
educational and career aspirations without unnecessary barriers.  The 
National Federation of the Blind hopes and believes that the steps that 
Penn State is taking will set an example for colleges and universities 
throughout the nation."

"For more than twenty years Penn State has provided assistive 
technologies to students, faculty, and staff," Powers said.  "We will 
work with the National Federation of the Blind and the Department of 
Education, Office of Civil Rights, to put in place the additional 
technologies, procedures, and ongoing policies that will help us 
continue meeting our strong commitment to access."

The university has had a number of policies and programs in place to 
help individuals with disabilities, such as a classroom note-taking 
service, textbooks and course materials in electronic format, technology 
assistance, and adjustments in testing procedures, to name just a few.  
The university has a longstanding policy of providing reasonable 
accommodations to anyone requesting assistance.

"We can always do more," Powers said.  "In addition to any continued 
adjustments to our policies, we also are working with our outside 
vendors to see if their products and procedures can be adjusted to meet 
the needs of our students."

Russlynn Ali, assistant secretary for civil rights, with the U.S. 
Department of Education, said: "Colleges and universities have specific 
legal obligations to provide students, faculty, and staff with 
disabilities the same benefits, programs, and services.  This office is 
committed to working with complainants and institutions to ensure that 
the important nondiscrimination provisions of this nation's laws are 
enforced and implemented."