Why design Learner-centered Accessible courses?

Legal Requirements

The learner will become familiar with the legal requirements for public institutions with regards to accessibility.

Purpose: To prohibit discrimination solely on the basis of disability in employment, public services, and accommodations
Who is covered? All qualified persons with disabilities who, with or without reasonable accommodations, meet the college's admissions requirements and the specific entry level criteria for the specific program and who can document the existence of a disability as defined by Section 504.
Who is responsible? Students at the post-secondary level are responsible for identifying themselves and providing documentation with regards to their disability. The institution is responsible for providing reasonable accomodations to ensure that students have equal access to the institutions programs and activities.

Purpose: To require Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities.
Who is covered? The law applies to all individuals with disabilities.
Who is responsible?Federal agencies must ensure that this technology is accessible to employees and members of the public with disabilities to the extent it does not pose an "undue burden." Section 508 speaks to various means for disseminating information, including computers, software, and electronic office equipment. It applies to, but is not solely focused on, Federal pages on the Internet or the World Wide Web. It does not apply to web pages of private industry.

Purpose: to protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination based on their disability status.
Who is covered? Individuals with disabilities.
Who is responsible? The law apply to employers and organizations that receive federal financial assistance. All government agencies, federally-funded projects, K-12 schools, postsecondary entities (state colleges, universities, and vocational training schools) fall into this category. In education environments where many additional learning opportunities are provided through the Internet, it is important to recognize how this law applies to the Internet. Especially since this is a relatively new method of communicating information. Schools and institutions risk litigation if their Web sites are not accessible to students with disabilities.