The mission of the Louisiana Universal
Design for Learning (UDL) initiative is to design and implement a model
for teaching and learning that will meet the needs of all learners through
the use of best practices, adaptive technologies, and instructional
techniques to accommodate all teaching and learning styles.
Universal Design for
Learning (UDL)
Universal Design for Learning, commonly
known as UDL, is a new paradigm for teaching, learning, and assessment,
drawing on new brain research and new media technologies to respond to
individual learner differences.
Educational institutions are covered by Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act if they receive federal financial assistance. Title
II of the Americans with Disabilities Act covers all state and local
government programs, including schools. Under both pieces of legislation
educational entities must provide effective communication access to
students with disabilities. Schools that use the Web or any type of
electronic or information technology to provide instruction, programs,
or to disseminate information must assure that it is accessible.
The Louisiana Board of Regents (BoR), Office of
Information and Learning Technology seeks to bring state colleges and
universities' Web sites into basic compliance with Section 508. Through
this Web site, BoR will provide resources and information to higher
education institutions' Webmasters and designers to assist them in
implementing the standards of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973.
For more information on
legal requirements, visit:
Educational institutions
examine barriers to information access posed by design of their
Web sites, software programs, and hardware that are not
adaptable for access by persons with disabilities. It is recommended
that schools use the guidelines in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
to identify criteria an institution should consider in evaluating the
accessibility of electronic and information technology that it is
currently using or planning to purchase.
States receiving
funding under the Technology Related Assistance Act are compelled to
comply. The State of Louisiana receives funds pursuant to this federal
act through its Tech Act grantee, the Louisiana Technology Assistive
Network (LATAN). LATAN
has been designated by the Governor as the Tech Act grantee. This grant
mandates statewide advocacy for assistive technology access for
individuals of all ages with all types of disabilities.
Americans with
Disabilities Act, Section 508
Section 508 is a part of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which requires that electronic and information
technology developed, procured, maintained, or used by the Federal
government be accessible to people with disabilities. On August 7, 1998,
the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, which
includes the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998, was signed into law. The 1998 amendments
significantly expand and strengthen the technology access requirements in
Section 508.
Federal
officials, who know that implementing Section 508 in
their agencies has improved access for all, including people with
disabilities, state that it is simply good business sense to break down
barriers to information technology so all external customers and
employees can more easily access information and resources.
Individuals with
disabilities have been integrated into the workplace through accessible
information technology.
Access for Everyone
It’s really about doing the right thing.
It's about helping 65 million Americans with disabilities achieve
access to information. Aging baby boomers now in the workforce will
need some of the technology solutions emerging from Section 508 of the
Rehabilitation Act. The state of Louisiana is working to ensure access for
all persons with disabilities, including employees and members of the
public, to information, technology, state facilities, and parks and
other recreational opportunities.
