As a web professional who has worked on many projects where accessibility was a key consideration, I support this petition and urge you continue the work of this exemplary organisation that has lead the way on countless occasions.
I support this petition. I support it because John Slatin's work was profound and the institute should be continued.
This is a both an academic and professional resource for developers and for other universities.
It would look very much like a penny-pinching exercise too.
I support this petition. As a developer in a university environment, I have referred to the work of this unit in the past and found their research and resources of the highest quality. It would be a shame to see the unit close at a time when awareness of accessibility related issues is at an all time high.
I support this petition. As a web developer it is crucial that there are people researching the ways new technology affect Accessibility. Without this research I am unable to understand the challenges that I can unintentionally create. Please keep Dr. John Slatin's hard work alive.
I support this petition. The work of the Accessibility Institute is essential to the continued open and free distribution of information for all internet users.
I support this petition. It is difficult to find institutions of higher learning that have embraced accessibility and contributed tirelessly to the greater good. Please reconsider -- the work that has been done in the past is more crucial now that more services come online in the higher ed and public sectors.
I support this petition enthusiastically. My decision to attend UT for my MFA was based on meeting Dr. Slatin after a presentation on accessibility. I wanted to work with him on Universal Design issues because of his inspiring research in accessibility. Since my graduation in 2006, I have been an advocate of Design for All practices (online and offline). I felt great sorrow when I learned that the institute would be discontinue. As the petition states, technology continues to change rapidly and UT has been at the forefront of accessibility research. This decision will be a great step backwards. Please reconsider keeping the institute alive, the research established there has been of great help for practitioners like me, as well as an attractive resource for companies interested in meeting web standards. Thanks.
I support this petition.
In addition to the points raised in the boilerplate, there remains the fact that in the United States, the progress of law is marching steadily (if slowly) toward protection of technology access for the disabled.
As a matter of policy, Americans should have a public authority of their own to whom they can turn when there is a need to buttress law with cold, hard, facts. If the Institute is closed, the number of those "public authorities" at hand will be reduced by one - a consequence that I suspect will leave all users of technology demonstrably worse off.
I support this petition. UT is taking a giant step backward, but the void in leadership will be filled by another, more progressive organization, that will promote, and not negate principles of inclusion for people with disabilities. The new sponsor will gain the reputation for leadership that UT will lose if it closes the Accessibility Institute.
Considering the Target settlement from earlier in the week, The University of Texas needs to rethink this decision. UT is taking a major step backwards.
I support this petition. Understanding accessibility is vital in being a good human beings. We need to understand and support others who have a fate they did not ask for.
This is extremely important work - research and preparations for equal access to information with flexibility to meet various users and situational needs - In other words something we will all have need of at some time in our lives
