I support this petition. UT's accessibility experts have effectively taught web developers throughout the country how to make the web accessible to all.
I support this petition. As a person with a disability and a senior web developer, it is important to keep this work going forward and continue to provide people with the means to learn and interact in the world of accessibility.
I support this petition. The International Center for Disability Resources on the Internet (IDCDRI) strongly urges the University of Texas to continue the pioneering work of the Accessibility Institute. Not only is the work in the national interest, but it also has international impact now that a record number of countries have signed the new treaty or Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Accessible electronic and information technology and communications is a cornerstone of the Convention precisely because persons with disabilities have a right to full participation in society. The University of Texas can continue to play a role in identifying practical applications and solutions as technology advances and evolves. We urge you to reconsider the closing down of this effort and to keep the work alive on behalf of persons with disabilities in the State of Texas, in the U.S. and in the world at large.
Best regards,
Cynthia D. Waddell, JD
Executive Director and Law, Policy and Technology Subject Matter Expert
International Center for Disability Resources on the Internet
I support this petition. I attended a knowability conference and the information I received there, along with the excellent web resources made available to me by Knowablility afterwards, was invaluable. I develop Distance Education web resources for Los angeles Valley College, and had I not attended the conference, I would have been unaware of the importance of making web materials accessible, no idea of the standards of accessibilty required, and perhaps most important, had no idea how to make my materials accessible. As technology continues to change, accesibility standards and practices will also change. There is a great need for ongoing research and dissemination of information if we care at all about making education, public and private, available to diabled people everywhere. This institue is invaluble to me persoanlly as well as to the thousandes of students I have served. Thank you for your consideration.
Dr. Slatin's influence on the web developing industry is immense and he has made the University an authority and leader in making the web accessible to everybody. How can we dispose of this position and his legacy so quickly?
I support this petition.
UT don't become a second rate institution save the Institute of Acessibility...if it is about money then look at saving money by using a RA platfrom like the one the states uses at Orbis Online Inc.
The Accessibility Institute is a groundbreaking organization, changing the lives of the many people it impacts. I urge the University to reconsider its decision to close the Institute. I fully support this petition.
I support this petition. It is crucial that institutes such as this continue to lead the way in research, education and in raising awareness of usability in design.
I support this petition.
I work in a university environment, and had a relationship to implementing the web policy here. It has been a long hard road to even get started on implementation of meeting accessibility requirements. The Accessibility Institute is of critical importance in examining and promoting accessibility issues. Please reverse your decision to close the Institute.
