I support this petition. As a UT Alumni (Class of 1990) proud Texan with a disability, and employer who needs to hire several trained accessibility staff. Higher education in Texas should meet the need for academic training in accessibility and research on best practices for a highly dynamic field of information sciences. Equal access to information regardless of physical or mental ability is a fundemental right and a rquirement for a vibrant democracy.
I support this petition. We have directly benefited by the work done by John and Kay, and it would be a great loss to the accessibility community if the Institute's work was discontinued.
I support this petition. Continuing to extend and expand access is one of the important issues facing computer professionals; surrendering this legacy of leadership is squandering not only UT's reputation but also the local skill and knowledge needed to continue to move forward.
I support this petition. Under the Slatin’s leadership the University of Texas emerged quickly as a leader. Please do not wash away all the hard work and erase Dr. Slatin's powerful legacy. There are 60+ million American with Disabilities and it is critical to help us continue to move accessibility forward. Additionally, we have 74 million baby boomers aging and acquiring disabilities so our numbers will only grow and many of those baby boomers are heading back to school. Plus we cannot forget our Veterans with Disabilities because they are also heading back to college. We need Universities to continue to build awareness and to help us all have an equal voice. This issue is not just about college it is about raising the bar and helping us all continue to make America a better place to live, learn and work. Please do not push us backwards and un-do all the powerful things that your school accomplished. Please reconsider this decision and refund this program. Thank you, Debra Ruh, TecAccess, Chairman and Founder
I know first hand the importance of the institute to the University website's accessibility because I worked there for 2 years and I heartily support this petition.
I support this petition. UT should not surrender leadership in this area. Particularly at a time when mobile is becoming mainstream and so much work is left to be done.
I support this petition. Living in Texas for most of my life, I am very proud of how our amazing our universities are. Please don't make the mistake of closing this institute.
I support this petition.
As a sighted web developer/ designer, I am dismayed by of the lack of awareness of the needs of some 45 million sight, hearing and physically challenged computer users. As the Baby Boomers age, we too will be in need of some of this assistance. How short-sighted of your institution to ignore these needs that will only grow in time.
I support this - because it's the right thing to do - why give up something that means something and has intrinsic value to so many people that aren't otherwise represented.
The Accessibility Institute and the energy it created surrounding Universal Design placed UT and the city of Austin as leaders in the accessibility community and played a large part in our decision to relocate our growing business to Austin. I whole heartedly support this petition.
I support this petition. UT should remain a leader and a resource for accessible technology by keeping the Accessibility Institute one of its departments at the University of Texas.
Cordially,
@ndrea Hamblin
I support this petition.
The additional work done by the University in working with those with disabilities makes the continuation of the Accessibility Institute all the more important.
I support this petition because the contribution from the institution through the course of the years has influenced my professional career to an extend which can't be overstated.
I support this petition because it would be immoral to encourage the advancement of technology while ensuring that certain individuals would be unable to use it.
As a UT Alum and former employee of the LBJ Library who worked hard with John Slatin to make the museums of Austin accessible, I would like to see efforts made to continue the effort to increase accessibility on UT's online presence and inspire others to do so as well.
UT will do the right thing and work hard at reinstating this dynamic institution.
I support this petition.
I support this petition. UT is a leader in the world and should continue with the hard work and research to which John Slaten devoted his life and name. I'm ashamed of UT in this decision to discontinue the Accessibility Institute which drew International attention. Shame on you!
I fully support this petition. It would be a shame for the University of Texas at Austin to abandon all of the work done by the Accessibility Institute.
