Broadband Adoption and People with Disabilities

Commission of Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing Minnesotans Office of Enterprise Technologies (OET)

2 3/31/2010

2009 Legislation

Mandated that OET adopt accessibility standardsSpecifies the incorporation of Section 508 and WCAG 2.0 into the standardsFunds through June 30, 2011Sets up an advisory committeeFunds two other projects related to captioning (Legis. Coordination Committee and Commission for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Minnesotans)

3 3/31/2010

Rural Communities and People with Disabilities

People with disabilities are more likely than most other groups to live in rural areasAt least 20 percent of people with disabilities, 11 million people, live in rural areas of the United States.

4 3/31/2010

Jobs and People with Disabilities

When the ADA was passed in 1990, 22% of people with disabilities were

employed

22 years later, that number remains the same

People with disabilities employed in state government decreased from

10.1% in 1999 to 4.6% in 2011

5 3/31/2010

Why are so many people with disabilities still offline?

By 2009 only 41% of Americans with disabilities had adopted broadband. (39% of all non-adopters are people with disabilities.)• Assistive technology is too expensive• Broadband speed is insufficient

- Internet may be seen as inaccessible and unnecessary

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Broadband Adoption

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Dialup (adults)

Broadband (adults)

People with Disabilities

PEW Internet and American Life Project, 2010

7 3/31/2010

Affordable Broadband and

Accessible Websites

Education and Training for People with Disabilities

Provider Compliance

with Accessibility Regulations

Funding for Computers, Broadband,

and Assistive Technology for

People with Disabilities

Components Needed to Improve Broadband Adoption

8 3/31/2010

Recommendations: Education and Training

Make training and educational materials accessible Provide transportation Publish Braille materialsOffer sign language interpretive services

Some example programs: Tools for Life in Georgia

Resource CentersSmall Business Education

Broadband Changed My Life!

Campaign to promote benefits of Broadband

9 3/31/2010

Most adults would need assistance to get online

21%

61%

14%

4%

Know enough to go online myself

Would need someone to help me

Would not want to use the Internet

Don't Know

Likely to be higher for people with disabilities.

PEW Internet and American Life Project, 2010

10 3/31/2010

Recommendations: Fund Assistive Technology

Government funds and grantsTAM a potential resourceCenturyLink Settlement

Equipment recycling and exchangesExpand definition of assistive technologyEconomic development funds

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Recommendations: Regulation Compliance

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1978Web Content Access Guidelines 2.021st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act signed on 10/08/10 by President Obama

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Section 508 and Web Content Access Guidelines

Through MCDHH’s advocacy the State of Minnesota adopted federal accessibility standards in 2009All websites and content must be accessible- captioned live streaming, content in ASL, captioned videosMCDHH and OET produced/co-produced courses on web and document accessibility

13 3/31/2010

Accessibility: Quick Introduction

Not an accommodation – it’s built-in – everyone uses itTechnology centered; not focused on a person who is disabledProactiveIt’s an electronic curb-cut!

14 3/31/2010

Technology Accessibility Standards Implementation Project

Supports OET’s mandate to establish technology accessibility standards and implement the processes needed to put them into effectOET and MMD are working together to assure the state is purchasing accessible hardware, software, and online applications under Minnesota Statutes 2009, section 16C.

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2009 Legislation: Current Status

2011: TAM AppropriationCreated position of CIAO

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Broadband Issues

What is “Broadband”?

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Broadband: Broadly Defined

Size of the pipeType of pipeType of deviceContent (apps and data)

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OET and Accessibility

Policy frameworkProcess recommendationsDialogueIncentives

THANK YOU!Mary Hartnett

mary.hartnett@state.mn.us

(651) 431-5965

www.mncdhh.org

Jay Wyant

jay.wyant@state.mn.us

612.825.8285 (cell)

http://mn.gov/oet/policies-and-standards/accessibility