Information Technology Accessibility
We want our information technology to be cutting-edge and accessible, and we want to demonstrate leadership in this arena.
- UW President Mark A. Emmert, Sept. 27, 2006
As programs, services, resources, and opportunities to carry out the University of Washington's Vision Statement are increasingly provided using information technology (IT), the need becomes especially critical that UW's IT be accessible to all users, including individuals with disabilities.
In 2007-08, over 700 UW students registered with our Disability Resources for Students office. It is estimated that these students represent about 30-40% of students with disabilities enrolled on our campus. These students:
- Include those who are blind or have visual impairments, are deaf or hard of hearing, have physical disabilities, have learning disabilities such as dyslexia and dysgraphia, or have psychiatric, cognitive, or other disabilities.
- Interact with IT in a wide variety of ways, sometimes requiring custom configurations or access through alternative input or output devices.
- Join a growing body of non-disabled students who similarly challenge the boundaries of traditional technology by accessing dynamic Web, multimedia, and software applications using handheld and other mobile devices.
Accessibility standards and guidelines help those who develop IT and those who make purchasing decisions. The application of accessibility standards ensures that IT at the UW is accessible to all users.
This web site provides resources and opportunities for community involvement toward ensuring that the UW is, and continues to be, a place where everyone can learn, grow, and participate.
