Is instructional software typically accessible to students with disabilities?

Date Updated
04/13/18

No. In a study conducted by Diane Cordry Golden of Missouri Assistive Technology in 2001, twenty-five "award winning" companies who produce instructional software for K-12 students (preschool through high school) were surveyed regarding the accessibility of their software to students with disabilities. Nineteen companies responded. Two reported that they were aware of accessibility issues and specifically Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. One of these two was beginning work on accessibility issues; the other had developed a planning committee. Of the seventeen other respondents, 65% were not aware of accessibility as an issue, none were currently addressing accessibility issues in their product development, and 88% had no future plans related to accessibility of their products.