|
...disabilities can limit their access vital information. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accessibility of SD home pages in the United States and Canada. A total of 120 SD Web sites were located using a popular online school directory and evaluated for accessibility. A software program was used to quantify the number of accessibility errors at each site. The results indicated that most (74.3%) SD home pages had accessibility problems, and the majority of these problems were severe problems that should be given a high priority for correcting. The good news is that the majority of the errors can easily be corrected. The work reflects a need for SDs to examine the accessibility of their home pages. Recommendations for improving accessibility are provided.
**********
Since the mid 1990s the World Wide Web (WWW or Web) has become an important way to disseminate information about a wide variety of organizations. These organizations include many educational institutions such as universities, departments of public instruction, and individual schools. All of these institutions' policies concerning equal access are guided by federal laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA, enacted in 1990, provides the same civil rights protection to individuals with disabilities as other federal laws that prevent discrimination on the basis of race, gender, national origin, and religion (Button & Wobschall, 1994). Title III of the ADA directs that public facilities make reasonable modifications to control discrimination and support accessibility in policies, practices, and procedures (Council for Exceptional Children, 1994). As a result of this landmark legislation, accessibility alterations such as providing ramps to elevated areas and providing accessible signage thro ugh height adjustments and raised lettering have become commonplace across the country.
A projected $5.67 billion was spent on technology in America's public schools during the 1999-2000 school year. While 63% of those dollars were spent on hardware, it appears that public schools have shifted their budgets toward software and staff development. More than 46% of schools reported that the majority of their teachers are intermediate level users of technology (able to use a wide variety of computer applications). More than 60% of schools reported that the majority of teachers use the WWW for instructional purposes, and 82% of schools provide WWW access in classrooms.
Fifty-two percent of U.S. homes with children ages 2 - 17 have WWW connections at home, up form just 15% just two years ago. In addition, 20% of students ages 8 - 16 have computers in their bedrooms, with more than half hooked up to the WWW. As the percentage of WWW usage continues to increase both at school and at home so does the need for clearer behavioral guidelines for students. The following is a list of practical steps for school administrators that addresses student usage of the WWW on school premises and at home.
1. When school administrators review a situation, he/she should first determine whether the fact pattern actually falls within the code of student behavior set at each particular school. Often, the school rules may fall short of covering new situations. Stretching rules to fit new situations is a dangerous and risky practice.
2. Before school administrators move forward with discipline for offsite Internet conduct, he/she should put down in writing, the connection between offsite conduct and the impact that it has or will have at school. School administrators should always investigate to see if the student violated any discipline code, if so, this might provide a...
NOTE: All illustrations and photos
have been removed from this article.
More articles from Information Technology in Childhood Education Annual
Technology driven Group Investigations for gifted elementary students., January 01, 2003
Kindergarteners can do it--so can you: a case study of a constructioni..., January 01, 2003
Preparing teachers to use technology with young children in classrooms..., January 01, 2003
Evaluating the educational impact of a tutoring hypermedia for childre..., January 01, 2003
Beyond the boundaries of the sacred garden: children (1) and the Inter..., January 01, 2003
Looking for additional articles?
Search our database of over 3 million articles.
Looking for more in-depth information on this industry?
Search our complete database of Industry & Market reports by text, subject, publication
name or publication date.
About Goliath
Whether you're looking for sales prospects, competitive information, company
analysis or best practices in managing your organization,
Goliath can help you meet your business needs.
Our extensive business information databases empower business
professionals with both the breadth and depth of credible,
authoritative information they need to support their business
goals. Whether it be strategic planning, sales prospecting,
company research or defining management best practices -
Goliath is your leading source for accurate information.
|
