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Why Digital Accessibility?

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Digital accessibility is crucial because it ensures that digital content, such as websites, applications, and documents, can be accessed and used by everyone, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. Here are some reasons why it matters: Inclusivity: Accessible content allows people with disabilities (such as visual impairments, motor limitations, or cognitive challenges) to participate fully in the digital world. It promotes equal opportunities and prevents exclusion. Legal Compliance: Many countries have laws and regulations (such as the Americans with Disabilities Act in the United States) that require digital content to be accessible. Non-compliance can result in legal consequences. Business Impact: Organizations that prioritize accessibility enhance their reputation, reach a broader audience, and improve customer satisfaction. Accessible websites also tend to perform better in search engine rankings. User Experience: Accessible design benefits everyone. Clear navigation, wel
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Discover ION Professional eLearning: Elevate Your Career!

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  Discover ION Professional eLearning: Elevate Your Career! In the fast-paced world of professional development, staying ahead of the curve is crucial. ION Professional eLearning offers a dynamic and flexible approach to achieving your career goals through our specialized micro certificates and comprehensive certificate programs. Whether you're looking to enhance your skills in digital accessibility, leadership, or open educational resources, ION Professional eLearning has the perfect pathway for you. Let's explore our offerings and how they can be completed in just two terms. What Are Micro Certificates? Micro certificates are designed to provide targeted, in-depth knowledge and skills in a specific area. They are shorter than traditional programs, making them an efficient way to upskill and stay current in your field. At ION Professional eLearning, we offer micro certificates that cater to the evolving demands of the modern workplace. Foundations in Online Teaching: This micr
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How can public colleges prepare for ADA digital accessibility requirements?

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  https://www.highereddive.com/news/colleges-title-ii-digital-accessibility/715265/ Great article on the new Title II rules.  "Nearly every piece of digital material hosted by a local government will need to be compliant, including web content that is password protected. Some exceptions include archived web content for recordkeeping or reference that has not been updated since the entity’s compliance date kicked in, pre-existing social media posts, and content posted to a government site or mobile app by third parties, unless those contributors have a contract, license or arrangement to post to government websites." "Given the scope of potential web accessibility improvements, the deadlines may be tough to meet for school districts and universities that have lots of digital content not already accessible under the WCAG standard..."
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Website Accessibility for State and Local Governments and More

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  DOJ Final Rule on Website Accessibility for State and Local Governments Portends Significant Changes for Private-Sector Websites "The DOJ makes clear in its explanation accompanying the new rule that it intends to apply the same standards to those entities that receive federal financial assistance under the Rehabilitation Act, because, after all, state and local governments generally also receive federal financial assistance. Certain industries―such as healthcare and higher education―consist of businesses that almost always also receive federal financial assistance. As a result, those industries can expect that the same rules will eventually apply to them."
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Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities

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Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities The Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that aims to update the regulations for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to add more specific requirements about web and mobile application (app) accessibility. The Need for the Rule State and local governments provide many of their services, programs, and activities through websites and mobile applications (apps). When these websites and mobile apps are not accessible, they can create barriers for people with disabilities. For example, individuals who are blind may use a screen reader to deliver visual information on a website or mobile app as speech. If a website does not include text describing an image (sometimes called “alternative text” or “alt text”), individuals who are blind and who use screen readers may have no way of knowing what is in the image
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Understanding the Newly Proposed Regulations under Title II of the ADA

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  Understanding the Newly Proposed Regulations under Title II of the ADA The Department of Justice (DOJ) is proposing new regulations under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that will significantly impact the digital landscape. These changes are designed to ensure full and equal access for people with disabilities while establishing achievable compliance standards for organizations. What's New? The proposed web accessibility standards apply to state, local, and district government entities’ websites, mobile apps, and digital documents, such as PDFs, word-processing documents, spreadsheets, and presentation files. The rule will apply to publicly available content accessed via the web, including: ●        Video and Audio ●        Social media posts ●        Third-party experiences a public entity chooses to use to provide services. However, the proposal provides exceptions for some types of content, including unchanging, archived materials on a websi
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Add to your credentials with ION eLearning!

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  Add to your credentials with ION eLearning! The University of Illinois Springfield  ION Professional eLearning Programs  is a leader in remote learning pedagogy. Our programs help faculty and administrators from all levels and all disciplines master the art of online instruction. If you're looking to enhance your skills and knowledge in online teaching or administration, then enrolling in an eLearning course is a great option. If you're interested in pursuing a career in online teaching, then the ION eLearning courses might be just what you're looking for. ION eLearning courses are a great way to enhance your skills in online teaching and administration. So why not enroll now and take the first step toward a brighter future? Registration for the summer and following term is open now. Enrolling in an ION eLearning course is quick and easy. Here's how to do it: Create a self-service portal account , choose your course , and make payment. ION eLearning courses are design
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