[games_access] Accessibility and laws ?

[d. michelle hinn]

The main thing behind 508 for universities in the US is that a 
"reasonable accommodation" is made. So, say, the instructor has a 
flash-based online test that someone in the classroom cannot access 
due to the fact that the assistive tech that they use is not 
compatible with the test. The instructor must supply an alternative 
format for this student and this is usually arranged through an 
office for students with disabilities.

So if an instructor relied on teaching a course in Second Life (not a 
game but it is a game-like world) and all of the materials were only 
available in SL and part of the course requires that each student 
participates in SL, then the law says that an alternative must be 
provided and/or accommodations. This might mean that the student 
pairs up with someone in the class or that the office for students 
with disabilities provides this student with someone who can access 
the class for them.

It's a little confusing because the question remains -- what is a 
reasonable accommodation for a rich, immersive environment like a 
game? Will the student be able to access the content in an acceptable 
alternative way?

Michelle

>Hi Sandra,
>
>Here in the US Section 508 of the rehabilitation act states that all
>federal agencies (including universities relying upon federal funding)
>make their information accessible.
>
>
>So if someone wants to use a game in their classroom in theory it has
>to comply with this act but I doubt whether that happens a lot. I'm
>not sure about the legal issues can you sue a university for not
>providing you with an accessible alternative?
>
>Cheers Eelke
>
>
>On 05/08/2008, Sandra Uhling <sandra_uhling at web.de> wrote:
>>  Hello,
>>
>>  I would like to know,
>>  in which countries games used in schools require to be accessible.
>>  And what laws are important.
>>
>>  With this information it will be much easier to discuss about it.
>>  And to show that this is an important thing for companies that
>>  are developping games for use in schools.
>>
>>  Regards,
>>
>>  Sandra Uhling
>>  _____________________________________________________________________
>>  Der WEB.DE SmartSurfer hilft bis zu 70% Ihrer Onlinekosten zu sparen!
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>
>
>--
>----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Eelke Folmer                           Assistant Professor
>Department of CS&E/171
>University of Nevada              Reno, Nevada 89557
>Game interaction design        www.eelke.com
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