Technology – globaldisabilityrightsnow

Focus Countries

Accessibility and Navigation

Topics Covered on this Page General Navigation Explore our Resources Find your Language Help Translate a Page International Sign Videos Mobile Friendly Accessibility Features High Contrast Color Captions or Subtitles for Videos Alternative Text Descriptions for Images Accessible Document Formats Accessible Web Forms General Navigation Explore our Resources This website offers resources in the four… Continue reading Accessibility and Navigation

Section 508 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act of 1973

What is Section 508? Section 508 is an amendment to the Workforce Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which U.S. President Bill Clinton signed into law in 1998. Section 508 requires that U.S. federal departments and agencies to develop, procure, maintain, or use only electronic and information technology (“EIT”) that is accessible for people with disabilities, unless doing… Continue reading Section 508 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act of 1973

We All Have a Right to Read

Advocate for the Ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty

According to the World Blind Union, less than 10 percent of all publications are available in formats accessible for people who are blind or have other print disabilities. The Marrakesh Treaty is an agreement among ratifying countries to adapt copyright laws to make it easier to expand the number of publications available in accessible formats, as… Continue reading Advocate for the Ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty

Using Mobile Applications for Advocacy

Overview Smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices are increasingly being used by the public. Mobile applications (apps) are convenient as they are available on devices that many people use every day. Apps are also interactive, which can allow smartphone and tablet users to learn information in a fun and interesting way. A successful mobile application… Continue reading Using Mobile Applications for Advocacy

U.S. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), formerly called the Education for all Handicapped Children Act of 1975, requires public schools to make available to all eligible children with disabilities a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment appropriate to the child’s education needs. Under the law, State and local education agencies are… Continue reading U.S. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Section 504 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or Section 504, can be considered the oldest federal disability civil rights law in the U.S. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in public and private programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. The law also covers programs and activities that are conducted by the federal… Continue reading Section 504 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that critically extended Section 504’s disability nondiscrimination mandate to the private sector. The ADA reaches such entities as private employers (with 15 or more employees), retailers, service establishments, transportation companies, and telecommunication companies, regardless of whether they receive federal financial assistance. The law is… Continue reading Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)

National U.S. Disability Laws

The laws included on the RightsNow! website are primarily rights-oriented laws that prohibit many different kinds of entities, such as individuals, state and municipal governments, private employers and businesses, and service organizations, from discriminating on the basis of disability. However, we include some explanation and links related to the ongoing federal benefits and support laws that pertain… Continue reading National U.S. Disability Laws

Innovative CRPD Implementation in Education and Technology

The Zero Project is working for a world with zero barriers, based on the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). In 2016, the project focused on Article 24 of the CRPD (education). Information and communication technology (ICT) was also examined as part of Article 9 of the CRPD (accessibility) because… Continue reading Innovative CRPD Implementation in Education and Technology