Abstract
The Rhonda Weiss Center for Accessible IDEA Data’s (Weiss Center) mission is to improve state capacity to collect, report, analyze, and use IDEA data in accessible formats for individuals with disabilities. IDEA stands for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. One of the ways we at the Weiss Center aim to achieve this is through the development and adoption of our Accessible Data Analysis and Publishing Tool (ADAPT). States are responsible for numerous federal reporting requirements on performance indicators related to infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities. States often have limited capacity and resources to ensure this data is fully accessible. As a modern, web-based solution, ADAPT addresses this challenge by allowing states to author and publish IDEA-related reports that are accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. To create ADAPT, the Weiss Center conducted information-gathering sessions with various stakeholders across the country from over 80 individuals. This real-life testing further informed usability and accessibility of ADAPT, allowing the Weiss Center to continue to enhance its design and development. These efforts also helped to further inform the existing needs and challenges related to accessing IDEA data. ADAPT consists of an Admin component leveraged by state users to create and manage accessible data reports, and a Public Viewer component for the public to access published reports. The ADAPT tool meets and exceeds accessibility requirements of Section 508, and the recently updated ADA Title II ruling. A key feature of ADAPT is its Accessibility Settings component. This allows individuals to tailor their experience by customizing text size, color schemes, and content density. We continue to encourage input and remain open to further enhancements by leveraging emerging technologies. The students with disabilities of today will grow into adults with disabilities of tomorrow. Everyone deserves the right to IDEA data that is accessible and user-friendly.
Plain Language Summary
The Rhonda Weiss Center for Accessible IDEA Data is a project funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). The Weiss Center works with states to make IDEA data accessible to people with disabilities. IDEA stands for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The Weiss Center has created an online tool called the Accessible Data Analysis and Publishing Tool (ADAPT). States can use ADAPT to create accessible versions of IDEA reports. States collect a large amount of data and produce many reports but often struggle to complete them on time. With a high volume of reports and staff turnover, accessibility is often overlooked. It is important to include people with disabilities in accessibility work and ask for their input and feedback. The Weiss Center gathered input from over 80 individuals, including state and local education agency staff, federal personnel, researchers, advocates, parents, and people with disabilities. The Weiss Center also conducted usability studies with people with various disabilities. ADAPT was the result of these usability studies. ADAPT outputs IDEA reports that are accessible for people with disabilities. This includes people who are blind or have low vision, people with motor disabilities, and people with intellectual disabilities. ADAPT includes accessibility settings to adjust text size and color contrast for easier reading. ADAPT is also compatible with screen readers, braille displays, and other assistive technologies. ADAPT also includes training guides developed by disability experts. The Weiss Center's products meet legal standards and help people understand the needs and challenges of people with disabilities. This is important as we will all experience disabilities as we age, and accessible resources are helpful to everyone.
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Recommended Citation
Rempel, Johan and Edora, Fred
()
"Access to IDEA Data by People with Disabilities, For People with Disabilities,"
Developmental Disabilities Network Journal: Vol. 5:
Iss.
1, Article 3.
DOI: 10.59620/2694-1104.1118
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/ddnj/vol5/iss1/3