DBTAC: Mid-Atlantic ADA Center

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Mid-Atlantic Accessible
Education-Based
Information Technology Consortium

The Mid-Atlantic Accessible Education-Based Information Technology Consortium is comprised of state programs funded under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998. We provide training, information, and technical assistance to promote access to electronic and information technology by people with disabilities in educational settings within the Mid-Atlantic Region (including PA, DE, MD, VA, WV, and DC). Our audience includes higher education faculty, educators, policy makers, librarians, technical support staff and others who work or participate in education settings, students with disabilities and their families, advocates and employees with disabilities.

The Mid-Atlantic Accessible Education-Based Information Technology Consortium is coordinated by the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, administered by TransCen as part of the DBTAC: Mid-Atlantic ADA Center and funded by the National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation and Research of the U.S. Department of Education.

Consortium members are regarded as a leading source of information about assistive technology, educational accommodations, procurement and /or development of accessible education-based information technology, and related law and policy in their respective states.

Section 508 defines electronic and information technology to include any equipment or interconnected system or subsystem of equipment that is used in the automatic acquisition, storage, manipulation, management, movement, control, display, switching, interchange, transmission, or reception of data or information. This includes computer hardware, software, networks, and peripherals as well as many electronic and communications devices commonly used in offices. It also includes Information/Transaction machines (ITM's) including Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), fare vending machines, information kiosks, and other unattended machines for conducting transactions or providing information.

Winners for the Third Annual Web Accessibility
Contest announced!

The Mid-Atlantic Consortium on Accessible Electronic and Information Technology in Education has announced the winners of its third annual Web Accessibility contest. Quince Orchard High School is the overall winner and first place for the high school entries, while Flower Valley Elementary took the first position for the elementary school entries.

To read the entire announcement, go to the events page at http://www.adainfo.org/accessible/it/events.asp

New tool available to check accessibility in K-12 (Accessibility Checklist)!

Educational institutions at all levels face myriad challenges as they provide a technology-rich learning environment for students. One challenge they all face is to assure that all hardware and software is accessible to all students, instructors, and staff, including those with disabilities.

This checklist was developed to provide educational entities with a means by which they can track their progress on goals related to improving the accessibility of their information technology for students, instructors, and staff with disabilities; provide an interactive tool with which users can learn about the process of creating an accessible technology environment.

This checklist was developed by the National Center on Accessible Information Technology in Education (AccessIT) and the ten regional Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers (DBTACs). Click on the link to view the accessibility checklist. http://www.washington.edu/accessit/it-checklist/

Mid-Atlantic Accessible Education-Based IT Consortium Members:

Project Coordinator: Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT), Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, is the Commonwealth's statewide, cross-age and cross-disability program under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998. As specified in the "AT Act", PIAT conducts its priority activities through a statewide network of regional Assistive Technology Resource Centers. These activities include the provision of public awareness, technical assistance, training, outreach support to community-based organizations, and the promotion of interagency coordination. PIAT's mission is to improve access to assistive technology for all Pennsylvanians with disabilities and older Pennsylvanians.

Amy Goldman (Director)
Voice: (215) 204-3862
Voice / TTY: (215) 204-1356
Voice: (800) 204-7428 (toll free in-state only)
Fax: (215) 204-9371
E-mail: piat@temple.edu

Participating States:

Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative (DATI) focuses on improving public awareness, public access to information, funding for assistive technology devices and services, training and technical assistance, and coordination of statewide activities. The project has established Assistive Technology Resource Centers (ATRCs) in each of Delaware's counties. These centers are barrier-free and open to the public.
Dr. Beth Mineo (Director)
Voice: (302) 651-6790
TTY: (302) 651-6794
Fax: (302) 651-6793
Email: mineo@asel.udel.edu
University Legal Services Assistive Technology Program for the District of Columbia (ULS-ATP) attempts to enhance public awareness of assistive technology solutions and to strengthen the District's assistive technology service delivery system. ULS/ATP conducts customized training sessions, provides information and referral, and operates a number of initiatives, including a resource center, reduced-interest financial loan program and short-term equipment lending program.
Alicia Johns (Director)
Voice: (202) 547-0198 x134
TTY: (202) 547-2657
E-mail: ajohns@uls-dc.org
Maryland Technology Assistance Program (MD TAP) provides information on available products, devices, services and other resources to assist individuals with disabilities and senior citizens.
Michael Bullis, Executive Director
Maryland Technology Assistance Program
2301 Argonne Drive, T-17
Baltimore, MD 21218
Voice: (800) 832-4827
TTY: (866) 881-7488
Fax: (410) 554-9237
Email: mbullis@mdtap.org
Virginia Assistive Technology System (VATS) is a statewide systems change project. Guided by Virginia Council on Assistive Technology and through a variety of consumer driven activities and programs, information and technical assistance are provided on devices, services and funding resources. In partnership with consumers, employers, educators, public and private agencies, VATS strives to bring about change in practice, policies, and laws to improve access to assistive technology.
Robert Krollman (Director)
Voice: (804) 662-9995
Voice / TTY: (804) 662-9990
E-mail: Robert.Krollman@drs.virginia.gov
West Virginia Assistive Technology System (WVATS) is funded by the U.S. Department of Education to increase awareness of and accessibility to assistive technology. WVATS Regional Resource Centers have assistive technology lending libraries, toll-free information hotlines, and provide sites for free demonstrations of assistive technology devices.
Jeanne Grimm
Voice / TTY: (304) 293-4692
Fax: (304) 293-7294
E-mail: wvats@hsc.wvu.edu

Note: Information provided on this website does not constitute an endorsement by the Mid-Atlantic Accessible Education-Based Information Technology Consortium, its individual members, Transcen Inc., or the National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation and Research, U.S. Department of Education.

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