Tech-access: An online information resource for K-12 educators on accessible technology in educational settings

Technology is pervasive in American life. In August 2000, 53.7 million households had at least one computer and 43.6 million households had Internet access. Eighty percent of professionals use computers in the workplace, and 54% of all workers use computers. Students with disabilities constitute over 13% (6.3 million in 2001) of all students in K-12 public schools and are often disadvantaged because educational technology is inaccessible. Barriers for these students include insufficient training for teachers, insufficient support services, computers that lack assistive technology devices, and too few accessible computers. To address this problem, MTC proposes a web-based consultation service, the TechAccess Portal, to help educators understand the importance of and then effectively implement accessible electronic and information technology in educational settings. In Phase I, MTC will develop a prototype TechAccess Portal and have educators rigorously evaluate it to determine the feasibility of providing this information through a web-based consulting service.