Emma Baty’s article “Asking for updates” in the Oct. 14 issue of The Daily Orange contains an assertion that Blackboard — the course management software program used by Syracuse University — is inaccessible to blind computer users. This used to be true, and in the early days of the program many blindness advocacy groups had to work hard to get the makers of “Blackboard” to update it for accessibility.

Nowadays, the program is essentially accessible, though its screen interface is complicated and using it without vision isn’t entirely easy. But on balance, the program is now compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other regulatory guidelines. 

Stephen Kuusisto
Director
The Renée Crown  University Honors Program
University Professor, Center on Human Policy, Law and Disability Studies
Syracuse University