Synopsis:

H.R. 1772, the Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher Education Act of 2017, aims to promote accessible instructional technology and content for students who are blind or who have print disabilities. This Act would authorize a commission comprised of persons with disabilities, manufacturers and developers of postsecondary electronic instructional materials and related technologies, and higher education representatives to create voluntary accessibility guidelines for instructional materials used in post-secondary educational programs. Supporters argue that as colleges require more digital resources for coursework, materials need to be made accessible to support all students. Opponents to past versions of this bill cite mandatory guidelines as financially burdensome. Recent versions of the bill adjust to make the guidelines voluntary, gaining support of higher education groups.

Supporters:

Reps. David Roe (R-Tenn.), Joe Courtney (D-Conn.); National Federation of the Blind, University Centers on Disabilities, EDUCAUSE, the Association of American Publishers (AAP), the Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA), the American Council on Education (ACE) et al.

Opponents:

None reported.

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