About OER-Access
California State University, MERLOT, Open CourseWare Consortium, and the National Federation of the Blind are working together to support building an open community of educators who can contribute their expertise on accessible technology. We welcome every organization to join our federated community and use MERLOT's open educational services to improve the quality and effectiveness of accessible technologies for all.
"Accessibility and OER: Status and Issues for Higher Education" by Gerry Hanley (MERLOT/Cal State University), Una Daly (Open CourseWare Consortium), and Mark Riccobono (National Federation of the Blind) was presented at the MERLOT/Sloan-C Emerging Technologies for Online Learning Conference July 2012 and represented the launch of our collaboration.
About CSU Accessible Technology Initiative
The mission of the CSU Accessible Technology Initiative is for the CSU system of universities to excel and provide national leadership in using technology that is fully accessible through universal design to its students, faculty, staff and the general public. Our vision is to create a culture of access for an inclusive learning and working environment by applying universal design, an approach to the design of products and services to be usable by the greatest number of people including individuals with disabilities and stimulate collaboration to effect changes that will ultimately benefit all.
About MERLOT
MERLOT is a free and open online community of resources designed primarily for faculty, staff and students of higher education from around the world to share their learning materials and pedagogy. MERLOT is a leading edge, user-centered, collection of peer reviewed higher education, online learning materials, catalogued by registered members and a set of faculty development support services.
About Open Education Consortium (OEC)
The Open Education Consortium is a worldwide community of hundreds of higher education institutions and associated organizations committed to advancing OpenCourseWare and its impact on global education.
About National Federation of the Blind (NFB)
NFB is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.
Steering Committee:
Una Daly, Open Education Consortium
Gerry Hanley, MERLOT
Cheryl Pruitt, CSU Accessible Technology Initiative
Mark Riccobono, National Federation of the Blind