When humans complain about violations at Harvard University of disability laws, he or she is referred to the university office on disability. As if that office ensures that the university complies with the laws. In Cambridge there is a long existing Handicap Commission (the official name) with jurisdiction over Harvard and MIT. When a violation is brought to their attention the city commission seeks training sessions for the person or group. It seldom forces the issue which is why so many organizations and businesses fail to fulfill their obligations. Disability advocates do not employ PR flacks as other alleged vulnerable groups do. Add the fact that many organizations (Harvard and MIT included?) do not fear non compliance with laws unless there is a likelihood of a lawsuit. That is how today's lawyers advise their clients. There are numerous taxpayer funded disability rights organizations at state and federal levels. Why have they failed to make this happen as the courses were developed? Not too effective. No disability Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson.
[From article]
The suits came after repeated requests made by the NAD to the University to provide accurate captioning, according to the complaint. Harvard is “fully aware that captioning is necessary” for its online content to be equally accessible, the complaint says.
The complaints against both MIT and Harvard claim that the universities have violated the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The first act requires that places of public accommodation “not deny persons with disabilities” its services, and the second stipulates that education institutions receiving federal financial assistance must provide equal access to all individuals regardless of disabilities.
“Harvard and MIT are covered institutions [under these acts] because they both receive hundreds of millions of dollars in federal support,” Lee said. “The online content and services that the universities provide is for the public as well as the students...I really don’t think there’s really any doubt that these laws apply to Harvard and MIT.”
http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2015/2/13/lawsuit-online-edX-discrimination/
Lawsuit Alleges that Harvard's Online Content Discriminates
By HANNAH SMATI,
Harvard CRIMSON STAFF WRITER
February 12, 2015
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