The Idaho State Board of Education recently passed a regulation requiring that all students pass at least two online classes in order to graduate from high school. One of these may be done with help from a classroom teacher, and the other must be done independently.

A Technology Task Force has been meeting over the past several months to work out details as to what technologies will be provided, how attendance will be counted, what the standards for online courses will be, etc.

Idaho H&V is concerned for what this may mean for students with hearing loss. 

Web-based content is rapidly becoming LESS accessible as more sites add video content, which is generally uncaptioned. If you have a pre-school child today, by the time he or she reaches high school, the technology available will likely be very different and may pose challenges we can't even foresee at this point. 

We have recently sent a letter to the Technology Task Force asking them to make sure technologically-delivered instruction is accessible to all students. You can download a copy of that letter here. 

We urge you to let your opinion be heard, too!

You can let the Technology Task Force know about any accessibility concerns you have for your child by going to the Students Come First website. The left side of the home page is a link to "Technology Task Force." You will find a link to "Comments for the Task Force" at the bottom of that page.

Beginning October 5th, the State Board of Education will also accept comments from the public about their new graduation requirement. To do so, go to their website. They will accept comments until the end of the month.

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact us. 

Sincerely, 

Idaho Hands & Voices