Providing access to technology for persons with disabilities is not just the law, it is the right thing to do. A significant number of citizens can benefit from technology which is designed to be accessible. The 1990 census indicates that the state's population is about 5,123,000. Technology offers a remarkable opportunity for persons with disabilities to participate in the work of government to a degree unheard of in the past. Persons using adaptive technology can gain access to information never before available.
Federal law requires access to technology.
The ADA contains requirements for new construction of buildings or other facilities, for alterations or renovations of these facilities, and also covers effective communication with people with disabilities. The ADA prohibits excluding persons with disabilities from services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or subjection to discrimination by any such entity. In order to overcome access barriers, persons with disabilities can use a wide range of hardware and software solutions. Screen readers can be used by persons who are blind or who have vision problems. These readers convert information typically viewed on the computer screen to input for a voice synthesizer.