RE: Regarding Accessible Voting

WHEREAS, the Federal Government passed the Help America Vote Act in 2002; AND,

WHEREAS, the State of Nebraska began the implementation and use of accessible electronic voting machines in 2004; AND,

WHEREAS, on October 1, 2012 and following the accessible Automark voting machine in the Lancaster County Election Commission Office was not ready and available for use by blind and other qualified voters who required it for fair and equal early ballotting along with their sighted peers: NOW, THEREFORE,

RE: Regarding Apple & Braille

WHEREAS, Apple has been a game-changer in assistive technology since 2009, with the release of its VoiceOver screen reader; and

WHEREAS, Apple has support for a wide array of Braille displays built into iPhones and other devices running the iOS operating system with VoiceOver; and

RE: Regarding Educational Technology

WHEREAS, the current level of unemployment among the blind is close to 75%; and

WHEREAS, in today’s society, a post-secondary degree from an institution of higher education greatly enhances a person’s chances of obtaining employment; and

WHEREAS, the right to full and equal participation in the steps necessary to obtain a degree is guaranteed by federal law; and

RE: Regarding Nebraska State Historical Society Exhibits at Fort Robinson

WHEREAS, the Nebraska State Historical Society has museums and exhibits of historical events and sites across Nebraska, including Fort Robinson; and

WHEREAS, the Historical society has placed all exhibits at Fort Robinson behind ropes and glass with no models or items that can be touched by visitors; and

WHEREAS, signage for exhibits has poor contrast and is difficult to read with no nonvisual alternative; and

RE: Strengthening Of Accessibility Policies And Practices In State Government

WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, as part of its work to establish the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired in the late 1990’s, assisted in the development of the Nebraska State Technology Access Standard; and

WHEREAS, every State-issued contract for information technology is to contain a Technology Access Clause that upholds this standard; and

WHEREAS, the State purchases a vast variety of electronic hardware and software; and