[K12OSN] OT: Required use of IE by State DOE

[Accessys@smart.net]

to continue (BTW I am not a lawyer)

On Thu, 15 Mar 2007, Julius Szelagiewicz wrote:
> On Thu, 15 Mar 2007, David Hopkins wrote:
>
> > This is off-topic, but apparently the DOE for Delaware is developing
> > software (paying for the development) which will require the use of IE in
> > order to be used.  When asked why, the response is typically of the form
> > 'because that is what we want'.  Now, this is going to impact the use of
> > K12LTSP (or the adoption of anything that is not MS-centric).  So, has
> > anyone come up with a legal requirement that would make requiring the use of
> > a specific browser by a specific vendor on the vendor's hardware illegal?  I
> > don't see how Section 508 can be used to get around this, but perhaps

Section 508 is indeed one way to get past this, a person would have to be
able to actually use the system with generic software.  say for example I
run EMACspeak a video to audio open source screen reader, the software
would be required to work with it, or they would have to purchase for each and
every person who could use the site all software and hardware neccesary to
run say JAWS.

the ADA is very simple too, you cannot be required to purchase something
that is proprietary to access public sites, nor can they use federal money
to create those sites unless they comply.

> > someone on the list knows something.  Delaware is a very very very
> > MS-centric approach to IT.  In fact, the Delaware CIO boasts about the close
> > ties of Delaware and MS.  He was formally the Verizon lobbyist to the state.

yes I know Delaware, they also have a very strong disability rights
coalition, you might want to touch base with them.

Bob


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