4: Who benefits from accessibility?

How does accessibility benefit Texans?

Every day, Texans use technology to access information about state government resources. For example, they may participate in online college classes, look for job at workforce centers, or apply for health care for their children. A primary role of technology in today's government is to simplify access and enable timely and effective delivery of government services. The tremendous growth in the use of e-government services and information by Texans indicates that the investment in these services is greatly valued by our state's citizens.

According to the Texas Department of Information Resources, in fiscal year 2008, Texas state agencies and institutions of higher education spent more than $2.4 billion on information technology. These expenditures included the purchase of goods and services, and the total compensation of all staff that perform functions that are primarily technology-related.

Ensuring that the State spends tax dollars wisely on accessible information technology will help create a marketplace for accessible goods and services to meet business needs, deliver social services to all citizens more efficiently, and expand job opportunities for all citizens by eliminating barriers in the workplace.

Outline

• 1. Introduction
• 2. What is accessibility?
• 3. The Law
• 4: Who benefits from accessibility?
  • People Who Have Difficulty Using Their Hands
  • People With Intellectual Disabilities
  • People with Blindness, Low Vision, or Color Blindness
  • People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
  • The Aging Workforce
  • Texans
  • People Without Disabilities
  • Review
• 5. Make Your Own Workplace Accessible
• 6. Resources