February 9, 2016
The Massachusetts District Court rejected MIT's motions for a stay and to dismiss NAD's lawsuit. The ruling also ensured plaintiffs will not have to wait the Department of Justice to issue regulations regarding website accessibility. The court recognized that MIT's and, implicitly, other universities' online education courses, are subject to broad Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act protections, and can be required to provide equal access to people with disabilities.
The Massachusetts District Court rejected MIT's motions for a stay and to dismiss NAD's lawsuit. The ruling also ensured plaintiffs will not have to wait the Department of Justice to issue regulations regarding website accessibility. The court recognized that MIT's and, implicitly, other universities' online education courses, are subject to broad Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act protections, and can be required to provide equal access to people with disabilities.