Proposal

Narrative

In 2009 Florida Atlantic University (FAU) took an important step forward by providing funding for a Technology Fee Proposal that addressed a technological access challenge of not providing equal access to computers in all campus-wide computer lab locations to students with disabilities. As a result of this progressive technology implementation, students with many varieties of learning disabilities, visual impairments and physical disabilities have greatly benefited by having equal access in many FAU computer labs, as well as accommodated testing within Student Accessibility Services (SAS). This initiative has been instrumental in positioning FAU as a highly accessible institution for students of all abilities and has contributed to high standards for technology accessibility noted in subsequent external institutional reviews. This has also resulted in students with disabilities often making FAU their first choice of university due to the level of accessibility available. Product Total Price Texthelp Read and Write Software - 3 Year subscription. Subscription valid from 12/30/2021 until 12/30/2024 $22,618.20 Continuation of Fusion Service Maintenance Agreement (SMA) f0r 30 concurrent licenses. (2 years Jaws & Zoomtext) $9,600 $32,218.20

Facilities

None

Hardware Requirements

N/A

Software Requirements

Texthelp Read and Write software will continue to be available for download via the SAS website or directly from Texthelp. Users will activate the software using their FAU user ID and password using the Google domain. Fusion software will be available for download directly from Freedom Scientific. The link will also be provided by SAS. The licensing server will continue to be provided via a server located in Student Health Services. The Fusion software (comprising JAWS and Zoomtext) uses a concurrent licensing model. This means that licenses do not have to be purchased for every computer, instead the licenses can be utilized anywhere on campus as long as the total number of licenses are not exceeded at any one time. We are requesting the total number of Fusion licenses remain at 30 concurrent users.

Personnel Costs

None

Other Costs

None

Timeline

This is a continuation of of services to have these Accessibility Software Programs available to all students on all campuses in all open labs and for ReadWrite can be downloaded to students personal computer.

Sustainability

This proposal requests funds to continue this successful initiative and maintain the availability of assistive technology software to students in all areas of the university by providing funds for the renewal of a Texthelp Read and Write institutional software license for 3 years. This allows use in all labs, and all FAU students can also use the software on their personal computers. Additionally, the proposal is requesting the renewal of 30 concurrent Fusion licenses which provides JAWS screen reader and Zoomtext magnifier to all students using computers at FAU who are blind or visually impaired.

Resource Matching

N/A

Implementing Organization

Collaboration with Student Accessibility Services, Student Affairs IT staff and OIT.