Disability, human rights, and social justice: The ongoing struggle for online accessibility and equality

Authors

  • Paul T. Jaeger University of Maryland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v20i9.6164

Abstract

This paper argues for a reconsideration of the arguments made for online equality for persons with disabilities, using the context of the United States as a primary lens through which to examine the issues. By linking the existing legal protections and professional standards for accessible design to structures and institutions of human rights and social justice from international to local levels, advocates for an accessible online environment will have new opportunities to establish online equality for persons with disabilities within the broader continuum of human rights and social justice. Framing and discussing accessibility as a human issue as much as a legal and technical issue may bring significant changes to the current relationships between disability and the Internet.

Author Biography

Paul T. Jaeger, University of Maryland

Professor, Diversity Officer, and Director of the Master of Library Science (MLS) program of the College of Information Studies and Co-Director of the Information Policy and Access Center at the University of Maryland

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Published

2015-09-10

How to Cite

Jaeger, P. T. (2015). Disability, human rights, and social justice: The ongoing struggle for online accessibility and equality. First Monday, 20(9). https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v20i9.6164