A Forrester Research report (Accessible Technology in Computing - Examining Awareness, Use, and Future Potential [Commissioned by Microsoft, Conducted by Forrester Research, Inc. 2004]) found that 74% of individuals with mild or severe difficulties/impairments use computers, and 57% of computer users are likely or very likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology due to experiencing a mild or severe difficulty/impairment. The impairments covered in this report are varied, and include vision, motor control, hearing, cognitive and speech impairments. An average of 12% of community college students have disabilities, and many of these students will be required to take (or choose to take) one or more computer classes. These students will be able to succeed in your course if your course follows accessibility guidelines.
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) estimates that 21.2 million adult Americans (more than 10% of all adult Americans) reported mild or severe visual impairments. They also estimated back in 2001 that there were 1.5 million visually impaired computer users, including those who are blind based on 1999 US Census data. That number has significantly increased in the 15 years since the 1999 Census.
Providing accessible education to our visually impaired students is important for at least three reasons: it is part of PCC's mission, it is a legal requirement, and it provides students with alternative media formats which support students with different learning styles, not only students with impairments.