(EdSource) – This Education Beat Podcast from 1/13/2022 features Roy Payan, a blind student who provides insight into his lived experiences navigating unintentional barriers at college. Eventually Mr. Payan filed a complaint that may land his case before the U.S. Supreme Court.
In 2017, two blind students in the Los Angeles Community College District filed a lawsuit claiming that they and other blind students weren’t given accessible materials in math classes. The students say that without materials in braille or audio, or tutors to read the material out loud, the classes are almost impossible to pass, effectively barring students from transferring to a four-year college.
California’s largest community college district is planning to appeal the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that federal disability rights laws don’t cover “unintentional discrimination.” What impact could this court case have on the rights of students with disabilities?
Guests:
- Roy Payan, Plaintiff and Student
- Carolyn Jones, Reporter, EdSource
Credit: This Week in Accessibility by Brianna Blaser
