The National Federation of the Blind has awarded Blackboard (News - Alert) Learn its Nonvisual Accessibility Gold Certification, saying that the mobile learning company's software was the most accessible education application that the NFB had tested – making it the first and only learning management system to achieve the certification.

A range of accessibility improvements in Blackboard Learn Release 9.1 enable blind users to more effectively interact with the platform, creating greater opportunities for disabled students and learners to more fully engage in the education and course experience.

The improvements include faster navigation and better form interaction for blind users that make it easier to submit assignments, participate in discussion forums, submit responses to tests, upload files, and create content.

In addition to the certification, Blackboard was awarded the NFB's Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award for "groundbreaking work in accessibility."

"We're committed to ensuring our platform is accessible and engaging for all users whether they use a keyboard, mouse or screen reader," said Jessica Finnefrock, senior vice president of Product Development at Blackboard. "With the help of a passionate group of client advisors, we've enhanced our development process to ensure everything we build and test supports assistive technologies and we've created companion training materials to ensure our clients have the tools they need to support their users in developing engaging, accessible online courses."

In recognition of the award, presented at the NFB 2010 Convention in July, Blackboard launched the Blackboard Accessibility Grant to support further work to enable education for students with disabilities. The new program is supported by the $10,000 Bolotin Award and a $15,000 match from Blackboard, creating five separate grants to fund projects that help further access to education for students with disabilities.

"Online learning empowers student achievement, and Blackboard Learn Release 9.1 represents a significant advancement in access for students and educators," said Dr. Marc Maurer, president of the National Federation of the Blind. "It is clear to us that Blackboard is seriously committed to improving the accessibility of its product. The National Federation of the Blind congratulates and commends Blackboard on this certification, the first we have granted to a learning management system."

As part of its accessibility efforts, Blackboard product development staff will meet regularly with an active community of users, the Blackboard Accessibility Interest Group, to incorporate feedback into the product development cycle. The company also works with this group and several client partners to develop and share resources on supporting more accessible implementations and courses.

"I am wholly convinced that accessibility across the product line is a priority at Blackboard," said Ed Garay, assistant director for academic computing at the University of Illinois at Chicago. "Blackboard spends quality time and extensive resources working with a number of schools to make significant improvements. I have no doubts about Blackboard's commitment to accessibility."