Microassist's Accessibility in the News

Microassist's Accessibility in the News is a widely read, free weekly newsletter curated by Jack McElaney. Newsletter sections include a compilation of accessibility articles and blogs, a list of accessibility conferences and training, accessibility job announcements, and a listing of accessibility resource pages.

Featured by Wall Street Journal, its sole purpose is to educate people interested or involved in accessibility related to the Americans with Disabilities Act Title I, II, or III, and Sections 504 and 508 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act. It also covers numerous international topics from all over the world.

Past issues of Microassist's Accessibility in the News are archived and searchable on this website.

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U.S. Access Board Aligns Section 508 Accessibility Requirements to WCAG 2.0—Will the Department of Justice Follow Suit?

By Jack McElaney | January 19, 2017 | |

Accessibility in the News—01/19/17. At least six of our curated articles this week provide insights on the U.S. Access Board’s recent updates to Section 508 accessibility standards—the standards that federal government and government contractors use to make information technology, such as software and websites, accessible to all. The update aligns Section 508 organization and requirements with internationally accepted standards and ever-converging technologies. Be sure to check out the training opportunities[…]

Accessible Websites, Arts, Education, and Citizenry

By Jack McElaney | January 13, 2017 | |

Accessibility in the News—01/13/17. The recent update by the U.S. Access Board was perhaps the biggest news item this week. It formally aligns its website accessibility standards with other globally recognized standards, including WCAG 2.0., going as far as applying WCAG’s Level A and AA success criteria to websites, electronic documents, and software [Source: U.S. Access Board]. As Lexology reports, many see this as the writing on the wall for non-government websites[…]

Astronomy, Architecture, Aging, and the Access Board

By Jack McElaney | January 6, 2017 | |

Accessibility in the News—1/6/17 In this issue, accessibility in the digital, housing, and transportation realms gets a lot of attention. At the intersection of digital and government policies, the US Access Board prepares to launch a long-awaited update to its electronic information rules for federal procurements and telecommunications, and the Federal Communications Commission grants video games a waiver extension. Businesses continue to evaluate both risk and value of online accessibility. In housing,[…]

Responses to Website ADA Compliance; An End-of-Year Accessibility News Note

By Jack McElaney | December 23, 2016 | |

Accessibility in the News—12/23/16 A note from our AITN curator, Jack McElaney It has been a fast moving and productive year in the accessibility world and collectively we have made some very good progress and influenced some positive changes for countless people. I want to thank each of you for your hard work, dedication, and contributions that have benefited the accessibility community. Special thanks to the many individuals that have[…]

DOJ Weighs in on Winn Dixie Accessibility Case; Accessibility Awards and Solutions

By Jack McElaney | December 16, 2016 | |

Editor’s note: This December 16, 2016 edition of Accessibility in the News was originally published following US Department of Justice activity related to the Gil v. Winn-Dixie case. The case is back in the headlines following the decision of an appeal filed on behalf of Winn-Dixie. For the latest news around the case, and other news on legal activity around the Americans with Disabilities Act, visit our Accessibility in the[…]

Accessible Web Design: Governments Tackle It, Businesses Pressed to Do the Same

By Jack McElaney | December 16, 2016 | |

Accessibility in the News—12/11/16 In this issue of Accessibility in the News (AITN), government organizations at all levels and around the world, as well as institutions of higher education, continue to advance online accessibility through policy and new websites that are navigable and usable by individuals with disabilities. Businesses and industry are taking notice. Not only is accessible web design becoming increasingly subject to ADA requirements in the US (See “What[…]

Travel, School, Workplace Accessibility: Results May Vary

By Jack McElaney | December 6, 2016 | |

Accessibility in the News—12/06/16 In this issue of Accessibility in the News (AITN), various levels of government, institutions of higher education, and faith-based organizations are pressing forward to make their environments more inclusive for patrons and employees. Texas schools receive sharp admonitions to change their approach in serving students with disabilities. Transportation and travel stories cover a range of conditions that either hamper or help getting from one place to the next. Technology[…]

ADA Violations, Online and Off; Access Innovations Target News, Apps, Transit

By Jack McElaney | November 30, 2016 | |

Accessibility in the News—11/25/16 The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is front and center in this issue of Accessibility in the News (AITN). Originally affecting physical spaces, the federal government continues to take seriously reports of ADA violations, such as those in Sioux Falls, Iowa. Litigation experts are advising banking and retail industries about the growing need to apply those principles in digital environments, noting the upward trend of websites targeted for alleged[…]

Digital Learning Initiatives, ADA Title III, Accessibility Awareness Initiatives

By Jack McElaney | November 23, 2016 | |

Accessibility in the News—11/17/16 Calls for equal access and nondiscriminatory practices span Trump properties, fitness centers, and more. Many of these calls are in the form of legal actions: 2016 saw an increase in website accessibility demand letters for both banking and real estate, and industry leaders are calling attention to implement online access practices. Other calls take the form of digital learning initiatives and helps, as well as industry and personal accomplishments[…]

Industries Weigh in on Website and Mobile App Accessibility Litigation

By Jack McElaney | November 10, 2016 | |

Accessibility in the News—11/10/16 In this issue of Accessibility in the News (AITN), advocacy in the U.S. and abroad is resulting in a higher profile for online accessibility for websites and mobile apps, and the importance of accessibility in a democratic elections process. Retail, banking, and real estate industry publications weigh in on the importance of online accessibility and the very real possibility of ADA litigation. Articles also cover training[…]