Accessibility in the News — 3/29/19.
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AITN Quote of the Week
“We are taught to understand, correctly, that courage is not the absence of fear, but the capacity for action despite our fears.”
― John McCain
National News (U.S.)
Individuals with visual impairment can ‘see’ through device that turns digital images into physical sensations
March 6, 2019 | Source:Phys.org |
David Schwarte, an assistive technology specialist on the Innovative Learning Team at Purdue University, knows what it is like to learn in a classroom when challenged with a visual impairment.
Schwarte, who has a visual impairment, says it is nearly impossible to understand what a professor is talking about when teaching from a PowerPoint on a large screen. To understand what is happening, the student has to depend on either an audio description or a 3-D-printed mockup of the image on screen…
Why companies who hire people with disabilities outperformed their peers
March 13, 2019 | Source: Fast Company |
Hiring and supporting employees with disabilities isn’t just a matter of corporate social responsibility or public relations; it’s just good business. According to a recent study of 140 U.S. companies by Accenture–alongside the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and Disability:IN–those that offered the most inclusive working environment for disabled employees achieved an average of 28% higher revenue, 30% greater economic profit margins, and twice the net income of their industry peers between 2015 and 2018…
This is why presidential campaigns shouldn’t overlook ADA accessibility
March 15, 2019 | Source: The Gazette |
When Harry Olmstead arrived last week to a campaign stop in Iowa City, he was disappointed to find the basement venue, where 2020 presidential hopeful Andrew Yang was speaking, accessible only by stairs. Olmstead, who uses a wheelchair, said he returned home when he could not access the Iowa City Yacht Club’s basement, where Yang participated in a March 13 Political Party Live podcast recording. An advocate for a more accessible community, Olmstead said his experience was not unique…
Even in Grief, I Still Have Pride
March 21, 2019 | Source: The New York Times |
“Kristen has passed away.” I’ll never forget learning that my best friend died. I was only 11 years old. We lived in the same town and attended school together. She had spina bifida as well as problems with her kidneys. After years of dialysis, it was kidney failure that ultimately killed Kristen. Now, at 37, I have lost count of the number of loved ones who have died. I do know that it is well over 20. Friends have died. Colleagues have died. Romantic partners have died. Even my first love died a few years ago. Each year I lose at least a few people I care about, and I don’t expect that to change…
How to Make Design Thinking More Disability Inclusive
March 22, 2019 | Source: Stanford Social Innovation Review |
Jazmine was a thoughtful and curious student who worked hard to earn good grades at her San Francisco Bay Area public high school in hopes of attending college. “Being blind meant that it took me longer to complete homework assignments, especially in science and math classes,” she says. “There were times I didn’t have my [braille display or screen reading software installed] for months because the principal said it wasn’t worth spending money on. He said I probably wouldn’t graduate from high school anyway.”…
Do wheelchairs belong on hiking trails?
March 22, 2019 | Source: San Francisco Chronicle |
Bob Coomber remembers a moment from 15 years ago like it happened yesterday. The seasoned hiker was about to set out along the summit trail to San Jacinto Peak, a mountain near Palm Springs known for its scenic hikes, when he encountered an obstacle he couldn’t immediately surmount: two park rangers who wouldn’t let a wheelchair on the trail. “I was just heading to the trailhead when they came running after me,” Coomber recalls. “They were shouting, ‘Wait! Wait! That trail’s not ADA-certified!’”…
Task force report includes recommendations for making ride-hailing apps more accessible
March 22, 2019 | Source: WXXI News & PDF |
A task force in New York has released a report recommending ways ride-hailing services could improve access for people with wheelchairs or other mobility devices. When legislation was authorized allowing Uber and Lyft to operate statewide, it included the Transportation Network Company (TNC) Accessibility Task Force to improve the services for people with disabilities. In their latest report, they cite incentives to include more accessible vehicles and driver education as ways to improve how the apps can serve these customers…
Partners Bring On-Demand ADA Options to Riders in Downtown Area
March 22, 2019 | Source: Lasentinel |
The assisted-rider community of Los Angeles will now have access to FlexLA’s affordable, on-demand ride sharing services thanks to a grant from the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) to ButterFLi, an LA-based transportation provider for Angelinos with accessibility challenges. FASTLinkDTLA Transportation Management Organization (TMO), in partnership with LADOT, oversees the microtransit pilot program FlexLA, a service available downtown in the evenings when public transit service is less frequent…
Heartwarming Duo: Couple Gets Their Blind Dog His Own Seeing-Eye Dog
March 23, 2019 | Source: CBS |
It’s a common thing to see a person with vision problems using a seeing-eye dog. On National Puppy Day of all days, meet the adorable pup that’s found his calling being the seeing-eye dog for another four-legged friend. Charlie, an 11-year-old golden retriever, was suffering from severe glaucoma in 2016 when his owners were forced to have doctors remove their friend’s left eye. A year later, Adam and Chelsea Stipe had to have Charlie’s right eye removed as well – leaving the senior dog completely blind…
Website ADA compliance: What it is, how it works and why you need to do it
March 25, 2019 | Source: Business Matters |
The United States’ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is one of the most confusing and complicated legislative directives regarding website accessibility. In 1990, towards stifling discrimination against those with disabilities, the Americans with Disabilities Act became law. According to Digital Authority Partners, the ADA indicates that no one should be discriminated against owing to his/her disability regarding the complete and equivalent access to and enjoyment of all services, goods, advantages, privileges, facilities, or accommodations of any location of “public accommodation”…
Increased Accessibility In The Literary Arts: Awp’s Events Guide And Beyond
March 25, 2019 | Source: PEN America |
Disabled writers face a wide range of issues, including lack of access to literary events and accessible print or online material, residencies and educational opportunities that are inaccessible, and lack of access to publishing markets, literary outlets and readership, social networking, and connections with the wider literary community. Disabled people don’t often see themselves among images presented in media, in writing, and in the arts…
What Ableism Looks Like to a Person with CMT
March 25, 2019 | Source: Charcot-Marie-Tooth News |
Ableism is discrimination or prejudice against people with disabilities. It can occur in many ways — some ways subtle and others overt. A person with a disability may experience ableism as unwelcome stares or a building or event being inaccessible. Though I have encountered ableism for ages, I hadn’t realized there was a name for it, nor had I considered such instances to be discrimination. I have had Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) type 1A for as long as I can remember. I wear ankle-foot orthoses to help with my mobility and balance, and I use a cane when walking long distances…
ADA compliance at Norwalk schools under review
March 25, 2019 | Source: Greenwich Time |
What are some of the accessibility challenges remaining at Norwalk Public Schools? That’s a question Melissa Marshall Disability Policy Consulting looks to answer if the Common Council approves an agreement with the group Tuesday night. In 2013, the city contracted with Independent Living Resources to develop Norwalk’s Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance and Transition Plan, according to a letter from Anna Keegan, the interim director of Human Relations and Fair Rent. At that time, nine of the schools had barriers to accessibility identified and work began to remove those, Keegan said….
How to Find Wheelchair-Accessible Ubers
March 25, 2019 | Source: Lifehacker |
Let’s face it—we take ride-hailing apps like Uber for granted. In less than three minutes’ time, we can hail a ride with a few phone clicks. It’s like magic. But for those who require wheelchairs, scooters, or other mobility-assistance devices, historically, there’s been an enormous gap with regard to fair and equal access to accessible transportation. In 2018, a number of lawsuits by disabilities rights advocates have alleged that Uber has long discriminated against those in wheelchairs…
Adapting Technology and Building an Accessibility Community at the University of California
March 25, 2019 | Source: EDUCAUSE Review |
It’s a given. We all support accessibility for people with disabilities, right? After all, we’re higher ed. We care. Why, then, is web accessibility still such a challenge for colleges and universities? Well, for starters, accessibility seems daunting to launch, and it’s resource intensive; requires behavior change, yet there’s no easy checklist; and feels like us against the world because governmental agencies insist that we implement accessibility (but don’t issue regulations), while suppliers act as though they’ve never heard of accessibility at all…
Accessibility remains an issue on WKU’s campus
March 26, 2019 | Source: College Heights Herald |
WKU students with disabilities face many challenges on campus including buildings without elevators, stair-filled pathways cutting through campus, classrooms with bad acoustics and very limited test-taking times. The Americans with Disabilities Act originally passed in 1990, and the ADA Amendments Act passed in 2008. Both acts protect Americans with physical and mental disabilities from discrimination. This includes physical disabilities such as paralysis and cerebral palsy as well as mental disabilities such as attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder and dyslexia…
Film Festivals Are Failing Disabled Attendees – Here’s How They Can Fix It
March 26, 2019 | Source: /FILM |
When it comes to the state of disability access, one thing is for certain: we are an afterthought. It’s remarkable to think that with all the ingenuity in architecture and discussions about representation that disability continuously falls through the cracks. I’ve lived as a wheelchair user my whole life and never felt limited until I started working as a film critic. No, the nature of writing and seeing movies isn’t a problem. But as any writer will tell you, a key component of this job is going to film festivals…
Cabs for MTA riders with disabilities
March 26, 2019 | Source: amNY |
The “stuck” moment came for Valerie Joseph about a year and a half ago when she was trying to get to work near Jay Street-MetroTech. She got off the train and pressed the button for the elevator. It didn’t work. That was a problem for Joseph, 42, who uses a wheelchair due to a spinal cord disability. She sighed. Emergency personnel came. Eight firefighters helped her, two to carry her body and 6 for her chair, which weighed some 400 pounds. No wonder Joseph is leary of riding the subway, the majority of whose stations aren’t wheelchair accessible…
Spotify is still hungry for podcast companies, gobbling up Parcast
March 26, 2019 | Source: Nieman Journalism Lab at Harvard |
Podcasts and the question of accessibility is a vital, important topic. This recent article by the writer Robert W. Kingett — about how he experiences podcast websites via his screen reader and how poorly many are set up for visually impaired people — really grabbed my attention. I got in touch with Kingett to find out more about his thoughts on accessibility and the podcast industry, and what changes he believes need to be made to improve matters…
After Years of Failed Attempts to Get the San Jose Sharks to Comply with the ADA, Blind Fans Resort to Lawsuit
March 26, 2019 | Source: Sport Techie & DRA |
As the San Jose Sharks clinch their fourth-consecutive berth to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, blind hockey fans take aim at the NHL team’s failure to ensure equal access to the digital fan experience. The San Jose Sharks + SAP Center mobile application—a key digital piece of fans’ interaction with the stadium and the team—is ubiquitously inaccessible via the assistive technology, called screen readers, that blind individuals use to access such services. Marco Salsiccia has been a San Jose Sharks fan ever since the team’s inaugural season in 1991….
New Accessibility Requirements in Effect for Video Game Software
March 26, 2019 | Source: Perkins Coie |
As of January 1, 2019, video game developers and publishers are now subject to certain accessibility requirements under the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) that apply to manufacturers and providers of advanced communications services (ACS). Among other things, video game developers and publishers are required to keep records of their efforts to comply with the ACS accessibility requirements, and they must submit annual recordkeeping compliance certifications to the FCC, the first of which is due for video game developers and publishers on April 1, 2020…
City of Colorado Springs agrees to settle second ADA lawsuit in 6 months
March 27, 2019 | Source: KOAA |
The City of Colorado Springs has agreed to settle the case by making a commitment to install over 15,000 accessible curb ramps throughout the city over the next 14 years. Patricia Yager, CEO of the Independence Center, is a fierce advocate for people with disabilities and knows the plaintiffs in this case. “I know that they are thrilled and can’t wait to be able to just roll out their door and realize they don’t have to worry about whether there’s a curb cut down there or not,” she said…
NIU welcomes closed-caption editor
March 27, 2019 | Source: NIU Today |
In an effort to ensure that NIU’s learning environment is inclusive and accessible to all students, Amylin Hendrix-Ziegelbauer joins the Huskie team as a closed-caption editor to serve students who are deaf or hard of hearing as well as anyone who may benefit from closed-captioning services. “I’m looking forward to working in a position that allows me to simultaneously work creatively and work for anyone who needs that little extra help to succeed,” Hendrix-Ziegelbauer said. “I’m hoping to provide multiple benefits to the faculty and students at large.”…
With IPO on tap, Lyft faces suit over wheelchair accessibility
March 28, 2019 | Source: The Mercury News |
Just days before Lyft’s initial public offering, the ride-hailing company is facing a class-action lawsuit over accessibility. The Disability Rights Association asserts that Lyft has failed to make its drivers’ vehicles accessible to riders with wheelchairs. The suit, filed last week in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, doesn’t seek any monetary damages, but wants Lyft to modify its policies and practices to include ready access to wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAV) for riders who need such services…
An unexpected pathway to treating neurodegenerative diseases
March 27, 2019 | Source: The Conversation |
Scientific success stories can sometimes occur when therapies being studied for one disease can be used to treat another. In the case of the drug we have been studying in my lab, this is especially important because it could be used to develop a drug for Alzheimer’s. This cancer drug, lonafarnib, may be able to rid the cell of abnormal tau proteins and the clumps of tau protein called tangles that, together with other abnormal proteins called senile plaques, are the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease…
Disability Representation Is Seriously Lacking In TV And Movies: Report
March 27, 2019 | Source: Huffington Post |
People with disabilities are sorely lacking in representation both on screen and behind the camera, according to a new report funded by the Ford Foundation. The “Road Map for Inclusion” report, released Wednesday, details how few disabled people are seen in movies and on TV and calls for proportional representation going forward. That means there should be 1 in 4 people “both in front of and behind the camera” with disabilities ― which would match the 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. who live with a disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention…
“I’m praying for the Special Olympics’: A special-needs athlete responds to Betsy DeVos
March 27, 2019 | Source: The Washington Post |
Derek “Tank” Schottle dreams of racing in the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando. Maybe one day, he adds softly, he would even like to compete on the global stage. For now, he has been training diligently should he be selected for the national contest, aiming to lose weight in preparation for the pentathlon, an event combining cross-country running, swimming, riding, fencing and shooting. But on Tuesday, his athletic fate suddenly seemed to slip further from his control…
New SASS project to increase accessibility of digital content
March 28, 2019 | Source: Kenyon Collegian |
On March 18, the Kenyon office of Student Accessibility and Support Services (SASS) sent an all-campus email announcing SensusAccess, a file-conversion program intended to make digital resources easier to use. The email featured a graphic of a cartoon robot translating dozens of files, which — in accordance with the project’s accessibility goals — included a descriptive caption, allowing students with visual impairments to view it. SensusAccess can be accessed through the Kenyon website and supports over two dozen file types…
On the Early Web, People With Disabilities Found Community and Autonomy
March 28, 2019 | Source: Gizmodo |
Growing up in rural Oregon, Erin Lauridsen didn’t have a lot of contact with blind people like herself. She recalls there being one other blind person in her town, but they were much older and, unlike Lauridsen, had lost their vision later in life. So when her family got dial-up internet during her high school years in the late ‘90s, she said the first thing she did was find other blind students online, people she could relate to who were already out in the world living their lives. She read their stories. She got to know them…
Reforming Elections Without Excluding Disabled Voters
March 28, 2019 | Source: Center For American Progress |
On Wednesday, Sens. Tom Udall (D-NM) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced the Senate’s companion to H.R. 1, the For the People Act, ambitious legislation designed to increase the security and integrity of American elections. If passed, some provisions of this bill could represent meaningful steps to address the fact that the voting rights of the disability community are alarmingly truncated. Although 25 percent of the U.S. population is disabled, voter turnout in the disability community lags nearly 6 percentage points behind that of nondisabled people…
Jack Fact — According to Arthritis New Zealand more than 670,000 people in New Zealand have arthritis and this number is projected to increase to one million by 2040 meaning that the necessity of good packaging design will become more important to more people, making it a critical element for all manufacturers and suppliers to consider.
Hit The Road Jack —10 accessible cities to visit across the UK for anyone with a disability
International News
New Zealand launches shopping website for disabled people
March 22, 2019 | Source: Stuff- New Zealand |
An online shopping website for disabled people has been launched in New Zealand, the first of its kind in the world. All is For All curates local designer clothing and presents it on models with different needs. The website was launched by 2017 Young New Zealander of the Year nominee and lifelong wheelchair user, Grace Stratton. “Myself, and the many friends I have who live with various access needs can’t easily find the information we need, when clothes shopping online,” says Stratton, who was born with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy…
Karnataka govt introduces accessibility features for elections, disability groups raise questions
March 22, 2019 | Source: NewzHook- India |
Kerala govt promises accessible elections, introduces volunteers at polling booths
March 26, 2019 | Source: NewzHook- India
Election Commission of India’s accessible election promises face the acid test. Will it perform or fail?
March 27, 2019 Source: NewzHook- India
How Nagaland is trying to host disabled-friendly polls this year
March 28, 2019 | Source: EastMojo- India
With Lok Sabha elections 2019 fast approaching, government is doing everything to ensure full participation of voters. Hence, people with all kinds of disabilities are going to be provided with facilities to go to polling booths and cast their votes. The Karnataka state government and Election Commission of India (ECI) have promised that they will clear all road blocks and ensure ensure maximum participation of disabled people. In Karnataka alone, there are over 4 lakh people with disabilities…
Royal Commission: At least $2 billion investment needed to reduce home care package waiting times
March 23, 2019 | Source: Talking Aged Care- Australia |
Assistant Secretary of In Home Aged Care at the Department of Health, Fiona Buffinton agrees the wait for home care packages is too long and is the result of “unprecedented demand and growth”. She says in order to get all people on the waiting list engaged with a Level 2 home care package at a three month waiting period, an additional $800 million would need to be added to the current $2.6 billion home care investment. But this amount increases significantly if older Australians were expected to wait three months for a package that accurately reflects and meets their needs…
Improved accessibility goal of recent community audit in Labrador West
March 22, 2019 | Source: The Compass- Canada |
If you ask Labrador City resident Craig Foley how accessible the area is to people with disabilities, the number is disappointing. “On a scale of 10? I’d give it a three,” says Foley, who has been using a wheelchair for the past 20 years after being injured in a workplace accident. “Some of the biggest issues I have surround parking. Not a lot of places have adequate parking, and sometimes getting from the parking space to a building can be difficult,” he says. Snow often isn’t cleared well, making it difficult to get wheelchairs to entrances, he says. Sometimes, ramps aren’t cleared of snow, either…
A New Makeup Brand Is Making Mascara Wands More Accessible for People With Disabilities
March 22, 2019 | Source: Allure& Elle &Glamour & Huffington Post- UK |
Many of us go through our daily routines without giving a second thought to how challenging many everyday activities — like a beauty regimen — can be for those with disabilities. The shape of some makeup products, for example, isn’t always universally conducive to being picked up or held. So a new brand called Grace has made it its mission to address that second thought and make it a priority to offer accessories that modify packaging so makeup can be more accessible to those with physical challenges…
Ancient meets accessibility as Jerusalem makes Old City wheelchair-friendly
March 24, 2019 | Source: The Times of Israel & Sun Sentinel &The Jewish Press |
Jerusalem isn’t known for smooth sidewalks, but the city can now claim four kilometers of wheelchair- and stroller-friendly streets in its heavily visited Old City. Extensive renovations were made on some 90 percent of the streets, sidewalks and alleyways in the Muslim, Armenian and Christian quarters of the Old City, said Gura Berger, a spokeswoman for the project. “It’s a project that’s been in the works for about 15 years,” said Berger. “It’s all about making a 3,000-year-old city more accessible, but it isn’t easy to do.”…
President Rivlin hosted an event to mark World Autism Awareness Day
March 25, 2019 | Source: The Jewish Voice- Israel |
President Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin on Sunday 24 March / 17 Adar II, hosted an event at Beit HaNasi for the first time to mark World Autism Awareness Day, which falls each year on April 2. Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman, children and adults on the autism spectrum and representatives of various NGOs also participated in the event. During the event, 11-year old Roi Mor, who was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum at the age of a year and a half, performed an original composition called ‘Harmony’. Roi has exceptional musical talents and he composed this piece at the age of 10…
View from India: Wheelchair-accessible maps for the differently abled
March 25, 2019 | Source: E&T Magazine- India |
Researchers with the Global Disability Innovation Hub, co-led by UCL (University College London) in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-Delhi), are developing wheelchair-accessible maps of Delhi, India. Described as Street Rehab, the collaborative project has been conceptualized with innovative sensing platforms. This is how it works. UCL has arrived at low-cost sensors that can identify features of the sidewalk and gauge how wheelchair or tricycle users propel themselves…
St Andrews and North East Fife to benefit from Accessibility Destination App
March 26, 2019 | Source: Best Brothers Group- Ireland |
The St Andrews Beach Wheelchairs service has been hugely popular since the launch at the start of the 2018 tourism season, with over one hundred bookings in the first summer of operation and customers travelling from all over Scotland to use the beach-friendly wheelchairs and enjoy the additional St Andrews tourism offering. With the 2019 beach wheelchairs seasonal service planned for opening on 15th April, visitors with accessibility requirements will also benefit from the ability to download a new Accessibility Destination App which will list businesses…
Wheelchair user denied access to accessible club because music is ‘too rowdy’
March 26, 2019 | Source: Yahoo- UK |
A wheelchair user has claimed she was prevented from entering a London nightclub by bouncers because the music was “too rowdy”. Lucy Webster, a BBC journalist, was enjoying a night out at the weekend with friends when she tried to get into Aquum in Clapham. In her summary of the incident as a series of tweets, she describes how after leaving the first bar they were at because the lift to the dance floor was broken, they went to another club, only to be turned away at the door…
Twitter thread shows reality of a night out in a wheelchair
March 26, 2019 | Source: Metro- UK |
Despite it not being totally surprising that disabled people still experience discrimination, it’s still shocking that in 2019 it’s so blatant. Journalist Lucy Webster documented her experience of a night out in London, exposing just how inaccessible and discriminatory many people and venues are. Her Twitter thread on the subject starts at a bar where (despite the lift to the dance floor being broken) things go relatively well. When Lucy and her friends decide to go on to a club, however, is when things go downhill…
Making a difference in equity, human rights, and accessibility
March 26, 2019 | Source: Queen’s Gazette- Canada |
There are many people and groups at Queen’s working toward making the university a more welcoming and inclusive place. Four of these Queen’s community members were recognized on March 19 as the annual Tri-Awards were handed out by the Human Rights and Equity Office. This year’s celebration event also featured a round-table discussion, moderated by Stephanie Simpson, Associate Vice-Principal Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion, that brought together community members to discuss the future of higher education and Queen’s University in particular, through the lens of diversity, inclusion and equity.
Don’t dwell on what you can’t do’: travelling with disabilities
March 27, 2019 | Source: Guardian- UK |
Disability hasn’t stopped these travellers from seeing the world. They talk about their experiences and offer tips on taking trips – and how the travel industry needs to change. About Jay, I was born in Nigeria, where I contracted polio. It limits my mobility because my left leg is smaller and shorter than my right. I’ve had it since my first birthday, so it’s all I’ve ever known. Scoliosis was also an issue for me and I had to wear a back brace until I was 18. I moved to London when I was four but it wasn’t until my late teens that my parents even allowed me to travel on a local bus on my own…
MPs Urge Government To Step Up Plans For Fully Accessible Railway Stations For Disabled Passengers
March 27, 2019 | Source:RightsInfo- UK |
MPs made a powerful plea to the Government to ramp up efforts to ensure accessible railway stations in Britain for disabled people. Debating in Parliament on Wednesday, members argued that despite “generous” public funds being set aside for improvements and initiatives such as the Access For All programme, many stations “still lack the facilities” to cater for “the disabled, the elderly and those who are simply struggling with heavy luggage or push chairs”…
NTEC awards business champions who strive for inclusivity, accessibility
March 27, 2019 | Source: Thorold News- Canada |
Gary Beynon needed help in his kitchen at Doc Magilligan’s Irish Pub. “We needed a dishwasher and someone to butter toast,” explained the executive chef, reflecting on his relationship with NTEC (Niagara Training and Employment Agency). “Within a week, I had two great employees,” said the Niagara Falls business leader. “Job coaches come in and work with the employee the first couple hours of the shift. When Brett came in, he was very shy. He started buttering toast and now he’s a line cook. He cooks and helps out with every aspect of the breakfast…
Province names Accessibility Standard Development Committee members
March 28, 2019 | Source: Halifax Today- Canada |
Thirty-nine Nova Scotians will help develop the province’s first accessibility standards. “This is another significant milestone in reaching our goal of an accessible province by 2030,” said Justice Minister Mark Furey. “I want to thank all the individuals who applied to serve on the committees and I especially want to congratulate the individuals who will contribute to this important work.” The Education Standard Development Committee will develop recommendations for standards to make the education system more accessible for students with disabilities…
Nicola Golfari designs Lifetools objects for people with or without disabilities
March 28, 2019 | Source: Dezeen- Italy |
Italian designer Nicola Golfari has created a series of household objects that make everyday tasks easier for people with disabilities, including a folding shower seat and a tilting mirror. Each object in the Lifetools collection is based on the principles of Design for All, which state that design should respect the diversity of users and be accessible for all. They should be safe, functional, sustainable, affordable, straightforward to use, and appealing…
Studio works with young disabled musicians to create “accessible” identity for orchestra
March 28, 2019 | Source: Design Week- UK |
Fiasco Design studio has worked with members of the National Open Youth Orchestra (NOYO) to create a new visual identity for the inclusive music organisation. NOYO was launched in September 2018 as a platform for young disabled musicians in the UK. The orchestra is open to 11-25-year-olds with physical and learning disabilities who play an instrument or have a “passion for music”, as well as young non-disabled musicians…
Ford government plan would make student fees to support accessibility on some campuses optional
March 28, 2019 | Source: Globalnews- Canada |
Global News has learned fees to support students with disabilities and accessibility issues will now be deemed optional on some campuses across Ontario. In January, Training, Colleges and Universities Minister Merrilee Fullerton announced what the government calls a “student choice initiative,” a new fee model which allows students to choose what they want to pay for and how that money will be allocated. At the time, the ministry said fees for essential campus health and safety initiatives would continue to be mandatory. Fullerton did not give specifics on compulsory fees…
March of Dimes Canada to host conference on accessibility, inclusion in London
March 28, 2019 | Source: Globalnews- Canada |
An organization known for helping people with physical disabilities is set to host a special conference in the Forest City. Hosted by the March of Dimes Canada, Opening Doors for Accessibility London will run at the Best Western Plus Lamplighter Inn and Conference Centre on Wellington Road on Friday, March 29. The event will feature sessions on adaptive cooking, travel and driving, accessible housing and care-giving solutions. “We actually do these conferences across Canada,” March of Dimes Canada spokesperson Mary Lynne Stewart told Global News Radio 980 CFPL…
Accessibility Blogs and Information
- GoPro: The Blind Cook – Christine Ha
- Improving Website Accessibility- Key Medium
- Making Dartmouth accessible- Alessandra Necamp
- We want a private and independent vote too!- Karen Koch
- How Small Businesses Use Websites in 2019- Kelsey Mckeon
- Concordia’s inaccessibility needs to be addressed- The Concordian
- Enhanced accessibility with Ally- North Dakota University System
- Build a House With Universal Design for All Ages- Creators Syndicate
- How to make sure that your product is accessible to all users- TechCrunch (Subscription Required)
- InterContinental Hotels Hit With ADA Suit Over Booking Sites- Law360 (Subscription Required)
- Does your company’s website need to be ADA compliant?- Leading-Edge Law
- 9th Circuit Reverses ADA Ruling Favorable to Businesses- Hunton Andrews Kurth
- Web Accessibility 101: A Beginner’s Guide To Digital Inclusivity- Aaron Bramwell
- What You Should Know About the European Accessibility Act (EAA)- 3Play Media
- 20 Colleges With Great Inclusion Programs for Students With Disabilities- The Mighty
- 5 Ways To Keep Your JDAIM Energy Going Strong Through The Year- Jewish Week
- ‘Onslaught’ of Vision-Related ADA Lawsuits Filed Across United States- The Apopka Voice
- ADA Roundup: Bomb Cyclones, Website Accessibility, And Increased Lawsuits- David Titmus
- Dos and don’ts of working with an interpreter- National Union of British Sign Language Interpreters
- Call for Proposals – The ICT Accessibility Testing Symposium- ICT Accessibility Testing Symposium
- Your Special District Must Have a Website — and it Should be ADA Compliant- Best Best & Krieger
- Evaluation of image accessibility for visually impaired users- Journal of Accessibility and Design for All
- How does a wheelchair user or otherwise mobility impaired person escape from a burning building?- Disability Horizons
- A Report on Texas Service Animal Issues and Proposed Solutions- Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities (PDF)
- Domino’s To Ask Supreme Court To Consider Whether ADA Website/Mobile App Accessibility Lawsuits Violate Due Process- Seyfarth Shaw
Accessibility Announcements and Products
- Yorkshire To Host Accessible Tourism Conference
- Sensory Playground Equipment Unveiled At South Park
- SF State professor and disability rights activist Anita Silvers dies
- Air travel made simple for wheelchair users with the easyTravelseat!
- With $29 Million In Backing, MIT Launches Down Syndrome Center
- As Canada’s Population Grows Older, This Stock Will Make You Richer
- Suffolk County Historical Society opens its doors to people of all abilities
- Top accessible music venues – as voted in the Outstanding Attitude Awards
- Pinellas County’s new ADA accessible playgrounds feature inclusive design
- The benefits of Horseplay- Universal accessibility is focus for Camp Red Cedar
- Waynesville seeks input on Americans with Disabilities Act self-evaluation survey
- The Accessibility Group To Host Disability Expo In September At The ICC Wales
- Savaria Presents the Best Year in Its History Revenue up 56% and Adjusted EBITDA up 31%
- IAAP approves Siteimprove Accessibility Courses as Continuing Accessibility Education Credits
- AUDIOEYE, INC. (OTCMKTS:AEYE) Files An 8-K Results of Operations and Financial Condition
- Leaf Home Solutions Names LeafFilter CSO Chris Counahan as President of newly-launched Leaf Home Safety Solutions
- No Barriers, Wells Fargo Announce Winning 2018 Global Impact Challenge Schools & Open Teacher Applications for 2019 Opportunity
Accessibility Forums, Tips, and Gaming
- Accessibility Insights- Microsoft
- WebAIM Color Contrast Checker
- Improving Android Accessibility with Stetho
- Apple’s new feature a step towards digital apartheid
- WCAG 2.0 AA Compliance: Broken same-page link
- Pro-Tips And Scripts: Autistic Accessibility In Music
- SEOs frustrated by Google’s belated pagination announcement
- Microsoft Now Offers Accessibility Insights as Open Source Code
- Microsoft’s new Chromium-based Edge leaks as Insider rollout nears
- Thread: a Example of the PDF document with accessible radiobuttons
- Microsoft open sources Accessibility Insights- ComputerWeekly.com
- New Telegram update brings privacy improvements, accessibility features
- Android trojan exploits Accessibility Services for the disabled to autofill forms
- A win for accessibility: Google Stadia will support the Xbox Adaptive Controller
- Android Accessibility Suite 7.3 exits beta, brings screen search and other TalkBack additions
Accessibility Statements
- NOPTA
- Kew Gardens
- Alexander Wang
- University of Sussex
- Wittenburg University
- College of Ag Sciences- Penn State
- National Disability Rights Network
- S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
- The President’s Volunteer Service Award
- The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology – University of Oxford
Microassist Digital Accessibility Services
Have you received an accessibility demand letter because of your website or application? Please contact us for any questions you have about our accessibility services and how we might support your organization.
Services include:
- Accessible Website and Application Development— We rely heavily on accessibility best practices and using HTML5 and ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) standards to build WCAG-compliant and human-tested accessible environments. Our teams are proficient in open source technologies such as WordPress, Drupal and Moodle, as well as custom frameworks in .NET, PHP, AngularJS, and other frameworks. Our Learning and Development team can also help you create accessible custom training.
- Accessible Document Services— Whether you’re dealing with a few or a warehouse of Microsoft Office documents, PDFs, or other files, there are several ways Microassist can enable your team to offer documents and materials that meet stringent accessibility standards.
- Accessibility Remediation— Our accessibility remediation services help you fix existing materials so that they conform to WCAG, Section 504 and 508, Department of Education OCR, and ADA Title II/III requirements. We remediate websites, applications, documents, and elearning, recommending re-creation when that is more efficient and economical. Especially for website and applications, to find out what is in need of remediation, we’ll start with an Accessibility Audit.
- Accessibility Training— With several courses available for developers, testers, and content creators, your team can become equipped to consistently and expertly produce accessible digital products and online environments.
- VPAT®Evaluation Services— Primarily used by government purchasers and government vendors during the procurement and sale of ICT products and services under Section 508, a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template® (VPAT) attests to the accessibility of a given product or service. Contact us to make sure the VPAT you write or review is accurate and meaningful.
Learn More About Digital Accessibility
Our Digital Accessibility Digest blog covers our Accessibility in the News archives as well as expert commentaries on digital accessibility issues.
Our most popular commentaries include:
- The WCAG 2.1 Update: A Brief Look at What’s Changed
- Introducing VPAT®0, the More Stringent Accessibility Reporting Tool Required for Government IT Procurement
- Accessibility in the News, Legal Edition: Updates on ADA Title III News and More
- What Lawyers Need to Know: A Primer on Digital Accessibility Terms and Today’s Legal Landscape
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