Accessibility in the News — 10/10/2025.

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Feature Stories

Austin woman creates accessibility guide for music venues after suffering a stroke at 33

October 3, 2025 | Source: KXAN

Lillian Angelle was living her best life in Austin as a professional in the music scene when she suffered a stroke earlier this year. But as she went through the recovery process, she turned that tough experience into something beneficial for not only herself, but also others struggling with disabilities. Angelle was 33 when she had a stroke in February. She said it started as mild neck pain that lasted for about two weeks. “I consider myself a very healthy person, very active, so I didn’t really think anything of it. I would have never thought stroke or anything like that,” Angelle said…

How I Use My 3D Printer to Make Custom Adaptive Tools

October 3, 2025 | Source: Consumer Reports

I’ve always felt it was a waste of time to cry over things I can’t change. However, as I sat on my bedroom floor recently, struggling to twist open the glucose sensor my daughter needs to survive, crying seemed like a very reasonable response. I just couldn’t seem to find my way around this packaging. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, when it occurred to me: “What if someone has found a way already?” I was born with a rare birth defect called arthrogryposis. It affects people in different ways, but for me, it meant underdeveloped, stiff, and weak shoulders, arms, and hands…

Why a High School Student Launched a Business to Improve Accessibility

October 6, 2025 | Source: Columbus CEO

There are many aspects of life that most people take for granted: taking the stairs, walking on uneven streets or sitting comfortably at a table in a restaurant. But for individuals in wheelchairs or with other special needs, such everyday occurrences can be major impediments. Greyson Freed is on a mission to raise awareness of such challenges and to improve accessibility for himself and others who rely on it. The 19-year-old, who graduated from Olentangy High School in May, uses a wheelchair and is partially deaf because of Friedreich’s ataxia, a rare degenerative disease that damages the nervous system, causing movement problems and other issues…

National News (U.S.)

North Bronx Subway Station to Get Elevators, More Than a Decade After ADA Lawsuit

October 3, 2025 | Source: THE CITY

A North Bronx subway station is finally on track to have elevators installed — more than a decade after the MTA opted against adding them during a $22 million station renovation. Transit officials broke ground Friday at the Middletown Road stop on an elevator project which grew out of a federal lawsuit that charged the MTA with violating the Americans with Disabilities Act. The work at one of the northernmost stops along the No. 6 line is supposed to be completed by the fall of 2027. “I get tired just walking up these stairs,” said Ramon Gonzalez, 78, who leaned on a cane as he entered the station Friday morning. “Elevators will make a big difference for someone like me.”…

‘Most Accessible Museum in the World’ one step closer to welcoming visitors

October 3, 2025 | Source: WAVE 3 and WDRB and Louisville Courier Journal

It’s being designed to become the most accessible museum in the world, and it’ll sit right here in Louisville. Friday, the Dot Experience from the American Printing House for the Blind moved one step closer to opening its doors, entering the final phase of construction before a planned

October 2026 opening one year from now. “The new Dot Experience attraction on Lower Frankfort that will become the front door of American Printing House and a major attraction in the world of blindness and low vision and inclusive design,” said Jo Haas, VP of Advancement and the Dot Experience at American Printing House…

Parents Fear Losing Disability Protections as Trump Slashes Civil Rights Office

October 4, 2025 | Source: KFF Health News

Devon Price, a 15-year-old boy with autism, has attended the largest school district in North Carolina for 10 years, but he cannot read or write. His twin sister, Danielle, who is also autistic, was bullied by classmates and became suicidal. Under federal law, public schools must provide children with disabilities a “free appropriate public education,” to give them the same opportunity to learn as other kids. The twins’ mother, Emma Miller, and tens of thousands of other parents in the U.S. have elevated complaints to the Education Department alleging that schools and states have ignored mistreatment of their children…

Universal Orlando updates guide for safety and accessibility

October 4, 2025 | Source: WESH

Universal Orlando Resort made changes to its Guide for Safety and Accessibility. Prior to the tragic death of 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, who used a wheelchair, it listed nine attractions, including Stardust Racers, as rides designed to accommodate people transferring from their wheelchairs to the ride vehicle. Universal Orlando now says guests using mobility devices such as a wheelchair, must be able to walk independently in order to ride Stardust Racers, Dragon Racer’s Rally and Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment…

Local disability activists hold forum to find ways to make Lansing more accessible

October 5, 2025 | Source: WILX

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 61 million adults are reported to have a disability. And, in Michigan alone, 2.3 million adults have some type of disability. Ahead of Lansing’s local elections, disability advocate groups Lansing Undersea and Your Mom Directory created a community forum to discuss ways to make Lansing more accessible. “We want more people to be able to experience Lansing. And we want more people to join us in conversations,” said Ceo of The Fledge, Jerry Norris. “We need diversity of thought and that follows diversity of people.”…

Assault on accessibility initiatives hits early career scientists hard

October 7, 2025 | Source: Capital and Main

If someone had walked past the storage of the neuroscience lab at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in May, they might have heard quiet sobbing. It was Uma Chatterjee, a doctoral student, having a severe obsessive-compulsive disorder flare-up triggered by the pressure of disappearing research funding. Since January, core funding from the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health has faced deep cuts. The administration of President Donald Trump has cut more than $4 billion from the National Institutes of Health and $970 million from the National Science Foundation, affecting more than 7,000 grants, according to Grant Witness, a database tracked by scientists…

Eyeing accessibility deadline, states root out ancient web issues

October 7, 2025 | Source: State Scoop

The charms of the 1990s-era internet, with its animated gifs, labyrinthine navigation and blinding color schemes, have mostly been traded in for standards-based templates and a more centralized and trustworthy group of online services. But lamentable design holdovers from a less regulated and much smaller web have led governments to finally finish cleaning up their sites, particularly as they look ahead to next year’s federal accessibility deadline. Arizona Chief Information Officer J.R. Sloan said his state last week celebrated the conclusion of a six-month initiative to identify the most egregious accessibility snarls on the state’s main websites…

Adapt/Evolve in New York showcases “empathy” in designing for accessibility

October 7, 2025 | Source: Dezeen

The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York has brought together work across various disciplines for an exhibition on accessible and inclusive design, including a colourful rolling closet that neatly displays donated clothing. The Adapt/Evolve exhibition is located in the Art and Design Gallery at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and showcases more than 60 objects created to ease the daily needs of those with disabilities or limited mobility. The exhibition and symposium were organized by a small team including FIT assistant professors of interior design Ethan Lu and Barbara Weinreich, librarian Carli Spina, and curator of the Art and Design Gallery, Fawz Kabra…

Phoenix Unveils Accessibility Achievements, Sets Vision for Global Model of Inclusion

October 7, 2025 | Source: City of Phoenix

Today, the City of Phoenix’s Strategic Workgroup on Accessibility presented its final report to the City Council, highlighting ways the city is making it easier for people to move safely in their homes and throughout the city, to age in their homes with dignity, and to use technology to better engage with their community. Their work marks a major milestone in Mayor Kate Gallego’s vision to make Phoenix a global leader in accessibility. Last year, after Mayor Gallego called for a more accessible Phoenix in her annual State of the City address, the city launched the workgroup and brought together City departments, advocacy groups, and community members to deliver tangible improvements in accessibility…

More than half of people use captions when they watch TV – here’s why

October 7, 2025 | Source: ZDNET News

Do you watch TV with closed captions even though you don’t necessarily need them? You’re not alone. A new study shows that more than a third of people — 34% — either always or often have subtitles on when they watch TV. Another 23% say they use subtitles sometimes, meaning more than half of the population watches TV with captions enabled. While that’s a striking number, what’s most interesting is that number shoots up significantly if you break out a certain generation — but it’s not the one you’d think…

Medicaid Cuts Could Put Services for Disabled Californians At Risk

October 8, 2025 | Source: KQED

A fall-themed Snoopy jazz playlist hums throughout the art studio, rising just above the soft scratching of brushes on canvas. One person uses purple paint to carefully outline Squidward, his fourth SpongeBob-themed painting. Another artist prefers to paint airplanes, having previously worked at the airport. Ron Ansley’s specialty is abstract paintings, often inspired by Tiggy, his cat who passed away. Today, he’s using oil pastels to outline an illustration of plates and cups sprouting cactuses. “Making art is what I call a relaxation stress breaker,” Ansley said. “Mostly, I just like to express myself in painting.”…

Meet the 72-year-old who travels the world alone in a wheelchair

October 8, 2025 | Source: USA TODAY

Navigating the world as a solo traveler can be challenging but also rewarding. For septugenarian Anne Marie Jones, who uses a wheelchair, this rings especially true – even when it takes her more effort, planning, and dealing with difficulties that others might not face. The Southern Californian grew up in a family that valued travel, with the desire to explore the world instilled in her at a young age, Jones told USA TODAY on a recent trip with accessible travel company Wheel the World to Denver to celebrate the Colorado capital’s verification as an accessible destination…

Philly disability rights advocates demand accessible 2026 celebrations

October 8, 2025 | Source: Billy Penn at WHYY and Philly Voice

Disability rights advocates who spoke at a City Council hearing on disabled access to World Cup games and other 2026 activities slammed the city for persistently failing to ensure accessibility at a wide range of public events and facilities. The hearing Tuesday began with city officials and an organizer for next year’s World Cup soccer events describing the work being done to make those activities accessible to people who use wheelchairs, are visually impaired, are neurodivergent or who have other disabilities…

City Committee identifies ways to make sidewalks accessible for those with disabilities

October 9, 2025 | Source: KKCO 11 News

The Urban Trail Committee (UTC) seeks to identify ways to improve sidewalk infrastructure across Grand Junction and make it more accessible for people with disabilities. On August 27, the committee hosted a walk audit for three different pre-planned routes around St. Mary’s Regional Hospital. Their goal was to observe the walkability of these routes and identify ways to improve. “It’s an opportunity to look a little more closely at a region that may have a lot of pedestrian use and see where the gaps are in that infrastructure in that region to find opportunities to improve it,” said Diana Rooney, a member of the UTC…

Critics of Tennessee’s school voucher program worry that it leaves kids with disabilities behind

October 9, 2025 | Source: WPLN

Backers of the new school voucher program promised that it would expand school choice for Tennessee families. But critics worry the program leaves students with disabilities behind. The controversial statewide voucher program – called Education Freedom Scholarships – lets families use taxpayer funds to offset the costs of attending private school. Nashville-based disability advocate, Zoe Jamail, warns that kids with disabilities will lose some protections when using these vouchers. “What we know is that a private school, unlike a public school, doesn’t have to admit a student with a disability,” she told WPLN News…

Jack Fact — The Return on Disability Group estimates that nearly 1.6 billion people worldwide live with disabilities, or about 1 in 5 people. When family and close friends are included, disability touches nearly two-thirds of global consumers.

Hit The Road Jack — Accessibility Challenges for Specially Abled Individuals in International Travel: Improving Travel Experiences for Specially Abled Passengers Across the Globe and Study reveals almost half of disabled people avoided travelling abroad due to accessibility concerns

International News

Saanich pushes for higher accessibility standards provincewide

October 2, 2025 | Source: Oak Bay News- Canada

The Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) will call on the province to implement greater accessibility standards for future buildings, after a resolution put forward by Saanich council. Resolution NR41 calls for incorporating the latest accessibility standards from the CSA Group and Accessibility Standards Canada into the B.C. Building Code, which will affect all buildings. It also calls for a commitment to achieving Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) Gold on all new provincial buildings…

More national recognition for Liverpool City Region’s new trains accessibility achievements as they scoop another award

October 3, 2025 | Source: Liverpool City Region Combined Authority- UK and Rail Business Daily and TTW

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s new trains have picked up another prestigious national award, recognising the huge advancements made in accessibility for rail passengers in the area. In the ceremony in London, hosted by BBC Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine, the city region’s £500m new trains project fleet won the “Best Practice in Diversity, Inclusivity and Accessibility” award. The judges praised the co-design approach taken with disability groups for the new trains, ensuring level boarding at every station and step-free access across the network, adding that the project “shows how genuine collaboration can deliver a rail system that works for everyone, setting a new benchmark for inclusivity in UK transport.”…

IPB University Students Study Elderly Accessibility to Digital Public Services in Bogor City

October 3,2025 | Source: IPB University- Indonesia

Older adults often face difficulties when adapting to digital services in today’s smart city era. However, with the aging population on the rise, their access to public services, especially healthcare, has become an increasingly urgent need. To address this issue, students at IPB University conducted research on the accessibility of digital public services for the elderly in the city of Bogor. This research was initiated through the Student Creativity Program in the field of Social Humanities Research (PKM-RSH) entitled “Silver Surfing in the Digital Wave: Transformation of Behavior and Digital Adaptation of the Elderly in Accessing Smart City Public Services in the City of Bogor.”…

90% of Dubai’s beaches and 80% of public parks now fully accessible

October 4, 2025 | Source: Gulf News- Dubai

Ninety percent of Dubai’s beaches and 80 percent of its public parks are now fully accessible to People of Determination, Dubai Municipality announced. The move is part of the emirate’s commitment to building an inclusive, barrier-free city that empowers everyone to live, move, and enjoy its world-class offerings independently and confidently. Dubai Municipality said it will showcase its extensive portfolio of inclusive initiatives and facilities, each designed to meet the highest international standards of accessibility, during its participation in the 7th edition of the AccessAbilities Expo, taking place from 6 to 8

October 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre…

Accessible trail plans agreed despite opposition

October 5, 2025 | Source: BBC- UK

National park leaders have agreed to press ahead with plans to create an accessible track for walkers, wheelchair users and cyclists along the route of a disused railway, despite opposition from landowners. Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) members voted in favour of making a public path creation order to establish a bridleway between Garsdale Station and Hawes on the former Wensleydale Railway line. The meeting heard the authority could have used a voluntary creation agreement had all 20 landowners backed the plan for the six-mile (9.6km) route…

Govt proposes online portal to streamline certification, access to assistive technology

October 5, 2025 | Source: The Economic Times- India

The Centre has proposed setting up an online Assistive Technology Portal for certification, procurement, tracking, distribution, and grievance monitoring as part of the draft rules to regulate standards and accessibility of assistive devices for persons with disabilities. The draft Assistive Technology (Standards and Accessibility) Rules, 2025 lay down a comprehensive framework covering classification, certification, procurement, affordability, user safety, and integration of assistive technology into existing health and social welfare schemes…

Trick-or-treating designed for children with disabilities taking place in Stittsville

October 5, 2025 | Source: CTV News- Canada

The annual Ottawa Treat Accessibly Halloween Village returned to Baywood Drive in Stittsville on Sunday bringing Halloween magic to children with disabilities. Treat Accessibly creates a curbside accessible trick or treating experience that promotes learning about accessible inclusion for everyone. Around 2,000 kids and parents with and without disabilities took to the streets to go house-to-house trick-or-treating, with no barriers to enjoying a traditional Halloween experience. This is Sara Labelle and Derek Robinson’s second year attending with their sons who both have accessible needs, Jackson is in a wheelchair and Knox is autistic…

Dubai Municipality unveils new map of 16,000 accessible facilities for People of Determination

October 6, 2025 | Source: Gulf News- Dubai

Dubai Municipality is transforming the emirate into one of the world’s most accessible cities, with over 16,000 facilities now equipped with features designed for People of Determination (PoD), according to senior officials. Speaking to Gulf News at the AccessAbilities Expo 2025, which opened on Monday, Maitha Al Nuaimi, Director of GIS Department at Dubai Municipality, revealed that the initiative is powered by an innovative digital platform that puts accessibility information at the fingertips of Dubai residents and visitors…

Over half of disabled people in UK avoid gigs due to poor accessibility, new report says

October 6, 2025 | Source: DJ Mag- UK

A new report has revealed that over half of disabled people in the UK avoid gigs due to poor accessibility. Carried out by accessibility technology company, Transreport, the research shows that nearly seven in 10 disabled people (68%) believe UK venues aren’t equipped to accommodate their needs, and nearly half (46%) report feeling unwelcome in venues. Based on responses from over 1,000 disabled people and their families, the data looked into “every stage of the live music experience”, including ticket buying and venue access…

AI’s double-edged sword: A new frontier for employment of people with disabilities?

October 6, 2025 | Source: International Labour Organization- Switzerland

While the use of AI by individuals with disabilities, e.g. text-to-speech or real-time captioning, tends to be positive, institutional use of AI-powered human resources technology, e.g. filtering out persons with “non-standard” faces or speech patterns, tends to disadvantage and exclude job seekers and workers with disabilities. As a contribution to creating fair and efficient labour markets, AI developers and buyers of AI-powered employment tools need to address disability-based discrimination and its impacts on an organisation’s talent pool, workforce and customers…

Dubai Airports launches next phase of accessibility strategy, pledging to make DXB the world’s most accessible airport by 2035

October 6, 2025 | Source: Government of Dubai Media Office

Dubai Airports today announced the next phase of its accessibility strategy, a renewed 10-year commitment to transform both Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) into the world’s most accessible and inclusive airports by 2035. The long-term plan focuses on maintaining strong foundations, enhancing the guest experience across all touchpoints, and positioning DXB and DWC as global leaders in inclusive travel. The strategy aligns with international best practice, the UAE’s commitment to the rights of People of Determination (PoD), and Dubai’s vision to be a disability-friendly city…

Annual report on diversity and inclusion published

October 7, 2025 | Source: BBC- UK

The annual report about the progress of disability inclusion in Jersey has been published. The government has shared its actions during 2023 and 2024 aimed at improving the wellbeing of people with disabilities and addressing the inequalities they face. The report highlighted improved accessible parking and digital services, as well more opportunities in education and work. It also celebrated the inclusion campaign Embrace Our Difference which brought together more than 500 people and 55 groups and is set to take place again in December…

Cedar Rapids middle schools rejected as satellite voting sites because of ADA accessibility issues

October 7, 2025 | Source: The Gazette

Three Cedar Rapids middle schools were rejected as satellite voting sites — a temporary absentee voting location available before Election Day — because of accessibility issues. The Linn County Auditor’s Office rejected Wilson, McKinley and Roosevelt middle schools as satellite voting sites this week because they are not in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Kennedy High School did meet the requirements and will be a satellite voting location. Satellite voting sites are intended to provide voters with convenient and accessible options for casting their ballots early…

Tech Specialists Want Online Platforms Accessible To Visually Impaired Persons

October 9, 2025 | Source: Leadership Newspapers- Nigeria

As millions of visually impaired Nigerians couldn’t navigate the digital space in the country, tech experts are advocating making online platforms easily accessible for the visually impaired Nigerians. With the promises of a digital economy, most websites and mobile applications in Nigeria are not designed with accessibility in mind. Despite the passage of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, which mandates equal access to information and services, enforcement remains weak…

Coach firm to pay thousands to accessible transport activist after driver lied that he threatened violence

October 9, 2025 | Source: Disability News Service- UK

A driver for Bolton-based Tyrers Coaches fabricated claims about Doug Paulley (pictured), alleging he had threatened a Network Rail coordinator with violence and that he hurled swearwords at him over an access failure at Rochdale train station 13 months ago. Tyrers had passed on the allegations to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), and another transport company, Arriva. The incident occurred after Tyrers – which was one of the companies providing a rail replacement service on behalf of government-owned Northern Trains – had been unable to accept Paulley onto its vehicle because the relevant door was not working…

Accessibility testing: Tools and best practices

October 10, 2025 | Source: Government Technology Agency of Singapore

As Singapore advances its Smart Nation vision, it’s easy to get caught up with new technologies like GenAI or self-driving cars. However, the true mark of progress for a Smart Nation is ensuring that the country’s digital advancements are truly inclusive and accessible for everyone. Singapore’s vision is clear: making sure no one gets left behind, regardless of ability, age, or digital literacy. Achieving this requires more than design alone—it calls for proactive accessibility testing. Let’s explore some of these accessibility tools and best practices that help build a truly inclusive Smart Nation…

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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.
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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.
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