Accessibility in the News — 8/15/2025.
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“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” — Thomas A. Edison
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Feature Stories
Trump Administration Moving To Shrink Disability Benefits For Some Recipients
August 7, 2025 | Source: HuffPost
Thousands of people on federal disability benefits got an extra few hundred dollars per month thanks to President Joe Biden, and now, thanks to President Donald Trump, it looks like that extra cash may go away. The Trump administration has given notice that it plans to rescind a change finalized last year allowing more Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries to receive full benefits even if they live with someone who helps them with food or shelter. Supplemental Security Income, often known as SSI or disability, offers a maximum benefit of just $967 per month, with a third taken away from recipients receiving “in-kind support and maintenance,” such as help with groceries or rent, from a roommate or family member…
Medicare will test using AI to help decide whether patients get coverage — which could delay or deny care, critics warn
August 8, 2025 | Source: MarketWatch
Traditional Medicare will face greater use of prior authorizations under a pilot program by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, potentially eroding one area that enrollees like about their coverage. The pilot program, set to start in January 2026, would launch a test in six states to use prior authorizations for certain procedures. Prior authorization means getting approval before a medical service or drug will be approved for coverage. Currently, traditional Medicare has fewer prior-authorization requirements than Medicare Advantage, which is the private-plan alternative to Medicare…
Medicaid work requirements don’t work for New Mexicans with disabilities
August 8, 2025 | Source: Source NM
Just when we thought we’d seen everything, Congress has thrown down a breathtaking new gauntlet: a national work requirement for people participating in Medicaid. Every state will now be required to track the employment status of its Medicaid recipients in order to receive federal funding for the program. We don’t know exactly how New Mexico will enact this new rule. The “One Big Beautiful Bill” does not prescribe how to set up such a tracking system, and it certainly doesn’t fund it. But every U.S. state will need the system in place in extremely short order, most likely by late 2026…
National News (U.S.)
Disability rights advocates say downtown Wichita falls short on accessibility
August 8, 2025 | Source: KMUW
Lisa Vayda says it can be a challenge to navigate downtown Wichita using her motorized scooter. At times, it’s hard to find accessible parking. Uneven curbs and sidewalks can be difficult for her scooter to get over. And then there’s getting through parking garages, crosswalks and buildings. When Vayda recently raised the issue to Sedgwick County commissioners, a set of stairs prevented her from reaching the lectern. Instead, she had to speak with a microphone from the back of the room. “What you’re telling people is that not only are you not wanted, needed, valued,” she said…
A welcoming, accessible church
August 8, 2025 | Source: Living Lutheran
As the daughter of an ELCA pastor, Eleanor Jerbi has spent a lot of time in churches. And as a neurodivergent person—Jerbi has dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)—she knows that church may not feel like a welcoming sanctuary to everyone. “Especially in smaller church buildings, services can be very overwhelming just because of the way the sound system works,” she said. “And in big churches, you need to have it loud enough that people can hear it, but not so loud that musicians can’t play. It’s a balance, but for neurodivergent people, that nice balance to everyone else can still be too much.”…
Southwest Airlines Strands Blind Women at Airport, Sparks Accessibility Calls
August 10, 2025 | Source: WebProNews
Latest Airline Incident Reinforces Need for Better Accessibility in the Travel Industry
August 12, 2025 | Source: TravelPulse
In a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by disabled travelers in the aviation industry, Southwest Airlines is under fire for an incident where two blind women were inadvertently left behind at an airport gate, only to be compensated with what critics call an insultingly low $100 travel credit. The episode, which unfolded amid flight delays at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, has sparked widespread outrage and calls for systemic reforms in how airlines handle passengers with disabilities. Camille Tate and Sherri Brun, both visually impaired residents of Orlando, Florida, were en route home from a conference when their Southwest flight encountered significant delays in July 2025…
Assemblyman Santabarbara leads push for inclusive education with new law for accessible materials
August 10, 2025 | Source: CBS6
Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara (D), Chair of the New York State Assembly Committee on People with Disabilities, announced the enactment of legislation he co-sponsored (A7442, Chapter 231 of 2025) requiring publishers and manufacturers of printed instructional materials to make accessible versions available for college students with disabilities. The new law ensures that publishers and textbook manufacturers provide instructional materials in electronic formats accessible to students with visual, learning, or other disabilities, to help institutions better support students who rely on alternative formats such as audio, large print, or screen reader–compatible digital files…
In ‘The Remarkable Life of Iberlin,’ a Disabled Gamer Finds Accessibility and Influence He Couldn’t in the Real World
August 10, 2025 | Source: The Hollywood Reporter
In the recesses of the internet, where reality can feel increasingly fuzzy, one young Norwegian man lacking offline mobility built a world of his own. Mats Steen, the subject of the poignant Netflix documentary The Remarkable Life of Ibelin, formed a digital community that transcended the severe muscular dystrophy he’d developed as a child. While his parents fretted about the many obsessive hours he spent playing World of Warcraft, Steen was using the role-playing game to develop deep friendships and find a voice he couldn’t always access in a literal sense…
Thousands waiting: SC families struggle amid cuts to disability housing programs
August 11, 2025 | Source: WCSC
More than 6,000 South Carolinians are on a waitlist for special needs housing designed to give adults living with intellectual and developmental disabilities a safe and supportive place to call home. For many families, the wait has stretched beyond a decade. But at a thrift store in Beaufort County, every purchase is a step closer to change. The shop is run by Osprey Village, a nonprofit working to build a first-of-its-kind residential community for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Executive Director Tom Swanciger calls it more than just housing: it’s a lifeline.
This is the tallest subway station in New York City—and it’s finally getting major accessibility upgrades
August 11, 2025 | Source: TimeOut and MTA and amNewYork
If you’ve ever trudged up to the Smith–9th Streets station in Gowanus, Brooklyn, you know it’s not for the faint of heart—or the bad of knees. Perched nearly 90 feet above street level, the city’s tallest subway stop (and one of the tallest in the world) offers sweeping skyline views and a daunting staircase workout. Now, after 92 years of vertiginous climbs, the MTA says relief is on the way: Elevators are coming. The upgrade, announced on
August 8 by State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon and the MTA, is part of the agency’s $68.4 billion 2025–2029 Capital Plan…
How to Attract and Retain Talent with Disabilities
August 11,2025 | Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Although 1 in 4 adults in the United States has a disability, Disabled individuals remain underrepresented in the workforce. In 2024, the employment-population ratio was 22.7% among those with disabilities, compared to 65.5% for those without. While recruiting Disabled professionals offers a significant opportunity for businesses, doing so rarely happens by accident; it requires intentionality, empathy, and an understanding of accessibility in the workplace. Below, discover the benefits of supporting Disabled talent, strategies for designing inclusive hiring and onboarding processes, and tips for providing accommodations that meet individualized needs…
“Shakedown” lawsuits over website access torment St. Louis restaurateurs
August 12, 2025 | Source: St. Louis Magazine
It is seldom good news when your business hears from a lawyer you don’t know, and so it was for Kevin Nashan this past spring. The James Beard-winning chef, who owns Sidney Street Cafe and Peacemaker Lobster and Crab, got a letter from a Kansas City-based attorney representing a blind man. The letter claimed the man had been unable to use the website for one of Nashan’s restaurants because it was not compatible with screen access software, and that made it incompatible with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Attorney Kevin Puckett wrote that it was his “goal” to have Nashan enter into a settlement agreement where Nashan would agree to maintain an accessible website going forward—and also cover Puckett’s fees and costs incurred in investigating the website’s deficiencies…
Kids with autism are at greater risk of drowning. Swim classes can help.
August 12, 2025 | Source: GBH
Four-year-old Amir Santana loves water. He jumps in anytime he sees an opportunity. And because Amir also has autism, his mother, Dimarylee Valentin, has struggled to find swim classes that work for her son to help keep him safe. “I wanted to feel comfortable knowing that my kid is understood,” said Valentin, who lives in Lawrence. In previous classes, the instructors weren’t as patient with Amir as he learned. Finally she found Swim Angelfish, which offers swim safety classes and training resources tailored to kids with autism and other disabilities…
‘He trusted me’: A priesthood holder’s strength beyond disability
August 11, 2025 | Source: Church News
Nick Hansen, a determined athlete with Down syndrome, stepped onto the platform, glanced back to exchange a quick grin with his father, Rob Hansen, then gripped the bar with both hands and ducked under the weight. With a deep exhale, Hansen crouched low and drove upward, successfully squatting 205 pounds at the Special Olympics Colorado 2025 Summer Games — a state record for the junior lightweight division. A few weeks later, Nick Hansen achieved another milestone — in a setting far from the squat rack. On June 29, he received the Melchizedek Priesthood and was ordained an elder in the Crystal Valley Ward, Castle Rock Colorado Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints…
Kansas native to represent state, advocate for accessibility at Ms. Wheelchair America competition
August 13, 2025 | Source: WIBW
A Jefferson County North High School and KU graduate will soon represent the Sunflower State at the national level. In March, Autumn Green earned the title of Ms. Wheelchair Kansas 2025, and next week she will head up to Grand Rapids, Michigan, to compete for the title of Ms. Wheelchair America. At eight years old, Green’s life was forever changed. A car accident left her paralyzed from the chest down. “I definitely want to inspire other girls who are in wheelchairs or have a similar disability to my own,” Green explained. “I never thought anything like this was possible when I was younger.”…
Missouri doctoral student takes on fashion accessibility for blind people
August 14, 2025 | Source: KOMU
Missouri doctoral student Emma Nicoson says fashion has been at the center of her life. “When I was 9 years old, I asked for a sewing machine and I just started ripping things apart — and I drove my parents crazy,” Nicoson said. Growing up in the small town of Brazil, Indiana, Nicoson found her passion and a best friend. “It’s funny because I know her parents’ name, but I still call them Mr. and Ms. Nicoson, and I think I’ve done that since I’ve been 15,” Aaron See, a longtime friend of Nicoson’s, said. “She’s going to be part of my life and my soon-to-be son’s life until I kick the bucket.”…
Social Security Administration adds 13 more medical conditions to expedited benefits list
August 14, 2025 | Source: USA TODAY
Those suffering certain serious medical issues can possibly gain faster Social Security benefits now that the Social Security Administration has added 13 new diseases and conditions to its list of disabilities. Those applying for Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income who have conditions on the Compassionate Allowances list, or CAL, have their applications processed more quickly, the agency says. Since the program started in 2008, more than 1.1 million people with severe disabilities have been approved via the expedited process, the SSA said in a news release dated August 11…
Study finds better physical ability is tied to higher cognition in MS
August 14, 2025 | Source: Multiple Sclerosis News Today
Having better physical performance is associated with higher cognitive function in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), particularly among those with more disability, a study finds. Disability levels, in turn, correlate negatively with cognition and physical performance, with patients with moderate disability having worse scores on assessments than those with milder disability. The study, “Correlation of Cognition With Disability and Physical Performance in Patients With Relapsing-Remitting MS,” was published in the Journal of Central Nervous System Disease…
What’s next for students with disabilities attending schools the state ordered closed
August 14, 2025 | Source: Columbia Missourian
A decision by the State Board of Education to close 12 Missouri schools for students with disabilities has raised concerns for the students and how they will transition to different schools. Among the schools slated to permanently close is Delmar Cobble in Columbia. However, a Department of Elementary and Secondary Education official said a team of people is available to help students transition if their school closes. Each student has a team that develops an individualized education program, or IEP, for them. Federal law requires that students in public schools who need special education get such a program…
Jack Fact — According to Statistics Canada, nearly 27% of Canadians aged 15 or older—about 8 million people—live with one or more disabilities. Together, this group controls approximately $47 billion in disposable income, a figure that balloons to over $311 billion when you include family and friends.
Hit The Road Jack — Michigan parks, resorts make outdoor adventures comfortable and accessible for older campers and Accessible travel ‘remains complex and challenging’ and European Travellers with Accessibility Needs Face Persistent Challenges Despite High Travel Engagement
International News
Toolkit empowers municipal accessibility
August 7, 2025 | Source: REMI Network- Canada
The Rick Hansen Foundation created a new resource to help Ontario-based municipalities identify and remove built environment barriers in their communities. The free online Municipal Accessibility Policy (MAP) Toolkit was developed with support from the Government of Ontario Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility and in collaboration with leading accessibility experts including MaRS Discovery District. “Municipalities play a critical leadership role in ensuring their communities are inclusive and accessible to people of all ages and abilities,” said Amanda Basi, senior director of programs at the Rick Hansen Foundation…
Minister’s comments add fuel to Access to Work concerns
August 7, 2025 | Source: Disability News Service- UK
There have been months of concerns about the future of the scheme, since Sir Stephen Timms (pictured), the minister for social security and disability, told MPs in February that it was “unlikely to be sustainable in the long term” and needed to be “better and more effective”. The government’s Pathways to Work green paper, released in March, strongly suggested that ministers wanted to cut future spending on the scheme, which is set to increase from £142 million in 2019-20 to £385 million this year. And in May, leaked information from multiple sources suggested DWP was planning two waves of cost-cutting that would make it harder for disabled people to secure AtW support…
LSF RI opens inclusive film website for all, including disabled users
August 8, 2025 | Source: ANTARA News- Indonesia
The Indonesian Film Censorship Board (LSF RI) has launched a new website aimed at improving access to film-related information and literacy for all citizens, including people with disabilities. “LSF, as a state institution supporting the film industry, must offer universally accessible data for everyone, regardless of how they access it,” said LSF Chairperson Dr. Naswardi, MM, ME, during a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday. He explained that the website is part of LSF’s commitment to public transparency as a government agency tasked with delivering public services…
What will it take to get more disabled characters, and actors, on the big screen?
August 8, 2025 | Source: CBC- Canada
There were slightly more movie characters with disabilities on screen in 2024, according to a new report, but experts and advocates say that figure — and the quality of representation — are still sorely lacking. Last year, 20 of the top 100 grossing films featured leading or co-leading characters with a disability, according to the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, a California-based think-tank studying diversity and inclusion in entertainment. That’s a big jump from 2023 when there were eight such films, and from 2015 when there were 10 movies in which characters had noticeable physical, cognitive or communicative disabilities…
‘Disabled people deserve dolls that represent us’
August 8, 2025 | Source: BBC- UK
A woman who creates miniature mobility aids and medical accessories for dolls is launching a new range of powerchairs and scooters for the figurines. Grace True, from Sheffield has been making items such as walking sticks, ostomy bags and wheelchairs for toys since 2023. The 29-year-old, who has fibromyalgia and uses a powerchair herself, said she had only felt confident enough to use mobility aids after seeing others use them, something she said had “changed my life”. “Children seeing a doll using an aid can give them the confidence to use the things they need to benefit them. And people seeing them more often can eliminate biases and stigmas early,” she added…
Framing My Story shows Ballarat’s disability pride in words and photos
August 8, 2025 | Source: ABC News- Australia
With her vibrant blue and green hair, Georgia Brain is not exactly trying to hide, but she is not attempting to deliberately stand out either. She just likes a splash of colour in her life. But when she is asked to share her story and a photograph of how she sees herself, Ms Brain, who lives with mobility and hearing impairments, is happy to do so. Along with other people who have disabilities, Ms Brain’s story and photographs are featured in the Framing My Story exhibition at Ballarat’s Sebastopol Library. The exhibition, which runs until August 18, opened last month as part of Disability Pride Month…
Secret Garden for All: The magic and accessibility at the National Library of Israel
August 9, 2025 | Source: The Jerusalem Post- Israel
Adults of a certain age likely have fond memories of their childhood neighborhood library, where they carefully selected books to bring home or listened attentively and with wonder as the librarian read stories aloud during story time. Of course they may also have memories of being “shushed” by the librarian for speaking too loudly! Others have memories of going to the library to use encyclopedias or to read newspapers or magazines they did not have access to at home. They will also remember when libraries began to provide copy machines, free Wi-Fi, and computers and when they became virtual offices where one could spend hours working (and charging their phones)…
Disabled in Korea struggle to use kiosks as new Accessibility Law looms
August 10, 2025 | Source: The Korea Times- South Korea
People with disabilities prefer ordering in person rather than using automated kiosks, citing a lack of accessibility features, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said Friday. The statement highlighted persistent gaps, despite regulations mandating improved accessibility in kiosk design and operation. The finding comes as revised anti-discrimination laws protecting people with disabilities are set to take full effect in January. Ahead of this, the ministry surveyed accessibility barriers in information services, with a special focus on self-service kiosks. The use of kiosk ordering terminals in South Korean restaurants has surged, fueled by efforts to cut labor costs and a consumer shift toward contactless service…
Mixed Crop Over accessibility experience prompts disability inclusion call
August 10, 2025 | Source: Barbados Today- Barbados
A disability rights advocate has called on event organisers and the public to prioritise accessibility and inclusion, criticising what she described as recurring issues for wheelchair users during this year’s Crop Over season, despite some events making commendable strides. Janelle Skinner did not let her paraplegic condition hamper her ability to attend events, but the season left much to be desired, she said, as several events were neither accessible nor accommodating. Skinner attended three major Crop Over events, beginning with Rise at the Kensington Oval…
Mind the gap: Wheelchair passengers question accessibility of new Mark V SkyTrains
August 11, 2025 | Source: Global News- Canada
It has been one month since TransLink announced a “new era” for SkyTrain as its new Mark V trains rolled into service, but some commuters say they’ve seen a step backward in accessibility. TransLink has ordered 235 Mark V train cars, which will eventually replace older trains serving both the Expo and Millennium lines. The transit authority has touted their wider aisles and open multi-use areas that can accommodate strollers, wheelchairs and other mobility devices. But transit users like Janice Laurence say the new train cars aren’t level with many of the stations’ platforms, forcing riders to hop up as much as five centimetres to get aboard…
How can beaches be made more accessible to people with reduced mobility?
August 12, 2025 | Source: Euronews- Belgium
With her granddaughter in her lap, Monique is enjoying a trip to the North Sea in a beach wheelchair. In Belgium, eight beaches are accessible to people with reduced mobility, such as here in Ostend. “I’ve always wanted to experience the waves and the sea, but I couldn’t,” Monique Braeken told Euronews. The Flemish agency Inter launched the “Sun, Sea… Carefree” programme in 2006 to make the Belgian coast accessible to everyone. The programme provides users with free beach wheelchairs, some of which are electric and tiralos, floating amphibian models to make swimming easier…
Disabled people face ‘accessible housing shortage’
August 12, 2025 | Source: BBC- UK
Disabled Londoners are being failed due to a “chronic” shortage of accessible housing, the Mayor of London has been warned. The chair of the London Assembly Housing Committee, Zoë Garbett, has written to Sir Sadiq following their investigation into accessible housing. A lack of homes which are either built or adapted to enable people with access needs to live independently has led to “deeply distressing” conditions for those in need, according to Ms Garbett, a Green Party London Assembly member. A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: “The Mayor is committed to ensuring that all Londoners can afford a place to call home and providing genuine choice for London’s diverse population.”…
Australia updates NCC to enhance accessibility
August 12, 2025 | Source: Build Australia
The National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 Amendment 2 has been officially published, marking a significant update to align with recent revisions made to the Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010, commonly referred to as the Premises Standards. This amendment ensures that the NCC reflects the latest accessibility requirements for public buildings across Australia. The Premises Standards were amended on 23 November 2024, with the update taking effect from 29 July 2025. Central to this revision is the incorporation of the 2021 edition of the Australian Standard AS 1428.1, which focuses on design principles for access and mobility…
The Fringe shows that put accessibility centre stage
August 12, 2025 | Source: BBC- UK and Optician
The Edinburgh Fringe can be a maze for blind and visually-impaired audiences. With pop-up venues, jam-packed schedules and minimal thought given to access, it often feels like an afterthought, if it’s considered at all. This year, though, one venue is trying something different.
ZOO Playground has teamed up with Extant, the UK’s leading professional company of visually impaired artists, to put accessibility centre stage. The Fringe can overwhelm me. It’s loud, crowded, and I’m left wondering: will the venue work for me and my guide dog, Major? These thoughts hit me before I even book a ticket…
Accessibility challenges persist for persons with disabilities despite gov’t efforts
August 12, 2025 | Source: Macau Daily Times- China
In Macau, the promotion of accessible facilities remains crucial, yet many elderly individuals and persons with disabilities continue to encounter significant challenges in older neighborhoods, where inadequate accessibility hinders their mobility and limits social activities and mental health. As of mid-2025, the exact number of elderly residents in Macau has not been announced, but the government plans to distribute old-age pensions to those aged 65 and above starting in October this year, benefiting an estimated 40,000 individuals. Meanwhile, as of March 31 this year, there were 19,815 people registered in the Social Welfare Bureau’s (IAS) disability assessment registry…
Mahone Bay, N.S., introduces new accessibility guidelines for sidewalk patios
August 13, 2025 | Source: CBC- Canada
Any future sidewalk patio applications in Mahone Bay, N.S., will need to meet new accessibility guidelines following a decision from the town council after the fall of a well-known senior who later died. Council has adopted — several months early — the provincial accessibility standards that are due to come into effect next April, after hearing what it described as a “significant volume” of both support and concern about the structures. The town began a review of its streets and sidewalk bylaw after 100-year-old Barbara Minard fell earlier this summer outside a restaurant patio…
Train access problems leave some ‘disenfranchised’
August 14, 2025 | Source: BBC- UK
A lack of accessibility at a railway station in Cornwall which stops a disabled man catching some trains makes him “disenfranchised”, he says. The only way to get to the eastbound platform at Bodmin Parkway is via a footbridge – which causes difficulty for anyone in a wheelchair or with serious mobility issues. Pete Grainger has joined calls from passengers affected for a lift to be installed to avoid them having to travel to alternative stations further away to catch the train. Network Rail and Great Western Railway (GWR) insisted accessibility was a priority and staff were working on designs to improve the situation…
Accessibility Blogs, Information, and Videos
- Making Color Usage Accessible- Section508.gov
- On Dashes, A.I., and Screen Readers- Ricky Onsman
- Weekly Reading List
- August 11 2025- Ricky Onsman
- Mid-Atlantic ADA Center E-Bulletin:
- August 12, 2025
- Forget what you think you know about disability- ABC News (YouTube)
- Depicting Disabled Childhoods for Young Readers- Publisher’s Weekly
- Will AI bring an accessibility revolution to journalism?- Johny Cassidy
- Why digital accessibility should be a B2B priority too- Jonathan Hassell
- Neuro-Inclusive Management: Leading with Accessibility- Nick Ferrara
- That Doesn’t Need to Be a PDF- U.S. Access Board Accessibility Online
- Brain-computer interfaces in accessible tourism- Guyang Lin and Mimi Li
- Why U.S. companies need to pay attention to the EAA- Asheeta Bhavnani
- What Makes a Good Website? 11 Qualities of Effective Websites- Shopify
- In Remembrance of Patty Berne- Alice Wong, Disability Visibility Project
- What Website Accessibility Overlays Don’t Protect You From- Tambourine
- How to make online learning not just available, but accessible to all- India Today
- Emma Hodges on how to champion accessibility and inclusion at work- The Buyer
- Accessibility expert warns of AI ‘bollocks’ while highlighting benefits – PPC Land
- Accessibility Quick Start: High Impact Practices for Non-Frontend Devs- Danielle Ford
- Access is Love- Design and Disability at the Victoria and Albert Museum- Christiane Link
- Accessible travel: Making your programme truly inclusive- Business Travel News Europe
- The accessible future of research: from checklists to cultural change- Research Information
- The Green Party needs to get its house in order when it comes to accessibility- Bright Green
- Enable: The Disability Podcast, episode 1: Focus on what you can do, not what you can’t- Syracuse
- Criticism Mounts Over CDPAP Overhaul as Immigrant Workers Go Unpaid- Amir Khafagy, Documented
- With Not For and VML Centred Accessibility by Embedding Inclusivity at Every Touchpoint- With Not For
- Experiencing the Past: Accessibility in Historic Buildings and Facilities- U.S. Access Board Accessibility Online
- Building an accessible Smart Nation: Inclusive design in Singapore’s digital services- Government Technology Agency
- Digital Accessibility: A Social Responsibility and Economic Necessity for the Dutch Caribbean- The Curacao Chronicle
- Action on healthier working lives must begin with accessible and inclusive workplaces- Beth Kume-Holland- The Health Foundation
- Bridging the digital divide for people with aphasia: a study protocol for codesigning web accessibility tools and guidelines- National Library of Medicine
- The Americans with Disabilities Act at 35: Recognizing the important work to promote equal opportunity for people with disabilities- City of Philadelphia
- Digital Accessibility Under Title III of the ADA: Recent Developments and Risk Mitigation Best Practices- Lori J. Sommerfield, Eve Hill, Susan Fahey Desmond, and Matt Ater- American Bar Association
Federally Speaking
- Access Ready In Support of Policies and Positions
- Accessibility Needs – Travel.gov – U.S. Department of State
- What are the Federal Voluntary Voting System Guidelines?- Bipartisan Policy Center
- Understanding the DOJ’s New Memorandum on “Illegal DEI”- Ellenoff Grossman and Schole
- Veterans Affairs sets new record for disability and pension claims processing- Federal News Network
- National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) Poster Now Available- U.S. Department of Labor
Higher Education Blogs and Information
- Improving Employment in New York- Yang-Tan Institute
- SU grad transforms his disability into a game-changing career- CBS News
- A step forward in accessibility, inclusion and dignity for all- News@NWU
- Federal boost supports campus accessibility enhancements – Brock University
- A new way to get support from the Access Center – MSU Denver – Early Bird
- HUIT hosts 3rd annual University-wide Accessibility Summit – Harvard Gazette
- Yarra’s plan to shrink bike lines an accessibility and safety step back – RMIT University
- How to prepare your classroom before Title II deadline – News at IU – Indiana University
- The accessible future of research: from checklists to cultural change- Research Information
- Digital Accessibility Portfolio Inventory Guidelines- Accessibility – The University of Iowa
- UC promotes digital accessibility with systemwide resources- UCnet – University of California
- How to make McGill’s digital spaces more accessible: Advice from an expert- McGill University
- $750,000 Grant Aims to Improve Employment for People With Disabilities- Utah State University
- Virginia Tech seeks approval for accessibility upgrades at Old Town architecture center- ALXnow
- Guide to Accessible Tagline Statements- Office of Compliance – University of Wisconsin–Madison
- Yale updates its general requirements and accessibility guidance for design- Yale University Office of Facilities
- Inclusivity and Accessibility: Videophones Introduced at Purdue Northwest Hammond Campus- Great News Life
- New paving on University of New Brunswick Campus amid calls for improved wheelchair accessibility- Frequency News
- Deaf UNM Medical Student Paves Accessible Path for Students, Patients and Providers with Disabilities- The University of New Mexico
- Access Ready Strategic Joins the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) and the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Along with Other Organizations on Vital Policy and Public Interest Positions
Legal Blogs and Information
- European Accessibility Act- Máire Cunningham, Beauchamps
- Disabled struggle to use kiosks as new accessibility law looms – PressReader
- EU Law Pushes Tech Firms to Confront Accessibility Gaps- Healthcare Digital
- Lawsuit accuses Maine school of covering up assault of disabled student- WGME
- Legal firm to pay direct costs of theatre’s accessibility expansion- Arts Professional
- Presidential Circular on the Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications Has Been Published- Moroğlu Arseven
- DOL Issues Proposed Rules Clarifying Contractor Obligations Following Rescission of Executive Order 11246-Cooley
Accessibility Announcements
- BWG Launches Accessibility Survey
- Robots Help Map Accessibility in Irvine
- Edinburgh Fringe gets accessibility boost
- Hoboken Launches Accessible Website Redesign Survey
- SOSU partners with TimelyCare for student mental health
- Urgent campaign to support accessibility in the Peak District
- Accessibility improvements coming for these Delta bus stops
- Accessibility: Major Organizations Join Italy’s Fondazione LIA
- Public transit expansion coming for Pendleton’s elderly, disabled
- Ambulance service employee honoured for improving accessibility
- Oneida County trail accessibility project earns statewide recognition
- ADA-accessible townhouses unveiled in South Wedge neighborhood
- Accessible venues to welcome visitors at Budapest’s St. Stephen’s day events
- Oxford United New Stadium Plans to Set a ‘New Benchmark’ for Accessibility
- City of Hoboken launches initiative to expand and improve digital accessibility
- A’ International Human-Centered, Inclusive, and Accessible Design Awards Call for Entries
- TravelAbility Partners with VisitAble to Deliver Accessibility Training to Tourism Organizations
- Access Ready Strategic Recognizes VOTEC Corporation’s Accessibility Innovation in Election Technology
- HEWI Joins Accessible Hospitality Alliance as Sponsor Partner, Deepening Commitment to Accessible Design
Accessibility Products and Services
- Accessibility in Ned? Look to the Cube
- Guides help people with disabilities get out and about
- MCI adds app to guide blind and low-vision travelers
- Guides help people with disabilities get out and about
- Try the new Sound RideGuide trip planner – now in beta!
- Fun for all: Accessibility options at the Missouri State Fair (Video)
- NJ nature sites, trails becoming more wheelchair-accessible
- Oxford United champions accessibility in new stadium plans
- New accessible playground for all at Iowa State Fairgrounds
- 7 smart TV accessibility settings everyone should know about
- Knowledge Shared through Accessibility Book Club Community
- Explore Siouxland is now ‘Destination Verified’ for accessible travel
- Everyone’s Sleeping on These 13 Useful iPhone Accessibility Features
- MBTA Celebrates Opening of Newly-Accessible Natick Center Station
- Autotrader targets accessibility with a helping hand from Cheshire agency
- New Guide Aims to Improve Accessibility of Welsh Digital Public Services
- Erie County Fair’s ADA accommodations making noticeable impact on families
- Perth Airport enhances accessibility with new sensory room to assist neurodivergent travellers
- Shellharbour Airport’s new ‘Fly From Home’ campaign takes off with accessibility at its heart
- LG Electronics New Gen 2 Self-Ordering Kiosks Focus on People with Vision, Mobility and Hearing Disabilities
- Inclusive Design for Accessibility: A practical guide to digital accessibility, UX, and inclusive web and app design
- “Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty just launched its debut fragrance – here’s why it’s a game-changer for disability inclusivity”
- Trackchair Program rolls into Ute Valley Park and Bluestem Prairie, expanding accessibility in Colorado Springs open spaces
Accessibility Forums, Tips, and Gaming
- Heretic + Hexen Accessibility Guide
- Evolving the PlayStation Store Experience
- Leveling the Playing Field: The Evolution of Video Game Accessibility
- Obituary: Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 accessibility engineer Patrick “Thor” Gass has passed away
- Fighting Games Have An Accessibility Problem, But Not Because Of The Games Themselves
- An afternoon with Drag x Drive reveals a game with a lovely bloodthirsty edge – and a disappointing irony to accessibility representation
Accessibility Statements
- Creighton University
- University of Vienna
- University of the Pacific
- Clark Atlanta University
- Western Governors University
- European Union Drugs Agency
- New Jersey Institute of Technology
- Green Hills Area Education Agency
- UC Agriculture and Natural Resources
- Iowa State University of Science and Technology
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:
- What is a VPAT®? A VPAT Primer
- Understanding Digital Accessibility in the Procurement Process
- 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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