Accessibility in the News—08/11/16
In this issue of Accessibility in the News (AITN), we have accessibility-related media coverage on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and accessible websites (senior care providers must comply with new regulations), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) title II and title III regulations (including a free 8/31/16 webinar to learn more), and innovations (that facilitate camping while using a wheelchair, browsing the web with a learning disability, and interacting with New York city while using a hearing aid).
To receive Accessibility in the News via email, send a subscription request to [email protected].
These Delhi Teens Want To Change The Web With Their Reading App For Dyslexics
8/1 | Source: The Huffington Post
For about 15 percent of India’s population, reading online means having to struggle with words that appear to jump or even dance around the screen, instead of staying in their place. If letters coming to life sounds magical to you, try reading this. You’ll actually find it quite frustrating to lead the life of a person with dsylexia.
Two months ago, 18-year-old Anand Chowdhary and 15-year-old Nishant Gadihoke decided to take this problem head on. The Delhi-based teenagers created an app called Oswald, that helps people with dsylexia, visual impairment, and learning disorders to browse the web easily. Gadihoke and Chowdhary teamed up while studying at the Mother’s International School. “We would work on projects as part of our school’s computer club MNET, and have been designing and developing websites and apps for numerous organisations including Google, and the government,” said Chowdhary in an interview with HuffPost India…
State park cabins make camping accessible for all
8/7 | Source: Journal Sentinel
Campers often take their ability to spend a few nights in a tent in the woods for granted. But for people who use wheelchairs, sleeping on the ground isn’t always an option.
To help people with disabilities explore nature, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides 10 wheelchair-accessible cabins around the state. The department recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of its first log cabin at Mirror Lake State Park. What began as a volunteer project of the Telephone Pioneers of America has grown into a popular program that has allowed thousands of people to spend starry nights in the state park system over the years…
City looking to break 23-nomination mark from 2015
8/7 | Source: The Observer
Nominations for the City of Sarnia’s accessibility awards are open, and each year the number of entries continues to grow. The awards have been handed out annually since 2012, and city accessibility coordinator Dale Mosley said participation has improved every year.
“Which is great, we’re getting more and more people participating and getting their nominations in,” he said. “It’s been really embraced by the public and we’ve given out quite a few awards over the years.”
The Sarnia accessibility advisory committee received 23 nominations for six awards last year: prelude to excellence large business, prelude to excellence small business, exceptional leadership in customer service, creating opportunity for an accessible community, exceptional accessible physical environment, and going above and beyond…
HHS Issues Final ACA Nondiscrimination Rules, Affecting Several Industries Including Senior Care Providers
8/8 | Source: Lexoloty
Certain senior care providers like nursing homes and home health agencies will need to ensure compliance with new regulations issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)…The new regulations also impose accessibility technology requirements, meaning that covered entities providing health care programs and services must have accessible electronic information technology, including accessible websites…
How New York City Hears People With Hearing Loss
8/8 | Source: Torbes
New York City is the most accessible city in the country for people with hearing loss. Hearing access is available at many of the city’s Broadway theaters, museums, and stadiums. Even the subway information booths/call boxes as well as the new Taxis of Tomorrow have hearing access. The degree of access available varies by site, so check the individual websites for specific details.
A hearing induction loop permits a person with a telecoil-equipped hearing aid or cochlear implant to use the T-setting to hear the sound directly from the microphone through the hearing aid/implant—no receiver is needed. Background noise is blocked on the T-setting. The other types of assistive listening systems, FM and infrared, require the use of a receiver (a headset or body-worn device); telecoil users can plug in a neck loop…
IMPACT REPORT: Transforming Government Services through Technology and Innovation
8/9 | Source: White House
President Obama has led a transformational era of change through technology and innovation that is producing a smarter, savvier, and more effective government for the American people. On August 11, 2014, the President directed his Administration to accelerate efforts to improve and simplify the digital experience between individuals, businesses, and the government through the creation of the U.S. Digital Service.
Over the last two years, these actions have significantly improved the Federal Government’s ability to provide better citizen-centered services and helped Americans engage with their government in new and meaningful ways. From modernizing our country’s immigration system to helping students and families make more informed decisions about college selection to developing a unified digital experience for our Veterans, this work has reimagined how government services should be provided to the public. In addition to building these important services, the Administration has created a pipeline for top technology talent from the private sector to participate in tours of duty with the Federal Government and partner with top civil servants to ensure a lasting culture of innovation that will serve the American people for years to come…
Sydney Opera House set for biggest upgrade ever with concert hall, accessibility renovations
8/11 | Source: ABC
New South Wales Deputy Premier Troy Grant said the building’s traditional features would be preserved, but the work would open more of the venue up to the public, and offer improvements for both audiences and artists.
“The heritage of this building will not be lost, it’ll only be enhanced,” he said. “The renewal process is a magnificent milestone in the history of this wonderful institution…”
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) Web Accessibility and the Public Inclusive Infrastructure Grant
8/11 | Source: RESNA
RESNA is partnering with Catalyst to present a free webinar on August 31, 2016, 3p.m. EST, entitled ADA Web Accessibility & the Public Inclusive Infrastructure Grant.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) withdrew the notice of proposed rulemaking under Title II and Title III it issued in 2010. DOJ has requested a Supplemental Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SANPRM) soliciting additional public comment on various website accessibility issues and asking for related cost information for preparing a regulatory impact analysis. Comments on the SANPRM must be submitted by August 8, 2016…
Amendment of Americans With Disabilities Act Title II and Title III Regulations To Implement ADA Amendments Act of 2008
8/11 | Source: The Daily Journal of the U.S Government
The Department of Justice (Department) is issuing this final rule to amend its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations in order to incorporate the statutory changes to the ADA set forth in the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADA Amendments Act or the Act), which took effect on January 1, 2009. In response to earlier Supreme Court decisions that significantly narrowed the application of the definition of “disability” under the ADA, Congress enacted the ADA Amendments Act to restore the understanding that the definition of “disability” shall be broadly construed and applied without extensive analysis. Congress intended that the primary object of attention in cases brought under the ADA should be whether covered entities have complied with their statutory obligations not to discriminate based on disability. In this final rule, the Department is adding new sections to its title II and title III ADA regulations to set forth the proper meaning and interpretation of the definition of “disability” and to make related changes required by the ADA Amendments Act in other sections of the regulations…
To receive this “Accessibility in the News” curation via email, please send a subscription request to [email protected]. Each issue, we bring you accessibility news stories curated from around the web. Topics vary, but generally focus on digital accessibility standards and implementation, accessibility compliance and accessibility litigation, and other online access issues.
Additional Accessibility Information
Digital Accessibility Digest
One of our three industry blogs, Microassist’s Digital Accessibility Digest is the “umbrella” for much of our accessibility content. It features commentary, guidance, curated news, and event information. Accessibility in the News is a regular feature of the Digital Accessibility Digest.
Microassist Accessibility Services
Outlining a host of accessibility-related services, Microassist Accessibility Services: Barrier-Free Digital Development, provides background on Microassist expertise and the various offerings available for digital content and platforms. Services cover accessible elearning, website, and application development, audit and remediation services, and accessibility testing across various formats. Content is available online and as an accessible PDF for printing.
Have Questions?
Please contact us for any questions you have about our accessibility services and how we might support your organization.
Subscribe to Accessibility in the News
Stay informed! Get your weekly update on digital accessibility standards, private and public sector trends, litigation, events, and more.