Accessibility in the News—12/22/17.
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―Christopher Reeve
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Sheltered Workshop and Honda of America Manufacturing Sued for Disability Discrimination
December 14, 2017 | Source: Brown Goldstein Levy
Michael A. Denoewer, an individual with autism, filed suit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio against his former employer, U-CO Industries, a sheltered workshop located in Marysville, Ohio, and Honda of America Manufacturing (Honda), for which U-CO is a Tier 1 Supplier. Mr. Denoewer alleges that U-CO Industries, his former employer, discriminated against him because of his disabilities when it failed to evaluate him for jobs in the workshop that he was otherwise qualified to perform and that provided higher pay, greater opportunities for advancement, and additional training opportunities…
Feds review accessibility at Iowa City school playground
December 15, 2017 | Source: The Gazette
Officials from the U.S. Department of Justice conducted an audit of Iowa City playgrounds last month after receiving a complaint. Officials visited Iowa City schools Nov. 15, according to an email from Kingsley Botchway, director of equity and engagement, that was sent Thursday to parents. The complaint concerns accessibility at a playground built over the summer at Shimek Elementary School, school board President Janet Godwin said. The district was first notified of the complaint on Sept. 15, and Botchway said the district has been cooperating with the investigation…
A Bitcoin Whitepaper Braille Version has Finally Been Made Available
December 16, 2017 | Source: BTC Manager
Bitcoin is a digital currency designed for everyone. It was designed for people all around the world to use it freely with no restraints. In 2008, Satoshi Nakamoto released the whitepaper ‘Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash system.’ Soon after its release, the whitepaper was translated into numerous languages and is available for free online; now there is an effort underway to produce the documents in tactile form. Bitcoin always had its inclusive side, and since its inception, it saw no differences between users…
Bill would make it harder to sue businesses over access issues
December 17, 2017 | Source: Santa Fe New Mexican
The ADA Education and Reform Act, approved by the U.S. House Judiciary Committee on Sept. 7, would overhaul the complaint and enforcement process for businesses that fail to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. While proponents of the bill say it will protect business owners and operators from costly and unnecessary litigation, critics contend the measure will create added barriers for people with disabilities and also could have the effect of increasing litigation, due to some uncertainties in the measure…
Advocate for disabled workers is 2017 CNN Hero of the Year
December 18, 2017 | Source: CNN
“My children are not broken,” Amy Wright insists. Most parents don’t have to declare their children’s fundamental value, but after two of 2017 CNN Hero of the Year Amy Wright’s kids were born with Down syndrome, it was clear that she would have to back them up every step of the way. “When you become a parent of a child with special needs, you are instantly thrust into becoming an advocate,” Wright explained. “Trying to make people see the beauty in their lives that we see.”…
A more accessible future: AirPods, hearing aids, and the audio technology to make it possible
December 18, 2017 | Source: 9to5Mac
Apple CEO Tim Cook has repeatedly stated his belief that technology should be accessible to everyone. For decades, Apple products have shipped with accessibility features, proof that these values are deeply rooted in the company. Apple even launched a dedicated accessibility website in 2016, showcasing the stories of several individuals and how their lives have benefited from accessible products. One branch of accessibility that’s received an increasing amount of attention is hearing…
Grand Theatre Expands Accessibility for Deaf People
December 18, 2017 | Source: Broadway World
The Grand Theatre announces expanded accessibility initiatives for Deaf and hard of hearing patrons. The Grand’s commitment to offering an accessible theatre environment spans from the introduction of open-captioned performances to additional American Sign Language-interpreted performances, and from enhanced front-of-house services to productions inspired by stories about historic figures who were deaf, as well as casting that includes actors from the Deaf and hard of hearing community…
David Katz, A Top Photographer Who Was Secretly Legally Blind
December 18, 2017 | Source: Peta Pixel
Here’s a 15-minute video featuring the internationally acclaimed sports photographer David Katz, a man who was diagnosed as being legally blind when he was just 3 months old. Through his eyes, things seem too bright, blurred, and appear to move too quickly. “It’s overwhelming at times,” says Katz. “When I have a camera in front of me and I’m looking at things through the viewfinder, everything feels real and natural.” Katz essentially sees the world through his camera’s viewfinder…
Aira Partners With Lyft to Make Traveling More Accessible for the Blind and Low Vision
December 19, 2017 | Source: Medium & Bustle & Ubergizmo
Continually expanding its services to blind and low-vision individuals, Aira is excited to announce its partnership with Lyft, the fastest growing rideshare company in the US, to offer all Aira Explorers seamless access to Lyft’s ridesharing services. This integration provides key capabilities that enhance the Lyft experience for Aira users. Upon request, Aira agents can now initiate Lyft rides and convey important information about the ride, including the location of designated pick-up spots, estimated time of pick-up, and the estimated fare…
Is Your Hotel Website ADA Compliant? Here’s Why It Matters
December 19, 2017 | Source: Forbes
When the Americans with Disabilities Act first came into existence in 1990, few industries were affected more than the hotel industry. Any place of public accommodation was now required to provide “full and equal enjoyment of [its] goods, services, privileges, advantages or accommodations” to people with disabilities. In other words, it was no longer just good business practice to make your hotel’s rooms and suites accessible to disabled guests; it became required by law. More than 25 years later, history is about to repeat itself — this time with websites…
Facebook improves how blind can ‘see’ images using AI
December 19, 2017 | Source: Chicago Sun-Times & San Francisco Chronicle
When Matt King first got on Facebook eight years ago, the blind engineer had to weigh whether it was worth spending an entire Saturday morning checking whether a friend of his was actually in his friend list. Such were the tools at the time for the visually impaired — almost nonexistent. Today, thanks to text-to-audio software, it just takes a few seconds for him to accomplish the same task. And because of a new face recognition service the social network is rolling out Tuesday, he can now learn which friends are in photos, even those who haven’t been tagged by another user…
Every designer should see the Smithsonian’s illuminating exhibit on accessibility
December 19, 2017 | Source: Quartz & Forbes
It’s only a matter of time until all of us experience some form of physical disability. From needing corrective eye glasses to requiring a cane to move around, we all will rely on assistive technology as we age, if we don’t already. But until recently, designers have primarily had the able-bodied user in mind when creating products. Most products for aging adults and people with disabilities have been clunky, depressingly clinical, and cobbled together with a “good enough is good enough” design standard…
Innovative app helps visually impaired travelers navigate airport
December 19, 2017 | Source: eTurboNews
As the holiday travel season kicks into high gear, travelers who are visually impaired have a new tool to help them navigate the airport and find their gate. The “Indoor Explorer” app, developed by the American Printing House for the Blind (APH), based in Louisville, Kentucky in partnership with Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer’s Office and the James Graham Brown Foundation, presents a groundbreaking opportunity that could completely alter travel for people with vision loss. The feature is currently being tested and is in use at the Louisville International Airport…
Schools commit to website accessibility
December 20, 2017 | Source: Grayson County News Gazette
The Grayson County School Board on Thursday, Dec. 14 approved a resolution agreement with the United States Department of Education/Office of Civil Rights to ensure that its websites will remain accessible to individuals with disabilities. During the regular Dec. 14 School Board meeting, Grayson County Schools Attorney David Vickery said that, in August of this year, a notice was filed with the Grayson County School system alleging that the school system had discriminated against persons with disabilities based on its website accessibility…
Making the arts more accessible
December 20, 2017 | Source: Palo Alto Online
There’s no shortage of performing-arts events on the Midpeninsula, but for members of the neurodiverse community, who can feel overwhelmed by intense stimuli and unwelcome in some traditional arts environments, the area’s high-quality concerts, plays and ballets aren’t always fully accessible. Local groups are trying to change that by offering autism- and sensory-friendly, judgment-free performances in a variety of genres. Concert pianist Stephen Prutsman and his wife, Sigrid Van Bladel, who are parents to a teenage son with autism, founded the nonprofit Autism Fun Bay Area…
DOJ investigation into IC Schools surrounds Shimek Elementary
December 21, 2017 | Source: ABC- KCRG
I9 has obtained the letter federal investigators sent to the Iowa City Community School District regarding playgrounds. Last week I9 uncovered the Department of Justice made an on site visit back in November. The note reveals the school in question and what federal officials are looking for. I9 has learned the Department of Justice’s investigation into the Iowa City Community School District surrounds ADA compliance and specifically concerns the new playground at Shimek Elementary School…
FAA outlines requirements for airport access by individuals with disabilities
December 21, 2017 | Source: eTurboNews
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has revised its Advisory Circular (AC) entitled Access to Airports by Individuals with Disabilities to ensure airport operators of civil use airports comply with the laws and regulations pertaining to individuals with disabilities. Guidelines for Service Animal Relief Areas (SARAs) are an important part of the revised guidance. The AC provides requirements and recommendations for SARAs at civil use airports, which are required for each airport with 10,000 or more enplanements…
Jack Fact — According to Forbes Magazine, the popularity of landline telephones is declining at an alarming rate. According to data, 92.7% of U.S. households had a landline phone in 2004. In 2016, that number decreased to 45.9%.
International News
Make A Disabled Child’s Christmas And Ensure Attractions And Events Are Accessible
December 15, 2017 | Source: HuffPost- UK
It really is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. The excitement, cheer and the endless festive fun oozing from the high streets to our homes, is undeniably infectious. This merriment is especially magical for children, who unlike the more cynical of us, still enjoy the thought of Father Christmas visiting, or visualise those elves working on gifts that will soon be under our trees. Today, however, I want to open your eyes to what Christmas can be like for disabled children – those who may be missing out on experiences that I believe are a rite of passage in their childhoods…
Inclusive architecture is a paradigm shift, says Kavita Murugkar
December 15, 2017 | Source: Hindustan Times
In the lieu of the Accessible India campaign, professor Kavita Murugkar of Dr Bhanuben Nanavati College Of Architecture (BNCA), has developed a curriculum for budding architects to design and create a more differently-abled friendly country. Speaking with Hindustan Times, Murugkar explains the nuances of accessibility, especially in educational institutes. Persons with disabilities have, right from their early age, been isolated from the mainstream. It starts from schooling…
Imperative to provide facilities to differently-abled
December 16, 2017 | Source: Outlook- India & Times of India & BILKUL & Live Law & Bar & Bench
People with disability have a right to get higher education and not making adequate provisions to facilitate their proper education would amount to “discrimination”, the Supreme Court said today. Ir directed the government institutions of higher education and other such institutions, which were receiving aid from the government, to comply with the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. The Act provides for reservation of not less than five per cent seats for persons with benchmark disabilities…
Heathrow Enhances Service for Passengers with Hidden and Visible Disabilities
December 18, 2017 | Source: AviationPros- UK & eTurboNews- UK
Heathrow on Dec. 18, announced a multi-million pound package of investments and tools to improve the travel experience of passengers with disabilities and mobility restrictions at the airport. The number of passengers requesting special assistance at Heathrow is rising at approximately 8 percent annually, with over 1 million requests in 2017 alone – more than any other European airport. Following a report by the Civil Aviation Authority this year, Heathrow is taking proactive steps to transform its service for these passengers, backed by an investment of £23 million in a revamped, upgraded contract with its special assistance partner, OmniServ…
Engaging visually impaired with arts
December 18, 2017 | Source: The Navhind Times- India
To make art accessible to the visually impaired and those with reduced mobility, and engage them with arts, curator of Senses 2.0 Siddhant Shah is organising curated walks across all the venues of the ongoing Serendipity Arts Festival in Panaji. NT BUZZ talks to Siddhant to know more about how he is making art accessible. With every passing year, Serendipity Arts Festival is developing new ideas and inviting people from different walks of life to come forth and exhibit their talent…
Here are some simple ideas to help BC’s seniors and people with disabilities with housing
December 18, 2017 | Source: CBC- Canada
An advocate for people with disabilities says a report from the B.C.’s seniors’ advocate has those in her community nodding in agreement. The report found rising rents and few affordable housing options mean many seniors are on the brink of homelessness. Liz Barnett, executive director of the North Shore Disability Resource Centre says like seniors, people with disabilities people face extra challenges finding appropriate, accessible, affordable housing as well as mobility…
Stop Sidelining Accessibility
December 19, 2017 | Source: | Source: OpenNews- Pakistan
One of our favorite definitions of accessibility comes from Karen Stevens, the accessibility lead at EA Sports: “Disability is a mismatch between a person and their environment. Accessibility is the correction of this mismatch.” The term “disability” doesn’t just describe a permanent state. The need for accessible content and interfaces can also be temporary or situational. Consider the following situations in which you might want to consume media: In a noisy room or subway where you can’t hear a video on your phone…
How Creating an Accessible Ontario Affects Your Business
December 19, 2017 | Source: Quinte West Chamber of Commerce- Canada
Imagine a land with bustling urban centres, soft and sandy beaches, snow-covered mountains and forests with soaring trees. Imagine a place that offers its people an abundance of career opportunities, and unique spots to enjoy with family and friends. Now imagine that you’re a resident of this land – but you don’t have access to most of these offerings. It’s a feeling that many people with disabilities in Ontario have experienced. However, wide-ranging legislation passed by the Ontario government in 2005 aims to change this…
TRAI releases consultation paper on ‘making ICT accessible for persons with disabilities’
December 20, 2017 | Source: Hindu Business Line- India & ETTelecom
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Wednesday released a consultation paper on ‘making ICT accessible for persons with disabilities (PwDs)’ to identify key areas where policy interventions are needed to understand the barriers being faced by these people. With this consultation paper, the authority wants to understand if affirmative actions at policy level in the form of recommendations to the government or formation of regulation or advisory to equipment/ service providers or a combination of these, it said…
Accessibility Mark – Everything You Need to Know
December 20, 2017 | Source: Everything Horse- UK
As Accessibility Mark continues to march forwards, the revolutionary scheme is helping more and more disabled people to get involved in sport and activities. Accessibility Mark is opening up more opportunities making horse riding more accessibility to a wider group of people. There are currently 42 centres across the country. Riding has many benefits for both physical and mental health as well building confidence that can transfer into other areas of life through increased social interaction…
Red Deer is inaccessible, says wheelchair user
December 20, 2017 | Source: Red Deer Express- Canada
A wheelchair accessibility advocate says she is fed up with the City of Red Deer’s indifference. Heather Dahl, who uses a wheelchair, has lobbied for accessibility in Red Deer for years. She said it is time the City ‘puts its money where its mouth is’. In the wake of UN Disability Day on Dec. 3rd, Dahl said, City staff have been slow to respond to safety concerns and have ignored her complaints. According to Dahl, accessibility is not a priority for the City of Red Deer. She said infrastructure and transportation need major attention…
Guanacaste National Parks Exclude Disabled People
December 21, 2017 | Source: Voice of Guanacaste- Costa Rica
The president of the Liberia City Council Juan Flores has a mobility impairment and he doesn’t have the desire to visit the national parks in Guanacaste because he knows that the majority lack wide, safe sidewalks that would allow him to move in a wheelchair. Enjoying nature in the majority of national parks in Guanacaste is practically a privilege that people that have disabilities still can’t access. Santa Rosa National Park is the only park with a universal access trail that doesn’t discriminate against people for their physical or mental condition…
Future Cities Need Technology That Understands All Humans
December 21, 2017 | Source: Motherboard- Canada
The world’s cities and their populations are growing at an unprecedented rate. The United Nations predicts that by 2050, 66 percent of the world’s population will live in urbanized areas, compared to just a third in 1950. As these cities sprawl upwards and outwards—becoming smarter and hyper-connected—it’s more important than ever to ensure that they are inclusive and accessible for all citizens. Mobility is essential for that inclusivity. Cities can be daunting places to navigate for anyone, but can be near-impossible for those with hearing or sight impairments, as well as citizens with restricted mobility…
Accessibility Blogs & Information
- Accessibility Standards Survey
- Seeing through the eyes of others
- Thinking about Accessibility Part 2
- Web Accessibility in the Corporate World
- ColdFusion Practical Digital Accessibility (Podcast)
- Working together to achieve accessibility
- Otago Polytechnic students empowering others
- Accessibility features for Customer Engagement
- What is the Value of a Website Usability Audit?
- Accommodating Event Attendees with Disabilities
- How to Implement Accessibility in Agency Projects: Part 2
- Accessibility Testing Tools for Desktop and Mobile Websites
- BlindNewWorld’s Top 10 Assistive Tech Innovations in 2017
- A History of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
- Microsoft Tackles IDE Accessibility With Visual Studio Extension
- What working on GOV.UK navigation taught us about accessibility
- January 18, 2018: Webinar on EU rail accessibility legislation for beginners
- WordCamp US 2017 Recap: Gutenberg, Accessibility, and Wapuu — Oh my!
- 11 teams, 72 hours, one goal: building tech solutions for people with disabilities
- UK Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations exemption orders: annual report 2016
- A Roadmap for Buying Accessible Tech for Your Workplace: Business Sense Newsletter for December 2017
- Creating an Accessible Learning Environment- Teaching Assistants’ Training Program – University of Toronto
Accessibility Pages
Accessibility Announcements & Products
- What’s new in HTML5.2
- E-learning conference kicks off in Oman
- Academy launches $4M capital campaign
- Camp Digital returns to Manchester in 2018
- Accessibility program for tourist establishments
- Ebook Central Enhances Accessibility for Researchers
- Nevis council look at long-term plan for ADA accessibility
- MidCoast Council seeks feedback on disability access issues
- $71,000 grant enables Kentucky to help homes become accessible
- Uber Is a Taxi Service, the E.C.J. Rules, in Major Setback for Firm
- Longmont City Council to discuss possible ‘visitability’ standards for homes
- Pittsburgh making playgrounds more accessible for children with disabilities
- Star Athlete Gives Away $10M Home to Christian Camp for Kids with Disabilities
- Please Take City Survey to Help Improve Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities
- 7-Year-Old With Cerebral Palsy Gets New Accessible Playhouse From Make-A-Wish
- Global Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Converters Market 2017: Fiat, Freedom, Toyota, Peugeot
- American Foundation for the Blind Announces 2018 Helen Keller Achievement Award Winners
- CTA Foundation Announces Accessibility Award Winners, Exhibitors, Programming at CES 2018
- Tommy Adaptive- Tommy Hilfiger’s first adaptive clothing collection for individuals who have physical disabilities
- INNsight.com – Shielding Hoteliers From ADA Title III and WCAG 2.0 Level AA Litigation With Technology and Design
- Driving the growth of the Assistive Technologies for Visual Impairment Market: size, future trends, key opportunities and forecasts 2018-2023
Accessibility Q&A & Tips
- FAQs for Ally
- Quick Start for Ally
- Chios wheelchair accessibility
- Where did ‘KB Accessibility’ go?
- Android accessibility settings turn off
- Amalfi coast for disabled with accessibility issues
- How important is web accessibility in portfolio projects
- Settings and Personalization- Accessibility of my phone
- Add a skip to link to your website to improve accessibility (video)
- Keyboard accessibility missing when disclaimer is left blank
- Here’s how to zoom in on a Mac, no matter what app you’re using
- Latest Windows 10 Insider build 17063 further refines the Edge experience
Microassist Digital Accessibility Services
Microassist Accessibility Services
Our digital and web accessibility services cover
Accessible Elearning Development — Does your online training reach all learners, whether they’re your employees, resellers, students? Let us help you design effective, engaging training that works for everyone.
Accessible Website and Application Development — An inaccessible website or application is increasingly seen as violating the ADA. Let’s talk about creating an online presence that reaches all your customers and reduces your litigation risk.
Audit and Testing Services — A thorough accessibility audit against recognized accessibility standards will show you where you may be under-serving your customers and putting your organization at risk.
Accessible Document Services — Digital assets such as Microsoft Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, PDFs, and audio and video files need to be accessible to individuals with disabilities, too. We can help you establish creation processes or remediate historical documents so that they meet accessibility standards and are usable by people with disabilities.
Remediation Services — Whether for a time-sensitive response to a legal action, or for proactive remediation, we can fix what doesn’t meet accessibility standards.
Accessibility Training — Contact us to get your teams introduced and informed about accessibility best practices.
Please contact us for any questions you have about our accessibility services and how we might support your organization.
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.
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