Accessibility in the News — 5/10/19.
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AITN Quote of the Week
“The mother’s heart is the child’s school-room.”
—Henry Ward Beecher
Job interview – World’s Toughest Job
National News (U.S.)
Wright State introduces robotic dining device to aid those with physical disabilities
May 2, 2019 | Source: Dayton Business Journal
Wright State University has partnered with a local technology company to further its accessibility for students with physical disabilities. The university has added three Obi dining robots to its services, which are designed, developed and manufactured by DESiN LLC in downtown Dayton. The addition of these robots was funded by a $15,000 grant provided by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. The university is the only known institution to provide dining service robots to its students…
Lyft fights to avoid Americans with Disabilities Act in federal court
May 2, 2019 | Source: Politico&Fast Company
Disabled riders face scarcity of accessible vehicles
May 7, 2019 | Source: City & State
Lyft argues it should not be subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act and is fighting a federal class action lawsuit filed in Westchester County on the grounds that “it is not in the transportation business.” It’s an argument long employed by app-based companies like Lyft and Uber, and it’s one that experts in the field continue to scoff at. “According to their public filings their mission is to improve people’s lives with the world’s best transportation,” said former New York City Taxi Commissioner Meera Joshi…
Spending: Remodeling for life – with style
May 3, 2019 | Source: Chicago Tribune
Your kids are successfully launched and, suddenly, you seem to have more disposable income. This could be a good time to tackle the remodeling projects you’ve been putting off. And while you’re updating your house for style, consider adapting it so you can age in place comfortably. Studies show that most homeowners age 50 and older say they want to remain in their house as they age, but most U.S. homes weren’t built to accommodate older people’s special needs…
In Portland, Reducing Waste And Increasing Accessibility At Nossa Familia
May 3, 2019 | Source: Sprudge
While many of late have framed disability inclusion and waste reduction as diametrically opposed, Portland’s Nossa Familia, a local institution since 2004, is using its newest space to showcase a unique and beautiful combination of the two. Nossa Familia, which means “our family” in Portuguese, designed its latest cafe around the idea that anyone should feel welcome in their space, focusing on making it accessible to all types of bodies while reducing waste in ways that help the environment without harming their clientele…
4 ways local tech orgs are trying to make their spaces more accessible
May 3, 2019 | Source: Technical.ly
For Brianna Wronko, CEO of Group K Diagnostics, being able to have her service dog with her at the office could literally save her life. Luna, a nine-month-old Maltipoo trained to monitor heart conditions, starts to bark whenever the founder is about to have an episode of arrhythmia, and lets her know it’s time to sit down and breathe calmly. Moving offices to a space that welcomes service animals is one adjustment the life sciences company made with accessibility in mind…
Disabled Student-Athletes Must Have Accessibility Needs Met
May 3, 2019 | Source: The Oberlin Review
Current Facilities Don’t Meet Accessibility Needs
May 3, 2019 | Source: The Oberlin Review
In light of the Academic and Administrative Program Review and financial stress at Oberlin College, there has been a lot of student concern surrounding physical accessibility. We know that there will be absolutely necessary cuts in order to secure the financial longevity of the institution. However, one thing that cannot be sacrificed is accessibility for disabled students. The resources for disabled students are already slim. Despite the genuine effort, care, and concern that Disability Resources staff provides, the department is drastically under-resourced…
News10NBC Investigates: RIT, Naz caught in explosion of ADA website lawsuits
May 3, 2019 | Source: WHEC
All week News10NBC investigated the thousands of lawsuits accusing the owners of restaurants, malls, art galleries and wineries of discriminating against people with disabilities. Critics call the lawsuits a cash grab by serial plaintiffs and their lawyers. News10NBC learned Friday that the Rochester Institute of Technology, Nazareth College, and dozens of other colleges and universities have been sued for the same violations by the same guy from Brooklyn…
Obamas Bringing Disability Rights Film To Netflix
May 3, 2019 | Source: Disability Scoop
The evolution of the disability rights movement is at the heart of a documentary that former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are bringing to Netflix. The couple’s production company Higher Ground said this week that it will bring the film “Crip Camp” to the streaming service. The feature-length documentary tells the story of a summer camp for teenagers with disabilities in the 1970s near Woodstock, N.Y. that helped springboard the disability rights movement…
Northam vetoes legislation to change Virginians with Disabilities Act
May 3, 2019 | Source: Augusta Free Press
Governor Northam today vetoed House Bill 2296, which would change the Virginians with Disabilities Act (VDA) by requiring a claimant to provide at least 120 days of notification to financial entities prior to the commencement of a lawsuit regarding web accessibility. This legislation would change the VDA by requiring a claimant to notify financial entities including banks, trusts, savings institutions, and credit unions, at least 120 days prior to commencement of a lawsuit regarding web accessibility…
Don’t praise DOTS for doing the bare minimum for UMD students with disabilities
May 3, 2019 | Source: The Diamondback
Earlier this week, my fellow columnist Liyanga de Silva wrote about the pros of DOTS’ new “Will You Stand Up For Me?” campaign, which aims to bring attention to those dealing with invisible disabilities on public transportation. I agree with many of her points, especially those about the importance of raising awareness. But much like thoughts and prayers, there’s only so much change that stickers on bus seats can bring…
Graduate students want to map the world’s sidewalks for their accessibility
May 3, 2019 | Source: KIRO
Mapping the world’s sidewalks for their accessibility is the lofty goal of the graduate students behind “Project Sidewalk.” Just 15 days ago, Seattle became the third city where sidewalks are being mapped. The information can be useful even to runners, who are often forced to run around obstacles along their routes. But certainly for someone in a wheelchair knowing where those obstacles are could mean the difference between getting where they’re going or getting stuck…
MTA Required To Provide Disability Access In Subway Station Renovation Unless Technically Infeasible
May 3, 2019 | Source: Farrell Fritz
The replacement of stairways at the Middletown Road Subway Station in the Bronx triggered accessibility requirements that may include installing elevators, according to a recent decision from SDNY District Judge Edgardo Ramos. In Bronx Independent Living Services v. Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Judge Ramos held that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and NYC Transportation Authority (NYCTA) are required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide access individuals with disabilities…
Aging baby boomers are about to push Alzheimer’s disease rates sky high
May 4, 2019 | Source: USA Today
She had researched Alzheimer’s disease and its effects on the brain for years, but it wasn’t until her own mother’s memory began to slip that Dr. Eva Feldman, a University of Michigan neurologist, truly grasped how devastating the disease is. Margherita Feldman was 88 when she moved in June 2017 to the memory care unit of an assisted living home in Saline. And although her memory loss wasn’t as acute as some of the other residents, it’s when the cruelty of the disease – now the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States – and the scope of America’s Alzheimer’s crisis became clear to her daughter…
Disability Settlement with Greyhound Results in 3 Million Payout
May 5, 2019 | Source: TravelPulse
Over 2,100 people experienced disability discrimination by Greyhound and have received a settlement payout since 2016. On Thursday, the Department of Justice announced that $2.96 million were issued to individuals who were traveling or attempting to travel on Greyhound and were faced with disability discrimination of some sort. The company also paid $300,000 in 2016 to specific individuals chosen by the Department of Justice, as well as a $75,000 civil penalty to the government…
Accessible Dispatch, wheelchair accessible taxi service in New York City, expands to outer districts
May 7, 2019 | Source: NewzHook
Wheelchair users living in areas districts outside New York City can look forward to convenient and hassle-free travel. They can now easily access wheelchair-accessible taxis with the City expanding its Accessible Dispatch program. Until now, the service, which allows users to call, text or book the service on email, was available only in Manhattan. By expanding the service, the New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission (NYC TLC) wants to offer people in wheelchairs and motorized scooters greater and more equitable access to transportation…
Visually Impaired Man Sues Pokémon Company Over Non-ADA Compliant Website
May 7, 2019 | Source: Variety
A visually-impaired man is suing The Pokémon Company because he says one of its websites is not equally accessible to blind consumers and violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), according to court documents filed on Monday. Derrick Dennis of Queens, New York is legally blind and needs screen reading software to view a website’s content on his computer. He says the Pokémon Center website, which sells a variety of branded merchandise, including t-shirts, mugs, figures, and trading cards, contains numerous barriers that prevent him and other visually-impaired people from fully accessing its services and goods…
Turn struggling readers into leaders with assistive technology
May 7, 2019 | Source: EdScoop
“What are you [teachers] doing right now so that your students have unhindered access to grade-level curriculum each day?” That was a question posed in a recent edWeb.net webinar by Dana Blackaby, a dyslexia specialist at The Academy at Nola Dunn in Burleson, Texas. Blackaby and two student-led tech crew members from her elementary school — 5th-grade student, Gavin, and 4th-grade student, Marley — explained that students with disabilities cannot access grade-level curricula completely independently if they are not yet reading at grade level…
What Law Enforcement Executives Need To Know About Website Accessibility Claims
May 8, 2019 | Source: Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell
The new battleground for plaintiffs filing Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) accessibility cases involves claims of barriers, not in physical space, but in cyber space. Lawsuits claiming that public webpages are not accessible to disabled users are being filed in Florida at an alarming rate. So far, most of these suits have been directed at private businesses, such as grocery stores, restaurants, retail stores, shopping centers, and hotels, known as “public accommodations” under Title III of the ADA…
ADA Restaurant Website Surfing Suits on the Rise
May 8, 2019 | Source: Modern Restaurant Management
For the past several years, we have seen a steep increase in litigation in the hospitality industry brought under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These suits often contend that certain aspects of buildings, bathrooms and parking lots do not comply with the Act’s detailed regulations for building standards. Title III requires private businesses to accommodate disabled patrons who visit their property by removing barriers to their goods and services, if such removal would be “readily achievable.”…
Delivery Bots Could Make Cities More Accessible for Everyone
May 8, 2019 | Source: Slate
Last week, Washington’s governor (and presidential hopeful) Jay Inslee signed a bill allowing robots to roll through the state, delivering goods and food orders. Washington joins seven other states that have legalized bot deliveries, and other cities and college campuses have allowed companies to pilot their services. The news came on the heels of Amazon’s first-quarter earnings meeting, where CFO Brian Olsavsky announced that the company is “evolving” its Prime service to deliver purchases to customers within a day instead of the current standard two-day delivery…
A man in a wheelchair couldn’t get to a wedding in a public park. This is what accessibility looks like 30 years after the ADA passed
May 8, 2019 | Source: Washington Post
Jonathan Gentry and Mark Rakes liked the idea of getting married in front of James Buchanan. That’s how the couple ended up on the lower level of Meridian Hill Park on a recent Saturday, wearing suits. As about 40 of their guests looked on, the two men stood in front of a bronze statue of the country’s 15th president — and let’s be real, probably the first gay one — and said their vows. Everything seemed perfect. The weather: The rain from the day before had stopped…
Businesses feel victimized by lawsuits over online accessibility for the blind
May 8, 2019 | Source: WWBT NBC12 News
When you think about a business being accessible to people with disabilities, you might think of handicap parking spaces, railings and ramps for wheelchairs. But businesses say they’re being blindsided by lawsuits for an issue many say they didn’t know they had. Their websites don’t work with screen readers used by the blind. We asked Maryetta Grabowski, who is blind, to show us how her screen reader reads website information aloud to her, enabling her to book rides, get news and shop online…
Disability rights groups reach settlement with DC over emergency preparedness
May 8, 2019 | Source: JURIST
After negotiations following a years-long lawsuit against the District of Columbia (DC), several disability advocacy groups and the district announced a settlement Tuesday, with the district agreeing to a number of significant improvements for thousands of residents and visitors with disabilities. United Spinal Association, DC Center for Independent Living, and two District residents with disabilities sued in 2014 alleging that DC’s emergency preparedness failed to meet the standards of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and the District of Columbia Human Rights Act…
Summertime fun for all: Nonprofits, agencies foster greater access for those with disabilities
May 8, 2019 | Source: Your Valley
Arizonans with disabilities can still enjoy the panoply of indoor and outdoor activities available across the state. Thanks to the efforts of cities, agencies and volunteer groups, residents with disabilities can access theaters, museums, stadiums and arts programs – as well as outdoor amenities, such a hiking trails, natural caves and lakes. The Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing on Monday released their list of the most accessible and accommodating summer destinations for deaf and hard of hearing individuals throughout the state…
I wrote the book on user-friendly design. What I see today horrifies me
May 8, 2019 | Source: Fast Company
More people than ever are living long, healthy lives. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the average life expectancy is 78.6 years for men and 81.1 for women. More relevant, however, is that as people grow older, their total life expectancy increases. So for those who are now 65, the average life expectancy is 83 for men and over 85 for women. And because I’m 83, I’m expected to live past 90 (but I’m aiming a lot higher than that). And these are averages, which means that perhaps half of us will live even longer…
What Do User Experience Design Firms Really Do?- What Do User Experience Design Firms Really Do?
May 9, 2019 | Source: INQUIRER.net
In today’s age of technology and seamless design, there seems to be a disconnect of how intricate and dense these websites, apps, and more really are. To that, the world doesn’t seem to get the full meaning of UX design or its essence. Most of you guys reading this piece have been beneficiaries of user experience design, but you’re not just aware of it. To make a product more accessible, desirable and of course, usable, big companies hire UX designers…
Video games are a ‘great equalizer’ for people with disabilities
May 9, 2019 | Source: USA TODAY
Gaming has been a huge part of Erin Hawley’s life since she started playing Atari as a little girl. When the Keyport, New Jersey-based, 35-year-old digital content producer for the Easterseals charity gets off work, she gets right on her computer or Xbox and often keeps going until it’s time for bed. Hawley is a fan of shooter titles such as “Overwatch” and “Half-Life,” but she’ll play adventure games, puzzles, almost anything. She’s also a regular on the Amazon-owned Twitch live streaming platform…
Why is Stevie Wonder blind? How the iconic soul singer lost his sight
May 9, 2019 | Source: Smooth Radio
Stevie Wonder – real name Steveland Hardaway Judkins – was born six weeks premature on May 13 1950 in Saginaw, Michigan. Contrary to popular belief Stevie wasn’t actually born blind, but became so at six weeks old due to the incubator he was placed in after birth containing too much oxygen and causing the condition Retinopathy of Prematurity. ROP is when the growth of the eyes is aborted and causes the retinas to detach, resulting in blindness…
Statins May Cut Glaucoma Risk
May 9, 2019 | Source: The New York Times
More good news about cholesterol-lowering statin drugs: They may reduce the risk for glaucoma. Previous studies of the link between statin use and glaucoma have produced conflicting results. Now a large study, published in JAMA Ophthalmology, offers long-term data. Researchers followed 136,782 health care workers for up to 15 years, tracking statin use and the incidence of glaucoma, the fluid buildup in the eyeball that damages the optic nerve and can lead to blindness…
Jack Fact — According to Seoul City statistics, around 1.4 million people aged over 65 and some 390,000 disabled people were living in Seoul in 2018.
Hit The Road Jack — 5 accessible places to visit in Canada
International News
Senate committee votes to strengthen federal accessibility law
May 2, 2019 | Source: City News Vancouver- Canada
A Senate committee proposed changes to Canada’s first federal accessibility law Thursday that members of the disability community said addressed some of the most pressing concerns about the legislation, though some worried the bill may still be too weak to be effective. Nearly a hundred disability organizations and advocacy groups had been calling on the committee to introduce major changes to Bill C-81, also known as the Accessible Canada Act, arguing it lacked teeth…
Man in Motion challenges Richmond businesses
May 2, 2019 | Source: Richmond News- Canada
Rick Hansen has a call to action for businesses and other organizations in Richmond: set the bar higher and make your businesses accessible to people with disabilities. Not only is it a human rights issue, it’s a “tremendous economic opportunity” Hansen told the Richmond News. With growth in economic areas for people with disabilities like tourism, currently worth $16 billion in Canada, and the myriad of people with disabilities across Canada available to take part in the workforce, Hansen is encouraging businesses to be open to hiring people with disabilities…
Accessibility on the Rails in the UK – There’s a map for that
May 3, 2019 | Source: Economy Class & Beyond- UK
A lot of us take it for granted we can access rail services with ease. For those who have different requirements (such as wheelchairs, parents with babies) sometimes using the trains can be more unhelpful than not. Thankfully the UK Rail Delivery Group acknowledges this, and have developed a new map to help those who need to travel independently. The map is athttp://accessmap.nationalrail.co.uk/ and it includes information about stations if they have:…
NWT Human Rights Commission backs call for accessibility legislation
May 3, 2019 | Source: CBC- Canada
The NWT Human Rights Commission is supporting the development of accessibility legislation in the territory after a woman has called for the move to make the North barrier-free. In an opinion piece published by CBC on April 23, 2019, Therese Estacion, who was born able-bodied but became a below-the-knee amputee in 2016 and a partial hands amputee in 2018, highlights the daily obstacles people with disabilities can face in Yellowknife and argues for the need for legislation…
On the right track: how this organisation built India’s first inclusive railway station for the blind
May 3, 2019 | Source: YourStory.com- India
All of us have the desire to travel, explore unknown destinations, and embark on expeditions. However, a large section of the population in India finds it arduous to move from one place to another due to inaccessible infrastructure. According to the last Census conducted in 2001, over 21 million people in the country are differently-abled, but only three percent of public spaces are accessible for them. Anuprayaas, a Bengaluru-based social enterprise is on a mission to change this…
Ablegamers CEO Mark Barlet feels the future’s bright for accessibility in gaming
May 3, 2019 | Source: Pocket Gamer.Biz- UK
Disabled gaming organisation Ablegamers believes the industry is heading towards a more accessible future. The charity, which focuses on helping less-abled players access video games and gaming spaces, recently launched Accessible.games, an online resource for developers to access accessibility knowledge and collaborate with disabled gamers. In the wake of this announcement, PocketGamer.biz caught up with CEO Mark Barlet, to chat the state of the industry and accessible-centric gaming in 2019. Just don’t call it a gaming charity…
Parker: Design firm helps address accessibility, mobility needs
May 3, 2019 | Source: Calgary Herald- Canada
Margot Schulman believes her life has been orchestrated to do exactly what she is doing today — running an interior design firm that focuses on transforming spaces to foster well-being for all people, especially those with accessibility and mobility needs. Shulman Design can be traced to the accident her young brother suffered, resulting in a brain injury that rendered him a quadriplegic. Her family spent 20 years navigating health-care systems in Saskatoon, and he lived for far too long in seniors’ facilities, which were far from ideal for a young adult…
Deaf Awareness Week: How tech companies want to make the world more accessible for deaf people
May 4, 2019 | Source: Evening Standard- UK
It’s estimated there are around 9 million people in the UK who are deaf or hard of hearing, and it’s an area of medicine which is chronically underfunded. In 2014, less than one per cent of the total public and charity investment in medical research was spent on hearing research. This could pose a major issue in the future – with the World Health Organisation estimating that by 2050, there will be over 900 million people worldwide with hearing loss…
Majority of Schools in Israel Remain Inaccessible to Disabled Students After Missed Deadline
May 5, 2019 | Source: Haaretz- Israel
The Education Ministry and local governments had eight years to make all the schools in Israel accessible to people with disabilities, but when the deadline passed last week it emerged that the goal is far from being met. According to Education Ministry figures, which were only released after a request through the Freedom of Information Law, only 1,200 schools out of the 4,800 built since 2011 in Israel meet the basic standards for accessibility…
Celebrating New Zealand Sign Language Week and working toward an accessible future
May 6, 2019 | Source: Stuff- New Zealand
When Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told the world 50 people were fatally shot, after a gunman opened fire on two mosques, New Zealand’s Deaf community heard her. That’s because Alan Wendt was standing beside her. The New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) senior interpreter at Deaf Aotearoa was using his hands to speak her words. The day New Zealand announced it would ban semiautomatic weapons, assault rifles and high-capacity magazines a week after the events, the news was again shared in NZSL – Aotearoa’s third official language which is being celebrated this week for NZSL Week…
BTA: More Accessible To People With Disabilities
May 7, 2019 | Source: Bernews- Bermuda
A working group of diverse Bermudians brought together by the National Tourism Plan is developing a strategy to make Bermuda more accessible to people with disabilities. The goal is to release the strategy to the public this fall and motivate the country to execute it in time for the World Triathlon Grand Final in October 2021. The two-year deadline is significant because Bermuda will welcome a number of triathletes in 2020 and 2021 who have visual impairments or use a mobility device like a wheelchair…
State continually violates Fundamental Rights of disabled, rules Supreme Court-
May 8, 2019 | Source: FT- Sri Lanka
The Supreme Court recently issued several direction to six ministries, their secretaries and two Government authorities to take immediate effective measures to ensure the design and construction of all parts of new buildings, facilities and services the public needs to use – as defined in Clause 10 of the Accessibility Regulations No. 1 of 2006 – must be made easy and safe to access and use equally by all persons, in particular those with restricted mobility…
‘Postcode lottery’ for grants to adapt housing for the disabled
May 8, 2019 | Source: Independent- UK
A third of local authorities paid €41m on housing and mobility grants for more than 12,000 disabled and older people – while at least 3,000 people were left without any funding in a “postcode lottery”. The grants were paid to those determined to be most in need between 2014 and 2018. The Irish Independent asked 31 local authorities how much they spent on housing and mobility grants. However, only 11 provided any details. Only five local authorities out of the 11 that provided statistics responded to queries on how many applicants had been turned down…
From awareness to access, Svayam is enabling greater participation of disabled community in Delhi elections
May 8, 2019 | Source: NewzHook- India
The national capital, New Delhi, goes to the polls on 12 May. Enabling the Election Commission of India (ECI) to live up to its promise to ‘Leave No Voter Behind’ is the NGO Svayam, a leading accessibility organization. Founded by Sminu Jindal in 2000, Svayam is among the organizations credited with initiating the conversation around accessibility at a time when the needs of people with disabilities was largely neglected. As an NGO partner of the ECI in the inclusive election campaign, Svayam has helped develop strategies and guidelines to ensure that voting stations are accessible for people with disabilities…
A Eurovision broadcast accessible to all
May 8, 2019 | Source: The Jerusalem Post- Israel
While many Israelis are die-hard fans of the Eurovision, this year, the whole country is getting in the spirit. And as Israel gears up to host its first Eurovision in 20 years, the KAN public broadcaster is making sure that it is accessible to as many people as possible. To that end, it has arranged for three special livestreams during the semi-finals and finals: a broadcast in sign language, an option with enhanced audio description for the blind and visually impaired and a livestream designed for people with cognitive disabilities…
Effort to improve disability access
May 8, 2019 | Source: Royal Gazette- Bermuda
Hosting the World Triathlon Series Grand Final in 2021 could be a springboard for improving accessibility, with the Bermuda Tourism Authority aiming to welcome more disabled visitors in time for the event’s grand final. A BTA statement said the two-year deadline was “significant because Bermuda will welcome a number of triathletes in 2020 and 2021 who have visual impairments or use a mobility device like a wheelchair”. Two disabled teams participated last month in MS Amlin World Triathlon Bermuda:…
Countdown Hawera now NZ’s first ‘Be. Accessible’ supermarket
May 9, 2019 | Source: Voxy- New Zealand
Countdown Hawera has re-opened its doors as the country’s first ‘Be. Accessible’ accredited supermarket, after a significant refurbishment put mobility and accessibility at the heart of the store’s redesign. In opening the store yesterday, Minister for Disability Issues, Honourable Carmel Sepuloni, says it is great to see that this store is accessible and inclusive for customers and staff members with disabilities. “This store shows what disabled people can expect in their communities in terms of accessibility…
Accessibility Blogs and Information
- Accessibility Icons- Font Awesome
- A closer look at cognition- Momentum
- Accessibility and conservation- The Aggie
- Easier phone calls without voice or hearing- Google
- Accessibility and inclusivity at UW-Platteville- Exponent
- How Microsoft is using AI to improve accessibility- VentureBeat
- A helping hand for neurodiverse students- William & Mary News
- The hidden IT issues that can hurt a PE deal thesis and RoI- PE Hub
- Parenting corner – Caring for a child using a wheelchair- NewzHook
- How AI can improve products for people with impaired speech- Google
- How To Test Your Website For ADA And WCAG Compliance- Forbes
- What should the tech community learn about accessibility?- Technical.ly
- Companies need to smarten up their act in digital world- Isle of Man Today
- April 2019 Accessibility Updates- Usability & Web Accessibility – Yale University
- On Teaching Disability Design, Design Projects, and ‘Disability Dongles’- Emeline Brulé
- Journalism Students Develop Accessibility App, Health Site for Local Newspaper- UANews
- Be an ally for accessibility: Tips for all librarians- College & Research Libraries News – ACRL
- Why should you give priority to remediation of website accessibility issues?- VENTS Magazine
- Students with Disabilities Cite Key Areas on Campus that Lack Accessibility- HottyToddy.com
- CalDAG 2017 California Disabled Accessibility Guidebook 2017; An Interpretive Manual and Checklist
- Smart Cities for All Collaborates with AT&T to Launch New Inclusive Innovation Playbook- Smart Cities for All
- “Where’s My Chair, Wellesley?”: What Happens When Students Fall Through The Disability-Services Cracks- The Wellesley News
- Accessibility Manager – The Lighthouse for the Blind
- Software Accessibility Compliance Analyst – Peak Performers
- Accessibility Consultant – Advantage Resourcing North America
- Quality Assurance Accessibility Engineer – Blind Institute of Technology
- Web Accessibility Specialist – University of California Office of the President
- Accessibility Program Manager – Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Accessibility Announcements and Products
- Sao Paulo to host accessibility marathon
- Microsoft Releases .NET Framework 4.8
- Award nomination for accessibility project
- Officials audit Panaji polling stations to improve voting
- Audioeye (AEYE) Set to Announce Earnings on May 14th
- Olmsted Center offering website accessibility to businesses
- Cleveland Indians debut sensory room at Progressive Field
- Hackathon Held Ahead Of Eurovision Song Contest In Israel
- Lake County Schools expanding disability access for website
- Community centers to become more accessible in Colorado Springs
- AI for accessibility, algorithm detects depression in children’s voices
- Input from public essential to Wolfville NS accessibility pilot project
- Adaptive Launches Accessible Web-Based Digital Press Stream Reader
- Logan City Council launched its Access and Inclusion Plan 2019 – 2022
- MBTA launches pilot connecting blind transit users with human AI technology
- CHIP presents Montreal’s first-ever fully accessible stand-up comedy event May 30, 2019
- Apple’s immediate plans rumored to include hearing health, period tracking, medication adherence
- National Seating & Mobility to Distribute Independence Drive Wheelchair Eye Control Technology
- Level Access Named SIIA Business Technology CODiE Award Finalist for Best Compliance Solution
- Government of Canada to provide more support to Canadians with visual impairments and print disabilities
- Virginia Tech enhancements at April 16 Memorial among proposed improvements to boost campus accessibility
- Nazhat Shameem Khan has been appointed as the Chair of the UN Human Rights Council Task Force on Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities
Accessibility Forums, Tips, & Gaming
- Iframe Title Tag Accessibility
- Free Web Accessibility Tools
- Naming things to improve accessibility
- Sekiro: difficulty, challenge and empathy
- 8 secret functions of the iPhone home button
- What is the best accessibility tool you recommend?
- Apple Releases iOS 12.3 Beta 5 for iPhone to Developers
- How to turn off the voice control feature on any iPhone model
- Use Color Accessibility Tools to Improve Your Website Design
- Mouse support in iOS 13 would solve iPad ergonomic issues for me
- Your iPad May Have Mouse Support On The Next Firmware Update
- Google unveils 3 accessibility projects that help people with disabilities
- Hearing Problems? The Right Headphones and Phone and TV Settings Might Help
- Windows 10 20H1 build 18894 is out with File Explorer and Accessibility improvements
- An Xbox controller with a built-in Braille display is Microsoft’s latest gaming accessibility play
- The Division 2’s American Sign Language emotes are fantastic, but should be unlocked from the start
- iOS 13 revamps Health and Reminders, watchOS 6 adds Calculator, Voice Memos, Books and App Store apps
- Android Q: An Exclusive First Look At Dark Mode, Better Gestures, And An Impressive New Accessibility Feature
Accessibility Statements
- Youth Power!
- VoiceThread
- Lyric Opera
- Cal Poly Pomona
- The American Legion
- AllWays Health Partners
- AT&T Telephone Store
- Viceroy Hotels and Resorts
- University of Arizona Rec Center
- Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
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. For more recent news check out last week’s post!
Our most popular commentaries include:
- The WCAG 2.1 Update: A Brief Look at What’s Changed
- Introducing VPAT®0, the More Stringent Accessibility Reporting Tool Required for Government IT Procurement
- Accessibility in the News, Legal Edition: Updates on ADA Title III News and More
- What Lawyers Need to Know: A Primer on Digital Accessibility Terms and Today’s Legal Landscape
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