Accessibility in the News—5/11/18.

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AITN Quote of the Week

Mama was my greatest teacher, a teacher of compassion, love and fearlessness. If love is sweet as a flower, then my mother is that sweet flower of love.

– Stevie Wonder

National News (U.S.)

Protesters shut down MTA event- Demanding subway accessibility

May 3, 2018 | Source: Workers World

With the main rallying cry for greater subway accessibility, protesters disrupted and ultimately shut down an April 26 public appearance at the City Museum of New York by two Metropolitan Transportation Authority board members. MTA head Joseph Lhota was unable to utter a single word. The next morning, the moderator of the event, Sarah Maslin Nir, was on a talk show on union-busting Spectrum News, complaining about the “missed opportunity” to discuss issues surrounding the subway…

Oxford Restaurant Agrees To Make Changes To Resolve Complaint

May 4, 2018 | Source: Patch & CT Post

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached a settlement agreement with Fritz’s Snack Bar in Oxford to resolve allegations that the restaurant was not operating in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”). The settlement agreement resolves an ADA complaint filed by an individual with disabilities alleging that Fritz’s Snack Bar was not accessible for individuals with physical disabilities, federal officials said…

Using Pattern Libraries for Accessible Elearning: Insights from CSUN 2018

May 4, 2018 | Source: Microassist

Making elearning accessible is the right thing to do. It’s also often a project requirement. Senior Learning Architect Kevin Gumienny shares conference insights on how to include accessibility in your elearning development process. He’ll introduce using pattern libraries for accessible elearning development, explaining how they can make your development process more efficient…

Teenager creates Facebook video urging school to make handicap accessible changes

May 4, 2018 | Source: WTTV CBS4Indy & WRTV Indianapolis

A frustrated teenager takes to social media, asking her school to make changes. “I’m like any other kid, but there are some obstacles in the way,” explains Beck Kilmark, a Franklin Township student. 14-year-old Beck Kilmark was born with a rare bone growth disorder. She depends on her wheelchair to get around, but getting into her school wasn’t the easiest. She says for as long as she can remember the metal handicap accessible buttons on outside of Franklin Township Middle School East haven’t worked. The 8thgrader got tired of it, so she vented in a Facebook video…

Hearing for the First Time in Years

May 4, 2018 | Source: Westminster College Network

My grandma is 94 years old and, until recently, was still pretty much kicking it. In 2014 she got her first pair of hearing aids, because we noticed that her ability to hear was declining and affecting her living. After receiving her new hearing aids, my grandma noticed that she was still having difficulty hearing at mass. Along with my parents and whoever else was home that Sunday, she spent a few weeks testing out different seats to find the best acoustics. Still, she was unable to clearly hear the pastor and the choir…

Wheelchair user alleges Fresno business does not have accessible entrances

May 4, 2018 | Source: Northern California Record

A Fresno store is alleged to have discriminated against a customer who uses a wheelchair by not having an accessible facility. Jose Acosta filed a complaint on April 13 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California against Eric Santillan, doing business as Mr Mango Antojitos Mexicanos, and Olman Ayala LLC citing the Americans with Disabilities Act. According to the complaint, the plaintiff uses a wheelchair and visited the defendants’ facility on Feb. 7 to purchase snacks…

Nike Turns To Runner With Cerebral Palsy To Help Design Next-Gen Shoe

May 4, 2018 | Source: Disability Scoop

One of the world’s largest athletic brands is expanding its lineup of shoes specially designed for people with disabilities. Nike said this week that it will add a new product to its FlyEase collection — which features sneakers that include special accessibility features — this summer. The Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35 FlyEase was developed in consultation with Justin Gallegos, a member of the University of Oregon track club who has cerebral palsy, the company said…

Aging Population Will Cause Significant Strain for Texas. Time to Act Now

May 4, 2018 | Source: UT News

Every day the population of the United States, including Texas, is getting older. This poses important challenges to Social Security, Medicare and a host of state and local programs. In fact, the Census Bureau recently announced that it projects there will be more older people than children in the United States by 2035. We can’t afford to wait 17 years to start thinking about changes that we need to make. This new demographic and social reality gives us an opportunity to rethink how we adapt to an aging population in ways that benefit all age groups…

The Most Important Thing Seniors Need in a Home for Retirement

May 5, 2018 | Source: The Cheat Sheet

A lot of preparation goes into retirement — 401(k)s, IRAs, downsizing. In the midst of maximizing your savings and planning for the future, it is crucial not to lose sight of the bigger picture, like where you plan to live throughout retirement. If you hope to hit the open road in an RV, that’s one thing. If not, making sure your home is equipped for your specific needs can be quite the undertaking. Here are the most important things seniors need in a home for retirement…

Collared: New laws crack down on fake service dogs

May 5, 2018 | Source: NBC News

Move over, Rover. Your time in the grocery store, the movie theater and pizza parlor is running out. Twenty-one states have in recent months mounted a major crackdown down on people who falsely claim their pets as service and support animals so they can bring them into restaurants, theaters and other public places where Fido and Fluffy aren’t typically allowed — and the movement has picked up speed in the last few weeks. Last month, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, a Democrat, signed into law a bill making it illegal for people to misrepresent their pets as service animals…

Airbnb aims to make travel more accessible for the disabled

May 6, 2018 | Source: ABC News

Srin Madipalli has traveled the world in his wheelchair. Now, as head of Airbnb’s accessibility efforts, he wants to help many others do the same. Madipalli has spinal muscular atrophy, a rare disorder that affects nerve cells and causes muscles to waste away. Finding accessible places to stay was a constant frustration. So in 2015, Madipalli and a friend founded Accomable, a web site that connected disabled travelers to verified, accessible properties. At the same time, Airbnb was facing complaints from some disabled guests, who said its listings weren’t detailed enough…

‘Tsunami’ of ADA lawsuits regarding website accessibility

May 6, 2018 | Source: Northern California Record

Website operators that fail to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act regulations making them accessible to the blind and people with other disabilities have been increasingly targeted in lawsuits. Many of those same attorneys are now filing claims under California’s fair employment legislation alleging the blind and partially blind are being discriminated against regarding access to online job applications. The lawsuits, including ones filed last week in Orange County and San Diego Superior courts, argue that blind people who wanted to enter the workforce could not apply using the defendant’s online application…

Accessibility Culture

May 7, 2018 | Source: LFLegal

Digital accessibility means disabled people can use and interact with technology and digital content. It is about good design, development, and coding; appropriate testing and training; an inclusive workforce, and a host of other details. Accessibility is not a “one and done” thing. It’s an ongoing commitment to including all users in all technology. Mistakes and back sliding are less likely with a culture of accessibility. In this post you will find links to articles about accessibility culture…

Promote Independent Travel in Airports

May 7, 2018 | Source: AviationPros.com

For even the most seasoned travelers, the airport experience can be extremely overwhelming. Stressors such as confusing wayfinding and last-minute flight changes are taxing enough for “able-bodied” travelers, let alone older flyers and people with disabilities. As a traveler who is blind, Pat Pound knows all too well the challenges these user groups face when navigating the airport environment, spending considerably more time and energy than her sighted peers gathering information, packing for her faithful guide dog Iris, and setting up the airline ground services she needs…

The online world at risk of ADA lawsuits

May 7, 2018 | Source: Pittsburgh Business Times

Lawsuits and enforcement actions over websites’ accessibility to disabled people have swamped businesses, as well as colleges and universities over the past several years. “We’ve seen such a spike in the last few years in threatened litigation and enforcement actions,” says Susan Deniker, an attorney with the law firm Steptoe & Johnson PLLC who focuses on labor and employment law, litigation, and education law. “We’ve seen this hit many different industries. Any business that has a public website faces these issues.”…

Arizona County settles voter accessibility claims with Justice Department

May 7, 2018 | Source: Washington Times

Coconino County, Arizona, has settled claims by the federal government over accessibility to voting places by individuals with vision and mobility impairments, the Department of Justice announced Monday. The Justice Department had alleged several problems at Coconino County voting places, including inaccessible parking, wheelchair ramps that were too steep and too narrow doors. By failing to address these issues, the county was violating the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Justice Department claimed…

Microsoft launches $25 million program to use AI for disabilities

May 7, 2018 | Source: AP News

Microsoft is launching a $25 million initiative to use artificial intelligence to build better technology for people with disabilities. CEO Satya Nadella announced the new “AI for Accessibility” effort as he kicked off Microsoft’s annual conference for software developers. The Build conference in Seattle features sessions on cloud computing, artificial intelligence, internet-connected devices and virtual reality. It comes as Microsoft faces off with Amazon and Google to offer internet-connected services to businesses and organizations…

FCC Grants Honda Accessibility Waiver

May 7, 2018 | Source: Federal Communications Commission (PDF)

Last week, the FCC issued a Memorandum Opinion and Order granting Honda Motor Company a limited waiver of the Commission’s accessibility rules. The rules generally require user interfaces on a covered digital apparatus to be accessible to individuals with sight or hearing impairments. In 2017, the Commission granted Honda a 20-month waiver of this requirement for the rear entertainment systems in its Acura MDX. The Order last week extended this waiver to model year 2020 vehicles and also granted the company a waiver of the Commission’s rule that would otherwise require Honda to adopt a simple and easy to use activation mechanism for closed captioning and video description through the rear entertainment system. The Commission’s accessibility rules were adopted pursuant to the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA)…

Websites and the Americans With Disabilities Act—Definitely a Work in Progress

May 8, 2018 | Source: Law.com

During the last few years, there has been an explosion in the number of lawsuits being filed claiming that a business’ website violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These cases typically involve a claim by a visually impaired individual stating that he cannot access and “read” certain portions of the defendant’s website because the website has not been coded or otherwise set up to work with the screen reader software and device used by the plaintiff…

L train shutdown isn’t doing enough for riders with disabilities, elected officials say

May 8, 2018 | Source: Curbed NY

In March, the MTA was hit with a lawsuit by the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York for failing to make newly-renovation subway stations accessible to people with disabilities. Now a group of Brooklyn and Queens elected officials are putting even more pressure of the agency ahead of the L train shutdown, scheduled to get underway next year. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and Queens Borough President Melinda Katz wrote to the MTA last week calling on the agency to make three stations that will be most impacted by the L train shutdown ADA accessible…

Can your client’s website put its business at risk?

May 8, 2018 | Source: Missouri Lawyers Media

According to BI Intelligence, Business Insider’s premium research service, U.S. consumers will spend $632 billion online by 2020, up from $385 billion in 2016. Brick-and-mortar stores scrambling to compete are investing in websites that will capture the eyeballs and wallets of online shoppers. But a pretty face is not enough when creating a dynamic digital presence. A website with all of the bells and whistles that is not legally safe, secure and compliant can put your client’s business and customers at risk…

AI can help a billion people, but Microsoft can’t do it alone

May 8, 2018 | Source: Engadget

“It cracks me up when I meet someone who says, ‘Hey, I don’t think I have people with disabilities in my company.’ And that’s when I know they’ve got people there that are not speaking up.” I’m sitting with Jenny Lay-Flurrie, Microsoft’s chief accessibility officer. We’ve bogarted a few chairs in a hallway at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, where the company is holding its annual Build developer conference. Lay-Flurrie, who is deaf, speaks with a crisp English accent…

Majority Of Coconino County Polling Sites Were Not Fully Accessible For Disabled Voters

May 8, 2018 | Source: Associated Press

The Department of Justice found majority of Coconino County polling sites were not fully accessible to those with disabilities during the August 2016 primary election. The random audit found 30 of the 31 polling locations surveyed were not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Issues included inaccessible parking, wheelchair ramps that were too steep and narrow doors. The department also found that handicap parking spots on the Navajo Nation were unpaved…

How Can We Improve Accessibility Through Instructional Design? #DLNchat

May 9, 2018 | Source: EdSurge

Can proactive instructional design eliminate barriers to access for learners? Will artificial intelligence play a role in improving accessibility? How can institutions create a culture of collaboration to support universal design? On Tuesday, May 8 the #DLNchat community got together to discuss and debate: How Can We Improve Accessibility Through Instructional Design? As we often do at #DLNchat, we started with a definition of terms. We talked about the differences between accessibility and usability, legal considerations under the ADA and the concept of universal design for learning…

Gavel to Gavel: Business websites under legal pressure

May 9, 2018 | Source: Journal Record

The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in several areas, including employment, transportation, public accommodations, communications, and access to government programs and services. The third section of ADA, Title III, addresses places of public accommodation, such as retailers, hospitals and state agencies. Under these rules, and in general, places of business are obligated to provide access to physical locations in the form of wheelchair ramps, signs that feature braille, and other means by which patronage of businesses is made possible for disabled persons…

Making fun accessible to everyone

May 10, 2018 | Source: Beckley Register-Herald

When Leslie Baker became director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Beckley in 2012, she did a walk-through of the 13 municipal parks to get an idea of how her team could improve recreation throughout Beckley. One of Baker’s goals was to upgrade city playgrounds with new play toys, swings and other equipment with Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding. Since HUD requires federally-funded playgrounds to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a law that aims to make public space accessible for those with disabilities, Baker had already planned to be ADA-compliant…

NAFCU files 9th ADA-related amicus brief defending PA credit union

May 10, 2018 | Source: CUInsight

The National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions late yesterday filed its ninth amicus brief in support of credit unions facing litigation over unclear website accessibility requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act. NAFCU’s latest filing is the second in a case against APCI Federal Credit Union. Shortly after the association filed its first amicus to support APCI’s motion to dismiss in April, the plaintiff in the lawsuit filed an amended complaint, rendering the first motion to dismiss moot. APCI has now filed a second motion to dismiss, which NAFCU continues to support…

United African-Asian Abilities Club files discrimination suit against apartment owners over website

May 10, 2018 | Source: Northern California Record

The United African-Asian Abilities Club in San Diego has filed a suit against some apartment owners claiming they have provided no accommodations for the handicapped based on website data. The alleged lack of these accommodations was originally confirmed by analyzing the owners’ internet site by the plaintiffs and violations were later confirmed by in-person visits to the property. The United AAA Club, et al. are represented by David C. Wakefield of San Diego, who filed the suit on April 25 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. A jury trial has been requested…

Jack Fact — One in every six people in Asia has some form of disability, which translates to 650 million men, women and children, according to Amadeus, adding that the number is expected to rise over the next few decades due to population ageing, natural disasters, poor working conditions and other factors.

International News

Is banking ready for the ageing population boom?

May 4, 2018 | Source: Bobsguide- UK

On average the populations of major Western societies are getting older. In the UK, in less than two years, the number of consumers aged 65 or over will rise by over a million and in little over 20 years one in seven people will be over 75 years of age. While this will bring challenges for the economy as a whole, this will be a demographic tidal wave for the banking sector. So how should financial services adapt to a sharp increase in the number of older consumers?…

Arts are best way to boost wellbeing in later life

May 4, 2018 | Source: ArtsProfessional- UK

Age UK has called on arts organisations to become more accessible to older people, and on national funders to make ‘age-friendly practice’ a requirement of culture funding. Engaging with arts and culture gives older people meaningful interaction with the wider world and is the most effective way to improve their wellbeing. Focused on creative and cultural engagement, a new report measures how participation in the arts changes with age, revealing that as people grow older they continue to read, but become less likely to visit galleries and historical sites or attend the theatre…

HP to be made accessible for disabled: Minister

May 4, 2018 | Source: United News of India

Minister for social justice and empowerment, Himachal Pradesh, Dr Rajiv Saizal announced on Friday that all government buildings, educational institutions, public places and government websites in the state will be made accessible for the disabled people. Mr Saizal announced it while inaugurating a workshop on information technology for the blind. He said, “Accessible India campaign” launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the national level will be replicated in the state also…

Melbourne seeks to improve accessibility

May 4, 2018 | Source: SmartCitiesWorld- Australia

A city-wide competition to help Melbourne tackle the challenge of making it easier to navigate and enjoy for the one in five people who have some form of disability has resulted in five innovative solutions being shortlisted. The five finalists were selected after a city-led open innovation competition which according to city authorities “may one day change the face of our city streets”. “As Melbourne continues to grow at a rapid pace it’s vital we continue to re-think and re-work how our cities are structured to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to experience Melbourne.”…

Accessibility is a key factor for voters in Bengaluru

May 5, 2018 | Source: The Hindu- India

“Almost every weekend, he conducts meetings with officials from all civic agencies. People like me can give a memorandum and have our problems heard and solved. Accessibility does not mean picking up calls. It is important to solve our problems,” said a resident of east Bengaluru when asked if the MLA of his constituency, who is also a Minister, was accessible. In south Bengaluru, a resident had a different tale to tell. “Our MLA is not at all accessible. The proof? He sent his wife to campaign for him. We have not seen him in person even once…

‘It’s like a family’: People with disabilities find fun, friends at Halifax club

May 5, 2018 | Source: CBC- Canada

When you ask Heather McNamara about her friends, she’s quick to start listing them off: Graham, Abby, Mitchell, Carly, Tiffany. These are just some of the people the 16-year-old has met at The Club Inclusion, which runs accessible programs to people with disabilities in Halifax and Dartmouth. “It’s like my second home. It’s like a family to me,” McNamara said. “They all make me feel welcome and safe … They make me feel like I’m included here.” The Club Inclusion runs a variety of programs accessible to all people over the age of 12 with disabilities and now has about 250 members…

Blind customers locked out by bank web upgrades

May 6, 2018 | Source: BBC News-UK

HSBC, Metro Bank and Halifax have all admitted to failings after redesigning websites that made it hard for their blind or visually impaired customers to access full services online. When Jeff Bashton needs to transfer cash or pay a bill, he logs on to his bank’s website, clicks a few buttons and the job is done. It’s quick, easy and efficient. Or at least it used to be – before the bank, HSBC, upgraded its website, with elaborate headings, mortgage offers and banners advertising insurance or foreign currency…

Gatineau accessible transit users frustrated with new booking system

May 6, 2018 | Source: CBC- Canada

Riders who use accessible transit services in Gatineau say they’re frustrated with a new automated system that’s left them with little control over when their rides will arrive. The Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO) introduced the new system two weeks ago, and some users have complained that the system now decides when they’re picked up, instead of letting them schedule an appointment. Jean Bélanger, who uses the service to get to dialysis treatments three times a week, told Radio-Canada the changes are frustrating and make the service more difficult to depend on…

He turns visual impairment into ‘blessing in disguise’

May 5, 2018 | Source: The Statesman- India & DAISY Consortium

When he suffered 90 per cent visual impairment at the age of 19 for some fungal infection, he thought he has lost everything. It all appeared like a dark tunnel to him and he confined himself to the four walls of house for six years. The family could not come to terms with the reality and he even thought of committing suicide. But there was light at the end of the tunnel. So much that 23-years later, Prashant Ranjan Verma, 42, considers his disability as a ‘blessing in disguise’…

Public challenged to develop tech-based ideas for early literacy learning

May 6, 2018 | Source: Jordan Times- Jordan

Applications developers, parents, youth and children came together this weekend to come up with innovative technology based solutions to the problem of early literacy skills learning. Organised by Jerash-based organization ILearn under the patronage of Education Minister Omar Razzaz, the “Hacking Literacy” challenge saw the participation of over 80 people from seven governorates who brainstormed tech ideas and applications aimed at facilitating reading and writing learning for students in the first three grades of school…

Tour adds accessibility

May 6, 2018 | Source: The Kingston Whig-Standard- Canada

Organizers of the Kingston Penitentiary Tours have added accessibility to the popular tourist attraction that will be back for a third year beginning Wednesday. Dedicated tour times have been made available for visitors with hearing, vision or mobility impairment. For people with hearing loss, two tours will be conducted with an American Sign Language guide (June 14 and July 4). For visitors who have vision issues, a tour will incorporate added tactile and descriptive elements…

List buildings accessible to disabled in city: Centre

May 8, 2018 | Source: The Hindu & The Tribune- India

The Centre on Monday gave the Delhi government a week’s time to come up with a complete list of all buildings under its jurisdiction, and whether or not they are accessible to the disabled. On Monday, hosting the first meeting of Delhi government stakeholders to make the Capital a model-accessible city, the Union Ministry of Social Justice had asked all departments to come prepared with such a list, said K.V.S. Rao, a director in the Ministry’s Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD)…

‘Access to healthcare is a right, not a privilege’ for people with disabilities

May 8, 2018 | Source: MENAFN- Jordan

A video recently released by the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD) highlighted the difficulty faced by people with disabilities (PWD) to access healthcare services in Jordan. “Following the endorsement of the new law on the rights of people with disabilities in May 2017, we have worked hand in hand with the Greater Amman Municipality to ensure the right of all people to access healthcare services without discrimination,” Ghadeer Al Haris, HCD media spokesperson told The Jordan Times…

New book to support disabled visitors at Northern Ireland attractions

May 8, 2018 | Source: Belfast Telegraph- Ireland

A new guide book has promised to open doors for disabled visitors in Northern Ireland. Accessible and inclusive attractions throughout the region have been chosen to feature in an inspiring new book to support people with diverse needs in enjoying a day out – whatever their disability. The revamped edition of The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain, now in its 10th year, has for the first time extended its reviews to include information for visitors with more hidden conditions such as autism and mental illness…

President stresses on easy accessibility of assistive technology for disabled people

May 8, 2018 | Source: News International- Pakistan & The Nation- Pakistan

President Mamnoon Hussain Tuesday stressed upon promotion and easy accessibility of assistive technology for the rehabilitation of people suffering from disabilities or weakness, which was imperative for the progress and development of society. The president said all human beings were equally important and valuable, therefore, the people suffering from any kind of disability or weakness could not be left behind at the mercy of fate. He was addressing the inauguration of consultative meeting on ‘Improving Access to Assistive Technology’…

Government to launch strategies on Disability Mainstreaming in MMDAs

May 8, 2018 | Source: Ghana News Agency- Africa

The Government will soon launch the framework and strategies on Disability Mainstreaming in Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), Madam Otiko Afisah Djaba, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, has announced. She said one of the strategies to properly address the challenges that persons with disabilities (PWDs) face was to make disability issues an integral part of the day-to-day activities of all institutions, including the MMDAs…

TTC now offering buttons to inform fellow riders of disability

May 8, 2018 | Source: CityNews- Canada

The TTC has launched a new initiative which is aimed at making it easier for people with disabilities to get a seat on a bus, streetcar or train. Starting Tuesday, staff at TTC stations will provide a blue button that says “Please offer me a seat” to anyone in need. They’re meant to be a quick way to indicate that a person needs a seat without having to disclose long-term conditions or invisible disabilities, like HIV, fibromyalgia and chronic pain. TTC spokesman Brad Ross said although the buttons are meant for people with both visible and invisible accessibility needs…

Digital India, e-governance flop Not a single website of State Govt Depts updated

May 8, 2018 | Source: The Sangai Express- India

Despite the digital India dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the huge amount of funds sanctioned by the Central Government for e-governance, none of the official websites of the State Government’s Departments have been found properly updated till date. Taking stock of the situation, the Chief Secretary’s office has directed all the Departments concerned to do the needful. On the other hand, Department of Information Technology has also sent necessary letters to the Heads of Departments concerned as well as various private undertakings, societies and agencies…

Making cities accessible for all

May 9, 2018 | Source: The Hindu- India

Even with limbs all intact, 20/20 vision and perfect hearing, the Indian city is a minefield to navigate — pot-holed roads, disproportionately raised and unevenly spaced pavements, crowds, unruly traffic… If the able-bodied perceive the city as unfriendly to negotiate, then for the disabled it’s virtually hostile. For disabled women, it’s even more so and they are reminded daily that even the simple act of accessing public space for everyday tasks is a battle. “Disabled women are doubly challenged — both for being women and being disabled,” said Nidhi Goyal…

New guide opens doors for disabled visitors in the North West

May 9, 2018 | Source: Cumbria Crack- Britain

A series of top accessible and inclusive attractions throughout the North West have been chosen to feature in an inspiring new guide to support people with diverse needs in enjoying a day out – whatever their disability. The revamped edition of The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain, now in its 10th year, has for the first time extended its reviews to include information for visitors with more hidden conditions such as autism and mental illness. The North West attractions featured in the new edition of The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain include the relaxing route along Walls Drive Trail…

I Long For The Day When People Understand What ‘Wheelchair Accessible’ Means

May 9, 2018 | Source: Huffington Post- UK

On a daily basis I encounter this baffling irony where people see the wheelchair before they see me, the person, yet fail to ‘see’ the ‘needs’ of the wheelchair to access places and venues, hence I felt the urge to address this issue. I long for the day when I don’t have to call four or five times to make sure a venue is accessible then find out once I am there that their idea of ‘accessible’ consists of three steps. I long for the day when I can hail any taxi that is passing by and not ask ‘do you have a ramp?’ Assuming that they would stop of course once they see the wheelchair…

NZ Sign Language in Parliament an important step toward accessibility

May 10, 2018 | Source: Voxy- New Zealand

New Zealand Sign Language in Parliament an important step toward increased accessibility. Minister for Disability Issues Carmel Sepuloni welcomes today’s announcement that New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL), which is an official language, will be made available during question time in Parliament. “This is a significant move toward ensuring the Deaf community has an opportunity to engage with political proceedings in their own language,” Carmel Sepuloni said…

Disabilities group calls for STC return, accessible transit coming to certain Saskatchewan Routes

May 10, 2018 | Source: Globalnews- Canada

The Saskatchewan Transportation Company (STC) officially ceased operations last June. Nearly a year since then, some people living with disabilities feel they have become trapped in their communities. Jamie Ellis lives in Regina, and relies on a power chair to get around. He said he used to frequently take the bus to go to Moose Jaw and Saskatoon, but that option no longer exists. “Now I can only go when community living will provide transport. My freedom has been taken away,” Ellis said…

Disabled people trapped in unsuitable homes is ‘hidden crisis’

May 11, 2018 | Source: Inside Housing- UK & BBC

In a report published today, the commission said that people with disabilities are being left “frustrated” by their housing situation, with too few accessible homes on offer and local government bureaucracy delaying much-needed adaptations. One person told researchers they have not been outside since 2011, except for hospital stays, because their second-floor flat is not wheelchair accessible. The EHRC is calling on ministers to come up with a national strategy to deliver enough homes built to inclusive design standards, including through changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and a review of building standards enforcement…

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A research team with the Digital Service at the Department of Veterans Affairs wants to speak with people in the DC area who use screen readers on their computers or mobile phones between now and May 20th. Users will be compensated at least $25 per hour for hour-long sessions. For information, email: [email protected]

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Our digital and web accessibility services cover

Accessibility Audit Services — Our comprehensive audit will map all findings to internationally recognized WCAG 2.0 AA standards and equip you and your technical and content teams to know what areas need to be brought into compliance.
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.
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Please contact us for any questions you have about our accessibility services and how we might support your organization.

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