Accessibility in the News — 9/22/2023.

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Feature Stories

Inside NYU’s Mission To Make Navigating New York City’s Subways Accessible To All

September 18, 2023 | Source: Forbes

For John-Ross Rizzo, riding New York City’s subways by himself is scary. Rizzo, an NYU professor who’s known for his engineering work for disabled people, has been legally blind for the last two decades with a condition called retinal dystrophy. In an interview with me last month via videoconference, Rizzo described his functional vision as “sort of like looking through a big bubble tea straw… I have very little vision left.” As is common with Blind and low vision people taking public transit, Rizzo is constantly worrying about being pushed around the subway station and standing too close to the track…

CapMetro’s promises mission to improve accessibility around Austin

September 19, 2023 | Source: Hilltop Views

CapMetro, the City of Austin’s public transit system, hosted a Zoom meeting on Sep. 12 to discuss the development of their Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan, a project aimed at exploring options to make CapMetro more accessible. From February to July, CapMetro performed a self-evaluation among their facilities. The evaluation reviewed programs and projects for accessibility barriers and ADA compliances. After evaluation, CapMetro began the project to address and improve the city’s transit system with a focus on accessibility…

The Taxi and Limousine Commission Misses Deadline to Make Half of All Taxis Wheelchair Accessible, Again

September 21, 2023 | Source: The City

The city has hit another delay in meeting a mandate established more than a decade ago to make half of the yellow taxi fleet wheelchair-accessible by 2020. The latest slowdown in the landmark 2013 settlement to a federal class-action lawsuit comes after the city blew a June 30 extension to ensure that 50% of all 13,587 medallion cabs can carry people in wheelchairs or motorized scooters. “We gave them a two-year extension and they still didn’t do it,” said Jean Ryan, a motorized scooter user and head of Disabled in Action, a plaintiff in the class-action lawsuit filed in 2011…

National News (U.S.)

Why accessibility on social media can’t be an afterthought

September 15, 2023 | Source: Shots

Threads launched in July with a bang, with Meta’s challenger to Twitter amassing more than five million users in a matter of hours. It became the fastest app in history to reach 100 million users (according to Zuckerberg, reaching this milestone in just five days. It took the previous record holder, ChatGPT, two months to reach that landmark. With Elon Musk divisively remoulding Twitter into X, it felt as if Threads had struck and disrupted with perfect timing. But it hasn’t been as easy since for the new kid on the social media block…

As 5784 begins, Jewish communities pushed to consider greater accessibility

September 15, 2023 | Source: eJewish Philanthropy

“Which of the following best describes the areas [in your synagogue] which are accessible to members of your community with physical disabilities? 1) The entrance, outdoor spaces, social hall, classrooms, and bathrooms; 2) The above PLUS the ark, bimah, and mezuzot on all doorposts; 3) The above AND we have a pushcart for the Torah for anyone to carry it; 4) None of the above.” This is but one question in a new interactive inclusion quiz to help individuals and organizations in the Jewish community assess their accessibility…

Increased accessibility on Capitol Hill should be a priority, not a joke

September 15, 2023 | Source: Roll Call

Last week, Roll Call published a “Capitol stair lift” cartoon illustrating members of Congress utilizing a chair lift and mobility aids. It featured a flippant depiction of the United States Senate as a “Senate Assisted Legislative Facility.” The cartoon was ableist and careless. Regardless of its intent surrounding a wider public discussion about the age and critical faculties of members of Congress, the cartoon implies that disability and the use of mobility aids impede one’s ability to effectively legislate and serve the American people…

Feds Urged To Classify Disability As A Health Disparity

September 18, 2023 | Source: Disability Scoop

Disability advocates are asking the Biden administration to step in after a government advisory panel squashed plans to put more resources toward addressing the persistent disparities people with disabilities face in the health care system. The National Advisory Council on Minority Health and Health Disparities at the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities rejected a plan earlier this month to designate those with disabilities as a health disparity population…

7 disability advocates talk about accessibility and ableism outdoors

September 18, 2023 | Source: The Wilderness Society

When we talk about outdoor adventures, we usually envision breathtaking landscapes, thrilling hikes, or serene lakes. But for people with disabilities, accessing and enjoying the wonders of nature can be a real struggle. In the United States alone, more than one in four adults have some form of disability, with Black and Indigenous people having higher rates of disability. Disabilities can range from mobility differences to neurodivergence. It’s important to recognize that people with disabilities are a diverse group with a wide range of needs, and ensuring access to the outdoors and welcoming spaces remains an ongoing challenge for many…

VB coach claims some school sports facilities lack ADA-compliant restrooms

September 19, 2023 | Source: WTKR

A sign of progress as a baseball coach in Virginia Beach is urging the City of Virginia Beach and the Virginia Beach School Board to take action. He claims that many sports facilities in its public schools lack ADA-compliant restrooms. St. Clair Jones has coached in Virginia Beach for over a decade, according to his legal representative. He claims that currently, he and others with mobility disabilities have “significant barriers” when accessing restrooms at many Virginia Beach Public School sports facilities…

‘I’ve been able to access pretty much everything’: Virgin Voyages brings fun accessibility

September 20, 2023 | Source: USA TODAY

No disabled person is created equal. Travel can varies from person to person, even when experiencing the same disability. “‘How can I support you to have the best vacation of your life?’ That’s the energy that I want our teams to have,” Alex Zeitz, Director of Crew and Sailor Experience at Virgin Voyages, told USA TODAY. Personalized accommodations reign supreme when it comes to a safe and enjoyable travel experience. By and large, compared with air travel, cruising can offer vacationers a more seamless experience…

Laws have changed around parking for disabled Texans over the years. Here’s how it looks today

September 20, 2023 | Source: Texas Tribune

For millions of disabled Texans, accessible parking is vital to navigating daily life. A lasting impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act passed in 1990, the blue signage and crosshatches between spots have become more common than ever. They make it possible for people with a range of disabilities — some visible, some not — to access everything from hospitals and clinics to movie theaters and amusement parks. In Texas, almost 28% of people have a disability, according to a 2021 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention…

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White Sox discrimination class action claims team refuses to sell wheelchair-accessible season tickets

September 20, 2023 | Source: Top Class Actions

A new lawsuit claims the Chicago White Sox baseball team discriminates against those with disabilities because it does not sell accessible season tickets on its website. Plaintiffs Ralph Yaniz and Douglas McCormick filed a class action lawsuit against the White Sox, claiming most accessible single-game tickets are also not available for sale online. Instead, those with disabilities must call and get whatever White Sox tickets are available via phone instead of being able to view and choose from all available tickets online like other ticket purchasers can do…

New PROWAG Guidelines a Major Advance for ADA (and All Pedestrians)

September 20, 2023 | Source: Strong Towns

The landmark Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law in 1990, and the changes in the built environment it spawned have made the United States a world leader in enabling access to users with mobility limitations. Design features such as ramps at building entrances, automated doors, and seating areas for wheelchair users in auditoriums and stadiums have become commonplace. Despite some monumental strides, disability-rights advocates have long argued that there are still many holes in public policy and challenges in the physical landscape…

Disabled travelers need this accessibility card at some theme parks

September 21, 2023 | Source: USA Today

You’ve bought your tickets, packed your sunscreen, but there’s something else travelers with disabilities now need at a growing number of theme parks: a card verifying their need for accommodations. Over the summer, Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood joined the list of destinations requiring an Accessibility Card from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). “The online pre-arrival registration has been established to ensure guests who need an accommodation are taken care of quickly and easily on arrival at our parks, allowing them to get to the fun faster.”…

Appeals panel says hotel allowed to collect legal fees after beating an ADA accessibility class action over website

September 21, 2023 | Source: Northern California Record

A federal appeals panel has ruled Gateway Hotel can collect at least some legal fees from a plaintiff who lost a lawsuit accusing the company of skirting federal disability discrimination protections through its website reservation process. In his 2020 state court lawsuit, Orlando Garcia accused Gateway of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act and state law because its website improperly limited potential patrons’ ability to find and reserve accessible rooms. Gateway removed the complaint to federal court and moved for dismissal…

How a tech partnership helped a credit union retool for accessibility

September 21, 2023 | Source: Tearsheet

The term ‘neurodivergence’ encapsulates cognitive and developmental conditions like color blindness, ADHD, and autism. About 15%-20% of the world’s population is neurodiverse. But the financial industry rarely keeps the needs of this consumer segment in mind when designing its products and services. The fallout? Neurodiverse individuals find financial services and products difficult to use, which negatively impacts their financial health. About 38% of those with cognitive conditions in the US report feeling financially vulnerable…

Outdoor wheelchair program makes state parks and forests accessible

September 21, 2023 | Source: Wisconsin Public Radio and We Are Green Bay

People with mobility challenges will have easier access to state parks and forests as the Department of Natural Resources launches an outdoor wheelchair program throughout Wisconsin. Later this month the DNR will introduce its second motorized all-terrain outdoor wheelchair at Point Beach State Forest. A non-motorized all-terrain outdoor wheelchair is also coming to Kettle Moraine State Forest — Pike Lake Unit. The wheelchairs have specialty tires that can navigate rough and rocky ground and snow. They are free to use and allow people of all ages and abilities to hike and venture down to the beach…

Jack Fact — According to Statistics Canada’s Canadian Survey on Disability (2017), nearly a quarter of the Canadian population (22%) that is aged 15 and over has a disability, and this number is growing due to the aging population.

Hit The Road Jack — This US destination is one of the world’s top places for accessible travel and All-Terrain Track Chairs Added to All Minnesota State Parks for Improved Accessibility and Accessibility For Hawaii Flights | Here’s What’s About To Change

International News

We need to mandate EV accessibility standards, RECHARGE UK urges

September 15, 2023 | Source: DPA On The Net- UK

The group says that mandating accessibility requirements for public electric vehicle charge points will ensure wheelchair users always have equal access to charge their vehicles. A standard introduced last year has helped ensure that charging an electric vehicle (EV) is accessible for all users, including disabled people. With the aim of providing an inclusive experience for people with accessibility needs, PAS 1899:2022 is a standard giving designers, procurers, and installers essential specifications on how to provide accessible public charge points for electric vehicles…

Osprey and Motability to trial accessibility of public charging for disabled people

September 15, 2023 | Source: Air Quality News- UK and Electrive

Osprey Charging, one of the UK’s largest electric vehicle charging networks, has been selected by Motability Operations, the UK’s largest leasing company and the organisation that delivers the Motability Scheme to over 690,000 disabled people, as their first charge point operator (CPO) partner. The collaboration will allow Motability Scheme EV drivers to find a location on Osprey’s 750-strong rapid charging network, charge, and pay through the Motability Go Charge App and review the location for accessibility…

Designing for Accessibility is a Social Responsibility

September 15, 2023 | Source: Canadian Architect- Canada

The road to becoming an architect has been long for Harsh Mehra – both in terms of geography and professional growth. After Harsh completed his education at Sushant School of Art and Architecture in Gurgaon, India, he further honed his expertise with a Master of Advanced Architectural Studies in Environmental Design from the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom. Over the subsequent decade, he was director at the AHK Design Studio in New Delhi – a multi-disciplinary design firm founded by his father, a practicing architect for more than 40 years…

Colwood defers decision on accessibility committee after hour of debate

September 15, 2023 | Source: Goldstream Gazette- Canada

Colwood council has deferred further discussion and a possible decision on how to comply with the Accessible B.C. Act after failing to come to an agreement in the council chambers. Council spent just over an hour discussing the act’s requirement that municipalities have an accessibility committee, but the motion on the Sept. 11 agenda was shot down and attempts to amend it and pass a new motion did not come to a vote after Mayor Doug Kobayashi moved to instead defer discussion to a future meeting, which passed with only Coun. Kim Jordison opposed…

A day out in Dublin as a young wheelchair user: Broken glass, dog poo, full buses and out-of-order ramps

September 16, 2023 | Source: The Irish Times- Ireland

I’m waiting for a bus in a south Dublin suburb with my friend Emma. The sun is shining, and I’m excited at the prospect of a day out in Dublin. I’d like to say excitement is all I’m feeling but as a teenager with a disability – I have cerebral palsy – and a wheelchair user, there are mixed emotions: fear and worry with a generous side order of existential dread. These feelings are not groundless. They are based on years of trying to navigate the city I call home on four wheels…

ICMR releases national list of essential assistive products for improved accessibility

September 16, 2023 | Source: Telegraph- India

Breaking barriers for a more inclusive future, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has released the National List of Essential Assistive Products (NLEAP) to prioritise essential assistive products towards making a difference in the lives of those with functional impairments. Assistive products (APs) play a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of life and promoting independence among individuals with functional impairments. However, accessing and obtaining these products can pose significant challenges, particularly for the economically-disadvantaged population…

How an outdoor enthusiast with physical disabilities found healing in Ontario backcountry

September 16, 2023 | Source: CBC- Canada

For years, Ben Chamberlain wasn’t sure he’d return to a backcountry trail. But after living with physical disabilities for more than half his life, he now spends a few weeks each year exploring Ontario’s wilderness. With a leg brace and walking sticks, you can spot him with a canoe on his back, conquering portages and rediscovering a sense of adventure and love of the outdoors that defined his adolescence. “There’s so much healing in nature,” said Chamberlain, 46, who lives in Brantford, Ontario…

A handbook for more accessible official documentation by the differently abled

September 17, 2023 | Source: The Hindu- India

At three years of age, pneumonia snatched away Reshmi Mohan’s hearing ability. Since she continued to study in a regular school and did not communicate using sign language, she depended on lip reading in her daily interactions. But these limitations did not stop her from gaining employment in Kerala’s Local Self Government department in 2004 and from rising to the post of Assistant Secretary at the Bharananganam gramapanchayat. Yet, she had always felt that the government’s training programmes were not suited to the differently abled employees…

Brandon needs to improve ‘awful’ accessibility, says wheelchair user

September 17, 2023 | Source: CBC- Canada

When Phillip Emmerson travels on the sidewalks in southwestern Manitoba’s biggest city, it takes constant vigilance to ensure his wheelchair doesn’t catch on any obstacles. His journeys in Brandon are full of impediments. At one point he wheels over an uneven railway line before hitting a piece of raised sidewalk. He speeds up before the crossing to ensure he has the momentum to cross it — but he risks crashing if his front tires catch where the street joins the sidewalk…

UEFA fails to respond to accessibility failures

September 18, 2023 | Source: Mancunian Matters- UK

The charity, Level Playing Field demanded accountability from the football organisation in a letter three months ago and was reassured that a response would be provided. The Champions League Final, which seen Manchester City defeat Inter Milan in Istanbul, was described to have been hazardous and potentially life endangering for disabled supporters, with one disabled fan breaking her femur in two places. Clare Watson, a Manchester City supporter, was left lying alone in her own urine and described the event at Ataturk Olympic Stadium as ‘atrocious.‘…

This Malaysian Wants To Make KL Accessible For People With Disabilities and Needs Your Help

September 18, 2023 | Source: SAYS- Malaysia

Along with two friends, Armani is seeking help to launch IncluCity, an app that would crowdsource locations that are disabled-friendly, accessible, and safe. Speaking to SAYS, Armani said cheekily, “I tell everyone that Izzati, my sister, is my boss, since this all started with her.” Izzati is an artist, who is also autistic and has Down syndrome. With a background in the arts and events industry, Armani launched NakSeni during lockdown to gain income for Izzati and her friends, as nobody was able to host events and pop-ups during that time…

CTV’s Community Heroes: Meet a UBC student trying to make Vancouver more sustainable and accessible

September 18, 2023 | Source: CTV- Canada

Stephanie Quon is in her fifth year at UBC studying electrical engineering. While balancing her studies, she spends much of her time looking for ways to make Vancouver greener and more accessible. “I think growing up in Vancouver has been such an incredible opportunity to feel more connected to the environment,” she told CTV News. At 15, she launched The Sprouts Initiative, which focuses on pillars of accessibility, sustainability and community…

TTC won’t meet Ontario’s 2025 accessibility deadline, staff report says

September 19, 2023 | Source: Toronto Star- Canada

Nearly two decades after Ontario’s 2025 accessibility goal was put in place, the TTC staff have said in their latest report that the transit agency will not be able to meet the province’s target. A total of 57 TTC subway stations out of 70 will meet the standards of 2005’s Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) by the end of 2024 while the rest are expected to be completed after the province’s deadline, according to a TTC report. The document, posted on TTC’s website Tuesday evening, is scheduled to be discussed at the board meeting Sept. 26…

Swanson ‘appalled’ by lack of accessibility for disabled kids

September 20, 2023 | Source: The Guam Daily Post- Guam

Guam Department of Education Superintendent Kenneth Swanson said he was ‘appalled’ upon taking the helm of the local school system by the failure to provide accommodations for students with disabilities. Swanson and others appeared at the Guam Congress Building Tuesday to testify on Sen. Will Parkinson’s Bill 98-37, which would give the Guam Department of Education 180 days to come up with and launch a plan to get campuses in compliance with the federal Americans With Disabilities Act, or ADA…

Tactile stencils enable independent voting for visually impaired in Luxembourg

September 20, 2023 | Source: RTL Today- Luxembourg

Participating in political and public life can pose significant challenges for disabled individuals. As the legislative elections draw near, concerns emerge regarding how visually impaired individuals can independently fill in their ballot papers. A breakthrough solution arrives in the form of tactile stencils, offering self-sufficiency to blind voters and those with compromised vision or neuro-visual disorders. With elections scheduled for 8 October, preparations are in full swing at the Centre for the Development of Sight-related Skills…

Sam’s disability campaign hits the high street

September 20, 2023 | Source: National Star- UK

Sam Vestey is campaigning to make the familiar disabled sign more inclusive for people with non-visible disabilities. The 21-year-old believes the wheelchair icon featured on blue badges and disabled parking bays is outdated.

Working with other young people with disabilities, Sam has launched an alternative logo. It shows two able bodied people with a third person in a wheelchair and the wording, ‘Some disabilities are visible. Some are not. Take care of each other’…

App launched in Calgary to help pedestrians find accessible, barrier-free routes downtown

September 20, 2023 | Source: Global News- Canada

Navigating the downtown core can be challenging, especially for people with mobility differences. Helping those people find a barrier-free path is the goal behind a new Calgary-based app. ‘Pedesting,’ which launched Wednesday, is designed to help pedestrians find the easiest and most accessible routes throughout the city. The app’s cofounder, Nabeel Ramji, has cerebral palsy and uses a motorized wheelchair, which can require a lot of pre-planning to get around…

New Musical ‘Celebrate All’ Designed with Children and Accessibility In Mind

September 21, 2023 | Source: 96Five- Australia

‘Celebrate All’ is a new heartwarming family musical teaching children to embrace their inner courage, find resilience, fit in, and make friends. Created by award-winning composer and education expert, Donna Dyson and her children’s music label Spotty Kites, Celebrate All follows Lucy and Miss J on their first day at a brand-new school. 96five’s Steff Willis caught up with Donna Dyson to learn more about how Celebrate All came about and what audiences can expect…

Design disability disaster: Thailand’s online critique on wheelchair walkway accessibility

September 21, 2023 | Source: Thaiger- Thailand

The online community in Thailand is buzzing with criticism, following the sharing of a photo depicting a poorly designed walkway for people with disabilities. The image shows a sign for a wheelchair-accessible route set in the middle of a narrow, uneven pavement, blocked by an electricity pole. Frustratingly, the location has not been named. Online users are urging local authorities to inspect the site and address the issue, as the path is clearly unsuitable for its intended users…

Sooke and neighbours unite to foster inclusivity and accessibility

September 21, 2023 | Source: Sooke News Mirror- Canada

Sooke has taken a significant step towards ensuring compliance with the Accessible B.C. Act by joining forces with six neighbouring municipalities to create a joint inter-municipal accessibility advisory committee. The move aims to foster inclusivity and accessibility in communities. The Accessible B.C. Act, introduced in 2021, mandates local governments to establish committees to identify and eliminate barriers for individuals with disabilities. The initiative calls for the active participation of individuals with disabilities and organizations that support them in shaping the legislation…

France presents accessibility action plan for 2024 Olympics

September 21, 2023 | Source: EURACTIV- France and InsideTheGames

Each year, France presents a disability action plan providing guidelines and objectives to achieve a more inclusive society for the coming year at the Interministerial Committee on Disability (CIH). This year, however, all eyes are on preparation for the upcoming Olympics, which will take place between 26 July and 11 August 2024 and are expected to be attended by 350,000 people with disabilities or different access needs. “The Olympic and Paralympic Games must be a catalyst for improving the daily lives of people with disabilities,” Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said on Wednesday (20 September) during the presentation of the roadmap…

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