Accessibility in the News — 12/10/2021.
NOTE: To get news like this every week in your inbox, before it hits our website, subscribe to our Accessibility in the News e-newsletter. There are no ads or graphics, and we never send spam. Just use the sign-up form on this page to subscribe and stay up to date!
Skip to National News (U.S.) | Skip to International News
More Accessibility Resources on this Page
Accessibility Blogs and Information | Accessibility Announcements and Products
Accessibility Fourms, Tips and Gaming | Accessibility Statement Pages
Microassist Accessibility Services
AITN Quote of the Week
“It is in the shelter of each other that people live.” ― Irish Proverb
Feature Stories
Venue over Foreign Defendant; and Seeking Rehearing before Mandamus
December 6, 2021 | Source: Patently-O
This mandamus petition has been denied, although the Federal Circuit has suggested that Judge Albright reconsider his denial of venue transfer. AudioEye sued accessiBe for patent infringement (US10423709, et al.) as well as claims under the Lanham Act (false advertisement & product disparagement) and under New York State Law (product disparagement, tortious interference, etc). But, instead of suing in New York, AudioEye sued in W.D. Tex. The focus here is on screen-reader used to help individuals with disabilities better access the internet. The software particularly helps to fix non-compliant websites to make them more accessible…
Lawsuit Reform Alliance names New York second-worst ‘judicial hellhole’ in US
December 7, 2021 | Source: New York Post
It’s settled: New York is the second-worst “judicial hellhole” in the country, according to a new study. The Empire State earned the unflattering ranking, behind only California, thanks to a flood of frivolous food lawsuits, disability complaints and “nuclear” verdicts shelling out millions in awards, the American Tort Reform Association found. The nonprofit that seeks to reduce lawsuit abuse says 109 food and beverage consumer class-action lawsuits were filed last year — more than the top four states on the “judicial hellhole” list combined…
DOJ and Dunlap School District Reach Agreement to Provide Fully Accessible Elementary School Playground
December 7, 2021 | Source: Department of Justice
The Department of Justice has reached a settlement pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with Dunlap Community Unit School District No. 323, located in Dunlap, Illinois, ensuring that Banner Elementary School’s outdoor playground is accessible to all children, including children with disabilities. The settlement agreement resolves an ADA complaint filed by parents of a child with a disability at Banner Elementary. The complaint alleged that a child with a disability was routinely unable to access Banner’s existing playground to play with peers and had to play alone…
SC students with disabilities spar with state officials over near-ban on school mask mandates before Fourth Circuit
December 9, 2021 | Source: Courthouse News Service
Civil rights advocates urged the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Thursday to stop South Carolina from holding state funds from public schools that adopt mask mandates amid the deadly Covid-19 pandemic. South Carolina’s Republican-led General Assembly enacted a budget provision banning school districts from using state funds to announce or enforce mask mandates, prompting several groups to sue on behalf of students who they say are endangered by the rule. Attorney John Freedman, arguing on behalf of the plaintiffs before a three-judge panel on Thursday, said the state’s rule violates anti-discrimination laws…
National News (U.S.)
Omaha woman who uses wheelchair addresses accessibility issues on Instagram account
December 2, 2021 | Source: Omaha World Herald
Nancy Berg could never enjoy a meal from The Drover. The hurdle that for years kept her from trying the Omaha restaurant: a basement bathroom accessible only by a flight of stairs. Berg, who uses a wheelchair, would have had to scoot down the stairs or have someone to carry her. Main-floor restrooms were added in the restaurant, near 72nd Street and Mercy Road, after a fire in 2018. Things such as inaccessible bathrooms, blocked sidewalks or steps outside a business are routine hurdles for Berg and other people with disabilities…
Bourbonniere Hospitals merger missing voice for disabled
December 6, 2021 | Source: The Providence Journal
While Accessible Healthcare Rhode Island appreciates the work done by the Rhode Island Foundation regarding the proposed health-care system merger, we have concerns that the needs of persons with disabilities were inadequately represented during the process. Significantly, there were no committee members representing organizations of persons with disabilities. History has shown repeatedly that the exclusion of persons with disabilities results in “solutions” that represent the perceptions of disability by those who are not yet disabled…
Accessibility becomes more than an afterthought
December 6, 2021 | Source: Nieman Lab
On the heels of a waning-but-not-really-waning pandemic that forced the entire world to stay inside for months and come up with new ways of interacting with other people, more journalists and newsrooms are realizing that the accessibility of the news they produce can no longer be an afterthought. Accessibility has long been a third-tier priority (at best) in most traditional newsrooms, when it’s considered at all. The overwhelming majority of the news content that gets published, as well as of the physical spaces where news-related events are held, fail to include even the most basic considerations for people with accessibility needs…
How Custom Beauty Brands Are Shaping A More Accessible Industry
December 7, 2021 | Source: NYLON
When I was 20 years old I was involved in a Vespa crash. My left arm took the impact and wound up paralyzed from the elbow to the fingertips. Now, I rely on my right arm, a lot of patience, and some creative adaptations to do literally everything. I’ve always loved makeup, and I still do post-accident, but I’ve come to love it in a different way. It’s not always a lot of fun playing with makeup because it involves a lot of feuds between my one hand and the products, so the enjoyment isn’t so much in the application process, but in the product discovery…
Hearing Loss: Signs, Symptoms, and Complications
December 6, 2021 | Source: Very Well Health
The main symptom of hearing loss is the inability to hear sound. Depending on the type of hearing loss, symptoms can vary from difficulty understanding words to having a hard time hearing in crowded spaces to deafness in one or both ears. Some people may also experience tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Hearing loss can be hereditary or caused by age, exposure to loud noise, disease, or other causes. Untreated hearing loss can lead to other symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or feelings of isolation. It can also lead to central auditory processing deficits (how the brain processes sound and speech)…
Bird extends accessibility programme to San Diego and San Francisco
December 7, 2021 | Source: Intelligent Transport & Times of San Diego
At Bird, providing eco-friendly transportation for everyone means increasing the availability of on-demand accessible mobility. As a result, Bird has announced that it is expanding its collaboration with Scootaround, a global leader in personal transportation solutions. In addition to its ongoing pilot in The Bronx, Bird is now offering its unique, on-demand accessible mobility programme in San Diego and San Francisco, as well. The programme allows persons with disabilities to find, reserve and pay for a selection of accessible vehicles using a custom Scootaround interface directly in the Bird app…
Why Cannabis Companies Should Care About Their Online Accessibility
December 7, 2021 | Source: Above the Law
Over the past couple years, business buyer (B2B) commerce has evolved and shifted to e-commerce, forcing businesses to invest in their online presence, through the creation of websites and social media accounts, to promote their goods and facilitate online purchases. But what business owners may ignore is the growing trend of federal class-action lawsuits alleging that these websites and point-of-sale systems violate Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (the ADA)…
Hopkins researchers explore the link between hearing loss and dementia
December 7, 2021 | Source: The Johns Hopkins News-Letter
Researchers at the School of Medicine are exploring a new link between age-related hearing loss and dementia in older adults. Current reports suggest hearing loss in older adults increases risk of dementia. Dementia is a group of symptoms involving memory loss, language loss, and the impairment of other cognitive abilities. Currently, around 6.2 million Americans over 65 are living with Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia; That number is estimated to increase to 14 million by 2060…
DOJ Finds State of Iowa Unnecessarily Segregates People with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities in State Resource Centers
December 8, 2021 | Source: Department of Justice
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division announced today that it has concluded an investigation into whether the State of Iowa subjects residents of Glenwood and Woodward Resource Centers, two state-run institutions for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) in Glenwood and Woodward, Iowa, respectively, to unnecessary institutionalization in violation of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)…
Rolling Stones concert problems lead to push for disability task force
December 8, 2021 | Source: Austin Monitor
The much-publicized parking and other logistical problems at last month’s Rolling Stones concert at Circuit of the Americas has pushed local officials to call for the creation of a task force focused on accessibility issues at area concert venues. Bruce Elfant,Travis County tax assessor-collector and voter registrar, spoke at Monday’s Music Commission meeting about the difficulties he had trying to attend the concert on crutches due to a foot injury.
Elfant called COTA in advance to check on accommodations for the disabled, but a golf cart transport only took him to the main gate…
MTA announces first ADA improvements under Zoning for Accessibility coming to 57 St F Station
December 8, 2021 | Source: Mass Transit
The first transit improvement bonus awarded under Zoning for Accessibility was unveiled by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) at the 57 St F subway station. These improvements will make the station fully accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act. “This agreement is proof that the MTA’s historic Capital Plan, along with partnering with private developers, will allow the authority to modernize the entire transit system as quickly and efficiently as possible,” said MTA Acting Chair and CEO Janno Lieber…
Could Cochlear Implants Cause Harm to Hearing Over Time?
December 8, 2021 | Source: MedicineNet
People who get cochlear implants to treat severe hearing loss may develop new bone growth in the ear — and it may lessen any hearing they have left, a new study hints. The researchers found that among 100-plus adults with cochlear implants, two-thirds showed evidence of new bone formation near the implant within four years. And of patients who still had some hearing when they received the implant, those with new bone growth showed more hearing loss over time. However, no one with a cochlear implant should be alarmed by the findings, stressed researcher Dr. Floris Heutink, of Radboud University Medical Center, in the Netherlands…
Helping the world understand hearing loss and deafness
December 9, 2021 | Source: Edmonds Beacon
Edmonds resident Angeliki Pedersen’s illustrated book, “The Secrets Hidden Beneath the Palm Tree,” shows us how to understand and interact with deaf children. In the story, a curious girl notices hearing aids on her new classmate at school. On the playground, she asks him about them. The boy explains in simple language about his difficulty hearing things, and about his hearing aids. They develop a fast friendship and she looks out for him from then on…
Bob Dole Was a ‘Linchpin’ in Passing the Americans With Disabilities Act
December 9, 2021 | Source: The New York Times
John D. Kemp, who was born without arms or legs, will never forget the day Senator Bob Dole ushered him into a room full of small-business owners who were alarmed about the potential costs of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Up until that day in early 1990, Mr. Kemp had been lobbying Mr. Dole, the Kansas Republican who lived with a disability himself, about what advocates wanted to see in the final draft of the legislation, which aimed to create civil rights protections and access to employment, transportation and public spaces for those with disabilities…
State Department officer struck by Havana syndrome sues Blinken and agency for alleged disability discrimination
December 9, 2021 | Source: CNN
A State Department officer who says he was struck by the strange constellation of symptoms now known as “Havana syndrome” in 2017 is suing Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the State Department for disability discrimination, according to court filings. It is the first known suit filed against the US government by a victim of Havana syndrome and comes as the State Department continues to face sharp criticism from some lawmakers and victims over its handling of the incidents and care for affected diplomats…
This sticker could help police better respond to people with cognitive disabilities
December 9, 2021 | Source: Indy Star
Samantha Hedrick worries more about car crashes than she used to. In August, her 4-year-old daughter, Lainie Hedrick, was diagnosed with autism and receptive language disorder. Lainie is just learning how to speak. “My biggest fear has always been if we were to get in an accident and if I was unconscious or unresponsive, she can’t tell (first responders) she is autistic or has major sensory disorders,” Hedrick said. Hedrick said she’s looked for ways to signal police, firefighters and EMS workers to her daughter’s conditions in case an emergency arises…
Costco Gets Win on Evidence in Manager’s Disability Bias Trial
December 9, 2021 | Source: Bloomberg Law
A former Costco Wholsesale Corp. manager in Minnesota failed to prove she was denied reasonable accommodations for her fibromyalgia, depression, and anxiety after she returned from medical leave, a federal judge decided.
The U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota granted the company’s motion for judgment as a matter of law after Melinda Rose finished presenting evidence in her case under the Minnesota Human Rights Act, according to a docket entry Wednesday. Rose claimed her medical issues didn’t leave her unable to perform any essential functions of her job as a receiving manager, and that it wouldn’t have created…
Social Security Administration And Abt Release Volume On Lessons From 30 Years Of Demonstration Projects
December 9, 2021 | Source: Yahoo
The Social Security Administration (SSA) and Abt Associates have released a book, Lessons from SSA Demonstrations for Disability Policy and Future Research, that summarizes more than 30 years of demonstration projects, which tested new policies. The demonstrations aimed at improving the biggest federal disability programs, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and helping the people who rely on them. Understanding this research is critical for developing sound, evidence-based disability policies and effective supports for disability beneficiaries who want to work…
Jack Fact — A recent press release issued by the Indian Health Ministry on hearing loss and its causes stated that hearing loss affected 2.9% of the population. The prevalence of total hearing loss, unilateral and bilateral was found to be as high as 9.93 %.
Hit The Road Jack —The top five Hampshire parks and nature reserves with accessible routes for pushchairs and wheelchairs& ‘Tourism should be accessible to all’
International News
Digital accessibility still needs work in A/NZ region
December 2, 2021 | Source: IT Brief- New Zealand
New research from Infosys reveals a digital inclusion gap among New Zealand organisations. The report explores digital accessibility priorities and investments in Australia and New Zealand organisations, and assessed for the first time how far 670 organisations across Australia (570) and New Zealand (100) are on their digital accessibility journey. It found, when it comes to digital accessibility adoption such as creating screen-reader friendly websites or adding subtitles to audio-visual media, New Zealand organisations are more advanced than their Australian counterparts…
Improving accessibility, one community at a time
December 2, 2021 | Source: Barriere Star Journal- Canada
Sonja Gaudet is the Regional Accessibility Specialist for the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA). Gaudet’s journey is an inspiring one. A horseback riding accident left her paralyzed from the chest down at just 31 years of age, but her resilient nature, strong disposition and iron will, refused to let her stop from aspiring to new heights. Sonja not only adapted to life in a wheelchair but went on to accomplish many remarkable achievements. Paramount of which was becoming a three-time gold medal Paralympian in curling (Turin 2006, Vancouver 2010, Sochi 2014) and being selected as the Canadian flag bearer for the opening ceremonies in 2014 at the Sochi Paralympic Winter Games…
Accessibility for all; Grimsby resident battles for more accessible transit
December 2, 2021 | Source: Well & Tribune- Canada
According to one Grimsby resident, transit accessibility goes beyond just priority seating. After struggling with vision in his left eye and ultimately losing it, Stephen Barker said he woke up on the morning of his birthday in 2009 totally blind. His retina in his right eye had detached “and that was the end of it.” Barker, now the chair of the Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee (JAAC), said that he has long adjusted to life without vision, but it does not come without its struggles. Commuting is one of those struggles, especially living in the Niagara region, where driving is often the most efficient way to get around…
App makes Ramat Gan Safari accessible to blind visitors
December 2, 2021 | Source: Israel Hayom- Israel
Blind and visually impaired visitors to the Ramat Gan Safari can enjoy a more accessible experience, thanks to the Right Hear application. In addition to supplying zoological information about the species at the safari, as well as unique stories about the specific animals housed in its 64 enclosures, the Right-Hear system helps the blind and visually impaired navigate the park. One such visitor, Hezi Eliyahu, said, “This brings me full circle. For years, while I was still a young father, I had to look for friends, acquaintances, or family members who would come with me on visits to the safari…
Multi-year accessibility plan gets thumbs up from council
December 2, 2021 | Source: Sault Star- Canada
Squamish mobility and accessibility committee being created
December 2, 2021 | Source: Squamish Chief- Canada
City council has approved its updated Multi-Year Accessibility Plan. Provincial regulations require that municipalities implement, maintain and document, a multi-year accessibility plan that outlines its strategy to prevent and remove barriers to meet provincial requirements. The annual budget for barrier removal is $85,000 and 10 barrier removal projects are slated for 2022. Many of the projects are annual ongoing expenses. For instance, the vulnerable persons registry project will cost $20,000 to maintain. The registry, an effort in memory of Lewis Wheelan, recognizes that vulnerable people are at risk during major emergencies…
Centring access and inclusion at the fringes
December 3, 2021 | Source: Arts Hub- Australia
3 December was International Day of People with Disability – or ‘Crip Christmas’ as some of us in the disability community like to call it. And there’s no better time to reflect on the incredible work of Deaf and disabled artists, and the accessibility and inclusivity of our sector more broadly. Access and inclusion are words that are popping up more often – whether through funding body requirements, national conference panel discussions or more prominent Deaf and disabled programming at ‘mainstream’ events. But which arts organisations and artists are truly doing access and inclusion work well, and where can we look for great examples to learn from?…
Israel still not accessible enough for people with disabilities – poll
December 4, 2021 | Source: The Jerusalem Post- Israel
Some 75% of Israelis claimed the State of Israel does not do enough to promote the rights of people with disabilities, a new Access Israel poll released on Thursday found. Access Israel, an Israeli NGO dedicated to promoting accessibility for and inclusion of people with disabilities and the elderly, conducted a poll for the International Day of Disabled Persons this Friday, December 3. Half of all 553 responders said they know someone who uses a disabled badge that does not belong to them for parking. Israeli public transportation, including buses and taxis, has received criticism for not being accessible enough for disabled persons, according to over half of the responders…
People with disabilities lack accessible travel in Germany
December 3, 2021 | Source: Hindustan Times- Germany
Jonas Morgenroth, a 34-year-old engineer from Göttingen, relies on a wheelchair. When he wants to go on vacation, things often get complicated. Train platforms and narrow hotel room doors can become insurmountable obstacles. Once, several years ago when he wanted to go to Bulgaria for a friend’s wedding, the airline refused to take him. The plane was too small and there was no room for his wheelchair, they said. He was also once denied a train trip because the disabled toilet on the train didn’t work. “It was about a 20-minute ride, which was really a joke,” Morgenroth told DW…
RNIB and Metro create braille newspaper cover highlighting need for accessibility
December 3, 2021 | Source: Campaign- UK
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and Metro newspaper have partnered to create the first braille cover for a UK nationally distributed newspaper. Today (3 December) marks the International Day of Disabled People, so RNIB felt it was fitting to highlight the issue of accessibility. Metro will be distributing 15,000 special editions across nine central London locations including at Kings Cross station. The cover-wrap will feature a braille message for blind or partially sighted people, highlighting that the world is still some way off from being truly accessible…
Profile: An information accessibility researcher in world of silence, brightness
December 3, 2021 | Source: Xinhua- China
As a baby, Yao Dengfeng lost almost all of his hearing. Growing up, he felt that he would live in a silent world for the rest of his life as he could not talk and interact the same way as other children. In 1984, the medical field was not very developed for the hearing impaired, and Yao’s doctor said that his hearing would never recover. However, Yao’s mother did not give up.”I still remember my mother continued to train and guide me to speak out, and she once spent half of her annual wages on a speech training device. After countless attempts, I finally learned to produce sounds, although I could not hear,” Yao said…
International Day of Persons with Disabilities: State of digital accessibility in India
December 3, 2021 | Source: Financial Express- India
Covid-19 has accelerated the move to digital! Today from vaccination appointments to online groceries to watching movies, it is a digital first economy! But the question that needs to be asked is, how is this digital first economy including people with disabilities. But before I answer that question, would like to delve on some data: 1 billion+ people with disabilities globally. 15% of the world population will have a lived experience of disability as per WHO. Indian Census 2011, states that 2.68 crores that is 2.21 percent of our population comprises people with disabilities…
Landmark UK TV Disability Report Urges Creation Of Facilities And Freelancer Funds; Calls For Mandatory Accessibility Co-ordinators
December 3, 2021 | Source: Deadline- UK
A landmark disability report from Jack Thorne’s Underlying Health Condition lobbying group has urged the creation of two industry funds: one to upgrade studios and facilities and the other to help disabled freelancers. Today’s Everyone Forgot About The Toilets report into disability in UK TV also called for mandatory Accessibility Co-ordinators on high-end productions, who would work similarly to Intimacy Co-ordinators, along with a line in every high-end TV (HETV) production budget for reasonable adjustments…
Accessibility for all; Grimsby resident battles for more accessible transit
December 3, 2021 | Source: Toronto Star- Canada
B.C. Transit takes ‘step backward’ on accessibility by removing Victoria bus schedules, say advocates
December 4, 2021 | Source: CBC- Canada
According to one Grimsby resident, transit accessibility goes beyond just priority seating. After struggling with vision in his left eye and ultimately losing it, Stephen Barker said he woke up on the morning of his birthday in 2009 totally blind. His retina in his right eye had detached “and that was the end of it.” Barker, now the chair of the Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee (JAAC), said that he has long adjusted to life without vision, but it does not come without its struggles. Commuting is one of those struggles, especially living in the Niagara region, where driving is often the most efficient way to get around…
British Airways adds British Sign Language option to assist in passenger experience
December 4, 2021 | Source: Economy Class & Beyond- UK
We all know that communication can be hard. It can be harder for those who have disabilities. British Airways has today become the first UK airline to trial a new video service transforming the experience for customers that use British Sign Language (BSL). The initiative is being trialled as part of the airline’s continued efforts to make travel simple and easy for customers with additional assistance needs. The airline’s new partnership with SignLive will see the company’s BSL service embedded in British Airways’ customer engagement centres. The platform allows customers to access a range of services before, during and after their journeys in a modern, simple and easy way…
Avanti West Coast updates website to help disabled passengers
December 8, 2021 | Source: Belfast Telegraph- Ireland & Global Railway Review
Avanti West Coast has modified its website to help disabled passengers. The firm said it made changes to ensure all customers can “plan their journey confidently and independently every time they travel”. Updates include altering the contrast between text and backgrounds to help visually impaired users, and amending coding so the content is accessible to customers unable to use a mouse. Avanti West Coast made the adjustments to its website in partnership with Accessibility Services, part of Shaw Trust, a charity which helps disabled and disadvantaged people…
EU Commission, IATA, Easyjet view on New Accessibility Ideas
December 8, 2021 | Source: Reduced Mobility Rights- EU
Following the presentation of the Air4All concept, Reduced Mobility Rights have spoken with the EU Commission, IATA, and Easyjet on air travel accessibility solutions. In 2021, flying with your own wheelchair remains a gamble. Despite the industry working hard on finding permanent solutions to this problem, the possibility of a mobility device being damaged by ground handlers or during a flight is still present. Whilst damage is cause for concern, the aftermath can be far more serious…
Disability History Month: ‘Accessibility is so much more than a physical ramp’
December 8, 2021 | Source: ITV- UK
Campaigners are calling on the fitness industry to break-down barriers to fitness, as new research shows that 80% of disabled people would like to be more active. Under the Equality Act, gyms and leisure centres must make reasonable adjustments for all their members. But in practice, disabled people say they still find it difficult to access fitness. Figures from the Disability and Activity Survey, run by the Activity Alliance, found that 80% of disabled people want to be more active, but only 30% feel they have the opportunity to be as active as they want.”…
Making School Accessibility Philippine Policy
December 8, 2021 | Source: The Asia Foundation- Philippines (Podcast)
A Filipina fourth-grader who uses a wheelchair for mobility returns to school to find that this year her classes will be on an upper floor where there are no ramps or accessible bathrooms. She will have to be carried, every day, by friends or a caregiver, or she can drop out of school. This heartbreaking situation, and the choices for Filipinos, are unfortunately all too real. In the Philippines, there are many laws and policies that call for disability inclusion. Yet, a recent analysis commissioned by The Asia Foundation found that the lives of people with disabilities are still fraught with challenges, including inaccessible buildings and infrastructure, inaccessible transportation…
New project tackles accessibility of heritage buildings
December 8, 2021 | Source: REMI Network- Canada
Human Space is tackling the challenge of addressing accessibility of heritage buildings while preserving historical integrity. The Toronto-based inclusive design consultancy will draw from Accessibility Standards Canada’s funding to create Heritage for All, a project that will research, propose and test new ideas aimed at developing accessible strategies for federally-owned heritage properties, with the hopes of advancing future national accessibility standards. “Our nation’s heritage buildings exist for everyone’s enjoyment, and they provide keys to understanding our history,” says Human Space Director and Architect, Jesse Klimitz…
Scottish health board apologises over late diagnosis of deaf children
December 9, 2021 | Source: The Guardian- UK
A Scottish health board has apologised for “horrendous” failings after an independent review found that deaf children missed out on vital cochlear implant surgery because of mistakes and delays in diagnosis. NHS Lothian apologised to the families involved as the report set out repeated errors in identifying hearing loss and admitted the delays would have long-term consequences for the speech and language development of the children involved. An independent investigation of NHS Lothian’s paediatric audiology service uncovered “significant failures” over a nine-year period in 14% of cases after sampling more than 1,000 patient records, in particular amongs the under fives…
Survey: Cases of blindness decline by 35% in two decades
December 9, 2021 | Source: Dhaka Tribune- Bangladesh & The Business Standard
Bangladesh has managed to reduce the rate of blindness, among the population aged over 30, by about 35% in the last two decades, the latest nationwide survey has found. Over 750,000 people in Bangladesh are now suffering from blindness. Cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness, the survey has found. Meanwhile, comparing the data with the latest data from South Asian countries, it has been found that the situation of eye health in Bangladesh is better than in other South Asian countries. The Centre for Injury Prevention and Research, Bangladesh (CIPRB) conducted the survey from October 2020 to January 2021 across the country…
Legally blind Canadian using electronic glasses to develop more accessible apps
December 9, 2021 | Source: Mobile Syrup- Canada
It’s not uncommon for someone to pursue a second career later in their life, whether it’s because they’re not happy in their current field or simply were inspired to try something different. For 39-year-old Jaclyn Pope of Oshawa, Ontario, the goal now is to become a full-stack developer to make apps more accessible for the blind and visually impaired. But unlike most people, circumstances completely out of her control led her to this point. In 2019, after three years of gradual sight loss, Pope was diagnosed as legally blind with all four of the leading causes of blindness in Canada: macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts…
‘Disability is not inability,’ Assumption Sisters teach girls in central Kenya
December 9, 2021 | Source: Global Sisters Report- Africa
Along a busy junction in this cold central Kenyan town, a tiny blue metallic booth struggles to stand out, obscured by shops and passenger service vehicles. Inside is 26-year-old Mary Wanjiku, a graduate of Limuru Cheshire Home. She proudly displays her collection of beaded napkin holders, bracelets and necklaces that she sells to passersby and the community. “Disability is not inability,” Wanjiku says, gesturing to her shop christened Beads and Arts Center. Her self-empowerment journey began six years ago when a group of good Samaritans rescued her from the streets of her hometown in Kabuku, a village in central Kenya…
COVID-19 Resources and Information
- Accessibility Matters: A toolkit for coping- Lewiston Tribune
- Texas Woman Convicted of COVID-19 Relief Fraud- Department of Justice
- On the right to accessibility during COVID – a statement by WWP Disability Rights and Justice Caucus- Workers World
- Partnering with persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible, and sustainable post-COVID-19 world- Policy Forum
Accessibility Blogs and Information
- Astrobites at SciAccess2021
- EARN Newsletter: November 2021
- Rising Star: Nathan Cunningham- FCW
- WCAG Explainers- The DAISY Consortium
- Is Your Website Compliant?- Comstock’s Magazine
- Podcast: Captioning the XR-Infused Workplace- PEAT
- Accessibility toolkit and being an ally- ArtsHub Australia
- The Inclusive Training Checklist- Maureen Berkner Boyt
- The cost of ignoring website accessibility- George Nguyen
- Driving accessibility and inclusion for PwD – People Matters
- Accessible Web Design for All Types of Vision- Brielle Cayer
- Accessibility of human rights web pages- Jonathan Robert Pool
- How Technology Is Furthering Accessibility- Women Love Tech
- 10 Christmas memories growing up with a disability- Emma Purcel
- What the world’s most popular websites are getting wrong- Daniel Piper
- Meet Amazon employees making Alexa more accessible- Market Screener
- 2021 State of Accessibility Report: Where Do We Stand Today?- Diamond
- Simple Web Accessibility Fundamentals: A User Perspective- Brielle Cayer
- Pushing Public Sector Accessibility From The Bottom Up – Part 1- Ken Nakata
- Remembering disability advocate Tyler Greene of Waterloo- Iowa Public Radio (Podcast)
- Accessible Ahmedabad? Not quite, say activists | Ahmedabad News – Times of India
- Making the digital world more accessible means building it from the code up- Joe Devon
- It’s time to make websites and apps more accessible. Here are 8 steps to take- Fast Company
- Q&A With Alycia Anderson, TEDx speaker and corporate inclusion consultant- Equal Entry
- Inside Microsoft’s quest to build some of the most accessible workplaces in India- Microsoft
- Canadian Policy, Training and Posting: Accessibility Requirements for All Organizations- Littler
- Josh Wintersgill: ‘Don’t let a disability stop you from running your own business’- Market Screener
- Integrating disability inclusion in disaster risk management: the whys and hows- World Bank Group
- International Day of Persons with Disabilities: State of digital accessibility in India- Financial Express
- Fact Sheet: Advancing Disability Inclusive Democracy in the United States and Globally- The White House
- Amazon Makes Life More Accessible For Seniors And Their Caregivers With New Alexa Together Service- Forbes
- Mindset Matters: The Responsibility Of Corporate Behavior In Magnifying The Disability Economy- Jonathan Kaufman
- Wireless Accessibility for Hearing Loss: Finding Mobile Phones and Features that Work for You- The Hearing Journal – LWW
- UN calls for increasing accessibility, and dismantling legal, social, economic and other barriers facing persons with disabilities- WAM
- Being at Expo 2020 Dubai with the Access Israel Organization team on behalf of JB Upscale was an experience I will never forget- Benny Hillman
Accessibility Announcements and Products
- Give the gift of sign language this festive season
- Committee ready to improve accessibility in B.C.
- Exploryst Helps People of All Abilities Explore Colorado
- Crucial accessibility features are returning to Siri in iOS 15.2
- Enforcement Bureau Requires ViaTalk to Ensure Accessibility
- Canada Province’s Accessibility Legislation Comes Into Effect
- Para swimmer bags national award for diving into accessibility
- Columbia County Library websites are more accessible than ever
- FCC honors Apple with an award for iOS 14 accessibility features
- Purple live from EXPO 2020 announce new EnableAll marketplace
- FCC Acts to Improve Communications Reliability During Disasters
- Ada County Highway District approves plan to expand accessibility
- TAIT: Province announces new advocate for persons with disabilities
- Microsoft Surface Adtaptive Kit Boosts Surface Device Accessibility
- Feeling at home: Accessibility in US parks- Christian Science Monitor
- Airbnb addresses issues in accessibility by adding new filters and photos
- Advocate for those with disabilities earns accessibility and inclusion award
- Spotify Joins the Valuable 500 With a Commitment to Disability Inclusion
- City of Evanston seeks community input towards ADA Transition Plan Update
- VIA Rail highlights comfort and accessibility of next generation of Corridor trains
- Cheam Leisure Centre Achieves Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certified Gold
- Empire Life enhances its disability management with the addition of Medical Confidence
- Ontario Partners with Canada’s National Ballet School to Promote Accessibility and Inclusion
- Google’s Live Transcribe: The Origin Story of This Accessibility & Speech Recognition Innovation (YouTube)
- Athens Acquires Interactive Website Proposing Accessible Tourist Itineraries for People with Disabilities
- Renovations At Delacorte Theater In Central Park Will Improve Accessibility For Audience, Artists With Disabilities
- TPGi is excited to announce the product launch of JAWS Connect, a first-of-its-kind solution that delivers direct assistive technology user feedback
- Atos announces that its Global Accessibility and Digital Inclusion Policy, Governance & Program has been selected for a Zero Project 2022 Award
Accessibility Forums, Tips, and Gaming
- 4 Ways Businesses Can Improve Accessibility
- Accessibility best practices for gaming hardware
- 4 ways mobile apps could be a lot more accessible
- Microsoft releases free gaming accessibility course
- Noteworthy Advancement in Accessibility for 2021
- Can I Play That? helped me see this industry more inclusively
- This Conference Puts Accessibility in Gaming Front and Center
- Niagara-made audio game nominated for accessibility Game Award
- Halo Infinite Is “Not Wonderful For Accessibility,” Says Can I Play That?
- Gaming Is Becoming Accessible, But We Need To Keep Asking For More
- Accessibility Hack: How to Control Your Apple Watch With Hand Gestures
- Siri is yet to regain crucial accessibility features that disappeared with iOS 15
- D&D: 10 Ways To Make Games More Accessible For Players With Disabilities
Accessibility Statements
- UKG
- Ziff Davis
- Arctic Wolf
- EDUCAUSE
- TUBE-project
- Capital Group
- Delta Dental of Kansas
- The University of Toledo
- Geological Survey of Sweden
- University of California San Francisco
- Accessibility in the News: Accessibility Statement Pages
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.
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
Subscribe to Accessibility in the News
Stay informed! Get your weekly update on digital accessibility standards, private and public sector trends, litigation, events, and more.