Accessibility in the News — 2/15/19.

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 Statement Pages
Accessibility Announcements and Products | Accessibility Q&A and Tips

Microassist Accessibility Services

AITN Quote of the Week

“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”

―Mother Teresa

National News (U.S.)

Program plans to create 500 Arizona jobs for people with autism and disabilities

February 6, 2019 | Source: AZ Central

Kregg Berk, a 49-year-old with autism, had been working part-time customer service jobs but wanted his first full-time job. “I was looking for a career change,” said Berk, who started working full-time at the Arizona Department of Economic Security last year. “Now I look forward to my job every day.” Berk is one of the first people to get a job through a new Arizona program that trains and places people with disabilities in software development, data analysis, cyber security and back office administrative jobs…

When a Newton family welcomed a baby who is deaf, 20 neighbors learned sign language

February 7, 2019 | Source: Boston Globe

Something small and profound is happening here along the banks of the Charles River. It’s a love story. It’s a story of a little girl who’s deaf. It’s a story of neighbors who’ve raised their own children and are now embracing a beautiful 2-year-old named Samantha. It’s a story of 20 neighbors who sit in silence to learn a new language so their littlest neighbor will know what their kids have always known: Community. Friendship. Inclusion. “This child will always be a child of this neighborhood,’’ said Terry Nowak, who grew up and raised three children here…

Where Luxury Meets Accessibility

February 8, 2019 | Source: New York Times

Three decades after landmark civil rights legislation was passed to make homes more accessible for people with disabilities, New York City’s ability to build apartments for people in wheelchairs is, at best, mixed. Many apartments built since the laws were passed still fall short, and developers, including prominent ones like the Related Companies, the Durst Organization and Equity Residential, have been ordered by courts to make changes to comply with regulations…

Rauner’s Historical Accountability Fellows Examine Race, Disability and Intersectionality at Dartmouth

February 8, 2019 | Source: The Dartmouth

If you have ever been inside Rauner Special Collections Library, then you have gazed up at the four glass stories towering over that lovely, sun-lit hall, and probably wondered what they contain. Among other incredible things, the stacks at Rauner hold extensive archives from Dartmouth history: letters, memos, photographs and personal narratives from past students and employees of the College. Starting in 2018, as part of Dartmouth’s plan for Inclusive Excellence, Rauner invited student fellows to research issues of diversity and inclusivity in these archives…

Flagler County, Fla., Settles Website Accessibility Lawsuit

February 8, 2019 | Source: Government Technology

Flagler County will pay more than $15,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging that its website violates the Americans with Disabilities Act because it is inaccessible to people who are visually impaired. Specifically, the lawsuit states that much of the content of the site is provided in portable document format, or PDF, which does not interface with screen-reader software. The suit was filed in October by Daytona Beach resident Joel Price. It claims Flagler County “is blatantly discriminating by its failure to provide accessible electronic documents for blind and visually impaired citizens” and that its failure to provide access “goes beyond gross negligence.”…

Residents: More accessible parking needed

February 8, 2019 | Source: Brattleboro Reformer

Downtown shops and restaurants are missing out on substantial business because of accessibility problems that continue to plague the downtown area, members of the Brattleboro Americans with Disabilities Act Advisory Committee said Friday. The town-appointed group unveiled the results of a survey that it took of residents, who said they wanted to shop or visit restaurants on Main and Elliot streets, but often couldn’t. They said they would often have to go elsewhere because of the lack of accessible parking…

Web developers unaware of ADA accessibility standards, business owners face lawsuits

February 8, 2019 | Source: WFLA(Video)

Business owners are finding themselves in the middle of lawsuits because their websites are not ADA accessible. However, many website templates don’t offer accessibility and many developers aren’t aware of the rules. Ben Tundis, owner of Island Comfort Footwear in Clearwater, was recently sued by a blind woman in south Florida. She claims she couldn’t buy shoes on his website because it wasn’t accessible with her screen-reading software. The woman who sued Tundis has sued 175 business over website accessibility over the past two years…

Website Accessibility – Americans with Disabilities Act Impact

February 8, 2019 | Source: Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp

Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) mandates that public accommodation must be provided to disabled persons to allow for the “full and equal enjoyment” of the related privileges, goods, services, advantages and accommodations as those provided to able bodied persons. The owner of any business is responsible for making sure those accommodations are made with “reasonable modification.” The ADA makes it very clear that a business that does not provide for that accommodation is engaging in unlawful discrimination 42 U.S.C. section 12182(b)(2)(A)(iii)…

Lyft says it has more wheelchair accessible vehicles available in NYC

February 8, 2019 | Source: TechCrunch

Lyft, which has faced at least one lawsuit pertaining to its alleged discrimination against people with physical abilities, announced today it has expanded its wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV) service in New York City. Details on the blog are very scarce (we’ve reached out to Lyft for more info) but Lyft now has more than 20 partners in New York City to help increase WAV access. “With more accessible rides on the road, we’ll be better able to help New Yorkers with physical disabilities get around the city,” Lyft wrote in a blog post…

Revisiting the Rehabilitation Act

February 9, 2019 | Source: DiversityInc

1973 was a momentous year in the United States. The Supreme Court overturned states’ bans on abortion with Roe v. Wade. The Vietnam War ended. Secretariat became the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years. Homosexuality was removed as a disorder from the DSM-II. Largely lost in the annals of 1973, however, is the poorly-named Rehabilitation Act, which – among other things – prevents the federal government and its contractors from discriminating against individuals with disabilities in hiring. The goal: put Americans with disabilities to work…

Apex Legends’ accessibility settings are shockingly good

February 10, 2019 | Source: Polygon & TNW & TrueTrophies

Being disabled and playing video games can be an enormous pain. My hearing is weak in my left ear; I have fine motor control issues that can make controlling some games difficult. I have neurological issues that vary from day to day, but sometimes leave my vision blurred and my face a little slack, which hinders my ability to communicate. I still hold a grudge against the original Assassin’s Creed for not having subtitles and I crank the volume as loud as it can go when I play Overwatch so I can hear all the contextual dialog…

Accessibility Interview Questions

February 10, 2019 | Source: Medium

So, you got permission to bring an accessibility subject matter expert on board. What accessibility-related questions do you ask candidates to figure out if they actually know what they are doing, especially if you are not an accessibility subject matter expert yourself? In a previous article I highlighted four intangible behaviors that I thought were crucial for successful accessibility candidates. Just to recap (in case you don’t want to plow through that article) they are:…

Website accessibility suits surge in Florida, New York, following favorable plaintiff rulings

February 11, 2019 Source:Florida Record

The number of website accessibility lawsuits filed in federal court has exploded, with the greatest numbers being filed in New York and Florida, according to a new study. Conducted by attorneys at Seyfarth Shaw, the report found that the number of suits claiming violation of Title III of the American with Disabilities Act has increased by 177 percent, from 814 in 2017 to 2,258 last year. In 2018, a total of 1,564 were filed in New York and 814 in Florida, according to the authors of the report, Kristina Launey and Minh Vu…

The MTA must add elevators

February 11, 2019 | Source: The Ticker

The tragic story of a mother falling to her death at a train station has been shocking to many. The lack of accessibility in the MTA is unsurprising to most New Yorkers, who commute to work or school often for hours each day. From “station rehabilitation” to trains that are always late, many detest the MTA system but still continue to take it. However, when the death of Malaysia Goodson was broadcasted on various social media platforms and news outlets, many people felt a strong mix of sadness and frustration. But most importantly, they felt a need for permanent change…

This is what happens when an accessible cruise is not!

February 11, 2019 | Source: Elliott

What would you do if you required and booked a wheelchair accessible cruise but once onboard, found out it wasn’t? That is the terrible dilemma in which Russell Lash recently found himself. This story is troubling on many levels. And it points to a problem in the cruise industry. Should a cruise that can’t deliver all passengers to all ports of call be permitted to call itself an accessible cruise? Lash’s cruise did just that, and he feels misled. Can the Elliott Advocacy team help? Lash had heard great things about Celebrity Cruises…

Mobile Phone Accessibility Improves, But Gaps Remain, Study Finds

February 12, 2019 | Source: Georgia Tech News Center

Mobile phones are increasingly more accessible by people with disabilities, but significant gaps remain, according to a newly published study from the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Inclusive Technologies (Wireless RERC) at the Georgia Institute of Technology. As part of the study, researchers at the Wireless RERC compared 2017 model year phones capable of receiving Wireless Emergency Alert notifications — a category that includes most top-tier phones — to 2015 versions and found improved accessibility across 10 of 13 features…

UNR To Unveil New Website In Effort To Achieve Full Visual, Hearing Accessibility

February 12, 2019 | Source: The Nevada Sagebrush

The University of Nevada, Reno, is unveiling several new projects in an effort to achieve full accessibility. The university will be aiming to make technology more accessible to those with hearing and visual impairments. These are to include braille textbooks and teaching materials, braille on all buildings and a more accessible university website. The university is requiring all websites to be fully accessible by March 2020. According to the 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act, discrimination on the basis of disability is inherently illegal…

‘Wonder’ is first US film to get American Sign Language interpretation

February 12, 2019 | Source: Mashable & Media Play News

For years, film studios have made movies accessible to viewers with visual or hearing disabilities through audio tracks and closed captioning. Now, for the first time, U.S. audiences will be able to watch a live-action film with American Sign Language interpretation. On Tuesday, the entertainment company Lionsgate announced its partnership with the mobile application Actiview and Deaf activist and actor Nyle DiMarco to create an ASL interpretation of Wonder…

The surprising reaction Nyle DiMarco’s parents had when doctors told them he was deaf

February 12, 2019 | Source: Yahoo Style

Nyle DiMarco is living a life beyond anything he likely could have imagined. The deaf model and actor has been breaking barriers in his own career while actively advocating — and opening doors — for others in the deaf community. DiMarco grew up in a multigenerational deaf family in Bellerose, N.Y. He and his twin brother were given a hearing test soon after they were born that revealed they were both deaf. The doctor broke the news to DiMarco’s parents assuming that they would be upset, but it was quite the opposite…

Ski Town Turned Hollywood: Sundance Making Film Festival More Accessible For Ind. With Disabilities

February 12, 2019 | Source: Utah Public Radio

Every January, Hollywood basically makes a temporary home in the mountains of Utah for two weeks. But with the exciting movie stars and film screenings comes congestion, the kind of congestion Park City is not intended for. “There were some challenges related to accessibility,” said Nancy Weintraub, chief development officers for Easterseals, the nation’s largest disability service organization. “As everyone knows, Park City is a very old city and we want to keep the historicness of the city but it does provide some challenges for individuals with disabilities.”…

ADA lawsuits targeting Finger Lakes wineries/others under scrutiny

February 12, 2019 | Source: 13WHAM-TV

New lawsuits filed in federal court last week target two Finger Lakes wineries, accusing them of having websites that are not accessible to people who are blind or visually-impaired. 13 WHAM News first reported last fall on the rash of lawsuits being filed under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Now the lawsuits, and law firms behind them, are under the microscope. “These lawsuits are clearly driven by lawyers and not by the plaintiffs,” said Adam Morey of the Lawsuit Reform Alliance of New York…

‘A pioneer’ has died: Remembering Kathy Wingen who championed accessibility in St. Cloud

February 12, 2019 | Source: St. Cloud Times

Kathy Wingen’s siblings and cousins would pull her wheelchair along dirt roads and around baseball diamonds when they were kids, said her younger sister Karen Kraemer on Tuesday. Kathy did everything the other children did. And perhaps that’s why she fought so hard as an adult to make the world more accessible for people with disabilities, said her family members. Kathleen Wingen, known as Kathy, helped bring about changes in St. Cloud like the dial-a-ride program and curb cut-outs for wheelchairs. Those close to her describe her as a tireless advocate and caring friend…

Disability rights advocate takes Hinds County to federal court

February 12, 2019 | Source: Jackson Clarion Ledger

Scott Crawford, disabled and wheel-chair bound, says the county “has discriminated and is continuing to discriminate” against him and others by failing to make its facilities readily accessible as required by federal law, according to his lawsuit. The case could set a precedent for cities and counties across the state coping with outdated buildings and new regulations. Crawford testified Tuesday in U.S. Southern District Court that he first became concerned about the courthouse after he appeared for jury duty in 2012…

Academic Senate Addresses Course Material Time Clashes and G.E. Revisions

February 13, 2019 | Source: The Signal

The Academic Senate held the second meeting of the Spring 2019 semester. The meeting discussed the expiration of Blackboard this semester, the time certain instructional materials accessibility policy, the revised Fall 2018 University Educational Policies Committee (UEPC) General Education Area and Outcome Alignment, and the elevation of exercise science to a full degree program. Dr. Betsy Eudey, UEPC Chair and Professor of Gender Studies, mentioned the university’s subscription to Blackboard ends this semester and choice must be made to either “maintain Blackboard or switch to Canvas.”…

Accessibility isn’t charity — it’s a lifesaving responsibility

February 13, 2019 | Source: Philly.com

A mother carrying her child should not meet her death because of a subway staircase. But on Jan. 28, Malaysia Goodson, struggling to carry her baby’s stroller into the New York City subway, fell and lost her life. The city’s medical examiner still hasn’t determined the cause of her death. Regardless, her death has shaken people across the country who question how it could have happened. One group who has not expressed surprise has been the disabled community. Because, while Goodson’s death was entirely preventable, we are familiar with the reality of inaccessibility in transport and in society as a whole…

Barbie to unveil new dolls with wheelchairs, prosthetic limbs

February 13, 2019 | Source: Today & Huffington Post

Barbie just keeps getting better! After releasing curvy dolls in 2016 and Barbies inspired by famous female figures last year, Mattel just announced its latest collection, and it might be the coolest one yet. This fall, the brand’s Fashionista line will debut new Barbies with braided hair textures, additional body types and disabilities. Barbie’s inclusive new collection will feature a doll with a wheelchair and another with a removable prosthetic leg. Yet another Barbie will have a noticeably different physique with a smaller bust, less defined waist and more defined arms…

Fearing ADA lawsuits, cities end broadcasts

February 13, 2019 | Source: The West Volusia Beacon

Worried that what has happened elsewhere in the nation could happen to them, leaders of two West Volusia cities have canceled live streaming of their city councils at work. Both DeBary and Orange City have stopped broadcasting city meetings online, at least until they acquire the equipment to add closed-captioning for deaf viewers. Live meetings will return to the web, officials say, once they have arranged for the addition of the spoken words in printed form for those viewers whose ability to hear is impaired…

No longer on the fringe: Tech makes golf accessible to disabled community

February 14, 2019 | Source: Arizona Sports

It was 22 years ago when Navy veteran Diego Suazo was the victim of a shooting that changed his life. Suazo was at a New Year’s party with his family when he tried to break up an argument between his cousin and another person. “We were there for about five to 10 minutes, and I go outside and my cousin is arguing with some guy,” he said. A fight broke out, and when Suazo tried to break it up, the man fighting his cousin took a swing at Suazo. Another man shot Suazo, with the bullet striking him in the back…

From dating to language, 8 Jews with disabilities explain how communities fall short on inclusion

February 14, 2019 Source:Cleveland Jewish News

Discussions about accessibility and inclusion for those with disabilities have become more mainstream in the Jewish world. But there are plenty of issues that still need to be addressed — from concrete problems, such as synagogues that aren’t accessible to those in wheelchairs, to widespread ignorance about what it means to have a disability and how even well-meaning Jewish institutions make many people feel unwelcome. To coincide with Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month in February, JTA asked Jews with disabilities to share their thoughts on how the Jewish community is doing in terms of including them…

Iowa student turns disability into accessibility for others

February 14, 2019 | Source: KCRG

Michael Penniman always rises to a challenge. Just look at his Facebook profile, it’s full of photos showing him climbing walls, rocks, and trees. Penniman is a full-time student at the University of Iowa. From day one, he’s been finding things the school can do to improve accessibility on campus. “I have always enjoyed a challenge in life,” said the 26-year-old Iowa City resident. “Tried to concur every challenge that comes to me.” But, it was a bit over seven years ago, Penniman faced his biggest challenge to date, paralysis…

Jack Fact — The latest English Housing Survey shows that just seven per cent of homes meet basic accessibility features. Out of the 13.9 million disabled people in the UK,1.8 million have an accessible housing need – 580,000 of whom are of working age.

Hit The Road Jack — Wheelchair accessible holidays: the best hotels and accommodation

International News

‘Country parks are for everyone’: How one app is making Hong Kong’s hiking trails accessible to all

February 8, 2019 | Source: Hong Kong Free Press- China

Above the jagged skyline of Hong Kong, the silhouette of a mountain range looms large. Its ridges are home to any number of hiking trails where the din of the city seems like a distant memory. But these rolling hills appeared, until recently, to be available only to those who were able to scale them on foot. Andrew Lo, 21, is a wheelchair user who turned to the city’s country parks in search of an escape from the metropolis. He went on his first hike from Kam Tin to Tsing Tam in 2017 as part of a trip organised by local NGOs, and has since urged others with mobility issues…

West Midlands trains pledge to become dementia friendly

February 8, 2019 | Source: Shropshire Star- England

London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway say they will make stations and trains more dementia friendly and educate staff on the illness as part of a partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society. The operators run services through the region after taking over the contract from London Midland and bosses say they are keen to do more around dementia support. Jon Harris, accessibility manager at London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway, said: “We are committed to making the railway accessible to everyone – no matter what challenges they may face…

Focus On Inclusion In February

February 8, 2019 | Source: Canadian Jewish News- Canada

Canadian Jewish organizations will be working toward fostering a more inclusive environment for people with disabilities during the month of February. In Toronto, the three Jewish community centres, Toronto Yachad, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto and DANI Toronto will all be hosting a multitude of events this month, under the label of either North American Inclusion Month, or Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month. Representatives from the organizations made sure to point out that promoting inclusion and awareness of people with disabilities is a year-round effort…

David Onley’s long road to accessibility for the disabled is a lesson for all of us as we age into walkers and wheelchairs

February 8, 2019 | Source: The Star- Canada

For a time, as Ontario’s lieutenant-governor, the obstacles were magically cleared away. Enveloped by an entourage, cocooned by bodyguards, he surmounted the roadblocks: An elevator was installed in the vice-regal suite at Queen’s Park, and a ramp was retrofitted in front of the legislature. Thanks to the superhuman powers emanating from the crown — which he embodied from 2007-14 — Onley not only made his way, but also paved the way for other wheelchair-bound Ontarians.

More accolades for Cowbell Brewing

February 8, 2019 | Source: Goderich Signal Star- Canada

Cowbell Brewing Co. continues to reap accolades and awards. On Feb. 5, the Blyth brewery was formally acknowledged for its accessibility as it received a certified gold rating from the Rick Hanson Foundation. The rating comes after the brewery achieved a 90 per cent rating for its accessibility, the highest scoring establishment to receive the distinction and only the second in Ontario to be so acknowledged. Julie Sawchuk was at the brewery to make the award…

Peak Milk Refreshes Nigeria Para-powerlifting Federation with Wheelchair Accessible Bus

February 9, 2019 Source: THISDAY- Africa

A special purpose-built wheelchair-accessible bus has been donated to the Nigeria Para-powerlifting Federation by Friesland Campina WAMCO, manufacturer of Peak Milk, for the convenience and mobility of these special athletes. The presentation was done at the Ogba Ikeja headquarters of Friesland Campina WAMCO, manufacturers of Peak Milk, Nigeria’s number one dairy product and market leader, on Tuesday evening. Officials said the company chose to host the Unstoppables, a bunch of Para-powerlifters powered and nourished by Peak milk, as a mark of honour for their landmark performance…

Woman urges education after driver parks in accessible parking spaces

February 8, 2019 | Source: The Whig Standard- Canada

A Kingston woman is hoping the community will learn some valuable lessons after one person’s arrogant parking job at Costco on Feb. 1. “This guy was snap-darn right in between our two vehicles. He made his own spot,” Dinah Cotter, who has used a motorized wheelchair for more than 30 years, told the Whig-Standard at her apartment on Friday morning. “It was just … ‘I don’t believe this.’” It was after a standard visit to Costco that Friday afternoon when Cotter and her attendant returned to their accessible parking spot to see that another vehicle had parked right down the middle of two accessible parking spots…

Getting around South London as a wheelchair user

February 8, 2019 | Source: South London Press & Mercury- UK

Dry January is a temporary choice, but lasts all year if you’re disabled. More than eight in 10 disabled people face challenges accessing pubs and bars according to a survey by Leonard Cheshire disability charity. Almost half of those surveyed – 45 per cent – said they had experienced a negative attitude from staff, while a third of survey respondents – 35 per cent – said they had faced negative attitudes from customers. “I find security staff treat me like a health and safety risk,” said one survey respondent…

Qualtrough named Person of the Year by Canadian Council of the Blind

February 10, 2019 | Source: Delta-Optimist- Canada

The Canadian Council of the Blind has awarded Delta MP Carla Qualtrough with its CCB Person of the Year. Qualtrough, the federal minister of public services and procurement and accessibility, received the award at a special presentation Feb. 6 in Ottawa. “I feel truly honoured to receive this award,” said Qualtrough. “The unwavering engagement of organization such at the Canadian Council of the Blindhas been one of the building blocks of my determination to create a Canada where everyone is included and can contribute to society.”…

Regional Forum on Digital Accessibility held in Islamabad

February 11, 2019 | Source: PhoneWorld Magazine- Pakistan

Internet Society Pakistan Islamabad Chapter (ISOC ISB) organized day long ‘Regional Forum on Digital Accessibility’ in Islamabad. The forum provided the opportunity to discuss the local policies as well as best practices for removing barriers to digital accessibility for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in South Asia. The forum also featured case study sessions on plausible and replicable solutions from our region as well as panel discussions on the various paradigms of digital accessibility…

Xbox Adaptive Controller’s Packaging Is An Unsung Innovation Other Products Will Adopt

February 11, 2019 Source:Forbes- UK

The Xbox Adaptive Controller has been out for some time now. It’s designed to meet the needs of gamers with limited mobility and functions as a unified hub for devices that helps make gaming more accessible. I caught up with Chris Kujawski, Principal Designer for the Xbox Adaptive Controller, to ask how the project had come to fruition and what the response had been like. “The Xbox Adaptive controller came out of Matt Height’s idea. With others on the team, he came up with a prototype to prove the idea that you could take a standard controller and externalise the buttons…

Are you Inclusive or Exclusive?

February 11, 2019 | Source: Packaging Europe

2018 was packaging’s year of living dangerously – especially for plastics. But the extent to which packaging universally serves all consumers is the silent shadow of this debate. In the first edition of our new guest column in which packaging experts challenge widely held thinking, Jocelyne Ehret of TheRightPackaging.com invites us to have second thoughts about SUPs and accessibility. Among the potential negative side-effects, what about accessibility of products for people who are blind or visually impaired, with motricity or proprioception problems, or illnesses that reduce manual abilities, whatever they are aged or not?…

Canadian Mission In Israel To Tap Into Innovative Israeli Models Of Accessibility

February 12, 2019 | Source: NoCamels – Israeli Innovation News & ISRAEL21c

A delegation of leaders and advocates from disability-serving organizations in Canada began a nine-day mission to Israel on Monday focused on disability and inclusion to learn about innovative Israeli models of accessibility. The delegates are set to hear from a number of companies and initiatives working in this field, including ReWalk Robotics, a medical devices company that develops exoskeletons allowing wheelchair-bound individuals to stand and walk, and Lotem, Paratrek, and Nachal HaShofet, which work to make the beauty of nature accessible for people with disabilities…

Israeli nature sites are an accessible walk in the park

February 12, 2019 | Source: ISRAEL21c

Former Israeli Air Force pilot Yuval Wagner was paralyzed in a 1987 helicopter crash. For years, his wheelchair kept him and his family from enjoying outings to Israel’s many nature parks. But over the past 10 years, progressive legislation has pushed forward accessibility adaptations in Israel’s parks and forests, and Wagner wants everyone to know about it. “We have friends around the world who didn’t know Israeli park accessibility is very good so they didn’t come to Israel for many years. We told them Israel is now one of the leading countries in the world for nature accessibility,” says Wagner, president of Access Israel…

Cost, demand for DARTS accessible transit service continues to grow

February 12, 2019 | Source: The Spec- Canada

Mayor Fred Eisenberger wants to see city staff compare the cost of DARTS to accessible transit services in other municipalities. The request followed a presentation by the DARTS’ CEO and executive director at Monday’s general issues committee meeting where he said the budget and demand for the door-to-door transportation service continue to rise. “Every year we demand that you reduce your cost and we full well know that the demand for the service is going up,” Eisenberger said during the operating budget meeting. “What’s wrong with that picture?”…

Walk which way?: Report finds transit station wayfinding signs lacking

February 12, 2019 | Source: Edmonton Journal- Canada

The Edmonton Transit Service Advisory Board hit the streets in 2018 — visiting LRT stations and bus stops — to review the quality of wayfinding tools in place in city transit systems. Some board members who participated have vision impairment, and others use mobility aids. Other participants brought along strollers, bicycles and grocery carts to test out how that affected their ability to get around. Wayfinding information helps people orient themselves, or navigate an area. Typical wayfinding tools are signs, maps, and symbols…

5 Ways In Which AI Is Improving Accessibility For The Hearing Impaired

February 13, 2019 | Source: Analytics India Magazine- India

With the potential of AI permeating all aspects of our lives, the scope of the technology to help people with hearing disability has increased. Multiple wearable devices with artificial intelligence AI, ML and NLP embedded in it are available in the market, making the lives of people with hearing disability easier. In this article, we look at some of the top use cases of AI technology helping hearing impaired. Language translation and captioning: Tech giants are already working in the field as part of its larger corporate social responsibility programme…

Greece to Introduce its Accessible Tourism Side

February 12, 2019 | Source: GTP Headlines- Greece

Aiming to promote Greece as a world top accessible tourism destination, the Greek Tourism Ministry on Tuesday announced that it will hold a familiarization (fam) trip for Greek and foreign Paralympic athletes to introduce the country’s accessible beaches. The fam trip will be held in Alimos (Attica) and Ilida (Western Greece), two Greek destinations whose municipalities improved the accessibility of their beaches with subsidies through the “Integrated Accessible Tourist Marine Destinations” action…

Brandon transit users to benefit from safer, more efficient and accessible transit services

February 13, 2019 | Source: Mirage News- Canada

Investing in public transit infrastructure provides people with efficient, sustainable transportation options. It helps reduce traffic congestion, improve the air we breathe and get Manitobans home faster at the end of a long day. Today, the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Rural Economic Development, joined the Honourable Jeff Wharton, Minister of Municipal Relations, to announce funding for six projects to improve the City of Brandon’s public transit infrastructure…

Australia Needs an Accessibility Standard in the NCC

February 14, 2019 | Source: Sourceable- Australia

“My partner and I probably looked at every photo for rental accommodation on real estate websites and I don’t think we could find a single one with a modified shower or bathroom area.” Such was the experience of Doug Herd, a wheelchair user in Canberra. According to the Canberra Times, Herd spent six months looking for a suitable home before eventually buying a one in Gilmore and modifying the bathroom. Herd is not alone. Between November 2017 and February 2018, an online survey run by the Australian Network for Universal Housing Design found that 68 percent of the 1,329 respondents experienced difficulty in finding liveable housing…

Portuguese Charity ‘Takes Court to Court’ Over Poor Access for Disabled People

February 14, 2019 | Source: Reuters

A Portuguese charity has sued the government to get it to force a courthouse to comply with a 12-year-old decree requiring all public spaces to be accessible to disabled people and set an example for other offenders. The pioneering lawsuit targets a large court complex in the northern provincial city of Leiria that has only steps, rather than ramps usable by people in wheelchairs, and counters too high for disabled people, lawyer Abel Teles de Andrade said…

Accessibility a daily challenge for the Mumbai’s disabled population

February 14, 2019 | Source: Daily News & Analysis- India

Travelling daily is a routine for sales professional and physically challenged Ganesh Shirishkar. However, climbing is a daily ordeal on Mumbai railway stations for Shirishkar where there are no lifts or alternative accessible platforms to climb upstairs. “In the last 10 years, only some of the railway stations have come up with an elevator facility and hence climbing is the most difficult part in my routine,” says Shirishkar who became physically handicap due to polio at the age of five…

Accessibility Blogs and Information

Accessibility Announcements and Products

Accessibility Forums, Tips, and Q&A

Accessibility Statements

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:

Icons representing government and technology, with caption "What is a VPAT?"

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.

Name(Required)

First Last

Work Email(Required)

Job Title(Required)

Organization(Required)

Phone

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.