Accessibility in the News—07/28/17..

AITN Quote of the Week

“Attacking people with disabilities is the lowest display of power I can think of.”

— Morgan Freeman

National News (U.S.)

Lawyers cash in on suits demanding ADA-compliant Web sites

July 11, 2017 | Source: New York Post | Lawsuits/Litigation, ADA, Digital Accessibility, Web Design

Retailers across the country are getting slammed for operating Web sites that discriminate against the blind or visually impaired. Businesses in New York and California appear to be getting hit the hardest, legal experts said. In New York, 14 retailers have been sued in the past 13 days, court papers reveal. Big-name retailers hit with suits include Shake Shack, Nordstrom and Katz’s Delicatessen, court papers show. The legal floodgates were opened roughly a month ago when a federal judge in Florida ruled after a bench trial that bricks-and-mortar retailers that operate Web stores had to make the same “public accommodation” online as they do in their stores…

Mobile Applications and Litigation: Why Accessibility Is Important and What to Consider Before Launching

July 20, 2017 | Source: Microassist & Paul J. Adam | Mobile App, Accessible Design, Digital Accessibility | Texas

Does mobile accessibility matter? Mobile has revolutionized how all of us use the internet. For people with disabilities, however, these devices have the potential to usher in unforeseen options for communication, independence, and more—but only if the applications on them have accessibility for the disabled built into their functionality and design. What’s more, as websites come under increased accessibility scrutiny, and a mobile application use rises, many predict that legal actions against organizations with inaccessible mobile apps will also increase…

Your grandma plays video games too: Why video games can benefit older adults’ health and wellness

July 21, 2017 | Source: Wicked Local Brookline | Aging, Gaming, Health/Medicine

Gaming has become a mainstream form of entertainment with more than 1.8 billion people around the world plugged into their preferred controls and consoles. People often think gaming is a trend for the younger generations — especially young, teenage boys. However, the average gamer is 35 years old while 41 percent of gamers are female and a large percentage of gamers are over 50 years old. With 10,000 baby-boomers retiring every day, older adults are becoming more engaged in the gaming world…

An open letter from one disabled person to another

July 21, 2017 | Source: TribLive | Mobility, Elections/Voting, Disability Rights

Despite the fact I am an American citizen, I want you to know that I have not been able to vote in any election since Texas passed its voter ID law in 2013. My constitutional rights have been stripped from me. I am contacting you because, as a disabled person, I thought you would understand my situation. I, too, am a person with a disability. I am in a wheelchair. Because of my severe cerebral palsy, I can’t talk, I can’t drive and I don’t have a driver’s license…

Nike-backed Portland bike share pilots accessibility program

July 22, 2017 | Source: The Drum | Athletics/Entertainment, Inclusion, Disability Rights | Oregon

Biketown, the Nike-supported bike share program in Portland, Oregon has introduced adaptive bicycle rental, a year after the launch of the overall program. Working with Portland’s transportation bureau, Adaptive Biketown is the first city-sponsored effort in the United States that helps people with varying abilities and will offer a mix of tandem, hand-cycles and three-wheeled bicycles for rent, with the goal of increasing access to cycling. It will be operated by Kerr Bikes, which is owned by the Portland non-profit Albertina Kerr, an organization that helps Portlanders with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges…

Sevierville to study 31 properties for ‘barriers to access’

July 23, 2017 | Source: The Mountain Press | Discrimination, ADA, Disability Rights | Tennessee

For the first time since the 1990s, the city of Sevierville will participate in a study of all of its properties in order to determine accessibility barriers. The field investigation will include 15 city-owned facilities ranging from city hall to Smokies Stadium, as well as 16 properties such as greenways, a golf club and a couple of cemeteries. City-owned sidewalks will also be included in the review. The city has budgeted $50,000 for its upcoming ADA Self-assessment and Transition Plan and has an opening for requests for qualifications until Aug. 31.

Union Officials Gets First Look at City Hall Accessibility Study

July 23, 2017 | Source: The Missourian | Government, Building/Facilities Access, Inclusion | Missouri

The architect firm hired to conduct the city hall accessibility study equated its findings to “death by a thousand cuts.” Ken Scheer, architect with Horn Architects, Washington, presented the firm’s findings to the parks, buildings, development and public service committee this week. In all, nearly 200 barriers and 18 life safety issues were reported. Barriers are any object or policy that inhibits or prohibits the use of any space, program or activity by those with disabilities…

The Comics Industry Has An Accessibility Problem

July 23, 2017 | Source: Bleeding Cool News | Arts/Entertainment, Accessible Design, Discrimination

One of the San Diego Comic Con panels, titled “Comics are for Everyone… Aren’t They?” delved into the issue of accessibility at the convention and in the larger comics industry. We were immediately given an example as even the room for the accessibility panel was not accessible. There were no ramps to the stage and the staff did not know how to properly use the lift, resulting in an earlier issue with trying to use it. As the panel discussed, it is important to allow fans to enjoy Conventions without needing to worry about where they can and cannot go…

ADA compliance: Will you be the next one sued?

July 24, 2017 | Source: McKnight’s Senior Living & Senior Housing News | ADA, Lawsuits/Litigation, Government, Aging

Did you see our recent article about the lawsuit that four residents filed July 13 against Brookdale Senior Living, claiming understaffing and violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act? Of course, this isn’t the first time a senior living operator, including Brookdale, has been involved in a legal action related to accessibility issues, and most likely, it won’t be the last time either. But the three firms representing the plaintiffs in this case believe this one is the first potential ADA-related class action lawsuit against an assisted living community. And they say damages could exceed $45 million if the lawsuit is certified as a class action and the plaintiffs win…

A lesson on why accessibility features are so important

July 24, 2017 | Source: TechRadar | Accessible Design, Higher Education, Blindness/Visual Impairment

I worked at a campus tech shop in college selling computers, tablets and accessories to students of all kinds, each with different needs. Addressing these needs for many of them included things like ensuring that their computer was powerful enough to run the latest applications or finding the right charger for their phone. A student who is blind walked in and asked where the iPads were kept on display. I walked with her over to the stand and once we arrived, I remember feeling stuck, unsure if I could be of much help and, moreso, how an iPad would be of much use for someone with a visual impairment…

Ariz. AG: ‘Shakedown’ lawsuits against small businesses about money, not helping disabled

July 25, 2017 | Source: Legal News Line | Lawsuits/Litigation, Businesses, Discrimination, ADA | Arizona

The attorney general of Arizona recently termed a 150 percent increase nationwide in legal filings connected to alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) since 2013 as “a serious, growing issue” that he believes is more about plaintiff attorneys getting rich than the common good. In a July 20 teleconference hosted by the Washington, D.C.-based Federalist Society and titled “State Efforts to Rein in Americans with Disabilities Act Lawsuits,” Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich spoke to how the growing numbers of ADA lawsuits has affected that state…

Dozens of ADA lawsuits seeking compliance or cash?

July 25, 2017 | Source: News4Jax | ADA, Lawsuits/Litigation, Mobility, Disability Rights

One side says a flurry of lawsuits targeting small businesses in and around Jacksonville is to guarantee access for the disabled. Some of the business owners sued call it a scam. The I-TEAM has obtained 40 federal lawsuits filed since January that cite violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Wanda Moore, a double amputee who uses a wheelchair, and her attorney, Robert Gibson, filed all the lawsuits. Both refused to answer questions about the lawsuits on Tuesday. he suits argue the businesses don’t have adequate handicapped parking, or that restrooms and other facilities are not in compliance with federal law.

Suing Uber Won’t Solve Disabled Americans’ Transportation Problems

July 25, 2017 | Source: National Review | Transit/Transportation, Discrimination, ADA, Mobility

Scott Miller was surprised when he learned in June that his restaurant was in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Having operated Seasons of Coeur d’Alene in western Idaho as general manager and executive chef for six years without any complaints, he has always believed his restaurant — which was built in 2011, three years after President George W. Bush signed the final revision of the ADA — is accommodating to his disabled customers. In fact, Miller’s three regular wheelchair-bound customers sit at tables that do not comply with the ADA, instead of those its agents compel business owners to install…

Accessibility, the Forgotten Realm in Digital Design

July 26, 2017 | Source: Huffington Post | Digital Accessibility, Web Design, Inclusion, Accessible Design

Learning and understanding are fundamental components of our human experience. Oftentimes, our journey to understanding can become frustrating due to obstacles. These obstacles can range from ongoing conditions (such as dyslexia) to distractions in the given environment (distance, visibility, etc.). In the design world, users’ obstacles should be acknowledged and responded to in order to achieve accessibility and usability. Without accessible design, user experience can require a lot of patience. In order to make solutions available to everyone, thoughtfulness and consideration should be at the forefront of the digital design process…

DOJ Puts Website Accessibility Regulations on Inactive List

July 26, 2017 | Source: Bryan Cave & Seyfarth Shaw | Government, Digital Accessibility, Web Design, ADA

Retailers and other businesses that have been waiting for the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) to promulgate regulations concerning website accessibility under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (the “ADA”) will now have to wait a lot longer. Eight years after the DOJ began the rulemaking process on this issue, it has now listed the rulemaking as “inactive.” Federal agencies typically provide public notice of the regulations that are under development twice a year in the Unified Regulatory Agenda. The first Agenda was issued by the Trump Administration on July 20, 2017, and contains noteworthy changes from the last Agenda issued by the Obama Administration…

As the ADA Turns 27, Recent Developments Suggest No End to Website Accessibility Lawsuits

July 26, 2017 | Source: National Law Review | ADA, Digital Accessibility, Lawsuits/Litigation, Disability Rights

Today marks the 27th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Unfortunately for businesses, two recent developments in the context of website accessibility suggest that there is no reason to celebrate and every reason to believe the ever-increasing wave of demand letters and lawsuits in this area will continue unabated…

‘Frivolous’ lawsuits target business websites

July 26, 2017 | Source: ABC15 Arizona (Video) | Lawsuits/Litigation, Businesses, Digital Accessibility, Web Design | Arizona

There’s a new wave of disability-access lawsuits rolling into Arizona and finding businesses to sue is now as simple as surfing the internet. Across the country, plaintiffs and attorneys have been testing cases filed against businesses whose websites they claim discriminate against people with disabilities. Those lawsuits are beginning to hit Valley businesses. So far, ABC15 has discovered a dozen cases filed by two different attorneys in Arizona federal court this year…

27 Years of the Americans with Disabilities Act

July 26, 2017 | Source: U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Disability Rights Section | ADA, Recognition, Government, Disability Rights

On July 26, 1990, Congress passed, and President George H. W. Bush signed into law, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ushering in a new era of civil rights protections for people with disabilities in this country. The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, along with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country, enforces the ADA to advance the statute’s goals of ensuring equal opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. The examples highlighted in this document are only part of the Department’s work in 2017 to further the objectives of the ADA. To read more about our work under the ADA, visit our website at www.ADA.gov…

Artificial intelligence helps determine which puppies can serve the blind

July 25, 2017 | Source: CBS News | Innovation, Blindness/Visual Impairment, Inclusion

If there are two things that seem to be polar opposites, it’s the warm exuberance of puppies and the cold intelligence of a supercomputer like IBM’s Watson. At Guiding Eyes for the Blind in Yorktown Heights, New York, need has brought the two together — to help determine which puppies are good candidates to serve the blind. “The incidence of blindness is increasing at an incredibly and somewhat alarming rate,” said Thomas Panek, CEO of the guide dog organization. Panek lost his sight in his 20s. “Only about 36 percent of the dogs make it” as a guide dog, he said…

Justice Department Says Vending Machines Are Not Places Of Public Accommodation—And So Much More

July 27, 2017 | Source: Seyfarth Shaw | Government, Policy/Legislation, ADA, Food Service

In amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court, the Justice Department agreed with the Fifth Circuit and defendant Coca-Cola that a vending machine is not a place of public accommodation and that public accommodations can comply with the ADA by providing assistance to customers in lieu of having accessible self-service equipment. The Supreme Court recently asked the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to weigh in on whether vending machines are places of public accommodation covered by Title III of the ADA. The Court’s request related to a pending a Petition for Certiorari filed by a blind plaintiff who unsuccessfully sued Coca-Cola for allegedly owning and/or operating vending machines that are not independently usable by the blind. Both the District Court and the Fifth Circuit had concluded that such machines are not public accommodations under the ADA….

Texans With Disabilities Physically Barred From Policymakers

July 27, 2017 | Source: The Austin Chronicle | Mobility, Policy/Legislation, Discrimination, Disability Rights | Texas

Kenneth Semien Sr. stands on the Texas Capitol steps in early April. This is not the government building in which he was advised to spend his time. In these hallowed halls, legislators decide public policy. Semien’s doctors recommended a different facility – a state supported living center – where staff would make decisions for him. But after losing his sight and the hearing in his right ear, Semien was not willing to forfeit his independence as well. Instead, he stands for himself and thousands of Texans living in such centers, wearing a black suit and a pressed white shirt. Gathered around and behind Semien on a sweltering afternoon are more than 300 people. Some sit in wheelchairs, others stand with guide dogs. Different impairments, a common cause: They are participating together in the Don’t Myth With Texas rally to raise awareness about the individuals with disabilities’ struggle to be involved in daily life…

Accessibility in Tech

July 27, 2017 | Source: TechCrunch | Technology, Accessible Design, Blindness/Visual Impairment, Assistive Technology

Technology can be central to the lives of the 285 million people in the world who are blind or visually impaired, as long as they know how to use it. That’s where Erin Lauridsen, access technology director at LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, comes in. In her role, Lauridsen helps ensure people who are blind and visually impaired “know how to access all of the technology that they need to live their lives,” Lauridsen told me on the latest episode of Bullish. That can be anything from computer literacy and smartphone use to being able to use assistive technologies like screen readers and magnification…

Apple Partners With Cochlear to Launch First Made for iPhone Hearing Implant

July 27, 2017 | Source: Mac Rumors & Tech Crunch & (Full Coverage) | Apple, Deaf/Hearing Impaired, Innovation, Assistive Technology

Apple has partnered with hearing implants company Cochlear to launch the first made for iPhone Cochlear implant, which can stream audio from a compatible iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch directly to a surgically embedded sound processor (via TechCrunch). Cochlear implants are reserved for people with profound hearing loss that traditional hearing aids can’t help to alleviate, and consist of both an internal and external component. Thanks to the Apple-approved certification, patients can control the Cochlear implant directly from their Apple device and not have to download and launch a separate iOS app. Users can navigate to their iPhone Settings app, click General, and then Accessibility, and find their the Cochlear hearing implant — with a Nucleus 7 Sound Processor — listed for them under “hearing devices.”…

Americans with Disabilities Act: An Epic Tragedy of Good Intentions

July 27, 2017 | Source: Library of Law & Liberty | ADA, Discrimination, Disability Rights

Looking back at the Americans with Disabilities Act, passed by Congress in 1990, one has to be struck by the extent to which the ADA’s lofty sentiments have been overwhelmed by its adverse results. If it’s true that the road to hell is paved with good intentions, then the ADA is a veritable Autobahn of wishful thinking gone awry. Yet no one seems inclined to reroute the ill-fated traffic; some states are even widening the highway with additional lanes. In the area of employment (covered by its Title I), the ADA has spawned a large and growing caseload of “discrimination charges” at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Each and every year, more than 26,000 disability complaints are filed with the EEOC, accounting for about 30 percent of its entire administrative caseload…

27 years after landmark law, nonprofit celebrates progress for people with disabilities

July 27, 2017 | Source: Herald & Review | Nonprofit, ADA, Disability Rights, Inclusion

Twenty-seven years after a landmark law for people with disabilities, one local group celebrated the occasion by showcasing technology and devices designed to help them remain independent. Soyland Access to Independent Living, or SAIL, hosted an event at its Decatur office to celebrate improved equality brought by the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law on July 26, 1990. The nonprofit agency assists people living with disabilities by providing information and referrals to services, and hosting free monthly support groups in Decatur and the surrounding area…

Jack Fact — A world report on disability produced jointly by WHO and the World Bank recently found that more than 1 billion people in the world experience disability. With the U.N. reporting that more than half the world’s population now living in cities, it is crucial to design welcoming spaces for people of all abilities.

International News

City IT guru David Lawrence backs accessibility drive with John Aithie

July 21, 2017 | Source: The Scotsman- Scotland | Disability Rights, Inclusion, Technology | Scotland

A CAPITAL-based IT business has backed a national drive to encourage businesses to recognise the benefits of employing people with disabilities. David Lawrence, director of IT company Grant McGregor, has highlighted of the contribution his disabled employee John Aithie has made to his workforce after joining the team in 2016. John, 31, from Edinburgh, works as a service desk support assistant. Since birth, John has had mild high functioning autism, a lifelong developmental disability which affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people and the world around them…

Partially blind Leeds man calls on transport bosses to make buses more accessible for the disabled

July 21, 2017 | Source: Yorkshire Evening Post- England | Blindness/Visual Impairment, Transit/Transportation, Inclusion | England

A partially-blind Leeds resident has called on transport bosses in the city to make buses more accessible for disabled people. Peadar O’Dea, 25, who has been visually impaired since birth, has launched an online petition urging First Group in Leeds to make a series of improvements to help those who he says currently find it “extremely difficult to access buses the way they are currently operated”. In less than a week of the petition launching, he has already collected over 145 signatures but hopes to reach over 1,000…

The ORII smart ring lets you control your smartphone using only your voice

July 21, 2017 | Source: Tech Crunch- Hong Kong | Innovation, Assistive Technology, Deaf/Hearing Impaired, Blindness/Visual Impairment | China

ORII is a new smart ring that gives you full hands-free control of your smartphone. The device connects to your phone with Bluetooth and it can be used to provide crystal-clear audio, which makes it an interesting tool for those with sight or hearing issues. It works using bone conduction technology so that, when wearing the ring, simply putting a finger to your ear will give clear and crisp playback of whatever is running on your phone. That could be a phone call, a music or video clip, etc…

Want to be Inclusive? Be Accessible

July 21, 2017 | Source: The Meaford Independent- Canada | Inclusion, Accessible Design, Recognition | Canada

Every important initiative needs champions, and champions of important initiatives are certainly worthy of recognition, so I was pleased when council recently adopted the Accessibility Recognition Program. Accessibility has always been important, but it hasn’t always been valued and it hasn’t always been a priority. Only in recent history have governments placed proper emphasis on ensuring that those with physical disabilities have as equal access as is possible to structures and services as able-bodied folks, but there’s still a long way to go, and with our ever aging population, it’s becoming more and more important…

Disabled campaigner Adam Lotun secures settlement after polling station access row with Kingston Council

July 21, 2017 | Source: Surrey Comet- UK | Voting/Elections, Mobility, Deaf/Hearing Impaired | United Kingdom

A disabled voter has secured a legal settlement after taking action against Kingston Council over access to polling stations. Adam Lotun, who is deaf and uses a wheelchair, sued the council after not being able to cast his vote in the Sunray Community Centre in Tolworth in the 2014 local election. He was unable to get his wheelchair into the building, which was built in 1974. Mr Lotun said: “How can you call it a community centre? The only inference is that disabled people are not part of the community.”…

Disability campaigners aim for improved toilet facilities across Dubai

July 23, 2017 | Source: The National- Dubai | Building/Facilities Access, Accessible Design, Health/Medicine | United Arab Emirates

Disability campaigners have backed plans to improve access to private health centres in Dubai within six months. While most hospitals have adequate provisions for disabled patients when it comes to entry ramps, accessing bathrooms can be a problem, according to Shobhika Kalra, of public campaign group Wings of Angelz. She founded the group with her sister in 2014 and has worked closely with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority to encourage installation of access ramps in metro stations and other key buildings in the emirate…

UK Live Music Group backs Attitude Is Everything Charter

July 23, 2017 Source- Music Week- UK | Performing Arts, Arts/Entertainment, Deaf/Hearing Impaired | United Kingdom

The UK Live Music Group has given its official backing to Attitude Is Everything’s Charter of Best Practice – promoting it as the “industry standard” in access provision. The Charter has been key to the charity’s successes in improving access to live music for deaf and disabled audiences, and is currently awarded to more than 130 UK festivals and venues. Sales of tickets to disabled fans at Charter festivals and venues increased by 21% in 2016 – well in excess of Attitude Is Everything’s own targets, and with an estimated economic impact of almost £8 million…

Scots Venues Offered 5 Star Chance To Meet £249bn Accessibility Challenge

July 24, 2017 | Source: PR Web- Scotland | Inclusion, Accessible Design, Disability Rights | Scotland

Purple Hound is launching a new sticker initiative, to push for higher standards for those with disabilities – and signpost the way to the best service for those with accessibility needs. Stickers are free, subject to successful rating of your venue and Purple Hound will promote business to the one in five people in the UK with a disability. With more than 11 million disabled people in the UK, the combined spending power of this group, commonly called the ‘purple pound’ is a staggering £249 billion…

New app to help users locate disabled-friendly places

July 24, 2017 | Source: Press Trust of India & Hindustan Times & Outlook India & Indian Express | Mobile App, Accessible Design, Building/Facilities Access, Inclusion | India

In a first, a Delhi-based start- up has launched a new smartphone app that can help people with special needs to find disabled-friendly restaurants, tourist locations and other public places across India. The app, called BillionAbles, is India’s first lifestyle app for persons with disabilities and special needs, according to its founder Sameer Garg. Forty-two-year old Garg was left with paralysed lower limbs after he suffered a spinal cord injury at the age of 19…

Disabled citizens get new, accessible beach

July 24, 2017 | Source: Arutz Sheva- Israel | Leisure/Entertainment, Accessible Design, Inclusion | Israel

For the first time, Israel will have a separate handicapped-accessible beach. The Ashdod beach will have an access route which goes right up to the water line, allowing Israel’s handicapped population to preserve their modesty and enjoy a separate and accessible beach. “Refuah V’simcha,” an organization which helps sick and needy people, worked for several months in order to allow hundreds of physically handicapped religious people to enjoy a beach they would feel comfortable at…

Online Voting For The Disenfranchised

July 24, 2017 | Source: Huffington Post- UK | Voting/Elections, Digital Accessibility, Government | United Kingdom

Whether it’s down to the rise of social media, or the more recent Corbyn effect, UK election turnout has been steadily rising over the last few years, hitting 68.7% at the last General Election. Great news one might think, until we look a bit further back to the 70s, 80s and 90s, when election turnouts were consistently within the 70-80% bracket, hitting the heady heights of 78.8% in the election of February 1974. Take a longer term view and its clear there’s been a decline in voter numbers, arguably caused by politicians’ inability to engage the electorate, and failure to keep up in a digital world. Indeed, although technology exists which would potentially enfranchise many more voters, the UK Government has been slow to put things in place which would remove the barriers many face when casting a secure and secret vote.

Most of Gander’s Town Square exempt from Buildings Accessibility Act

July 24, 2017 | Source: The Gander Beacon- New Zealand | Building/Facilities Access, Discrimination, Policy/Legislation | New Zealand

Following a story concerning accessibility issues in Gander’s Town Square, Service NL was able to provide insight into the regulations governing businesses. According to Gina MacArthur, media relations manager on behalf of Service NL, the requirements for building accessibility are outlined in the Buildings Accessibility Act. Under the Act, all buildings that are open to the public and built after Dec. 24, 1981 are required to meet the Buildings Accessibility Act. However, buildings built before this date are exempt from legislation, unless they were renovated at a cost equal to or exceeding 50 per cent of the building’s value…

Haringey Council is first to receive Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) accreditation for its website

July 25, 2017 | Source: Enfield Independent | Blindness/Visual Impairment, Digital Accessibility, Web Design | United Kingdom

Haringey Council has become the first local authority to receive Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) accreditation for its website. RNIB have deemed the council’s website fully accessible for people with visual impairments and disabilities. To gain accreditation people who use assistive devices tested screen readers, magnifiers, voiceover touch controls, and the like before recommending modifications. Minor changes were needed to make web pages easily navigable…

Pedicab pensioners

July 25, 2016 | Source: The Scottish Sun- Scotland | Transit/Transportation, Mobility, Aging, Inclusion | Scotland

A GLASGOW University student’s big-hearted gesture for immobile elderly people has been hailed on social media – and now his OAP cycling group are trying to expand across Scotland. The video with Fraser Johnston, 20, taking pensioners from a Falkirk care home out for a cycle has reached 15 million views. Avid cyclist Fraser and the other 30-odd volunteers of Cycling Without Age have taken out around 150 residents since February. Now he wants to see the scheme extended across Scotland…

O’level candidates with autism, dyslexia and ADHD are faring worse than peers

July 27, 2017 | Source: MaltaToday -Malta | Autism, Cognitive, Discrimination, Education | Malta

A report by the education ombudsman on special needs students’ access to MATSEC exams has found in no uncertain terms that these candidates are performing less well in their O’levels than other students. The data is consistent over the three years 2014-2016 in three selected subjects, namely Maltese, English and Mathematics, with success rates of candidates with ADHD, autism and dyslexia being less than half that of other candidates. Commissioner for Education Charles Farrugia said in his own-initiative report that it was reasonable to conclude that the results are not just down to candidates’ innate conditions, but also to insufficient access support by the University of Malta, which organises the MATSEC examinations…

Blind groups push for CBA to find solution to ‘inaccessible’ touchscreen EFTPOS terminals

July 27, 2017 | Source: The World Today- Australia | Blindness/Visual Impairment, Discrimination, Food Service | Australia

The Commonwealth Bank has come under fire from disability advocates for its nationwide rollout of EFTPOS machines which they say are inaccessible to blind and vision-impaired people. About 75,000 Albert touchscreen terminals are now in use around Australia, as point-of-sale EFTPOS devices at many businesses, such as coffee shops, boutiques and restaurants. Unlike other EFTPOS machines, the touchscreen tablets do not have a tactile keypad, meaning blind people cannot independently use them…

BBC Proms Launches First Disability-Inclusive Concert To Make Classical Music Accessible To All

July 27, 2017 | Source: Huffington Post- UK | Inclusion, Performing Arts, Arts/Entertainment, Accessible Design | United Kingdom

With their silent audiences, formal attire and clapping etiquette, classical music concerts don’t scream accessibility. But BBC Proms has committed to making classical concerts welcoming to all, with a new disability-inclusive event at the Royal Albert Hall. The first Relaxed Prom, taking place on Saturday (29 July), is an informal event designed specifically to cater for adults and children with autism, sensory and communication impairments and learning disabilities. The concert will also be accessible to individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind and partially sighted…

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