Accessibility in the News — 10/4/2024.
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AITN Quote of the Week
“Without labor nothing happens.” ― Sophocles
Accessibility in the News Archives- 2016 to Current
Feature Stories
Take a seat for a tactile treat: Exhibit explores accessibility in modern art
September 27, 2024 | Source: The State Hornet
‘Don’t mind if I do’ is a collaborative art exhibit centered around transforming how people access and interact with modern art showing in the Sacramento State library gallery from Tuesday, Sept. 10, through Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. The space has been carefully crafted by Finnegan Shannon and curated by Lauren Levy, to encourage people to gather around the conveyor belt, handle the art and celebrate the works of all twelve artists who contributed…
Congestion pricing: Disability advocates filing new lawsuit to restart accessibility projects
September 29, 2024 Source: amNewYork
Disability groups announce accessibility lawsuit against MTA
September 29, 2024 | Source: Audacy
Lawsuit Filed Against MTA Over Accessibility Failures as Advocates Demand Full Funding for Subway Upgrades
October 2, 2024 Source: EastNewYork
Subway Elevators are Not Just a Nice Lift, But a Basic Civil Right
October 3, 2024 | Source: Streetsblog NYC
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s decision to pause on congestion pricing is now facing a third legal challenge, this time from advocates for straphangers with disabilities. The governor’s June 5 pause of the Manhattan tolling scheme put $16.5 billion of mass transit capital improvements on ice, including $2 billion that would have built elevators and other accessibility upgrades at 23 subway stations. Now, disability rights groups are adding their voice to the mix in court, urging a judge to reinstate congestion pricing to get the funding back on track…
Disability Rights Advocate Virginia Rose Believes Birding Belongs to Everyone
September 30, 2024 | Source: POPSUGAR
When Virginia Rose first started birding, she didn’t see anyone else who looked like her on the trails. Having fallen off a horse at 14, Rose navigates the world as a paraplegic with a manual wheelchair. It’s been 51 years since her injury and about 21 years since she began birding — a hobby she credits with giving her the space to build courage and learn more about herself. In 2018, Rose founded an inclusive birding organization called Birdability in an effort to make birding more accessible to all people, regardless of their ability…
National News (U.S.)
Missouri voting system fails to include people with disabilities. Here’s what can be done
September 27, 2024 | Source: Kansas City Star
As the October 9 Missouri voter registration deadline approaches, political parties are rallying to encourage citizens to participate in our democracy. But what is democracy if not a means for every voice to be heard? What about the millions of Americans with disabilities who face significant barriers to voting? If we don’t address these challenges, we fail to uphold the promise of equal participation and leave too many voices unheard. In the November 2022 mid-term election, 15.8 million Americans with disabilities reported voting, making up 6.7% of the electorate nationwide…
Automatic speech recognition learned to understand people with Parkinson’s disease
September 27, 2024 | Source: Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology
As Mark Hasegawa-Johnson combed through data from his latest project, he was pleasantly surprised to uncover a recipe for Eggs Florentine. Sifting through hundreds of hours of recorded speech will unearth a treasure or two, he said. Hasegawa-Johnson leads the Speech Accessibility Project, an initiative at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to make voice recognition devices more useful for people with speech disabilities. In the project’s first published study, researchers asked an automatic speech recognizer to listen to 151 hours, almost six-and-a-half days of recordings from people with speech disabilities related to Parkinson’s disease…
Kevin McCarthy Gets Defensive Addressing Trump’s False ‘Mentally Disabled’ Dig at Harris
September 29, 2024 | Source: The Daily Beast
AAPD Statement on Ableist Comments by Donald Trump about Vice President Harris
September 29, 2024 | Source: American Association of People with Disabilities
Yes, calling someone ‘mentally disabled’ causes real harm
October 1, 2024 | Source: The Conversation
Former GOP House Speaker Kevin McCarthy turned into a defensive and evasive mess Sunday when confronted with false remarks by his party’s presidential nominee, former president Donald Trump, that his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, is “mentally disabled.” CNN Inside Politics host Manu Raju played McCarthy clips from a Trump rally in Wisconsin Saturday, where he said, “Joe Biden became mentally impaired, Kamala was born that way, she was born that way,” before going on to say “only a mentally disabled person” could have pursued the policies of the Biden-Harris administration…
RTAG announces plans for $25,000 grant, discusses ‘all-door boarding’ accessibility initiative
September 29, 2024 | Source: The Daily Free Press
The Riders’ Transportation Access Group announced plans to connect Boston’s biking and disabled communities, as well as plans for increased boarding and paying efficiency on buses and trolleys, at its advisory meeting on Thursday. RTAG Facilitator Katarina Torres Radisic announced that RTAG received a $25,000 grant from Transportation for Massachusetts, a statewide coalition focused on improving Massachusetts transportation systems, “to complete a project that will bridge together the biking and disability communities.”…
New Orleans is using the Super Bowl to make the entire city more accessible
September 30, 2024 | Source: Fast Company
Few areas of the country are as steeped in history, architecture, culture, and outright revelry as New Orleans. It’s a tourist draw year-round. The compact French Quarter, boasting 500 eateries and 100 attractions, gained plaudits from a recent study naming the district the country’s most walkable. That, of course, isn’t true for everyone—especially Americans with disabilities, mobility or otherwise. With the city set to host the Super Bowl on February 9, its eleventh, local advocates and leaders hope they can use the big game as a catalyst for change, and improve the city so that everyone can enjoy it…
How To Create More Accessible Social Media Content: Lessons From The Most Accessible DNC Ever
October 1, 2024 | Source: Forbes- Toby Wong
As disability affects 1 in every 4 Americans (28%), more CEOs and corporate boards see the business case for disability representation, inclusion and accessibility as a business imperative. Accessibility is more than physical access. It is equal access and effective communications for more people with disabilities to equally participate right beside those without disabilities. Disability inclusion was in full force at the recent Democratic National Convention (DNC), which delivered the most accessible DNC in the event’s history and set a gold standard for accessibility for live events in-venue and broadcast…
World Wide Web Foundation closes, says “mission accomplished
October 1, 2024 | Source: Tech Radar and The Register
After 15 years working on developing a safer and more accessible internet, the World Wide Web Foundation (WF) is set to close. Foundation co-founders Rosemary Leith and Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, confirmed the decision in a letter shared online by the organization. The letter details how the Foundation’s initial mission has largely been accomplished, however new challenges lie ahead that will need their own attention…
Adonia K. Smith: Getting ‘Sparked Up’: ASL and Accessibility for Churches
October 2, 2024 | Source: The Rome News-Tribune
Janice Stewart, a retired teacher and now the director of Camp Antioch in Cedartown, mentioned the Spark Conference to me last month. It’s a religious gathering that includes special workshops and opportunities for the Deaf community, so I was immediately intrigued and told her I would love to go. The conference took place on Sunday, Sept. 22, at West Rome Baptist Church. Organized by the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, it brought together leaders from 95 churches and 808 lay members for training in the ways of Christ…
Athens City Commission on Disabilities members call out the city for lack of accessibility
October 3, 2024 | Source: WOUB
Members of the Athens City Commission on Disabilities say the city’s work to address accessibility issues is “a systematic failure.” Commission Chair Davey McNelly told the City Council the lack of accessibility is an embarrassment to those with a disability who visit uptown Athens. In a letter to city officials, McNelly said the city needs to make a plan and budget more money toward projects addressing accessibility in Athens. The city has agreed to respond to the letter by Nov. 1…
Perkins School for the Blind helps design new Audubon trail on Cape Cod. How it works.
October 3, 2024 | Source: Cape Cod Times
A new trail at Mass Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary is making it possible for more people to enjoy the great outdoors. The All Persons Trail, officially opened on Sept. 19, also encourages exploration with all senses, inviting visitors to see the “acrobatic purple martins, basking painted turtles,” and “spectacular views of Barnstable Harbor,” to “listen to the chorus of red-winged blackbirds, spring peepers and shorebirds,” to “feel the wind as it blows across the harbor overlook,” and to “smell salt air, salt marsh and tidal flats at low tide.”…
Nonprofit hosts ‘Ballot Bingo’ Thursday to break down making voting accessible for people with disabilities
October 3, 2024 | Source: Denver7
A Colorado nonprofit is making voting and education around your vote more accessible for people with disabilities. From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Brewability in Englewood, Arapahoe County Elections and Developmental Pathways are hosting a “Ballot Bingo” for around 100 people. vote. “This event is supposed to be fun. It’s supposed to engage, and it’s supposed to empower,” Associate Director of Disability Policy with Developmental Pathways Kim Tenure said…
State Fair of Texas’ weekly Sensory Friendly Mornings provide accessible fun
October 3, 2024 | Source: The Shorthorn
The State Fair of Texas is offering Sensory Friendly Mornings from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Wednesday to accommodate visitors with sensory-related concerns. On Sensory Friendly Mornings, the Fair hosts a guided itinerary with activities and exhibits that are easy on the eyes and ears. Fairgoers can enjoy rides and games at the Midway without the usual lights and sounds from noon to 1:30 p.m. There will also be “Quiet Zones” around the fair where people can depressurize…
This AI tool could help cities improve accessibility at intersections
October 3, 2024 | Source: Utah Public Radio
Researchers at Utah State University are developing an AI tool to identify accessibility issues at intersections, which could make it easier for cities to find and fix those issues. There are many features intersections use for convenience and accessibility — walk signs with visual and verbal cues, curb ramps with textured bumps, and clearly marked crosswalks, to name a few. Sometimes, however, these features may be insufficient, broken, or completely absent, making it harder for especially those with disabilities to get around…
Alarming rise of ‘super-fit’ slim young people suffering heart attacks as experts reveal theories for the surge
October 3, 2024 | Source: Daily Mail
Heart attacks were once thought of as a disease of age – but worrying new data shows they are increasing in healthy young adults. Roughly 0.3 percent of Americans aged 18-44 had a heart attack in 2019 – but last year that rose to 0.5 percent, or one in 200. While that may still seem like a relatively low number, it represents a 66 percent increase in cases in just four years, which doctors call ‘alarming.’ It also means that one in five heart attack patients are now younger than 40…
Jack Fact — According to a John Hopkins study, most health insurance in the US does not cover hearing aids or implants—even though mild hearing loss could be linked to double the risk of dementia, and is more common than diabetes.
Hit The Road Jack — Fun, unexpected, and accessible: A roundup of recommendations for travelers with mobility issues and Mojacar brings accessibility to its beaches for all to enjoy &
5 Airlines and Airports Using Sign Language To Improve Accessibility For Deaf Passengers
International News
After my Coldplay ticket nightmare, it’s obvious disabled people have no fair chance
September 27, 2024 | Source: Metro- UK
As the battle to secure concert tickets for our favourite artists grows ever harder, are ticket-selling sites, venues and even the artists themselves doing enough to make their sales accessible for disabled fans? When it comes to artists like Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift, Oasis and now Coldplay, as one concert sells out, another comes along with fans priming and prepping for the Olympic sport that is buying a coveted ticket to the show of a lifetime…
‘It’s time the aviation industry addresses its accessibility problem’
September 27, 2024 | Source: Airline Routes and Ground Services- UK
In March 2023, British TV presenter Sophie Morgan launched the Rights on Flights campaign to raise awareness of the difficulties that disabled air passengers face – and force change from the top. She says the aviation industry needs to take responsibility when it has – or is deemed to have – failed disabled people, because lack of adequate support is an all too common occurrence. From broken wheelchairs to poor passenger boarding processes, Morgan, who herself is a wheelchair user, demands that stakeholders work to improve accessibility – or face consequences…
Beyond Paralympic medals: The fight for accessibility in India
September 27, 2024 | Source: Hindustan Times- India
India’s disabled athletes face ongoing accessibility challenges despite Paralympic success, with inadequate public spaces and transport options highlighting systemic indifference. The Paris Paralympics ended earlier this month with a record number of medals for India. The frenzy of interviews and photo ops has died down, and India’s disabled athletes will soon be back to living life as they know it in the country—an unforgiving obstacle course. For the average disabled person in India, access to public spaces is limited and inconvenient…
‘Ask the people that know’: calls to address ‘disappointing’ lack of accessibility at Australian music festivals
September 29, 2024 | Source: Nationwide News- Australia
Advocates have called for an end to the “disappointing” lack of accessibility at live music events, with a quadriplegic musician branding the ability to access live music events a “basic human right”. Musician and peer support worker for Spinal Life Australia Tim McCallum was just 18 when he was left with no movement from his chest down after a diving accident. “I was a very active, independent, energetic, enthusiastic, motivated young guy, and then all of a sudden … I hit my head on a sandbar when diving into the ocean,” Mr McCallum said…
Disability advocate speaks out after awards ceremony held without full accessibility
September 29, 2024 | Source: CBC- Canada
A Halifax woman being honoured for her volunteer work as a disability advocate is upset about the province’s decision to hold an award ceremony at a venue that wasn’t fully accessible. Nicole McDonald, who uses a wheelchair, travelled to Truro last week to attend the Provincial Volunteer Awards ceremony being held at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre. She discovered upon her arrival that organizers hadn’t adequately prepared to receive her. She does work for organizations such as Inclusion Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Association for Community Living…
Braille wave: Pancham Cajla is on mission mode to provide accessibility solutions for the disabled
September 29, 2024 | Source: The Tribune- India
At first glance, Pancham Cajla, 36, comes across as the boy next door who could be working in a corporate office or managing a cafe. All this, of course, he was doing until a few years back when he was working at Infosys in Mysuru and later running his cafe. But life had bigger plans — the foremost being making travel more accessible to the visually-impaired. From initiating the country’s first visually-impaired-friendly railway station at Mysuru in 2015 and the country’s first visually-impaired-friendly train, the Mysuru-Varanasi Express, in 2016, to making more than 150 railway stations, schools and heritage monuments accessible…
Children with dwarfism discuss why accessibility, awareness are needed in Hong Kong
September 29, 2024 | Source: South China Morning Post- Hong Kong
When Josie Tang Tsz-kwan was 12 years old, a stranger said she was to blame for her short stature and the difficulties that came with it. Josie, now 17, said she was “shocked” by the interaction, but unfortunately, ignorant comments are common for her. She was born with achondroplasia, the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism. Those with this condition typically have an average-sized torso but shorter legs and arms. While the condition comes with some everyday struggles for Josie – for example, she cannot play basketball with friends at school nor does she meet the requirements for her favourite ride at Disneyland – she remains upbeat…
SHIFT project uses tech to create accessible, inclusive and appealing cultural heritage
September 30, 2024 | Source: Europeana PRO- Europe
SHIFT (MetamorphoSis of cultural Heritage Into augmented hypermedia assets. For enhanced accessibiliTy and inclusion) is a three-year project funded by Horizon Europe which began in October 2022. It aims to provide European heritage institutions and businesses with a series of toolkits that use advances in technologies such as AI and Machine Learning to make cultural heritage more inclusive, accessible and appealing for all. Museums, libraries, universities and research centres, tech-centred business and educational non-profits make up the consortium working on SHIFT…
“A global leader in accessibility”
September 30, 2024 | Source: The Big Idea- New Zealand
“For a country with a population of just over five million, New Zealand shows a tremendous commitment to accessibility both for its performing artists and their audiences,” writes Nicole Gluckstern, a freelance writer based in San Francisco. The article, New Zealand’s Disability-Led Path to Accessibility in the Arts, provides an overview of the arts sector’s support for accessibility and disability-led arts in Aotearoa. The cover of Arts For All: Ngā toi mō te katoa, featuring dancers Rodney Bell and Brydie Colquhoun as they perform Hurihuri…
Broad welcome for progress made on accessibility since first ‘Make Way Day’ in Dundalk
September 30, 2024 | Source: LMFM- Ireland
There’s been a broad welcome for the progress made in the Dundalk area since ‘Make Way Day’ was created seven years ago. The Disability Federation of Ireland holds the annual public awareness event to highlight the needs and challenges of people with disabilities in the public spaces we all share. Obstacles can include cars or vans parked on a footpath blocking the way, bicycles/motorbikes chained to lamp posts creating a trip hazard for a visually impaired person. Illegally placed sandwich boards and forgotten bins…
Govt remains committed to further increase accessibility for disabled
September 30, 2024 | Source: ANTARA News- Indonesia
Presidential special staff for social affairs, Angkie Yudistia, accentuated the continuity of the government’s commitment to improving accessibility for people with disabilities under the administration of Prabowo Subianto. Yudistia told the press at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, on Monday, that the commitment is outlined in Government Regulation Number 70 of 2019 on Fulfillment of the Rights of People With Disabilities. She noted that one of the aspects regulated in the regulation is maximizing the accessibility of buildings owned by the government and private parties…
TDRA organises Digital Accessibility Forum
October 2, 2024 | Source: Emirates News Agency- Dubai
The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) organised the “Digital Accessibility” Forum, the first of its kind nationally in Dubai, which aims to enhance national efforts to achieve universal digital inclusion. The forum focuses on enabling all segments of society to access digital technology and e-services, while ensuring the provision of the necessary infrastructure that takes into account the needs of different groups, including People of Determination and senior citizens…
Unique theatre experience in Calgary combines art and accessibility
October 2, 2024 | Source: Global News- Canada
When Ebony Gooden moved to Calgary, she knew she wanted to teach people to listen to something other than just a voice. “When I came here, I realized I had to fight for things to be accessible,” says Gooden, the only Black Deaf artist living in Calgary. She’s now determined to make artistic experiences accessible to all. One of those experiences is The Room Sculpture Experience, a unique, hands-on event created by Ghost River Theatre artistic director Eric Rose…
Raising awareness about disability employment, inclusion and accessibility in Edmonton
October 2, 2024 | Source: City News- Canada
Advocates and community members in Edmonton are raising awareness about disability employment in Alberta’s capital, and making the city more inclusive and accessible. It’s coinciding with Disability Employment Awareness Month in Canada. Tanner Arnold, who is autistic, says he struggled in college and when looking for a job – until he was introduced to a pilot program that helps autistic youth find long-term employment through NorQuest College…
A path to independence: Navigating accessibility through AI
October 2, 2024 | Source: The Runner- Canada
Riya Daiya has had severe hearing loss in one ear and profound loss in the other since she was a month old due to complications with a premature delivery. “I was born along with a twin sister. So, with twins, there are always complications.” In 2020, they joined Simon Fraser University’s Disability and Neurodiversity Alliance, a student-run group that advocates and supports neurodivergent people through events and support group sessions. Daiya makes use of visual cues such as automated captions and lipreading during their classes…
Minister for Infrastructure faced scrutiny over taxi accessibility measures in Northern Ireland
October 3, 2024 | Source: Taxi Point- Ireland
The Minister for Infrastructure faced scrutiny over taxi accessibility measures in Northern Ireland who also recognised the ‘challenges’ facing taxi operators. Andy Allen MLA first queried the Northern Ireland Minister for Infrastructure, John O’Dowd, on the status of the Departmental Taxi Advisory Forum. O’Dowd admitted he did not have immediate details available but mentioned recent meetings with representatives from the taxi sector. These discussions, held a couple of weeks ago, were described as “frank and straight-talking”…
NSW gears up for accessibility push with new digital strategy
October 3, 2024 | Source: InnovationAus- Australia
The New South Wales government will make all of its digital services accessible and inclusive by 2030 as part of a new strategy that also places a focus on building public trust amid the artificial intelligence boom. The strategy, to be released on Thursday, has also signaled the need to “create a central view of digital funding” through a new investment pipeline as the state attempts to repair the Budget bottom line. Customer Services and Digital Government minister Jihad Dib said the strategy “sets the direction” for world-class digital services that both strengthen communities and support economic growth amid a productivity slump…
Accessibility commissioner suing Ottawa, staff for $2.3 million following claims he mistreated staff
October 3, 2024 | Source: CBC- Canada
After facing an external investigation into claims he mistreated staff, Canada’s first accessibility commissioner is suing the federal government and unnamed employees for more than $2.3 million in damages. According to his statement of claim, filed last week, Michael Gottheil was ordered by the justice minister to undergo “certain training and take courses” in response to an 18-month workplace investigation. But Gottheil — who is blind and hard of hearing due to Usher Syndrome — couldn’t complete the courses because the testing wasn’t made accessible, the statement of claim says…
Blind rail passenger helps write train audio guide
October 3, 2024 | Source: BBC- UK
A blind passenger has helped a rail company write an audio guide to its trains. Dave Smith, from Redhill, Surrey, sits on Thameslink’s Accessibility Advisory Panel to help it improve services for disabled people. The guide, which is available on the train company’s website, is aimed at helping people with disabilities understand the train layout before they travel. Mr Smith said rail travel for blind or partially-sighted people could be “incredibly daunting” and the guide would “help to reduce any anxieties”…
Accessibility Blogs, Information, and Videos
- Map Accessibility- ArcGIS (YouTube)
- Working to work- Anna Maria- Disability Debrief
- Planning for accessible volunteer training – Castanet
- AI’s transformative role in accessibility- eSchool News
- Kicking the tyres of third party products- Johny Cassidy
- Accessibility Is Everyone’s Responsibility- Meryl Evans
- Renegades- American Masters, Public Broadcasting Service (Video)
- “Global Leader In Accessibility In The Performing Arts”- Scoop
- Making Maps Accessible to Screen Readers- Minnesota IT Services
- The State of Accessibility – Episode 1- Mark Miller and David Sloan
- How Robert Became the First Blind Person to Pass the EMR Exam- Pocket Prep
- Bridging the gap: Accessible information for all – Observer Research Foundation
- Enhancing Accessibility Through Customer Experience- Great Lakes ADA Center
- Calling all Games changers ready to make a difference – Ministerial Media Statements
- Digital Accessibility: The Foundation of Inclusive Hybrid Workplaces- SHRM Advisor
- “AI can assist in making the digital space accessible, but it won’t solve every prob- Ctech
- Five Cs Public Realm Project – Accessibility and Inclusion Report- Department for Communities
- How Judy-Lynn del Rey shaped sci-fi and fantasy as we know it today- American Masters PBS (YouTube)
- Europe’s APACE: Only 1 in 4 Publishers Produces Accessible Ebooks- Publishing Perspectives
- WCAG 2.1’S Success Criteria for Motion Actuation: Don’t Rely on Sensors- Minnesota IT Services
- State CIOs Can Maximize Effective Citizen Services by Considering Inclusiveness- StateTech Magazine
- How ‘doing differently’ instead of ‘doing more’ defined the journey of an inclusive gathering- Priti Salian
- Call for Good Practices | Museums for Everyone: Innovative Practices in Accessibility and Inclusion- UNESCO
- The Changing Landscape of the Future of Work and Its Impact on the Disability Community- Jonathan J Kaufman
- Introducing NCADEMI: The National Center on Accessible Digital Educational Materials and Instruction- WebAIM
- Letter to aged care providers from the Minister for Aged Care about care minutes – 1 October 2024- Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
Federally Speaking
- October 2024 Open Meeting Agenda- FCC
- Advancing Access to Good Jobs for All- Taryn M. Williams
- How to Request to Bring Your Service Animal to Work- JAN
- Accommodating Public Safety Workers with Disabilities- JAN
- New ICT Testing Baseline for Documents Released- U.S. Access Board
- U.S. Access Board Meeting and Webcast
- October 30 from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. (ET)
- FCC Adopts Rules to Improve Access to Video Conferencing Services – Benton Institute
- DNC Statement on Disability Employment Awareness Month- Democratic National Committee
- A Proclamation on National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 2024- The White House
- What to do When an Employee Requests an Accommodation to Bring their Service Animal to Work- JAN
- Justice Department Secures Agreement with Wisconsin Department of Corrections to Improve Communication Access for Incarcerated People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing- Department of Justice
Higher Education Blogs and Information
- 40 Study Tips For Neurodiverse Students- Studocu
- Reflecting on Deaf Awareness Month – The Daily Texan
- Co-Creating A Disability-Friendly Academic Year – myUMBC
- Making Mobility More Accessible- The Ohio State University (YouTube)
- Construction in Plass hinders accessibility – The Washburn Review
- SDC Staff recognized with Accessibility Awards – Michigan Tech Athletics
- Use automated tools to review accessibility – ServiceNow – Indiana University
- U of G-Developed App Opening Doors to Accessibility- University of Guelph News
- Captioning for Education: How Caption Apps are Changing eLearning- TechBullion
- Troy University arboretum receives accessibility funding – Trojan Vision- Troy University
- October and November digital accessibility workshops- JHU Hub – Johns Hopkins University
- OPINION: Disabled at UP — Accessibility and UP’s New Disabled Student Union- The Beacon
- Michigan Tech Athletic Staff Praised For Making Facilities More Accessible- Radio Results Network
- October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month – SBU News – Stony Brook University
- FAU Awarded $10M to Train People with Disabilities for High Tech Jobs- Florida Atlantic University
- ‘One-in-a-million type of leader’: UNC senior develops accessible vision care startup- The Daily Tar Heel
- SHOWAbility Partners with Georgia State University to Hold First Accessibility-Below-The-Line™ Expo
- Touchstone Theatre’s Festival UnBound explores disability and the arts, accessibility access- Lehigh Valley News
- ‘Just Ask: Accessibility and Disability at UND,’ coming to campus on Oct. 14-15- University of North Dakota Blogs
- University Accessibility Center strives to improve mobility options for disabled BYU students- The Daily Universe – BYU
- Case Western Reserve University Empowerment Through Course Accessibility
- October 29, 2024 at 9 AM – 12 PM EDT (GMT-4)
- U of A Celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month Throughout October- UARK News – University of Arkansas
- 5 Questions With Diversity and Inclusion’s New Director of Learning and Development Carrie Murawski- Syracuse University News
- Assessing Accessibility Services: Disability determination and visibility on campus- The Chimes- Capital University’s Student Newspaper
- Look and touch: How an occupational therapy graduate changed how people with disabilities visit the Milwaukee Public Museum- Marquette Today – Marquette University
Legal Blogs and Information
- Legal Update: September 2024- Ken Nakata
- Access Living Of Metropolitan Chicago, Inc., v City Of Chicago
- Time to end new breed of frivolous lawsuits – Porterville Recorder
- Beardbrand’s Lawyer Recaps ADA Lawsuit – Practical Ecommerce
- UK accessibility requirements for websites and mobile applications- Bird and Bird
- It’s time to put an end to a new breed of frivolous lawsuits- The Downey Patriot Newspaper
- Developing anti-SLAPP policies for A11y Slack with Harvard Cyberlaw Clinic- Marcy Sutton Todd
- II International Seminar on Tourism Law on “Tourism Law: Sustainability and Universal Accessibility”- UN Tourism
Accessibility Announcements
- How PS Is Striving to Be More Accessible
- City of Porterville provides ADA questionnaire
- Accessibility champions feted at BOMEX 2024
- Final week to complete the Accessibility Survey
- Virgin Atlantic creates Accessibility Advisory Board
- Inaugural UP Accessibility Summit held in Houghton
- Ranking Names Best Cities For Those With Disabilities
- Accessibility audit continues in Butte as public weighs in
- Greeley Receives $15,000 Grant to Improve Trail Accessibility
- Social Security installs new kiosks to improve check-in process
- Breaking Barriers: EASE Inc. strives for accessibility, inclusion
- Niagara Park Stadium accessibility upgrades are now completed
- Ozark Adaptive Sports Association hosts accessible fishing event
- Jacobs wins station upgrades amid New York’s accessibility blitz
- Release: Minnesota Receives “A” Grade for Use of Digital Technology
- Free event aims to help disabled drivers learn more about EV accessibility
- Accessibility boost as Changing Places toilet opens at famous beauty spot
- Gatwick becomes first UK airport to receive ACI accessibility accreditation
- ACI World urges airports to ensure they are fully accessible for all travellers
- John Wayne Airport receives $20M FAA grant for accessibility improvements
- New regulations come into force to improve accessibility on local buses and coaches
- AudioEye Acquires ADA Site Compliance, a Digital Accessibility Compliance Company
- Commission on Disability approves CPC application for library accessibility improvements
- Mary Eddy Jones Signature Gift enhances accessibility for adults with developmental disabilities
- Industry Update: Rockstar Energy presents TRNSMT festival awarded highest accessibility honour
- Moodle announces pursuit of FedRAMP Ready Designation for its already accessible WCAG-certified LMS
- Giant Magellan Telescope Launches Universo Expansivo Program to Enhance Accessibility in Astronomy Education
- State Education Department Announces $34 Million Awarded For 207 Public Library Construction Projects Statewide
- Mexican Caribbean Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Quintana Roo with Global Awards, Accessibility Initiatives and an Impressive Events Lineup
- Lotus Wins for Groundbreaking Wearable Innovation Empowering Individuals with Disabilities at Vista Center’s Accessibility-Focused Startup Pitch Competition
Accessibility Products and Services
- Accessibility for Publishers, Updated Edition
- Expanding Innovative Accessibility Solutions
- Pierce Transit Pilots New, Accessible Signage
- Pottery Barn Expands Its Accessible Furniture Line
- Place Your Order for Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests
- Healing Waves helps make the ocean accessible to all
- How ZipperBuddy is Enhancing Fashion Accessibility
- Use accessibility features with Siri on Apple Vision Pro
- Renew or replace your older or disabled person’s bus pass
- Thameslink: Enhancing Accessibility for Blind Passengers
- Diageo and Nestlé Increase Inclusivity with Accessible QR code
- Idemia boosts digital ID app accessibility for people with disabilities
- Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack Is Owed An Ode In Terms Of Accessibility
- AirPods 4 secretly added an Apple Watch’s best accessibility feature (kind of)
- Destination Accessibility providing resources for anyone with a mobility disability
- Virgin Atlantic expands on their dedication to accessible travel with new initiatives
- Astro enhances accessibility to content for the visually impaired with new initiative
- Google Calendar Embedded Objects Get a Fresh New Look and Accessibility Boost
- Samsung Home Entertainment Exec James Fishler Talks TVs And Making ‘Screens For All’
- Taxi manufacturer LEVC drives EV accessibility forward at Edinburgh Castle with TX Access
- Broadway Grand Rapids Introduces Enhanced Accessibility Technology at All Broadway Performances
Accessibility Forums, Tips, and Gaming
- AIM Hires Kolb to Manage Regions First Accessible eSports Gaming Center
- Inclusive Gaming: How audio accessibility delivers a more accessible gaming experience
Accessibility Statements
- Graceland
- Quickchannel
- Denver International Airport
- CT State Community College
- Galway and Roscommon ETB
- Dripping Springs Century News
- York Region District School Board
- Financial Services Compensation Scheme
- Charity Commission for England and Wales
- Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association
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:
- What is a VPAT®? A VPAT Primer
- Understanding Digital Accessibility in the Procurement Process
- 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
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