Brass plaque points the way to a government building's accessible entrance. Image copyright 2017, Microassist.

Accessibility in the News — 12/15/2023.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington is currently investigating six hotels in response to complaints alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Additionally, three hotels in the region have entered into settlement agreements after being found non-compliant with the ADA. These settlements involve claims of inadequate accommodation for individuals with disabilities, such as inaccessible rooms and bathrooms. The MarQueen Hotel, the Lynnwood Hampton Inn and Suites, and the Bothell Holiday Inn and Suites are among the establishments cited for ADA violations. While these hotels have committed to addressing the issues, the U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasizes the importance of hotels proactively ensuring ADA compliance without the need for investigations. The resolutions include improvements to reservation systems, employee training, and website clarity, with the hotels pledging to report any ADA violation complaints received in the next year. Financial compensation may also be provided to complainants as part of the resolution process. Acting U.S. Attorney Gorman urges all hotels to review their properties and reservation systems to guarantee proper accommodation for individuals with disabilities, especially during the busy holiday travel season.

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!

Feature Story

Skip to National News (U.S.) | Skip to International News

More Accessibility Resources on this Page

Accessibility Blogs and Information | Accessibility Announcements and Products
Accessibility Fourms, Tips and Gaming | Accessibility Statement Pages
Higher Education Blogs and Information | Federally Speaking
Legal Blogs and Information | Microassist Accessibility Services

AITN Quote of the Week

“Go ahead and label me, cause labels are made for gifts.” ― Robert M. Hensel

HoneyTouch Consulting- We Take Your Financial Journey Seriously

Why Americans are going hungry despite a strong economy

A third of disabled people forced to cancel Christmas because they can’t afford it

Feature Stories

Most hotels aren’t set up for people with disabilities. Gordon Hartman wants to change that

December 7, 2023 | Source: San Antonio Report

Morgan’s dad wants to build a hotel. Gordon Hartman, the former homebuilder who created the Morgan’s Wonderland theme park named for his daughter in 2010 and reshaped the recreation and care space for people with disabilities and their caregivers, has set his sights on a new venture. With a theme park, water park, sports facility and comprehensive health care and services facility already in place in Northeast San Antonio, Hartman and Morgan’s CEO Brent Fields hosted a town hall meeting Wednesday to ask community members and stakeholders what an “ultra-accessible” and inclusive hotel should look like…

U.S. Attorney’s Office reminds hoteliers of obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act

December 11, 2023 | Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington is investigating six hotels following complaints the facilities violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. In addition to the six active investigations, three area hotels have entered into settlement agreements after findings that they were not compliant with the ADA. “As we enter the busy holiday travel season, it is critical that hotels and motels review their properties and reservation systems to ensure people with disabilities can reserve and be appropriately accommodated in rooms that meet their needs,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Gorman…

National News (U.S.)

The United States Settles With Borough Of Bellefonte To Make Public Meetings Accessible To Those With Hearing Disabilities

December 8, 2023 | Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Pennsylvania

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that the Borough of Bellefonte has agreed under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure that proper auxiliary aides and services, including qualified sign-language interpreters are made available to those with hearing disabilities at all its public meetings. When the Borough records or broadcasts its meetings, the Borough will ensure that those meetings will have an “in frame’ American Sign Language interpreter…

How Cosmetic Brands Are Creating More Accessible Makeup

December 8, 2023 | Source: Brain and Life Magazine

When Chiara Beer was almost 3 years old, she contracted chicken pox, which caused a stroke that resulted in hemiplegia (paralysis on one side of the body). In Beer’s case, she lost the use of her right arm and hand. Now 28, Beer has a YouTube channel called “Chiara’s One-Handed Life,” where she shares videos about applying makeup and styling hair with one hand, as well as living independently. “My first YouTube video in 2020 was how to do a high ponytail with one hand,” she says. “People asked questions, and it kind of grew from there.”…

Baylor Professor Makes Science Accessible for Blind and Visually Impaired Students

December 8, 2023 | Source: Baylor University and NBC News (Video)

High school-aged visitors to Bryan Shaw’s Baylor chemistry lab this Fall received hands-on experiences in high-tech robotics, precise measurements and a variety of tasks they might someday experience in college. Their participation in these activities was truly unique—the students, all from the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI), found a working lab outfitted with them in mind. As Shaw continues his efforts to make science more inclusive to those with disabilities, they hope it will become more common…

Rail accessibility upgrades: A large 2024 market sector that should not be overlooked

December 8, 2023 | Source: Mass Transit

Several months ago, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) celebrated its 33rd anniversary. The law, which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities, currently covers support and assistance for approximately 42 million people in America. Mandated compliance with ADA statutes creates a large marketplace for construction projects. 2024 will be a banner year for firms interested in partnering with local governments to deliver compliance…

‘Barbie’ Movie Adds Unique Accessibility Option

December 8, 2023 | Source: Disability Scoop

When the blockbuster “Barbie” movie becomes available for streaming soon, it will offer a new level of accessibility for people with disabilities. The film will debut on Max next week complete with a special option to view it accompanied by American Sign Language interpretation. The move is an effort to expand on the movie’s theme, according to Max. “By offering sign language interpretation, we will build upon the film’s empowering message of inclusiveness and offer a unique viewing experience for the deaf community to enjoy with family and friends,” said Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO of HBO and Max, who noted that ASL is the first language for many…

SC State Museum unveils Accessibility-Focused Renovations

December 9, 2023 | Source: ABC Columbia

Folks living with disabilities or special needs who visit the South Carolina State Museum will find new accommodations are now available. The museum’s Executive Director Amy Bartow-Melia says over one million adults across the state live with a disability. “That’s roughly one in three adults who have some form of mobility, cognition, independent living, hearing, vision, or self care disability. We here at the South Carolina State Museum truly believe that every South Carolinian deserve to have equal access to their state museum,” Bartow-Melia says…

The pro gamer who has to rely upon sound alone

December 10, 2023 | Source: BBC

In the competitive world of professional gaming, one gifted player goes by the username Rattlehead. At the tournaments he attends in the US, his opponents quickly spot that he, real name Carlos Vasquez, is, by his own description, “completely blind”. They then let their guard down, wrongly thinking that they are set for an easy game of popular fighting series Mortal Kombat. And he often beats them. Instead of being able to see the game, Carlos instead relies upon hearing it to make his attacking and defensive moves. “I’m able to pick up on the specific sounds of the characters,” he says…

Pa. husband and wife owned brewery provides sons on the autism spectrum with careers

December 10, 2023 | Source: 6ABC

Perkiomen Valley Brewery is run by a family focused on inclusivity. “Part of our mission statement here with regards to inclusion and accessibility is to provide a welcoming environment to the community,” said Co-owner Tom Weiss. Tom and Kelly Weiss’ hobby of brewing beers was paired with the need for their sons to find employment when they decided to start Perkiomen Valley Brewery. Both of their children, Noah and Jonah, are on the autism spectrum…

Review: How to Dance in Ohio Is a Game Changer for Accessibility on Broadway

December 10, 2023 | Source: Theater Mania

Broadway hasn’t had a great history of representing disability and neurodiversity in positive or accurate ways, and rarely throughout the entertainment industry have disabled characters been played by disabled actors. How to Dance in Ohio, a new musical based on Alexandra Shiva’s 2015 HBO documentary at the Belasco Theatre, seeks to change all that and offers a new vision for Broadway. In How to Dance in Ohio, a group of seven autistic young adults who go to the same counseling center spend months preparing for a formal dance that their therapist, Dr. Emilio Amigo (Caesar Samayoa), proposes as a therapeutic tool…

DK Metcalf’s sign language TD celebrations a ‘hot topic’ in Deaf community: ‘He has the swag with it’

December 10, 2023 | Source: The Athletic

It’s not just that DK Metcalf is learning American Sign Language and using it on a national stage — it’s that, even as a discernible novice, he’s doing it with a level of finesse that shows he just gets it. “He has the swag with it. And that’s half the battle sometimes with signing,” said Sean Forbes, one of the deaf rappers who broke down barriers at the Super Bowl halftime show two years ago with Eminem, Snoop Dogg and other hip-hop stars. “You have to have the nuances, the vibes, the way that your hands move and flow has to be there. He had the rhythm to it, where most beginning signers would be a little more choppy.”…

Are sports and entertainment venues ADA compliant? A man makes it is mission to find out

December 11, 2023 | Source: KOMO News

The Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act is now 33 years old, but one man is making it his life’s work to make sure stadiums and arenas meet the intended expectations and equity. “I think it started from a young age as a fan of sports and wanting to make sure that everyone can enjoy sports,” said Conrad Reynoldson, who has been in a motorized wheelchair since age 10. He founded the Washington Civil and Disability Advocate nonprofit law firm in 2017 after seeing what he viewed as unmet needs to accessibility in public places…

Bill seeks to make leased GovGuam offices accessible for people with disabilities

December 13, 2023 | Source: Pacific Daily News

Equal access to public services is what Sen. William Parkinson is hoping through Bill 191-37. The bill would mandate all government of Guam leased offices to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 or ADA. A public hearing for the bill was held on Tuesday at the Guam Congress Building. Parkinson said people with disabilities struggle due to non-compliance of ADA which is in place to give equal opportunities to them. If they want to seek government services they shouldn’t be limited because of their disability, he said…

Southwest ‘customer of size’ policy lets plus-sized passengers get additional seats for free

December 13, 2023 | Source: The National Desk

A Southwest Airlines policy catering to “customers of size” has recently gained support from its beneficiaries. The airline’s guidelines, which permit flight agents to offer complementary seats to customers who need more space, have gained approval from plus-size travelers. Travel expert Jae’lynn Chaney told Fox Business the policy offsets “disproportionate” costs “super-fat” people incur for needing extra room. It’s not just about physical accessibility,” Chaney argued. “It’s also about financial accessibility.”…

Christopher and Banks class action claims website not fully accessible to blind, visually impaired visitors

December 13, 2023 | Source: Top Class Actions

Retail company Christopher and Banks Corporation failed to make its website fully accessible to and independently usable by individuals with vision-related disabilities, a new class action lawsuit alleges. Plaintiff Julie Dalton claims Christopher and Banks’ website contains digital barriers to screen reading software used by individuals who are blind or visually impaired to browse the internet. Dalton, who is legally blind, argues the alleged digital barriers on Christopher and Banks’ website denies screen-reader users full and equal access to “important website content,” in an alleged violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)…

Pickleball helps boost seniors’ mental health, offering ‘adaptability and accessibility,’ survey finds

December 13, 2023 | Source: Carewell

For many of today’s older adults, a pickleball paddle is the best medicine. Beyond the physical benefits, the fast-growing sport is helping to improve seniors’ mental health, according to a new survey. Carewell, a North Carolina-based company that supports caregivers, did a survey of 1,000 Americans about the impact pickleball has had on their psyche. Nearly 70% of older adults reported reduced stress and anxiety after playing the sport, while 64% found the game to be “uplifting.”…

Supreme Court to increase standards for accessibility at courthouses

December 14, 2023 | Source: WCIA

The Illinois Supreme Court announced it will be improving rules and regulations for access for those with disabilities. The new rules will require courthouses to clearly post information about the resources they have available to those with disabilities on their website. “I hope that the courts will publicize these resources,” Paul Mallica, senior attorney for Equip for Equality, said. because disability access sometimes means that people cannot use computers, they don’t have access to websites, the websites themselves maybe glitchy for people who, who need readers or who have processing disabilities that prevent them from really understanding.”…

How Justice of the Pies Made Its New Shop Accessible

December 14, 2023 | Source: Chicago Magazine

Maya-Camille Broussard may have named Justice of the Pies for her late father, Stephen J. Broussard, an attorney who baked on weekends to relieve stress, but it was the work of her mother, Camille Billingslea, a retired physician at Stroger Hospital, that inspired the celebrity chef to consider accessibility in creating her bakery’s first brick-and-mortar location (8655 S. Blackstone Ave., Marynook). So it’s only fitting that Broussard has her mother read the daily specials aloud to each customer from behind a glass case containing signatures like bourbon pecan pie, salted caramel peach pie, and spinach, bacon, and feta quiche…

How two NYC first responder brothers changed the lives of Brooklyn father and his disabled son with a gift of accessibility

December 14, 2023 | Source: amNewYork

Two first responder brothers from the FDNY and NYPD swooped in to help change the lives of a Brooklyn father and his son living with disabilities with a surprise holiday gift. Police Officer Kareem Abdelaziz, 38, and Fire Lieutenant Abdelrahman Abdelaziz, 43, say they grew up with the firm belief that a community is not just a place to live, but rather a home where everyone requires support and love. That idea began while the brothers worked inside their father’s East Flatbush deli located at 9010 Avenue B, where they were known as helping hands in the area years before they dedicated their lives to public service…

Jack Fact — The World Health Organization says vision loss can affect people of all ages; however, most people with vision impairment and blindness are over the age of 50 years.

Hit The Road Jack — Fun things to do in Nashville for kids with mobility, sensory, intellectual needs and Robbie’s List: A guide to accessible outdoor recreation in Colorado and Making Holiday Travel Accessible for All

International News

StatCan: 8 million people, 27% of Canadians, have at least 1 disability

December 6, 2023 | Source: CTV News- Canada

The number of Canadians with at least one disability has doubled in ten years, a reality that should push governments to help reduce barriers to accessibility, says the head of a human rights organization. Statistics Canada data shows that 27 per cent of people 15 and older — about eight million Canadians — reported having at least one disability in 2022, about twice the percentage of people who reported a disability 10 years ago. Collected every five years, the StatCan numbers are important because they influence government policy at the federal, provincial and local levels, Heather Walkus, national chair of the Council for Canadians with Disabilities…

Why is accessibility in learning still an afterthought – and how can HR change that?

December 8, 2023 | Source: People Management- UK

Recently, I was asked to keynote at The Learning Network’s annual conference. Sadly, on event day, following speaking at several events that same week, I lost my voice. I could barely squeak a whisper. I had a choice when I awoke that morning: let down the community of learning volunteers who had pulled #LNConnect23 together or find a solution. Inspired by mute comedian Ahren Belisle, I turned up with Siri and held the mic to my phone as Apple’s AI assistant read aloud the introduction to my presentation…

FG to shut down organisations violating accessibility laws for PWDs

December 8, 2023 | Source: PM News- Nigeria and Vanguard

The Federal Government has announced plans to shut down public buildings that do not comply with the minimum standards of accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) from January 17. The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) Dr James Lalu, disclosed on Thursday, while briefing newsmen in Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the news conference was organised as part of the 16 days activism to commemorate the 2023 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)…

Disability: Accessibility problems keep people out of clubs

December 8, 2023 | Source: BBC- UK

Accessibility in pubs and clubs is so bad one disabled woman said she had never seen a wheelchair user on a night out. Cerys Davage, 22, has a muscle-wasting condition that means she struggles with steps and loos on different floors. She said nights out for her could be “difficult” but for wheelchair users “most pubs and bars are not accessible at all”. Elin Williams, of Disability Wales, said: “Things need to change”. Ms Davage, who has a form of muscular dystrophy, finds it tough standing up for long periods…

Woolworths unveils world-first wheelchair accessible checkout for staff living with disability

December 8, 2023 | Source: Delicious- Australia

For Sydney university student Johnson Chen, working in retail was something he always wanted to do, but using a wheelchair ruled out most jobs for him. But this week the 19-year-old worked his first shift at Woolworths — behind an innovative new accessible checkout, which he was involved in testing. “I always wanted to work a retail job but it was always standing so it was something I couldn’t access,” the UTS computer science student told news.com.au…

How Cosmetic Brands Are Creating More Ac cessible Makeup

December 8, 2023 | Source: Brain and Life- UK

Doctor Who actress says Tardis wheelchair ramp is ‘for every disabled kid’

December 10, 2023 | Source: Independent- UK

Doctor Who star Ruth Madeley has said the new accessible ramp on the Tardis is “for every disabled kid”. A wheelchair-friendly ramp attached to the Time Lord’s space craft was unveiled during the third episode of the BBC sci-fi drama’s 60th anniversary specials. On X, formerly Twitter, Madeley, 36, who has spina bifida and uses a wheelchair, posted a photo of herself next to a ramp leading into the Tardis, which is shaped like a traditional blue police phone box and is usually raised slightly from the ground…

MTN Foundation’s Digital Access for Inclusion empowers 1,400 learners with special needs

December 10, 2023 | Source: Chimp Reports- Unganda

In a transformative initiative, MTN Foundation’s Digital Access for Inclusion program has opened the doors of technology to nearly 1,400 learners with disabilities across five schools in Uganda this year, marking a significant investment of Shs800 million. This commitment to a connected and inclusive future underscores MTN Foundation’s dedication to advancing education through technology. The impact of the program reverberates across different regions, with Salama School for the Blind and Masaka School for the Deaf in the central region receiving 10 computers each, along with assorted equipment and a year of free internet connectivity…

RSC calls for better career access for chemists with disability

December 10, 2023 | Source: Laboratory News- UK and Royal Society of Chemistry Report

The Royal Society of Chemistry has criticised its sector in a new report charging that it has done too little to provide opportunities for professionals with disabilities, from entry level upwards. It notes that the number of academics in the chemical sciences with a stated disability comprise just 5.5% of the total. This compares with 23% of the UK’s overall working population. Those who do gain entry are less likely to have high levels of decision-making power, executive authority, or supervisory responsibilities in their jobs than non-disabled peers, notes the RSC’s new Disability Landscape Report…

Will Our New Government Take The Chance To Fix Accessibility Bill?

December 11, 2023 | Source: Scoop- New Zealand

I’m holding my breath – hoping for better Accessibility legislation that delivers world class support for all disabled New Zealanders. There’s work to do before we get there. Earlier this year, the Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill was crafted and sent to Select Committee. Public consultation, including NZDSN’s submission, roundly dismissed the Bill as ineffective and toothless, largely creating a committee to create a committee. There’s no definition of accessibility, no enforcement mechanism, no wide-reaching requirements to ingrain in our community, not just in government departments…

Empowering Women in the Digital World: Lessons from Women Media Practitioners in Kenya

December 11, 2023 | Source: Medium- Africa

In an era where the internet is a gateway to information, opportunity, and connectivity, it is essential to ensure that everyone has equal access. However, women, particularly in certain regions, face unique barriers that hinder their ability to harness the power of the Internet. In this blog post, we will explore the challenges that women encounter in accessing the internet and the initiatives that aim to bridge the digital gender divide with lessons from women media practitioners in Kenya…

Making museums and attractions more accessible to autistic people

December 12, 2023 | Source: Museums + Heritage Advisor- UK

There are more than 700,000 autistic people in the UK but many struggle to find venues and attractions that understand their needs. There are however some very simple steps you can take in making your venue more accessible to autistic people and their families. Autism affects how people communicate and interact with the world. Autistic people interpret differently both verbal and non-verbal language, such as gestures or tone of voice. Consider supporting your customer facing staff to undertake some autism awareness training so that they can understand their autistic customers better and feel confident in how they support them if they require help during a visit…

Why are Canadian airlines failing passengers with disabilities?

December 12, 2023 | Source: Toronto Star- Canada

Sometimes sorry seems to be the easiest word. Thanks to Air Canada’s poor treatment of passengers with disabilities, the national carrier is certainly getting good at saying it. After multiple egregious incidents, including one in which a man with cerebral palsy was forced to drag himself off a flight, Air Canada was quick to offer its “sincere” apologies. Amid the flurry of negative publicity, Air Canada also issued a hastily crafted news release announcing “a series of measures to reduce barriers . . . for customers with disabilities.” It also acknowledged that it “sometimes” fails to meet its obligations, for which it offered “a sincere apology.”…

Hachette UK launches accessibility policy to ‘support and empower’ staff

December 12, 2023 | Source: The Bookseller- UK

Hachette UK has launched an accessibility policy to “support and empower” staff. It outlines best practice for recruiting disabled candidates, as well as internal and external support available to staff. A managers’ guidance document has been created alongside the policy, to help managers support and line-manage a “disability inclusive” team. This also outlines management styles for meetings and events, as well as recruitment best practice. A disability etiquette document has been created as well, including information on interacting with people who may have invisible disabilities…

Change starts with “Hello” – Mayor leads accessibility initiative with open discussion

December 12, 2023 | Source: Discover Weyburn- Canada

As Weyburn nears the halfway point of December, the accessibility of our city shifts to the forefront of discussion. Representatives from the Wor-Kin Shop extended their request to Mayor Marcel Roy for a meeting to share their perspectives on how Weyburn can adapt to meet their needs, which resulted in a positive talk in the Mayor’s office yesterday. “Start with Hello” week, an initiative championed by SARC, is facilitating these necessary discussions within our community by encouraging everyone to take interest in the accessibility needs of others…

Whitehorse to spend $220K this winter on downtown accessibility

December 12, 2023 | Source: CBC- Canada

In a bid to help people with mobility challenges, the City of Whitehorse will spend $220,000 this winter on snow and ice removal from parking spaces and other downtown infrastructure. City councillors voted unanimously on Monday to allocate the funding for this winter only. They also voted to spend another $30,000 to study the matter so they can figure out what to do after this winter. The issue has been front and centre at city hall in recent weeks, with advocates regularly showing up to council meetings, urging the city to make accessibility a higher priority…

‘Really great’: City approves multi-year accessibility plan

December 13, 2023 | Source: Orillia News- Canada

Calgary recognizes winners of the 2023 Accessibility Awards

December 13, 2023 | Source: Live Wire Calgary- Canada

With hopes to make Orillia a more accessible place for all residents, city politicians have approved a multi-year accessibility plan. Put together over the past year in consultation with the public and the accessibility advisory committee, the plan is meant to guide city efforts for 2023 to 2028 in removing a variety of barriers from public spaces and facilities. Beyond focusing on the physical accessibility of public spaces and facilities, the plan aims to improve accessibility in numerous ways by considering the following types of barriers…

‘This is a huge issue’: Wheelchair user denied service at ‘accessible’ restaurant

December 13, 2023 | Source: The Daily Dot- Canada

Taylor Lindsay-Noel, an entrepreneur and creator whose content focuses on accessibility, says in a TikTok posted yesterday that she was unable to dine at a restaurant for a friend’s birthday because it didn’t have a ramp for her wheelchair. Lindsay-Noel says she called the restaurant, Kasa Moto in Toronto, ON multiple times in advance and was assured that it was accessible—and that the restaurant’s Google page even stated that it was wheelchair accessible…

What does a building need to call itself ‘accessible’—and is that enough?

December 14, 2023 | Source: The Conversation- Australia

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) review and the disability royal commission’s final report both highlighted the crucial role of accessible buildings and homes in ensuring the inclusion of people with disabilities. But the experiences of people with disability show Australia is a very long way from achieving this. There are the stories from people with disability who can’t enjoy events or venues. And researchers say even accessible bathrooms are not usable for half the people with disability…

Access Infinity: Bringing Accessible Content to Print Disabled Users in Developing Countries

December 14, 2023 | Source: WIPO- India

In July 2023, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and WIPO signed an agreement to integrate the TCS Access Infinity Platform to WIPO’s Accessible Books Consortium’s (ABC) partner libraries in developing countries. The collaboration promises to further boost the number of titles available to users in accessible formats in these countries. Charudatta Jadhav, Principal Scientist and Head of Accessibility Research and Innovation at TCS, and a key architect of Access Infinity, discusses the challenges associated with building this groundbreaking platform and its impact in transforming the digital publishing landscape…

Disabled-friendly apps and barrier-free facilities should be prioritised: DEPWD secretary

December 14, 2023 | Source: Deccan Herald- India

Over the years, technology has advanced enough to make life better for everyone, but most people still believe that more can be done for disabled people. Smartphones, for instance, have a lot of potential to make things simpler in terms of guiding people with low vision to navigate pathways, readout obstacles, and ensure they walk on safe passage. But, more features can be added for others with physical disabilities such as deformed or disfigured limbs to operate phones with ease to make digital transactions on banking apps, noted Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, DEPWD, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India…

Accessibility Blogs, Information, and Videos

Federally Speaking

Higher Education Blogs and Information

Legal Blogs and Information

Accessibility Announcements and Products

Accessibility Forums, Tips, and Gaming

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)

Comments

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