Accessibility in the News — 12/1/2023.

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Viral Video Of American Airlines Employee Crashing Wheelchair Draws Outrage

November 21, 2023 | Source: HuffPost and KGAN and NY Post

Viral clip of airline passenger’s wheelchair falling to tarmac will be investigated: Buttigieg

November 23, 2023 | Source: The Hill

American Airlines faced backlash from disabled people online after a video of an employee mishandling a wheelchair being offloaded from a plane in Miami went viral over the weekend. The video, which was posted to TikTok on Nov. 19, showed a wheelchair shooting down a ramp from the jet bridge, crashing into a metal barrier and then somersaulting onto the tarmac. A worker on the tarmac picked up the wheelchair and put it on a cart. The person who recorded and posted the video claimed in the caption that the employees had done the same to the previous two wheelchairs loaded off the plane and had laughed about it…

Federal committee launches investigation into accessibility issues at Canadian airlines

November 21, 2023 | Source: CBC- Canada

A parliamentary committee is launching an investigation into accessibility at Canadian airlines, with a focus on the country’s two largest carriers. Following a motion put forward on Monday by NDP MP Taylor Bachrach, who represents the riding of Skeena-Bulkley Valley in British Columbia, the federal transport committee voted to undertake a study on the state of accessible transportation for Canadians living with disabilities as well as the regulatory regime surrounding it…

National News (U.S.)

Justice Department Finds Oklahoma Mobile App Inaccessible to People with Vision Disabilities

November 16, 2023 | Source: Department of Justice and Letter (PDF) and KOKH

The Justice Department announced today its findings that Service Oklahoma violated Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by maintaining a mobile application that is inaccessible to individuals with vision disabilities. In a letter issued to Service Oklahoma, the department detailed its findings following its investigation of a complaint filed by an Oklahoma resident who is blind and could not access the Oklahoma Mobile ID Application (OK Mobile ID App)…

Improving Accessibility: Ensuring Smooth Transitions for Wheelchair Users on New York City Buses

November 20, 2023 | Source: EnergyPortal.eu and THE CITY

New Yorkers who rely on wheelchairs often hesitate to use MTA express buses due to concerns about boarding and disembarking. Mechanical issues with hydraulic lifts and drivers who are unfamiliar with their operation leave wheelchair users uncertain about their ability to navigate these buses. Jean Ryan, an advocate for disabled individuals, has had firsthand experience with these challenges. On two occasions, she required assistance from firefighters to lift her 400-pound motorized wheelchair off of express buses due to lift malfunctions…

Justice Department Secures Agreement with City of Blaine, MN, to Resolve Discrimination Claim Involving Alcohol Use Disorder

November 20, 2023 | Source: Department of Justice

The Justice Department announced that it filed a complaint and proposed consent decree with the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota to resolve allegations that the City of Blaine, Minnesota, discriminated against an employee with alcohol use disorder (AUD) in violation of Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA prohibits employers from discriminating against employees with disabilities in the terms, conditions and privileges of their employment…

Maine businesses sued for their websites not being ‘ADA accessible,’ paying $9,000-$23,000 in damages

November 20, 2023 | Source: WGME

Under the law, businesses open to the public must provide equal access to their goods and services, but as the world accelerates online, arguably becoming more accessible, the number of disability access lawsuits filed in 2022 says otherwise. Of the staggering 8,000 cases in federal court, almost half involved businesses’ digital spaces. Lisa-Marie’s Made in Maine just celebrated 20 years of selling locally crafted products. “We have over 400 Maine artisans and craftsmen that we deal with personally,” Owner Lisa-Maire Stewart said…

How States Are Improving Accessibility for Parks and Trails

November 21, 2023 | Source: Planetizen

Writing in Governing, Tom Peterson outlines the effort states are making to make more parks and cultural resources accessible to residents with mobility challenges. “In Minnesota, such efforts got a significant boost earlier this year when legislators funded the Department of Natural Resources’ $149.9 million Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences) initiative.” Visitors who want to see the Split Rock Lighthouse can now borrow all-terrain chairs that make Pebble Beach, a popular vista point, accessible to wheelchair users…

New Solutions to Older Adults’ Housing Challenges

November 21, 2023 | Source: Next Avenue

Long-term care costs, social isolation, dementia and financial insecurity are all notable problems facing many older Americans. But perhaps their biggest challenge of all is housing. As more than two dozen experts explained at “Raising the Roof: America’s Housing Crisis and Our Longer Lives,” the Columbia University Age Boom Academy program for journalists (where I served as a panel moderator and mentor), a tormenting triad has created an untenable situation. Call these problems the 3 A’s: affordability, accessibility and the ability to remain in your own home…

This High-Tech Shirt Helps Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Patrons Feel Music

November 22, 2023 | Source: Smithsonian Magazine

Chicago’s Lyric Opera is aiming to make its performances more accessible via the SoundShirt, a garment that vibrates to match the music. In October, the Lyric became the first opera company to offer the shirts to audience members who are deaf or hard of hearing. The device comes from a London-based wearable tech brand called CuteCircuit. Each shirt costs about $1,900, but interested guests can reserve one for special performances at $20 a ticket, according to Axios’ Carrie Shepherd…

Phoenix citizens with disabilities confront barriers in public transportation

November 22, 2023 | Source: AZ Big Media

While widely spread throughout the city and a popular alternative to driving, public transportation in Phoenix has been criticized recently for its associated dangers to residents. However, the risks and limitations of the Phoenix public transportation systems are magnified for a particularly underrepresented community: people with disabilities. Public transportation systems, including Valley Metro’s light rail and bus routes, work to make Phoenix a more connected urban setting. However, the reality for many citizens is that these systems favor those who are nondisabled…

HHS Proposes Rule to Bolster Prohibitions Against Discrimination on the Basis of a Disability in HHS Programs

November 23, 2023 | Source: MedCity News

The Biden Administration has proposed significant updates to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 rule. The rule, Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance, updates key provisions in Section 504 that help those with disabilities to access health and human services. The rule is described as, “advanc[ing] the promise of the Rehabilitation Act and helps to ensure that people with disabilities are not subjected to discrimination in any program or activity receiving funding from HHS just because they have a disability.”…

Many Americans with dementia can’t get the hospice care they need

November 24, 2023 | Source: Vox

Rosalynn Carter, whose unflagging advocacy for mental health reform and on behalf of human rights, democracy, and health programs redefined the role of a president’s wife, died on November 19 at age 96. Half a year earlier, her family had shared publicly that Rosalynn had been diagnosed with dementia. She began receiving hospice care — i.e., end-of-life comfort care for patients and caregivers — at home in Plains, Georgia, two days before her death and died there peacefully…

Blind Papa John’s worker fired over his service dog, feds say. Now company will

November 27, 2023 | Source: Miami Herald

A blind Papa John’s Pizza employee was assured he would be able to bring his guide dog to work, federal officials said. But when he officially filed for the accommodation, he was fired, according to a lawsuit. Now, Papa John’s will pay $175,000 to Michael Barnes, who was hired in 2020 at one of the chain’s locations in Athens, Georgia, federal officials said in a Nov. 20 news release. “The parties agreed to resolve the lawsuit to avoid further litigation and expense,” a spokesperson for Papa John’s said in a statement to McClatchy News…

A life-changing injury transformed an expert’s view on disability services

November 27, 2023 | Source: The Washington Post

The GoFundMe request jumped out at me as I was scrolling through posts on LinkedIn. Nora Super, executive director of the 2015 White House Conference on Aging and former head of the Milken Institute Center for the Future of Aging, was seeking contributions after a severe spinal cord injury. “Right now, I have no feeling below the waist. I need lots of equipment to go home from the hospital and live safely and independently,” she wrote in her appeal to cover large expenses for equipment and adapting her home…

Tips for Creating Accessible Museums: Universal Design and Universal Design for Learning

November 27, 2023 | Source: American Alliance of Museums

Traditional museum experiences sometimes lack regard for differing ability levels and perspectives, causing certain groups to feel excluded—including disabled communities. It is essential to create environments that are both physically and culturally accessible—meaning all audiences have access to the information and objects being presented and can learn from them. The implementation of universal design (UD) and universal design for learning (UDL) allows museums to acknowledge and embrace diverse audiences with a variety of ability levels…

Do States Need Digital Accessibility Coordinators?

November 28, 2023 | Source: Government Technology and State Scoop

The role of a statewide digital accessibility coordinator is an important one for states to have, according to a brief release this week by the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO). As government agencies increase focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, there is a need for greater focus on accessibility — an area that government agencies sometimes fall short on. With the rise of digital government, accessibility is imperative to ensuring equitable access to government services. The recently published brief argues that states benefit from having staff dedicated to this work…

Selma Blair Recalls Doctor Telling Her To Get A Boyfriend Amid MS Journey

November 29, 2023 | Source: HuffPost and People

Selma Blair calls ‘sub-minimum wage for people with disabilities’ ‘out of touch and wrong’

November 26, 2023 | Source: Meet the Press (Video)

Selma Blair, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2018, is opening about her frustrating experience with gender bias in the health care system. While recently appearing on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, the actor spoke about a staggering moment in her MS journey when a doctor dismissed her “unbearable” pain and discomfort by suggesting that she find a boyfriend. “I just cried,” Blair, 51, recalled of her response to the insensitive comment. “I had no capability to process…

Tilting the Lens: Is fashion ready for an accessibility overhaul?

November 29, 2023 | Source: Vogue Business

Before the pandemic, disability rights advocate and consultant Sinéad Burke seemed to be making strides in her mission to make fashion more accessible. Luxury brands from Gucci to Balenciaga designed custom adaptive gowns for her, invited her to sit front row at their shows, and scheduled meetings with their creative directors and CEOs. Then, Covid-19 hit, and Burke’s definition of success changed. During the pandemic, remote working, flexible hours and reasonable adjustments — concepts that disabled people were well-versed in — entered the mainstream…

Improving Clinical Trials Accessibility For Patients With Disabilities

November 29, 2023 | Source: Clinical Leader

It’s hard to overstate the importance of DE&I in clinical research. DE&I in trials helps to foster innovation, enhance decision-making, and cultivate a positive and inclusive environment when it comes to medical research and potentially lifesaving developments. As such, it’s critical to have a diverse group of individuals involved throughout the entire process, from the teams creating the treatments to the patients participating in the trials. While increasing DE&I in clinical trials is essential to all individuals, this article speaks to considerations for removing barriers and improving trial accessibility for individuals with disabilities…

Jack Fact — According to an analysis on census data by Pew Research Center, around 46% of Americans aged 75 and older reported having some type of disability.

Hit The Road Jack — 7 restaurants at the forefront of accessible dining in America and California’s Accessibility Laws Let Wheelchair Users Actually Take a Vacation

International News

TfL launches partnership to enhance accessibility for individuals with autism and learning disabilities

November 20, 2023 | Source: Intelligent Transport- London

Transport for London (TfL) has announced that it has joined forces with the British Institute of Learning Disabilities (Bild) and People First to gain insights into the experiences of individuals with autism, learning disabilities, or difficulties when using public transportation. This initiative aims to inform future TfL customer initiatives and enhance the accessibility of London’s transport network. The partnership kicks off with a comprehensive survey designed to explore the challenges faced by individuals with autism, learning disabilities, or difficulties while navigating London’s transportation system…

York: first phase to reverse ‘blue badge ban’ revealed

November 20, 2023 | Source: York Press- UK and City of York Council and Modern Ghana

Council bosses have outlined the first phase of their plans to reverse the ‘blue badge ban’ in York. And they are calling on residents to have their say on how accessibility in the city centre can be improved. As The Press reported last month (October), City of York Council’s ruling Executive voted to overturn the ban. The council has now revealed more details about how blue badge access will be restored in the city centre. A spokesperson for the authority said from Thursday, January 4, some foot streets will reopen to drivers with blue badges between the hours of 10.30am to 5pm, when the streets are usually closed to vehicles…

More than 70% of Irish company websites are inaccessible for those with a disability

November 20, 2023 | Source: Irish Examiner- Ireland and Red FM

Longford businesses at risk of penalties if websites are not made accessible

November 20, 2023 | Source: Longford Leader- Ireland

Galway businesses at risk of penalties if websites are not made accessible

November 21, 2023 | Source: Galway Daily- Ireland

Major French websites struggle with accessibility

November 23, 2023 | Source: Gearrice- France

Can we use AI to tackle internet accessibility?

November 29, 2023 | Source: Silicon Republic- Ireland

Most of the websites of Ireland’s biggest companies are inaccessible to people with a disability, according to an annual report on digital accessibility. Currently, 73% of the websites of Ireland’s top 100 companies are inaccessible, with an average of 38 accessibility issues per site. This is according to a new report from Inclusion and Accessibility Labs (IA Labs), commissioned by the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI). Two schools in Cork were named in the top 10 and commended for their work in making their websites more user-friendly…

Sidney adopts its first accessibility plan at its council meeting

November 20, 2023 | Source: Capital Daily- Canada

The Town of Sidney released its accessibility plan to the public at last week’s Nov. 14 council meeting. The plan’s main priorities are change readiness, impacts on daily living, mobility and road safety, and infrastructure and public space. The Accessible BC Act requires organizations to form and consult with an accessibility committee, so the municipalities of Sidney, Central Saanich, and North Saanich formed the Saanich Peninsula Accessibility Advisory Committee (SPAAC)…

My accessible parking bay is a right for people living with disability, not your loading zone

November 21, 2023 | Source: ABC Everyday- Australia

You want to park here?” The truck driver honestly seemed perplexed by my daughter’s question as we pulled up next to his open window. I suppose having a 19-year-old yelling at you from a passenger car window wasn’t something he’d come across before. But the fact that his truck was perfectly parked in the accessible parking bay, right at the entrance of the shopping centre, said to me that he was a seasoned veteran. Disability affects one in five Australians. And for many, their disability is not always visible…

Blind lawyer raises accessibility concerns over risky new raised bike lanes

November 21, 2023 | Source: Momentum Mag- Canada

In a YouTube video posted by prominent disability activist and AODA Alliance Chair, David Lepofsky, concerns have been raised about the legality and safety of a new bike lane along Eglinton Avenue West in Toronto. The contentious bike lane, constructed on the sidewalk instead of at road level, has sparked a debate on accessibility, particularly for individuals with visual impairments. Lepofsky, a former lawyer and leading advocate for disability rights, sheds light on the lack of clear tactile differences in the bike lane’s design, posing significant risks to blind pedestrians and others…

How to Make 2024 the Year Your Brand Embraces Accessible Design

November 21, 2023 | Source: LBBOnline- UK

You know what they say. The best time to start an accessible design journey is five years ago, the second best time is today. If your brand’s New Year’s resolution is to bring accessible design into your business, brand, products and experience, then congratulations – it looks like your 2024 is going to be a particularly rewarding and transformative year! But if you’re still looking for ideas and inspiration, or you’re worried about getting it right or getting the rest of the business to buy in, we’ve spoken to a group of experts from brands and agencies to get you started…

Dismantling systemic ableism in health research

November 22, 2023 | Source: Policy Options- Canada

There is much talk about labour shortages in Canada these days, but one pool of potential workers remains untapped. A survey in 2017 showed that there were 645,000 potentially employable people in the country between the ages of 25 and 64 – almost as many as the population of Vancouver. Those are persons with disabilities. At least one federal funding agency may be setting an example for a change. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) released an accessibility plan in early 2023 to promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities in health research…

Concerns with transit, homelessness raised at Halifax accessibility town hall

November 22, 2023 | Source: CBC- Canada and The Signal

People with disabilities in Halifax had their say at a meeting Tuesday night, raising concerns with transit, homelessness, and developments that aren’t following accessibility standards. The Halifax Regional Municipality’s accessibility advisory committee hosted its annual town hall at the Central Library, where a panel of municipal staff spoke to the crowd of about 50 people. “Evenings like tonight are exceptionally welcomed by the municipality because it gives us direction. We know from the community where we need to go,” committee chair Andrew Taylor said after the event…

Seychelles to improve lives of people with disabilities with Commonwealth assistance

November 22, 2023 | Source: Commonwealth- East Africa

The Commonwealth Secretariat and the Government of Seychelles hosted a series of events in Victoria this month to boost progress on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which includes the right to live independently and education without discrimination based on disability. A team from the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Human Rights Unit was in Seychelles from 13 to 17 November 2023 to facilitate a multi-stakeholder dialogue, a working session and a workshop in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Family…

“It Was Very Frustrating” — Former Paralympian Calls For Better Accessibility Measures After Pulling Herself Onto Plane

November 22, 2023 | Source: iHeartRadio- Canada

Sarah Morris-Probert, a former Paralympian, opted to pull herself onto her WestJet flight leaving Cabo for B.C. after the airline provided her being carried onto the plane as her means of access, which she deemed unsafe. The airline says Morris-Probert refused assistance; she says she requested the nearby ramp to be used as an alternative and it was not. She joins Vassy Kapelos to walk through the experience and discuss how accessibility measures for air travel could be improved…

UK Government calls on councils to improve taxi and minicab accessibility

November 23, 2023 | Source: Intelligent Transport- UK and TaxiPoint

Ministers have urged councils to act on new UK Government guidance to help improve the accessibility of taxis, minicabs and private hire vehicles (PHVs) in their area. Taxis and private hire vehicles are regulated by local licensing authorities, and the government’s updates to guidance – published on 17 November 2023 – underline that councils must take action against drivers who discriminate against people with disabilities and guide dog owners, issuing fines and suspending licences where required…

Students living with a disability are falling behind at university due to lack of accessible, flexible study options

November 23, 2023 | Source: ABC- Australia

In her first week this semester, Sophy Barlow couldn’t access two out of three of her university classes. The 21-year-old University of Queensland (UQ) student lives with muscular dystrophy and uses an electric wheelchair. For two lessons that week, the ramp to the room was closed off, and there was no way for Ms Barlow to get into the room — so she missed class. She said the experience was “extremely frustrating” and “quite saddening”. Ms Barlow said she still had problems on campus, and often felt like she was expected to solve them herself…

Hyderabad DEO Prioritizes Accessibility for Disabled Voters

November 23, 2023 | Source: INDToday- India

Deputy District Election Officer (DEO) Anudeep Durishetti stressed the Election Commission of India’s unwavering commitment to ensuring accessibility for all, particularly for disabled voters, during the upcoming TSLA elections scheduled for November 30th. To facilitate seamless participation for voters with disabilities, a voter awareness program was conducted for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) associations at Panwar Hall, GHMC headquarters on Thursday. Deputy DEO Durishetti emphasized that essential infrastructure is being installed across 4,119 polling centers in the Hyderabad district to accommodate voters with disabilities…

Accessibility a challenge for city man with cerebral palsy

November 24, 2023 | Source: Penticton Herald- Canada

For the ‘average’ Lethbridge citizen, the city is quite easy to navigate – 20 minutes from one side to the other. For many other residents however, it’s a whole different story. Tim Hamilton was born with cerebral palsy. He has spent the entirety of his 64 years in a heavy electric wheelchair. He can move his right arm and he can move his head. He can speak, he can eat, he can drink and he can laugh and joke around. He can use a computer and a telephone and he has a Facebook account. He likes sports, he likes movies and he likes socializing…

Winter accessibility in Whitehorse should be higher priority, say advocates

November 27, 2023 | Source: CBC- Canada

The tires of Finn Beaulieu’s motorized wheelchair spin out. It’s a common occurrence for the 24-year-old. He has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic condition that breaks down his muscles and gradually weakens his body.

His wheelchair is a means of freedom and independence, but every winter — both of those things are compromised. The chair is heavy, more than 300 pounds, and as he tries to navigate a parking lot deemed accessible by the City of Whitehorse, his tires gunk up with snow and ice…

WASH Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities and Older People in Bangladesh: A Way Forward

November 28, 2023 | Source: ReliefWeb- Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Society for the Change and Advocacy Nexus (B-SCAN) organised a roundtable discussion in collaboration with icddr,b on the findings of the study titled ‘Nationwide Assessment of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) situation of persons with disabilities and older people in Bangladesh’ at the Daily Star Centre, Dhaka. The population-based cross-sectional study, conducted from November 2022 to October 2023, covered all eight divisions and 32 districts of Bangladesh. It involved screening a total of 17,577 individuals from 6,457 urban and rural households, to identify persons with disabilities…

Disability and financial wellbeing: barriers and accessibility

November 28, 2023 | Source: FT Adviser- UK

Picture this: a couple of years ago you might have been fit, healthy, happy, with a great job. Then, last winter you took your family on a skiing holiday and suffered an accident. You fractured your right arm and broke both tibias. You had investigations done for a possible head injury and began to suffer migraines. But after you had rested the recovery was not progressing. There were complications in the healing of your ligaments, so the pain increased and you became unable to move freely. Your fitness levels started to deteriorate. Then depression crept in…

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