Accessibility in the News — 5/19/2023.
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AITN Quote of the Week
“We have the can-do factor, and us doing what we do inspires people to just try that little bit harder, whether they are able-bodied or disabled.” ― Lee Pearson
May Gaad – Microassist
Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Feature Stories
Justice Department and the Department of Education Issue Joint Dear Colleague Letter on the Online Accessibility of Colleges, Universities, and Other Postsecondary Institutions
May 13, 2023 | Source: Department of Justice
On May 19, 2023, the Justice Department and the Department of Education jointly issued a Dear Colleague Letter reminding colleges, universities, and other postsecondary institutions to ensure that their online services, programs, and activities are accessible to people with disabilities. Many colleges, universities, and other postsecondary institutions increasingly rely on their websites and third-party online platforms to provide services, programs, and activities to members of the public. This includes courses on learning platforms as well as podcasts and videos on social media and third-party platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. This joint letter reiterates that Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act require colleges, universities, and other postsecondary institutions to provide equal opportunities to people with disabilities in all their operations. The letter also highlights recent web accessibility enforcement activities and technical assistance from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.
National News (U.S.)
16% of Philadelphians are disabled. Here’s where mayoral candidates stand on disability issues, and how advocates are feeling
May 13, 2023 | Source: WHYY
Philadelphia is home to approximately 250,000 people with disabilities, or about 16% of the population. As Philadelphia’s 100th mayoral election approaches, some in Philadelphia’s disabled community are preparing to vote, an often time-consuming and laborious process. After a potentially frustrating lack of accessibility to both campaign events and literature, getting to the polls or filling out a mail-in ballot can also pose challenges. Jule Ann Lieberman works with TechOWL (Technology Our Whole Lives), an assistive device education program that’s part of Temple University…
‘No violins’: Michael J. Fox reflects on his career and life with Parkinson’s
May 14, 2023 | Source: NPR
When Michael J. Fox describes his experience with Parkinson’s disease in his new documentary, Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie, he’s extremely blunt. “Parkinson’s didn’t just kick me out of the house — it burned the f***ing house down,” he said, in a conversation with director/producer Davis Guggenheim. And when he spoke with NPR’s Sacha Pfeiffer, he said every day with the disease is different. “Like you woke up and you have two noses. You have two noses, next thing you know, you have nine noses, and your tongue is sticking out of your ear,” Fox said…
High schoolers work to make homes more wheelchair accessible
May 14, 2023 | Source: WSKG
Less than one percent of housing nationwide is wheelchair accessible. That can be a big obstacle for people with disabilities, and older people who would like to age in place. But the “Ramp it Up” program, run by the Broome County Council of Churches, is trying to address the problem, one wheelchair ramp at a time. High school students from Windsor Central School District recently gathered at a home in Conklin, working together to build a long, wooden wheelchair ramp…
NJ beaches are becoming more accessible, advocates say
May 15, 2023 | Source: NorthJersey.com
Verona resident Scott Chesney, 53, fell in love with the Jersey Shore all over again after being away for decades following his loss of the use of his legs at 15 due to a stroke. For years, he had difficulty navigating the sand with his wheelchair. His idea of heaven on Earth was unreachable. For decades, wheelchair users had few options, as beach wheelchairs with wheels large enough to navigate sand were in short supply, advocates and families said. However, in recent years, beach accessibility has been improving, with many Jersey Shore towns offering free beach and surf wheelchairs…
From diversity to accessibility, can technology change the way we think about beauty for the better?
May 15, 2023 | Source: CNN
When Bold Glamour launched on TikTok earlier this year, it started a storm on social media. The viral beautifying filter uses machine learning technology to edit users’ facial features in photographs and video, sculpting cheekbones, smoothing out skin and brightening eyes, all with unsettling realism. Some on social media were impressed by the technology, but many expressed concern about the way filters can promote unrealistic beauty standards. While there is growing unease about the way technology is impacting our ideas of beauty, some believe it can also change our attitudes to beauty for the better…
Nothing About Us Without Us: Invest in Disabled Leaders to Advance Equitable Technology for Everyone
May 16, 2023 | Source: Nonprofit Quarterly
To solve our most pressing challenges, we need the total sum of human intelligence and emancipatory energy in our society. This includes the expertise and leadership of people with disabilities. Alice Wong, founder and director of the Disability Visibility Project, wrote, “There is so much that able-bodied people could learn from the wisdom that often comes with disability. But space needs to be made. Hands need to reach out. People need to be lifted up.”…
Twitter – Microassist
Man who defied genetics for decades may hold a clue to preventing Alzheimer’s, scientists say
May 16, 2023 | Source: CNN
Researchers working to unlock the secrets of Alzheimer’s disease say they’ve been given a major clue that could help protect people at risk for this type of dementia. A man who seemed fated to develop memory loss in his 40s or 50s, based on family history, kept normal function for decades longer than he should have. He seems to have been protected by a rare gene change that enhanced the function of a protein that helps nerve cells communicate. Scientists say that understanding how this gene change defended his brain may help prevent Alzheimer’s in other people…
Cruising Altitude: Progress for disabled travelers is not coming fast enough
May 17, 2023 | Source: USA Today
I was on a family trip to Israel a few years ago and as soon as we landed, it was obvious something was wrong. I’d flown over from New York with my parents and we were supposed to be meeting some cousins from London, who’d arrived hours earlier to Tel Aviv. But my British family was still in the airport when we touched down. EasyJet had left my little cousin Max’s wheelchair off the plane, meaning Max, who has Cerebral Palsy, had no reasonable way to get around…
Paralympic star Brad Snyder talks accessibility, identity, thoughts on Paris 2024
May 17, 2023 | Source: NBC
Thursday marks the 12th Global Accessibility Awareness Day, a catalyst in the conversation for digital access and inclusion for people with disabilities. Brad Snyder, an eight-time Paralympic medalist between swimming and triathlon and former U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer, who lost vision in both eyes while deployed in Afghanistan, discusses his experiences with accessibility, the everyday challenges of vision loss, how his sense of identity evolved, why the Paralympic Movement is so special and whether he will bid for a fourth Paralympics in 2024…
Federal CIO says IDEA Act guidance coming this summer
May 17, 2023 | Source: FCW and MeriTalk
For Government, Accessibility Is ‘More Than Just a Compliance Game’
May 18, 2023 | Source: Government Technology
Years after it was signed into law in 2018, the White House is still working on guidance to implement the 21st Century IDEA Act, a law meant to push the government into the digital age. Although guidance hasn’t been issued so far (to the chagrin of some lawmakers), it is coming this summer, said Clare Martorana, the federal chief information officer, on Tuesday at the Code for America summit in Washington, D.C. The law is meant to improve how Americans experience the government online with requirements for agencies like common accessibility and searchability standards, electronic signatures, digital forms and mobile-friendly, accessible websites…
Advocates: Government Is Failing Residents on Accessibility
May 17, 2023 | Source: Government Technology
AFB Calls on Congress and Government to Move Swiftly toward Making the Internet Accessible for All
May 18, 2023 | Source: Cision
Like many parents, Baltimore-area resident Tony Stephens wants to know how his kids are doing in school. But unlike most of his peers, checking on his son’s grades isn’t as simple as logging onto a website. Stephens was born legally blind and lost the remainder of his sight in his teenage years. As the father of two sighted boys, he uses screen-reading software to access the web. However, it doesn’t work if he encounters a website that wasn’t programmed to be compatible with assistive technology…
Buda senior living community begins doll therapy program for residents with dementia
May 17, 2023 | Source: KEYE
A senior living community in Buda began a new doll therapy program this month for residents with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Doll therapy can provide residents with cognitive disabilities with a sense of purpose and responsibility. It can stimulate memories of parenthood and give a sense of familiarity. Sharing the experience with caretakers also encourages communication and companionship, which can reduce feelings of anxiety and agitation. With that in mind, Theresa Panzino, Memory Care Coordinator with Buda Oaks Senior Living, carefully passed a doll out to each memory care resident…
How an advocate’s dream for wheelchair accessible sidewalks in Johnstown became a reality
May 17, 2023 | Source: WJAC
For years, Barb Zablotney has had a difficult time getting around Downtown Johnstown in her wheelchair. During her time as Ms. Wheelchair Pennsylvania in 2018, she set out to make a change the local disability community. Zablotney hosted an Accessibility Day in October of 2018, where she had city officials get in wheelchairs and navigate downtown from her point of view. In one of those wheelchairs was City of Johnstown Mayor Frank Janakovic…
Introducing Beyond Barriers, Our New Accessibility Travel Column
May 18, 2023 | Source: Condé Nast Traveler
Before I introduce myself, I would like to share a photograph. In it, a smiling 18-year-old girl wearing a faded sleeveless vest and ragged jeans leans forwards to counterbalance a backpack. She is embarking on her first intrepid adventure, standing on the precipice of a journey, but also of girlhood. She’s at that giddy time when everything seems to offer the promise of potential. opportunity. The world is her oyster, and she knows it. When I look at this picture, nostalgia twists gently in my stomach. Then the feeling tightens with foreboding…
Jack Fact — According to the WHO, the more than two billion people worldwide who are blind or low vision are often left behind.
Hit The Road Jack — Accessible River Boats and Exploring the Baltics
International News
Northern’s £250k Accessibility Innovation Fund gives six innovative projects the green light
May 12, 2023 Source: THIIS Magazine- UK
Northern Rail has announced details of six game-changing projects given the green light thanks to its £250,000 Accessibility Innovation Fund. Projects include using AI to interpret customer announcements into British Sign Language, a scheme to encourage older people to have days out on the train and a hub to rent out wheelchairs and mobility scooters. The fund is designed to empower communities to make decisions which will improve the railway for all and is now in its second year…
Milan Cortina 2026 chief executive Varnier says Verona Arena accessibility will be one of “principal legacies”
May 12, 2023 Source: InsideTheGames- Italy
Andrea Varnier, the Milan Cortina 2026 chief executive, believes the policy of making the 2,000-year old Verona Arena fully accessible will be “one of the principal legacies of the Games.” Speaking during a presentation here on the opening day of the European Olympic Committees Seminar, Varnier said the arena – which is scheduled to host the Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony on February 22 and the Winter Paralympics Opening Ceremony on March 6 – was an extremely important feature to celebrate the athletes…
Calgary queer venues lack accessibility. A new campaign could help change that
May 13, 2023 Source: CBC- Canada
Simply navigating queer spaces can be an arduous task for Rylee Seutter. Leaning on the right armrest of their wheelchair, the non-binary burlesque performer in Calgary recounts the obstacles they face when trying to access Twisted Element, a beloved 2SLGBTQ+ nightclub in downtown Calgary. “I need somebody to hold the door open for me just to be able to get past the doors,” Seutter explained. “I need to transfer out of my wheelchair, and I need someone to pick up my wheelchair and carry it up the stairs.”…
Health ministry notifies Accessibility Standards for Healthcare to help persons with disabilities in healthcare facilities
May 13, 2023 Source: Pharmabiz- India
The Union health ministry has notified the standards of public and private healthcare institutions to ensure accessibility of healthcare facilities and services to the persons with disabilities. The ‘Accessibility Standards for Healthcare’ has been notified for the compliance by government and private hospitals and other healthcare institutions and centres, in tune with the Sections of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, which mandates the Central government to formulate rules laying down standards of accessibility inter-alia for facilities and services provided to the public in urban and rural areas…
Halifax artist aims to make markets more accessible, inclusive
May 14, 2023 Source: CBC- Canada
A Halifax artist who is queer and disabled is working to make markets and pop-up stores more inclusive and accessible for people like her. Kayti Baur is the founder of Different Folks, a new organization that aims to put on artisan markets that are accessible to vendors and customers who are disabled, and are also welcoming to the LGBTQ community. “I think a lot of underrepresented groups have this culture to them, like deaf culture and queer culture, that really could be more exposed and brought to the forefront,” Baur told CBC Radio’s Mainstreet Nova Scotia…
Sun, sand, and accessibility: Greece makes waves with wheelchair-friendly beaches
May 14, 2023 Source: Free Press Journal- Greece and LEX18
Greece, known as the cradle of Western civilisation, is a country located in southeastern Europe. With its rich history, stunning landscapes, and warm Mediterranean climate, the country has been a sought-after destination for travelers from around the world. From ancient ruins to idyllic islands, Greece offers a diverse range of experiences that cater to various interests and preferences. Apart from its historical treasures, Greece boasts breathtaking natural beauty. The country is renowned for its picturesque coastline, adorned with sandy beaches, and charming fishing villages…
We need to take accessibility to the next level
May 15, 2023 Source: Middle East Monitor- Yeman
For the past 12 years, the world has come together to mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day on the 3rd Thursday of May, with this year’s event falling on the 18th. It serves as a timely reminder of our collective commitment to inclusivity. Yet, amidst the celebrations, it is disheartening to acknowledge that awareness is still needed. Despite being the world’s largest minority group, which continues to grow at an alarming rate, people with disabilities are yet to be consulted on crucial aspects such as planning, emergency response and development…
Toronto needs accessible affordable homes
May 16, 2023 Source: The Star- Canada
The dream of affording to buy a home is proving a nightmare, and the need for homes that are accessible for people of all ages with a disability is dire. “Universal design” will accommodate all of us — regardless of age and ability. Rather than cry “red tape!” when hearing of “universal design standards,” builders must see it as an opportunity to radically change the way they build homes. We must not allow them to build homes only for the able-bodied, while largely ignoring the needs of one in four Canadians who self-identify as disabled in the census…
Accessibility as a cyber security priority
May 18, 2023 Source: National Cyber Security Centre- UK
Three years ago, Anna (not her real name) was diagnosed with a neurological autoimmune disease in which her body attacks substances that are naturally found in the body, causing pain and vision loss. Before her diagnosis, Anna worked in software technology and felt very confident and safe online. She now uses glasses, a magnifying glass and screen magnification where needed. Anna has no peripheral vision or depth perception. Face ID, or proving her identity by taking a photo of herself on her phone are impossible as she does not have the vision to line up her face with the camera…
Supreme Court E-committee organizes Digital Accessibility training for visually challenged staff of District, Taluk courts
May 18, 2023 Source: Bar and Bench- India
The Supreme Court E-committee on May 15-16, organized a Digital Accessibility training for visually challenged court staff members of District and Taluk courts from all over the country at Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi. The training was conducted at Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi. The court staff from District and Taluk courts of Delhi, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Madras, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Telangana participated in the training…
Global Accessibility Awareness Day brings hope for people with disabilities
May 18, 2023 Source: NewsOnAIR- India
Recognising the importance of equitable access to digital information and technologies, Global Accessibility Awareness Day is celebrated on the third Thursday of May every year. This day brings focus to designing contents and technologies especially for the persons with diabilities. It is widely considered that in this age of technology, unless technologies become more inclusive and accessible, the condition of estimatedly more than one billion people worldwide living with different kinds of disabilities and impairments, can’t be transformed…
Govt websites to be accessible to PwDs by 2024
May 19, 2023 Source: The Goan- India
The State government has begun an initiative to empower developers in constructing digital ecosystems that are accessible to all, especially Persons with Disabilities and has set a deadline of 2024 to make all government websites disabled-friendly. As a part of this ongoing programme, the Goa State Commission for Persons with Disabilities, in collaboration with the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications and Mission Accessibility, organized a joint workshop at Ela Farm, Old Goa wherein enhancing developers’ website skills, application, and software development with a particular emphasis on digital accessibility were emphasized on…
Accessibility Blogs, Information, and Videos
- Accessibility Resources- Texas.gov
- #AudioEye Is Suing Me- Adrian Roselli
- News from the Disability Horizons team
- The importance of web accessibility – TechHQ
- America Needs More Aging-Ready Homes- AARP
- National AccessAbility Week 2023 – University of Victoria
- Accessible Transportation: A Call to Action- Meg O’Connell
- Discovering Innovative Web Design in Cyprus- TechBullion
- Accessibility for all should be focus of public spaces- Mid-Day
- DIVERSEability- A Diversity and Inclusion Disability Magazine
- Accessible work-from-home tools for remote work- Understood
- How Hoteliers Can Make Their Websites ADA Compliant – CoStar
- 10 best practices to make your next event more inclusive- UsableNet
- How to Embrace Neurodiverse Talent and Why You Should- SHRM
- Why many women with Parkinson’s are misdiagnosed- PBS Newshour (Video)
- IAAP Strategic Leader in Accessibility (SLiA) Nomination Application
- Join the conversation: what is digital accessibility? (A GAAD Post)- UsableNet
- How can inclusive design help overcome accessibility challenges?- Design Week
- Streamlining Accessibility Testing: An Introduction to Automated Auditing- Patch
- ANALYSIS: How accessible is Paris for people with disabilities?- The Local France
- Improving accessibility is key for South Coast tourism- Pacific Coast Business Times
- How to improve accessibility through ASL and communication- Ragan Communications
- Global Accessibility Awareness Day – Accessibility at the heart of innovation- Microsoft
- Silent barriers: The marketing industry’s overlooked issue of accessibility- Bizcommunity
- 11 Disabled-Led Businesses To Support this Global Accessibility Awareness Day- Forbes
- Meet Emily Unity, champion for inclusion and accessibility in volunteering- Parks Victoria
- Queensland park upgrade met with disappointment over accessibility concerns- ABC News (YouTube)
- Creating accessible information and communication resources for health and social care- RNIB`
- Nevada Public Library director discusses importance of accessibility- We Are Iowa Local 5 News (YouTube)
- Designing for Accessibility: How to Make Your Website Inclusive for All Users – Vents Magazine
- Taking Action on Accessibility: Why Salesforce Added Contrast in Lightning UX- Derek Featherstone
- Global Accessibility Awareness Day: The profit of digital accessibility, a tourist’s perspective- MoneyControl
- Study on accessibility of Indian public transport systems for differently abled persons- Urban Transport News
- Improving Accessibility in the Workplace – and in Space- Knowledge at Wharton – University of Pennsylvania
- Netflix Accessibility Boss Heather Dowdy Marks Global Accessibility Awareness Day By Touting ‘Continued’ Work- Steve Aquino
- Global Accessibility Awareness Day: One in four with a physical disability are unconfident managing their online finances- IFA Magazine
- Accessibility of Documents and Websites Is Critical in Reaching Your Entire Audience- Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities
Higher Education Blogs and Information
- Bringing Awareness to Accessibility- University of Toronto
- Celebrating Global Accessibility in May- Stony Brook University
- Unified Shift to Digital Education- Kevin Corcoran and Judith Sebesta
- Student-led Change Expands Accessibility on Campus- The Montclarion
- Guide to Global Accessibility Awareness Day- San Diego County Office of Education
- University recognizes Global Accessibility Awareness Day May 18- Boise State News
- UK HDI researchers study air travel accessibility for people who use wheelchairs- WUKY
- 5 Essential Fixes for Content Editors- Accessibility at Georgetown – Georgetown University
- Cyprus university to explore accessibility and assistive technology in education- Cyprus Mail
- Disabled students report chronic delays, frustration with BruinAccess van service- Daily Bruin
- Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP)- College and University Staff: Register for a WRP Information Session
- University of Phoenix Shares Survey Findings on Accessibility in the Workplace Ahead of Global Accessibility Awareness Day
- Students for Disability Justice (SDJ) Host Discussion on Accessibility Challenges Facing UChicago Students- The Chicago Maroon
Legal Blogs and Information
- When Mootness Works And Fails In Web Accessibility Cases- Ken Nakata
- Digital accessibility: Supporting a culture of continuous improvement- BetaNews
- How to Know When It’s Time to Redesign Your Law Firm’s Website- Omnizant
- Lawsuits targeting company websites for ADA violations on the rise- Star Tribune
- First Circuit Court of Appeals Rules On Informational Injury- National Law Review
- Opinion: Make digital world accessible to S.J.’s disabled community- The Mercury News
- Fighting Frivolous Lawsuits: Supreme Court to Hear Landmark Hotel Case- Lodging Magazine
- Accessibility Plans Due for Some Federally Regulated Entities by June 1, 2023- Emond Harnden
- New Kansas Website Accessibility Law Provides Local Businesses With A Litigation Sword- Seyfarth Shaw
- ADA Update: Accessibility Legislation and the Importance of Website Compliance- Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group
- Companies That Manage Special District Websites May Ultimately Be Liable For ADA Compliance- Jeffer Mangels Butler and Mitchell
- Department of Justice Files Statement of Interest about Americans with Disabilities Act’s Application to Law Enforcement Responses to People Experiencing Behavioral Health Disability-Related Crises
Accessibility Training and Meetings
- Learn Accessibility
- Video Accessibility 101
- Accessibility fundamentals
- Introduction to Web Accessibility
- Accessibility training- Access for all
- All of Learn Accessibility! is available
- Archived JAN Webinars and Webcasts
- Accessibility Training Resources- HHS.gov
- Introduction to Accessible Web Development
- Upcoming IAAP Webinars – Digital Accessibility
- Accessibility and ADA courses for architects – AIAU
- CAST: The Accessible Learning Experience Podcast
- JAN Accommodation and Compliance Webcast Series 2023
- Announcing NEAT’s Winter and Spring 2023 Webinar Schedule!
- Accessibility Training for Developers, Testers, and Content Creators
- W3C Course List – Digital Accessibility Education, Training, and Certification
- State of Minnesota’s free e-Learning program on how to create accessible PDF document
- UX Spring Camp
- May 20, 2023
- Transportation Accessibility Institute in Oklahoma City, OK May 22, 2023
- Accessibility Fair 2023 – Web Accessibility at Penn – University of Pennsylvania
- May 23rd from 10:00 AM-12:30 PM ET at the Van Pelt Library
- Building Inclusive Organizations: The A in DEIA
- May 24, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
- Access Israel’s 13th International Webinar on Accessible Tourism
- May 24, 2023 08:00 AM CT
- Testing and Remediation Strategies for PDF Accessibility – Advanced Edition (Austin, TX) — Offered May 26, June 20 , July 26 and August 23
- Accessibility in Motion: Webinar with Confluent
- May 30 at 2 p.m. ET
- Power of Inclusion: Moving Accessibility from Awareness to Action
- May 30, 2023 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM CDT
- Testing and Remediation Strategies for PDF Accessibility – The Basics (Austin, TX) — Offered: June 1 , July 5 and August 1
- Accessible Toilet Rooms- June 1, 2023 at 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
- Accessibility Summer Camp 2023 Date Announcement!- June 2, 2023 from 8:00 AM CST – 4:00 PM CST
- Assistive Technology Device Demonstration- June 5th at 5:30 PM CDT
- Soirée Quiz a11yMTL Trivia night- June 6, 2023 at 6:00 PM ET
- Testing and Remediation Strategies for PDF Accessibility – Intermediate Edition (Austin, TX) — Offered June 6 , July 11 and August 9
- IDA Teach Out: Accessibility and Disability Justice – Part 1- June 7 at 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. PT
- Deep Dive On Accessibility Testing- June 7-8, 2023
- What to Do When Performance and Conduct Factor Into the Accommodation Equation- June 8, 2023 at 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern
- NEAT’s AT Summit! – June 9, 2023 at 8:30-3:00 ET at the NEAT Center 33 Coventry St. in Hartford
- Creating Accessible Word Documents 2020 Essentials (Austin, TX) — Offered, June 14 , July 20 and August 16
- Creating Accessible PowerPoints 2020 Essentials (Austin, TX) — Offered, June 14 , July 20 and August 2
- Blindness and Glaucoma Webinar- June 16, at 12:00PM ET
- Accessibility in Technology Procurement and Use- June 22, 2023 at 12–3:30 pm Eastern
- How to improve accessibility in procurement: free webinar- June 27, 2023 at 1:00 pm BST
- ADA Update 202- July 13, 2023 at 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern
- UX Virtual Training- July 15-28, 2023
- HighEdWeb 2023 Accessibility Summit- Tuesday, July 25, 2023- Online
- The U.S. Access Board will hold a public town hall meeting on Tuesday, July 25 from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. (ET) at the national headquarters of the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore, Maryland
- Assistive Technology (AT) Update: What’s New in 2023- August 10, 2023 at 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern
- Accommodation Solutions: Substance Use Disorder- September 14, 2023 at 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern
- Accessible Components from Design to Development- September 14-22, 2023 at 9:00 – 11:30 am PT
- Inclusive Design 24 (#id24)- September 21, 2023
- The Way I See It: Accommodation Process Perspectives from Different Points of View- October 12, 2023 at 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern
- Accommodation Solutions: Respiratory Conditions, Allergies, and Fragrance Sensitivity- November 9, 2023 at 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern
Accessibility Announcements and Products
- ProtectMe Belts
- GitHub Brings Accessibility to 85% of Open Source
- VTF&W tries to increase ADA compliant fishing facilities (Video)
- Recite Me introduces new website accessibility scanning tool
- North Carolina Fund Is Making the Outdoors More Accessible
- Moodle LMS 4.0 achieves WCAG 2.1 AA Accessibility compliance
- Google AI can now answer your questions about uncaptioned images
- “Poetry in Motion” offers deaf-accessible ballet at Center in the Square
- Historic arts venue in Reading is now accessible to those with disabilities
- Accessibility ensures Alabama Power’s The Preserves are fun, open to all
- Airbnb reaches milestone to celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day
- Product Diversity Office Impact: Making Lenovo’s Commercial Vantage Accessible
- Mozilla Touts ‘Significant’ Accessibility Performance Boosts In Firefox 113 Update
- Savaria Corporation: Profitable Accessibility Solutions and Diverse Product Offerings
- Johnson and Johnson encourages Gen Z to put down their screens and envision the future
- Chat Ergo Bot: Transforming websites into intelligent conversational assistants instantly
- Galaxy Buds2 Pro Brings Enhanced Ambient Sound for People Who Are Hard of Hearing
- Sen. Markey, Rep. Eshoo applaud FCC for proposed video conferencing accessibility rules
- Adobe Wants To Help Make PDF Documents More Accessible With AI-Based Auto-Tag API
- New digital accessibility metrics launched by Lumar, a leading website intelligence and SEO platform
- Two Local Nova Scotian Residents Appointed To A Provincial Committee On Accessibility Standards
- Survey finds 40 percent of European product developers do not build accessibility into their design plans
- Carvana Champions Accessibility with Pickleball For All, Donates Different Set of Wheels To Para-Athletes
- Celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day: Affordable, Cross-Platform Remote Assistance for Everyone
- How The Zozosuit Is Redefining Wearable Tech By Making Bodily Measurements More Accessible To Everyone
- Chairwoman Rosenworcel Shares Proposal to Require Accessibility of Interoperable Video Conferencing Services- FCC
- Marking Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Zmags Announces Accessibility Panel for its Flagship Product, Fastr Frontend
- Ontario Investing in More Accessible Communities- Funding applications now open for the 2023-24 EnAbling Change Program
- Apple introduces new features for cognitive accessibility, along with Live Speech, Personal Voice, and Point and Speak in Magnifier
Accessibility Forums, Tips, and Gaming
- 5 tips for a more inclusive website
- Best Web Design Agency Practices
- EA’s quest for gaming accessibility
- Combatting Demons With Accessibility In Diablo IV
- Xbox celebrates Global Accessibility Awareness Day
- The Xbox web store now includes accessibility filters
- Star Wars Jedi Survivor has a major accessibility flaw
- 2023 Accessibility updates in the Maps JavaScript API
- A Workflow for Component-Based Accessibility Testing
- The Most Useful PlayStation and Xbox Accessibility Options
- What Accessibility Options Does Tears of the Kingdom Have?
- Opening the doors to accessibility with Google Maps Platform
- How iOS accessibility and assistive features compare to Android
- Website Captchas: Here’s How To Bypass Them On Your iPhone
- Game developers are creating new options for people with phobias
- Celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day with Marvel Games
- PlayStation’s Accessibility Controller Gets More Details and Official Name
- Tears Of The Kingdom Players Left Disappointed By Accessibility Options
- 8 Common HTML Mistakes You Should Avoid for Better Web Development
- Final Fantasy 16 is taking accessibility seriously, showing off features in new trailer
- Google’s Open Source AI Tool Is a Major Step Forward for Accessibility in Gaming
- Apple’s new accessibility features are a huge win for users with cognitive disabilities
- Revolutionizing Gaming Accessibility: Google’s Project Gameface and Hands-Free Control
- Sony’s PS5 accessibility kit ‘Project Leonardo’ is now officially called the Access controller
Accessibility Statements
- WTA
- SisterLove
- Scotiabank
- Digital Strategy
- ExploreLearning
- Corebridge Financial
- Antinori Napa Valley
- Maastricht University
- Leicester City Football Club
- Town and Country Planning 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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