Accessibility in the News — 4/7/2023.
Kansas legislators have approved a bill aimed at deterring out-of-state attorneys from suing businesses alleging non-compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on their websites. The bill allows the attorney general to file countersuits if deemed abusive by the courts, and grants businesses 90 days to correct website issues. The original version was seen as heavy-handed. The new version was approved by the House 83-37 and the Senate 35-5.
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Feature Stories
Kansas Legislature sends bill designed to restrain ADA lawsuits to Gov. Laura Kelly
April 3, 2023 | Source: Kansas Reflector and Kansas City Star
Kansas ADA violation claims put under new scrutiny in bill called ‘nuclear warhead’
March 24, 2023 | Source: Kansas Reflector
The House and Senate agreed to send Gov. Laura Kelly on Monday a watered down bill aimed at deterring out-of-state attorneys from filing lawsuits against businesses in Kansas alleging websites didn’t comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. The original version of a measure, transformed through negotiations into House Bill 2016, was viewed as a heavy-handed attempt to interfere with ADA compliance litigation. The alternative, adopted by the House 83-37 and in the Senate 35-5, was a softer approach that authorized Attorney General Kris Kobach to file countersuits if a lawsuit was deemed “abusive” by the courts…
National News (U.S.)
How Can Buildings Work for Everyone? The Future of Inclusivity and Accessibility in Architecture
March 30, 2023 | Source: ArchDaily
One of the most important challenges in architecture, when it comes to creating spaces that work for everyone, is the diversity that exists in people, their needs, and how to integrate them into a design. Disabilities are more than a condition; they are a way of living according to human diversity that requires architectural solutions of equivalent multiplicity. According to data from the World Bank, it is estimated that 1 billion people –equivalent to 15% of the world’s population– live with some type of disability…
How could future autonomous transportation be accessible to everyone?
March 30, 2023 | Source: The Persistent Pursuit
When Brad Duerstock was 18, a spinal cord injury paralyzed his arms and legs, requiring him to use what control he had left in his hands to operate a power wheelchair. Throughout the more than 30 years since, Duerstock has seen smartphones, tablets and other types of technology get developed but not become usable for him or others with disabilities until years later. “It’s always been a retroactive accommodation,” he said. Duerstock, a professor of practice in industrial engineering and biomedical engineering at Purdue University, is working to change that for autonomous vehicles while the technology is still in its early days…
Voters with disabilities often overlooked in voting battles
April 2, 2023 | Source: AP
Patti Chang walked into her polling place in Chicago earlier this year, anxious about how poll workers would treat her, especially as a voter who is blind. Even though she was accompanied by her husband, she said she was ignored until a poll worker grabbed her cane and pulled her toward a voting booth. Like many voters with disabilities, Chang faces barriers at the polls most voters never even consider — missing ramps or door knobs, for example. The lack of help or empathy from some poll workers just adds to the burden for people with disabilities…
The ADA needs an update for the digital era, but some states are ahead of the curve
April 4, 2023 | Source: State Scoop
While digital services have become the bread and butter of most state and local IT departments over the last few years, accessibility often seems like an afterthought. For the able-bodied, the digitization of these government benefits and services can make life easier and interactions with government services less grueling. But for those with low vision or blindness who use accessibility technologies such as screen-readers, the expectation of completing essential tasks entirely online can be a barrier to access when government websites aren’t up to snuff…
El Paso Museum of History launches accessibility initiatives
April 4, 2023 | Source: KFOX
The El Paso Museum of History introduce programming for people of all abilities to include Low-Sensory Saturdays and 3D scans of artifacts in the museum collection. The new program includes “low sensory Saturdays” and 3D scans of artifacts in the museum collection. “We’re proud to take the first step to make our museum more accessible and engaging for all,” said El Paso Museum of History Director Erica Marin. “We have just completed our first phase of accessibility work and will be working on our second phase later this year in partnership with community groups.”…
Glamorise class action claims website not fully accessible to blind, visually impaired
April 5, 2023 | Source: Top Class Actions
Website Accessibility Litigation Continues to be Costly and There is No Easy Fix
April 5, 2023 | Source: Sheppard Mullin- Retail Trend Spotter
Glamorise Foundations has failed to make its website fully accessible to and independently usable by individuals who are blind or visually impaired, a new class action lawsuit alleges. Plaintiff Janelys Hernandez claims Glamorise denies equal access to the goods and services offered on its website to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Hernandez argues Glamorise’s website, meanwhile, contains access barriers that make it “difficult if not impossible” for individuals who are blind or visually impaired to even make a transaction on it…
Twitter – Microassist
The EV industry is gaining momentum. But public charging is a long way from being accessible to all
April 5, 2023 | Source: CNBC
Electric vehicles will play a critical role in slashing transport-related emissions in the years ahead. Momentum behind the industry is building, with a number of big economies gearing up for the mass rollout of EVs and sales of electric cars hitting 6.6 million in 2021, a record, according to the International Energy Agency. Not all countries will move at the same pace in the planned transition to low and zero-emission mobility, and the shift away from cars powered by fossil fuels won’t always be smooth…
City Of Chicago Held in Violation of Americans with Disabilities Act
April 5, 2023 | Source: Department of Justice and WTTW
A federal judge in Chicago held the City of Chicago liable for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act by failing to provide accessible pedestrian signals at signalized intersections throughout the city to those who are blind or have low vision. In April of 2021, the Justice Department moved to intervene in a disability discrimination lawsuit that people with visual disabilities brought against the City under the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act…
‘Dark Disabled Stories’ Invites Audiences to an Experiment in Unapologetically Accessible Theater
April 5, 2023 | Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Almost everything about The Bushwick Starr and The Public Theater’s sold-out Off-Broadway production Dark Disabled Stories, written by and starring Ryan J. Haddad, has been an attempt at access-oriented storytelling. The single caveat to this needle-moving stage production is proudly highlighted by the show’s main character, a fictionalized version of Haddad. At one point during this series of vignettes, “Ryan” tells non-disabled audience members this is not, in fact, a story designed for them. “Not everything is accessible to us,” Haddad says. “So why should we make everything accessible to you?”…
The city of Killeen could spend millions to close low accessibility gap to meet ADA standards
April 5, 2023 | Source: KWTX
The city of Killeen is spending the big bucks so it’s in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Officials said crews will be working on curb ramps, sidewalks, elevators and more so they’re safe for disabled people to travel. They go on to say that they hired “Meeting the Challenge,” a consulting group, to evaluate the areas in different time periods up to 2024, with projects being fully completed in 2026. Here’s a look at the map of the seven sections that are being evaluated, as well as a timeline…
Disability advocates set to secure historic MTA settlement
April 6, 2023 | Source: NY1
MTA tests new wide turnstiles at stations to increase accessibility
April 6, 2023 | Source: CBS (Video)
For 34-year-old Dustin Jones to head up to East Harlem to see a friend, he first has to travel downtown. He would first take a 3 train from Penn Station downtown to Fulton Street, where he can transfer to a northbound 5 train that will take him back uptown to East Harlem. “We’re going downtown because the elevator on 125 on the west side is notoriously out of service and I really don’t wanna chance that,” he said. Jones is a Queens native who has used a wheelchair for 12 years…
How a Maryland Lawsuit could Turn the Accessibility World Upside Down
April 6, 2023 | Source: Sheri Byrne-Haber
Serial Plaintiffs have been a mainstay of the slow march towards accessibility. Because the Americans with Disabilities Act did not provide for an inspection or certification process, Department of Justice complaints or lawsuits are the only recourse a person with a disability has when faced with something inaccessible. Serial plaintiffs are frequently, but not always “ADA testers.” ADA testers are individuals who have no intention of ever buying the product or visiting the location the website represents…
Bill to expand some blind vocational services to a neighbor island advance
April 6, 2023 | Source: Hawaii Public Radio
The state has several programs through the Department of Human Services to assist those who are blind or visually impaired, and one measure moving through the state Legislature would create a pilot program and expand some of the services on Oʻahu to a neighbor island. Hoʻopono Services for the Blind Branch Administrator Lea Dias said House Bill 870 could expand some independent living services for older individuals who are blind. The bill would establish a working group to possibly make efforts on expanding training services…
Mass. Commission for the Blind director resigns after no-confidence vote
April 6, 2023 | Source: Telegram
More than four years after his appointment to the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind by former Gov. Charlie Baker, its director resigned effective Friday, after commission clients and workers banded together to demand his ousting. The issues at the commission, ranging from lack of communication to an allegation of misspent funds, culminated in a no-confidence vote in the director, David D’Arcangelo, and a letter to Gov. Maura Healey demanding his replacement…
Jack Fact — According to data collected from the 2019 American Community Survey (ACS), approximately 2.47 million people have combined hearing and vision loss, or considered DeafBlind under federal guidelines. In New York State (NYS), ACS data indicated that about 120,000 individuals reported combined vision and hearing loss, representing .61% of the state’s population.
Hit The Road Jack — 14 Accessible Vacations for Senior Citizens With Limited Mobility and Tourism for all
International News
The impact of COVID-19 on communicative accessibility and well-being in adults with hearing impairment: a survey study
April 5, 2023 | Source: BMC Public Health- Belgium
COVID-19 measures, such as face masks, have clear consequences for the communicative accessibility of people with hearing impairment because they reduce speech perception. As communication is essential to participate in society, this might have impact on their mental well-being. This study was set out to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 measures on the communicative accessibility and well-being of adults with hearing impairment. Two groups of adults took part in this study, with (N = 150) and without (N = 50) hearing loss…
Why accessibility is a crucial element in building design
April 5, 2023 | Source: Times News Group- Australia
Picture this: You’ve just designed a stunning, state-of-the-art building, but as you stand proudly admiring your creation, you notice that some people struggle to access it.As someone who has the power to shape the world by designing buildings, it’s essential to recognize that accessibility is a crucial element in building design. This article will explore why prioritizing accessibility not only benefits those with disabilities but also enhances the overall usability and inclusivity of your projects…
The importance of sport for children with disabilities – and the lengths their parents go to access it
April 5, 2023 | Source: Western News- Canada
Access to physical activity and sport is not equal. Children and young people with disabilities are less likely to engage in physical activity and sport, as there are significant barriers to their participation. Parents are often vital in helping their children become involved in sport. In our research, we spoke to 11 parents of children and young people aged between 12 and 25 who were competing in at UK or international level in parasport. We wanted to understand their experience supporting their children’s sport participation and parasport pathways…
Free accessibility assessments for local businesses
April 6, 2023 | Source: Shepparton News- Australia
Intereach is partnering with Kurrajong and Deniliquin Business Chamber, and being supported by Edward River Council, to assess businesses on how accessible and inclusive they are. Access At A Glance (AAAG) focuses on how businesses are currently meeting disability access and inclusion and provides advice on improvements to lift the experience of all customers. The outcome of that accessibility review can be highlighted with several stickers which allow people, at a glance, to make an assessment if they will have access and support in that business…
Delhi HC directs Centre to hold stakeholder consultation on accessibility of films to disabled persons
April 7, 2023 | Source: The Indian Express- India
The Delhi High Court Thursday asked the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to hold consultations with various stakeholders to be concluded by August-end to discuss a “solution that needs to be found in respect of implementation of the statutory provisions and other directions to make films disabled friendly for visually and hearing impaired”. The High Court was hearing a plea moved by four persons, a law student, two lawyers and a disability rights activist, who sought the enforcement of various rights and accessibility requirements prescribed under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016…
There’s no getting around — Alberta’s lack of accessibility law is my ballot box issue
April 6, 2023 | Source: CBC- Canada
Getting a job offer at a law firm shortly after a bar call is lucky in the best of times, even more so during the first wave of the COVID pandemic. It was in Sylvan Lake, which a few friends assured me had accessible transportation for wheelchair users like me. But after moving to the central Alberta town from Edmonton, I made a horrible discovery. Getting on-time, on-demand accessible transportation would require a $120 roundtrip surcharge. That’s a higher daily expense than a fresh-off-the-lot Porsche 911…
Wolverhampton Bus Station trials innovative technology to enhance accessibility
April 6, 2023 | Source: Intelligent Transport- UK
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has announced that Wolverhampton has become one of the UK’s most accessible bus stations, after joining New York and Barcelona in testing the latest, inclusive technology. Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has unveiled new smart codes at Wolverhampton Bus Station, giving passengers with immediate access to wayfinding details and live travel information on their mobile phones. The six-month trial is part of a regionwide strategy by TfWM to improve accessibility, create a fairer society and tackle the climate emergency…
‘Accessibility Olympics’ aims to demonstrate mobility challenges in Whitehorse
April 6, 2023 | Source: Yukon News- Canada
An event in downtown Whitehorse served as a chance to foster empathy with those who have mobility challenges and also a friendly audit of downtown businesses’ accommodations for those who use crutches, wheelchairs and more. Organized by Compassion Yukon, a peer support network focused on assisting differently abled people in the territory, the “Accessibility Olympics” held on March 31 and April 1, offered those without mobility challenges in their day-to-day lives a chance to step into the shoes of those who rely on mobility aids…
Powell River Council discusses accessibility committee formation
April 6, 2023 | Source: Powell River Peak- Canada
City of Powell River Council will consider forming a joint accessibility and inclusion advisory committee, as mandated by the provincial government. At the April 4 committee of the whole meeting, Jessica Lefort, deputy corporate officer, said last year the provincial government required certain organizations to establish an accessibility committee and an accessibility plan in accordance with new legislation under the Accessible British Columbia Act. She said in the legislation, there are prescribed organizations, such as local governments and public libraries…
Our mission has always been to make next-gen life skills accessible to the world’s 2 billion kids: RoboCHAMPS
April 6, 2023 | Source: Times Now- India
Our vision at BrightCHAMPS and RoboCHAMPS is to level the playing field for every child in the world, by making it more human, inclusive, accessible and personal. We hope to be the instruments through which the kids of today go on to lead fulfilled lives in whatever they choose to do. We also want to help kids be more empowered to make a change in the world when they grow up. It is a belief shared by me and everyone within the leadership of that one of the most important ways in which we can help parents raise ethical and conscious citizens of the future world is by enabling them to become technology creators, not consumers…
Visually impaired children had an egg-cellent day with Edmonton police
April 6, 2023 | Source: Sherwood Park News- Canada
The sounds of low beeping filled a forested area at Emily Murphy Park where assorted coloured eggs were waiting to be plucked by children of all ages who are impacted by blindness. The second annual Beeping Eggs Project was a go in the park Sunday after the snow stopped and the sun started shining through the trees as visually impaired children and their families went on a hunt for Easter eggs to bring back and receive their candy bounty. “It’s really good to see, it’s good to see all the members out here with the community and spend some time together,” said acting deputy police chief Nicole Chapdelaine…
Parents of deaf child say N.L. education minister John Haggie misled the House of Assembly about parental reps on provincial steering committee
April 6, 2023 | Source: Saltwire- Canada
Todd Churchill says Newfoundland and Labrador’s minister of education was disingenuous when he rose in the House of Assembly on Monday, April 3, to say that parents of affected children were represented on a steering committee for deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) education. John Haggie was responding to Opposition questions about the committee that was originally established in the fall of 2019. “For clarity, the committee that the member opposite refers to, as was undertaken by the premier, does actually have parent representatives on it…
Accessibility Blogs and Information
- The RNIB What’s In Store (YouTube)
- WID Monthly Newsletter: March 2023
- Legal Update: March 2023- Ken Nakata
- How accessible is your website?- AbilityNet
- Where to start with web accessibility- Charity Digital
- Where disability and climate meet- Disability Debrief
- What is a Web Accessibility Audit- Hiram Kuykendall
- 4 pieces of advice for caregivers, from caregivers- NPR
- Looking To The Future: Accessibility At APSU – The All State
- Fostering a Mentally Healthy Workplace- Department of Labor (PDF)
- IT Accessibility Policy Framework – Guiding Questions- Section 508
- RC Consultants: Accessibility, diversity and sustainability- Event Industry News (Video)
- The Basics of Web Accessibility: What It is and Why It Matters – Rebellion Research
- Letter to the Editor: The University Should Prioritize Accessibility- Pepperdine Graphic
- Episode 156 – First ADA-Compliant AVs Increase Accessibility- SAE Tomorrow Today (Podcast)
- The Importance of Accessibility Testing in Automation Testing- NASSCOM Community
- Supporting academic success in an inclusive and accessible environment- Queen’s Gazette
- Podcast: Bringing Authentic Inclusion into Today’s Digital and Physical Workplaces- PEAT
- FMLA: Providing Flexibility for Changing Needs, Then and Now- Anupa Iyer Geevarghese
- New Guidance Helps Employers Navigate End of the COVID-19 Emergency Orders- SHRM
- Campus accessibility updates and resources for students with disabilities- The Daily Universe
- ChatGPT can make websites more accessible for employees with disabilities- Employee Benefit News
- Disability Accessibility Leads to Increased Profitability for Small Businesses- New Jersey Business Magazine
- Administrators cite accessibility successes, Hobson to better serve neurodivergent students- The Daily Princetonian
- Websites: A Growing Compliance Concern – CCPA, HIPAA, Accessibility, State Laws…(Updated)- Jackson Lewis
- WCAG 2.1 – Improving Digital Accessibility- Improving Navigation Menus and Focus Indicators- Minnesota IT Services
- How Professional Services Firm EY Is Making Government’s Online Presences Accessible To All Citizens- Steve Aquino
- SCOTUS Will Hear Case About ADA Accommodation “Tester” Who Sued Business She Never Planned to Visit- Fisher Phillips
- Ensuring inclusive e-learning: reflections from UNSSC’s data analytics training programmes- United Nations System Staff College
- Operational guidance to deliver improved outcomes in all-age autism assessment pathways: Guidance for integrated care boards- NHS England
- A national framework to deliver improved outcomes in all-age autism assessment pathways: guidance for integrated care boards- NHS England
Accessibility Announcements and Products
- Felix Neck Expands Accessibility
- Census Business Builder Version 5.1
- Advocacy group meets to discuss local accessibility issues
- 3Play Media and Brightcove Partner on Video Accessibility
- State benefits apps are getting more accessible, research shows
- Android 14 could make Material You work with accessibility options
- Which are the Leading companies of Website Accessibility Software?
- Gentler Streak for Apple Watch brings enhanced accessibility features
- Order Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests for Blind or Low Vision People
- U.S. Coast Guard introduces Sign Language View in Microsoft Teams
- FCC Seeks Comment on State TRS Program Certification Applications
- Accessible QR Code From Zappar Makes Packaging Talk To The Blind
- Media Bureau Announces Comment Deadlines for Audio Description FNPRM
- Gentler Streak fitness app is now fully compatible with iOS accessibility features
- FCC Certifies ClearCaptions to Provide Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service
- Gregory S. Fehribach and Katy Kale Elected as Chair and Vice-Chair to U.S. Access Board
- AudioEye Successfully Defends Customer in Precedent ADA Case for Website Accessibility
- Litmus Launches new capabilities to empower the creation of inclusive, accessible emails for all
- Manitoba Government Launches Public Engagement To Review Accessibility For Manitobans Act
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Wants Comments From the Public on the Accessibility of State Parks
- Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs 2023 is now open for applications with £100k worth of cash prizes to be won!
- During Disability Awareness Month, Sen. Markey And Rep. Porter Introduce Legislation To Prohibit Discrimination In Jury Service Based On Disability And Age
Accessibility Forums, Tips, and Gaming
- Accessible Forms
- How to use VoiceOver
- Level Up: Accessibility in Gaming (Podcast)
- Accessibility for designer: where do I start?
- We need accessibility action- And we need it now
- RNIB enlists gamers to show challenge of sight loss
- Alternative text in the wild: 5 alternative text examples
- What is Web Development? A Beginner’s Guide to Website Building
- Five tips for focus groups with people who are blind or have low vision
- What gaming companies can do to build trust and fight fraud in the Metaverse
- Accessibility Tags roll out this week on PlayStation Store on the PS5 console
- Improving Web Accessibility with Semantic HTML and Testing Techniques and Tools
Accessibility Statements
- Paradigm
- Ubuntu Design
- Lake Land College
- Safe Driving for Life
- nl
- Australian Federal Police
- University College London
- Purdue University Northwest
- University of North Dakota School of Medicine
- State of Alaska · Department of Administration
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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