Accessibility in the News — 7/2/2021.

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Executive Order on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce

June 25, 2021 | Source: The White House & Clarksville Online & The Washington Post & Stars and Stripes & FCW & GovExec & FEDweek & NavyTimes.com & Defense Systems

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including sections 1104, 3301, and 3302 of title 5, United States Code, and in order to strengthen the Federal workforce by promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. Policy. On my first day in office, I signed Executive Order 13985 (Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government), which established that affirmatively advancing equity, civil rights, racial justice, and equal opportunity is the responsibility of the whole of our Government…

National News (U.S.)

Can You Hear Me Now? How Companies Can Ensure That Employees With Hearing Loss Are Supported

June 25, 2021 | Source: Forbes

Unfortunately, hearing loss is a growing problem around the world. According to the World Health Organization, by 2050, approximately 2.5 billion globally are “projected to have some degree of hearing loss.” As hearing loss cases increase, forward-looking companies are taking steps to ensure their products are accessible to those with this or other medical issues. TikTok, for example, added automated captions to videos on its platforms in April 2021. Instagram followed similarly by offering a captions sticker for its “Stories” feature…

FHCCI reaches $500K settlement over fair housing and ADA violations

June 25, 2021 | Source: Indiana Lawyer

The entities who designed, built, owned and managed 14 apartment complexes across central and northern Indiana have agreed to make improvements to the residential properties and pay more than $500,000 to settle a complaint filed by the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana over alleged violations of federal accessibility requirements. Elwood Real Equities Inc., Construction Management & Design Inc., Alan R. Collins, Chris L. Collins, Property Management & Maintenance LLC, J.S.L LLC, J.S.L. & Associates, David Wells and James Lenczowski have agreed to expand access to people with disabilities in their apartment complexes…

Sundance Institute’s Accessible Futures Initiative Returns With Virtual 2021 Edition

June 25, 2021 | Source: Variety

A Sundance Institute program dedicated to cultivating and supporting diverse artists with disabilities is back after a pandemic pause. The Accessible Futures Initiative returns for 2021 after launching in 2019, Sundance announced internally on Friday. The virtual program will work with filmmakers across genres and consult on projects and career strategy over a multi-day workshop. This also includes making the annual Sundance Film Festival more accessible, in partnership with Easterseals Southern California and RespectAbility, which provides inclusivity training…

Accessibility discussion draws emotion at meeting

June 25, 2021 | Source: Norman Transcript

Accessible transportation for Norman residents with disabilities was the main theme at Thursday’s Community Planning and Transportation Committee. The two-hour meeting was dominated by discussions on issues, including a lack of options for same-day transport available in Norman, and rideshare companies not being required to have accessible vehicles in their fleet. “[The City of Norman] is not even doing the minimum,” John High, a member of OK ADAPT and Progressive Independence, told the committee Thursday…

Court finds Domino’s Pizza Violated the ADA by Having an Inaccessible Website and Orders WCAG Compliance

June 25, 2021 | Source: Seyfarth Shaw

Domino’s accessibility lawsuit update

June 25, 2021 | Source: Sheri Byrne-Haber

Another Big Win in the Domino’s Pizza Accessibility Saga

June 25, 2021 | Source: Lainey Feingold

Domino’s Website Violated Americans With Disabilities Act, Judge Finds

June 30, 2021 | Source: MediaPost Communications

California Federal Court Holds Domino’s Website Violates the ADA, Limits Penalties Under Unruh Act to $4,000

June 30, 2021 | Source: Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner

Five years after the lawsuit was first filed, federal district court judge Jesus Bernal ruled on June 23 that Domino’s had violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by having a website that was not fully accessible to plaintiff, who is blind. This litigation saga has involved an appeal to the Ninth Circuit by plaintiff which reversed the district court’s dismissal of the case, a petition for certiorari filed by Domino’s which was denied, and numerous skirmishes in district court on remand which eventually culminated in the court’s June 23 order granting plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment on the ADA claim as it relates to Domino’s website…

Feel Good Friday: Sidewalk Mapping Project

June 25, 2021 | Source: CBS19 News & WVIR

A University of Virginia civil engineering student is getting creative to map out sidewalks. It’s part of Code for Charlottesville efforts to help wheelchair-bound people get around Charlottesville. “One of the things we are doing is working with people in wheelchairs and tracking them specifically like, ‘OK, how do you get from A to B,'” said the project’s lead researcher Anson Parker. “We are going to start working on a routing tool for people with mobility issues and especially for those with wheelchairs to be able to get around town based on their needs,” said the project’s lead and civil engineering student Lena Nguyen…

Largest U.S. Blind Advocacy Group Bans Web Accessibility Overlay Giant AccessiBe

June 26, 2021 | Source: Forbes

The National Federation of the Blind, America’s most powerful civil rights and advocacy group for the visually impaired has launched a scathing attack on web accessibility overlay market leader accessiBe, accusing the company of engaging in “harmful” practices. Israel-based accessiBe provides a web overlay solution that sits on top of web pages for the purposes of automatically scanning and reformatting them to ensure they are accessible and able to work with assistive solutions such as screen readers and keyboard navigation…

County decades behind on ADA compliance at parks

June 27, 2021 | Source: Hawaii Tribune-Herald

Almost a quarter-century after Big Island resident Alexa Russell sued Hawaii County to enforce Americans With Disabilities Act mandates in county parks, only six of the 16 facilities the county agreed to upgrade have been done, and the County Council will be asked to float $25.5 million in bonds to pay for the rest. Russell filed the suit in federal court in 1997. She and the county settled the case in 1998, and the parties have been holding regular status conferences ever since…

How accessible is transit in New York?

June 27, 2021 | Source: City & State

Every New Yorker knows what it’s like to be exasperated with train delays or miss a muffled announcement from a subway conductor that a local train is suddenly going express. Unreliable transit service is reliably annoying. But for people with disabilities trying to navigate New York City and its surrounding neighborhoods, those annoyances become real impediments. The city has services available and work underway to make transportation more accessible, but those services don’t function perfectly…

‘Honor those spots:’ new rules coming on who can park in handicap accessible spots

June 27, 2021 | Source: WOAI

A new state law will change the rules for who can park in handicap accessible spots. It’s a change Anne Robinson and others have been fighting for since 2017 and now it is almost here. “Those handicap parking spots, they’re our independence,” said Robinson. She was injured 21 years ago while active duty in the military. Robinson uses a van with a ramp to get around town. Because it has a ramp she needs the extra space around her vehicle that only a handicap accessible spot provides. But finding a spot is often difficult…

Wheelchair-Accessible Vessel ‘Impossible Dream’ Visits Greenport

June 28, 2021 | Source: Patch.com

Accessible catamaran due to arrive July 24

June 28, 2021 | Source: The Daily News of Newburyport

For many who are disabled, the idea of getting out on the water for a day of breezes and sunshine on open seas is a faraway wish, difficult to imagine or navigate. This week, however, the “Impossible Dream,” a wheelchair-accessible catamaran, is once again returning to Greenport Harbor to make those visions a reality for five disabled individuals who will set out to explore local waters. The Impossible Dream, a 60-foot, wheelchair-accessible catamaran that sails the East Coast, will be docked at Mitchell Marina on Thursday…

‘People think they’re more accessible than they are’: IR’s role in accessibility for aging shareholders

June 29, 2021 | Source: IR Magazine

No one in IR sets out to alienate or insult shareholders. But that’s what can happen when investor communications fall short of accessibility standards and companies compound the problem in their dealings with shareholders who have disabilities. Jill Houghton, president and CEO of Disability:IN, tells of one case that illustrates how quickly a lack of awareness can damage or terminate an investor relationship. It began with what should have been a straightforward accessibility request by a shareholder with a hearing impairment…

What To Know Before You Judge Someone For Using A Disability Accessible Parking Spot

June 29, 2021 | Source: HuffPost

“Handicap, handiCRAP!” we heard someone shout. I cringed, and my muscles tightened as I felt the relaxation of our vacation day slip away. My husband and I glanced at one another and confirmed our mutual frustration at the situation. My young family of five was on a road trip and just had a much-needed day off from traveling. Someone must have seen two non-disabled adults get into the van and assumed we were misusing the space. We looked to see if the person who shouted was still around…

Accessibility becomes a hot issue where new dining areas have been built

June 29, 2021 | Source: KEYT

In most cases, the new dining areas with parklets and patios have been well received and a financial savior for restaurant owners. Unless you are blind or in a wheel chair. For months the City of Santa Barbara has been watched carefully and warned by those protecting the accessibility requirements for those who are mobility and visually challenged. There have been numerous examples of walkways, and city sidewalks that have become blocked by tables, chairs, signs, planters, and promotional items…

FDR Memorial Still Not Accessible Almost 25 Years Later

June 29, 2021 | Source: Patch.com

National Disability Leadership Alliance (NDLA) Urges National Park Service to Meet Disability Mandates

July 1, 2021 | Source: Cision

The National Disability Leadership Alliance and other organizations are calling on the National Park Service to implement recommendations included in a recent report about accessibility at the FDR Memorial in Washington, D.C. The groups want the NPS to complete the work in the recommendations at least in time for the 25th anniversary of the dedication of the FDR Memorial on May 2, 2022. The memorial is located adjacent to the southwest side of the Tidal Basin along the Cherry Tree Walk in West Potomac Park…

Disabled and Low Income People Need Affordable Internet, But Access Is Limited

June 29, 2021 | Source: Medium

It was in March 2020, during the first few weeks of the shut-downs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, that my internet started to constantly crash. My broadband connection, which had always been decent if not top-notch, began to slow to a crawl. This tended to happen during the most inconvenient times — when I was on the phone with a doctor or interviewing someone on Zoom for an article I was writing. I assumed perhaps that the problem was the surge of people working from home now and using their internet…

Disability activists push for more inclusive Pride celebrations

June 29, 2021 | Source: CBS News

The coronavirus pandemic changed how the United States and countries around the world celebrate Pride month. This summer, many American cities opted for a hybrid celebration, hosting socially distanced marches or completely virtual events. But activists are still pushing organizers to make events accessible for the disabled community. Annie Segarra, a disability activist, who has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and uses a wheelchair, said things like video captions, translators and audio descriptions of visual events can mean the world to disabled individuals who want to join the celebrations but are afraid of being left out…

Who Owns the Internet?

June 29, 2021 | Source: MakeUseOf

Over the last two and a half decades, the internet has evolved and expanded into something barely recognizable from its humble beginnings. Trying to understand what the internet is and how it works can be incredibly confusing. But who actually owns the internet? For various reasons, this question is quite hard to answer. In this article, we will delve into possible answers for who owns the internet. The Internet is a huge network of computers. Every computer connected through the internet can send information to other computers on the network…

Beauty blind spot: People with disabilities

June 30, 2021 | Source: Vogue Business & Bolly Inside

While the beauty industry has become more inclusive in some areas, it remains a realm exclusively designed for the able-bodied, critics say. Industry giants L’Oréal, Estée Lauder and Unilever are hoping to change that with universal design, accessible websites and the voices of the disabled community. About 15 per cent of the world’s population lives with some form of disability, according to the World Health Organisation, yet fashion and beauty can be hard to enjoy because of attitudinal barriers, says Samantha Renke, a presenter, disability activist and ambassador for disability charity Scope…

DOJ Reaches Agreement with the City of Killeen, Texas to Improve Access for Individuals with Disabilities

June 30, 2021 | Source: DOJ & ADA & Killeen Daily Herald

The Justice Department announced a settlement with the City of Killeen, Texas, to provide equal access in its programs, services, facilities and activities to individuals with disabilities, including veterans. The agreement is part of the department’s commitment to ensuring that civic institutions comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Killeen has a large population of veterans, active duty military service members, retirees and their families. Under the agreement, the City of Killeen will remove barriers to access in buildings such as City Hall, police stations, libraries, technology centers, community centers and places of recreation…

Adaptive Bodybuilder Elizabeth Galvan Can’t Be Stopped

June 30, 2021 | Source: Bodybuilding.com

Elizabeth Galvan knows no limits. The bodybuilder from Fargo, North Dakota, has been a high achiever all her life. Not despite the challenges she’s faced from the start, but because of them. Where others saw limitations, she has seen invitations to rise to greatness. Where to start with the obstacles she has faced? When she was 3 years old, an accident involving an old wringer washer led to the loss of her right arm below the elbow. At the same age, Galvan lost her hearing after an illness…

FAA Awards Nearly $845M to Build More Accessible, Environmentally Friendly and Modern Airports

July 1, 2021 | Source: AviationPros

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded more than $845 million in grants for projects that will mitigate environmental impacts, increase accessibility, and expand capacity at airports across the United States. The funding from the fourth round of FY 2021 Airport Improvement Program grants will pay for projects at 388 airports in 49 states plus the District of Columbia…

Jack Fact — About 430 million people, or more than 5% of the world’s population, require rehabilitation for disabling hearing loss with the majority of people living in low- and middle-income countries, according to the World Health Organization. By 2050, about one in 10 people is projected to have disabling hearing loss.

Hit The Road Jack — Accessibility experts compile top 10 list of inclusive tourist hotpots & Accessible Travel News Service

International News

Blind York student wins £5k claim over ‘inaccessible’ loan form

June 24, 2021 | Source: York Press- UK

A blind student from York has won a £5,000 settlement after she was unable to fill in a student loan disabled students application form – because it was inaccessible to visually impaired people. Holly Scott-Gardner, a 27-year-old masters student in Social and Public Policy at the University of Leeds, launched legal action against the Student Loans Company after several attempts to access its Disabled Students’ Allowance form resulted in her having to fill it in over the phone…

OnTree introduces new wheelchair-accessible zipline route

June 25, 2021 | Source: Globalnews- Canada (Video)

OnTree Park in Windsor, N.S., is introducing a new wheelchair-accessible route this year, which they are calling the first of its kind in all of North America. Global’s Graeme Benjamin and Halifax accessibility advocate Brian George had the chance to get a sneak peek of the route last week. Take a look!…

My plea to the prime minister: disabled people also need safe and accessible homes

June 25, 2021 | Source: Inside Housing- UK

The recent government announcements regarding housing policy have had, quite rightly, a strong focus on building safety. This focus was welcome news for many people as we pass the fourth anniversary of the tragic events at Grenfell Tower, and disabled people will be watching keenly for implementation of new rules designed to keep them safe in their homes. But in last month’s Queen’s Speech, while there were announcements on planning, leaseholding and renting, there was a resounding absence of substantial policy relevant to disability and accessible housing…

Courses should be ‘more accessible’ for visually impaired

June 25, 2021 | Source: Swissinfo- Switzerland

“Professional integration is a book with seven seals. One of the seven seals concerns education,” Daniela Moser from the Swiss Federation of the Blind and Visually ImpairedExternal link told the media on Friday. Technical developments have opened up the types of occupations available for people with visual impairments. The use of smartphones in particular has made many daily routines easier, she argued. Marie-Thérèse Weber-Gobet, from Travail.Suisse FormationExternal link, which campaigns for access to further education for people with disabilities, added that there were still hurdles preventing blind and visually impaired people…

Province passes Accessible British Columbia Act

June 25, 2021 | Source: Coast Reporter- Canada

The first bill introduced at the B.C. legislature by Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons, in his role as Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, has passed into law, paving the way for accessibility standards to be established in the province. “In many ways, the passing of the act today marks an important step in our work to build an inclusive province that works for all of us,” said Simons in a June 18 release announcing the adoption of the Accessible British Columbia Act…

‘Working from home has helped me keep a full-time job’

June 26, 2021 | Source: BBC News- UK

Whether it’s a dance class, a work meeting or a doctor’s appointment, technology has allowed many of us to do more from home during lockdown, but is this “digital connectedness” here to stay? As office spaces started to open up and people began socialising earlier this summer, Ruby Jones thought about the elements of her life that had improved when the world slowed down. The disability activist, who works for the University of Exeter’s Student Union, lives with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The connective tissue disorder sometimes requires Ruby to use a wheelchair or crutches, and can also cause fatigue…

Supreme Court E-Committee Takes Steps To Improve Access To Justice For Disabled

June 26, 2021 | Source: Live Law- India

The e-committee of the Supreme Court of India has formulated an action plan to ensure accessibility of the digital interface of all High Court website in its first phase. The e-committee has devised six parameters to determine if a High Court website is accessible-These were: Access to judgments; Access to cause-lists; Access to case status; Contrast/ colour theme; text size [A+AA]; and screen reader access. The initiative is to pursue a December 2020 letter by the e-committee headed by Justice D.Y.Chandrachud encouraging all High Courts to make their digital infrastructure accessible to persons with disabilities…

All High Court websites now have captchas accessible to physically disabled people

June 27, 2021 | Source: PIB.gov- India & Ommcom News & Business Standard & Livemint & LatestLY & ANI & Free Press Journal & The Economic Times & Illinois News & Jagran Josh

The task of making the digital infrastructure of the Indian judicial system more accessible to persons with disabilities has been a core component of the work of the e-Committee, Supreme Court of India, in the last few months. A significant milestone that the e-Committee’s efforts towards this objective have yielded has been to ensure that all High Court websites now have captchas which are accessible to Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). These captchas serve as entry points to access several essential facets of a court website, such as judgments/orders, cause-lists and checking the status of cases…

Accessibility issues for disabled in KK highlighted at virtual workshop

June 27, 2021 | Source: The Star Online- Malaysia

Whenever wheelchair-bound Fariz Abd Rani gets invited to an event here, the first thing he checks is whether or not it is possible for him to get there. The 41-year-old, who runs his own medical device company and training consultancy, said he needs to know whether the building is disabled-friendly, among other things. “Does the building have a parking space for the disabled? Is there a ramp? Are there elevators? “Is there a toilet for the disabled which can fit a wheelchair? Because if not, it means I need to control my consumption of fluids…

Students With Autism In Chennai Built A Special COVID Website To Help Visually Challenged Stay Informed

June 28, 2021 | Source: NDTV- India

It is hard to believe, but true. Three Chennai students with autism Prem, Pranav Sridhar and Saravana Raj have designed India’s first accessible website for COVID-19 data to help the visually challenged community access crucial COVID information. On their site www.hashackcode.com/covid-19 they simplify complex government data from state governments and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) often in the form of graphics, charts or pictures into accessible HTML form so that screen readers used by the visually impaired can read it…

Make ‘Built Environment’ accessible’ to all -Ghana Somubi Dwumadie

June 28, 2021 | Source: Business Ghana

The Ghana Somubi Dwumadie in collaboration with the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFDO), have urged the Government and other stakeholders to Make Built Environment Accessible to all. A statement issued by the Ghana Somubi Dwumadie, copied to the Ghana News Agency, urged the Government and its institutions, and all other infrastructural developers, to prioritise disability programming within their core business, allocate appropriate resources to such programmes, and establish disability friendly work environments and services, that are accessible for all people with disability…

Calls For Council To Regulate Outdoor Dining Areas Amid Accessibility Concerns

June 28, 2021 | Source: Clare FM- Ireland

Clare County Council is being called on to address concerns what’s been described as dangerous conditions facing wheelchair users and the visually impaired due to ill-placed outdoor dining furniture. It comes as the National Public Health Emergency Team and the National Immunisation Advisory Committee are meeting today to discuss the resumption of indoor dining. If the government decide to delay the July 5th date for the resumption of indoor dining, this means that outdoor service will remain the sole hospitality outlet available to the public for another number of weeks…

Make lessons accessible to special needs learners

June 28, 2021 | Source: Daily Monitor- Uganda

Following the 42-day lockdown instituted to stop the rapid spread of Covid-19, schools and all learning institutions were closed and learners sent back home. To ensure continuity of learning, last week, radio lessons for middle grades of primary schools resumed. According to a statement from the Ministry of Education, the lessons would be aired for Primary Four and Primary Five classes through 15 radio stations, and the date for other grades would be communicated…

Accessible burlesque shows strength and beauty within every body

June 29, 2021 | Source: The RiotACT- Australia

Performing burlesque isn’t for the faint of heart, but Tease-able, Australia’s first accessibility focused burlesque studio, is proving disability and mental illness are no barrier. Burlesque dancing is a form of cabaret, from the Italian word for ‘mockery’. It’s often bawdy and risqué but also aims to amuse. While it features comedy and lavish costumes, it can address serious issues, letting performers express their inner idiosyncrasies, and parody those in power. It’s no wonder it holds a special kind of magic for Empress Eyrie…

Supreme Court directs registry to list PIL on rights of students with disabilities to an appropriate bench

June 29, 2021 | Source: India Legal

The Supreme Court on Tuesday took up the PIL seeking directions to the Centre to issue specific guidelines to ensure students with disabilities participate equally with others in online classes. The bench comprising Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana, Justice A.S. Bopanna, and Justice Hrishikesh Roy directed the registry to list the matter to an appropriate bench. The PIL, filed by Advocate Sanchita Ain, seeks protection and enforcement of the fundamental right to equality and right to life of students with disabilities with regard to the conduct of online classes and examinations by educational institutions during the Covid-19 pandemic…

Motion by Conservatives for greater access to Canadians with visual impairments

June 29, 2021 | Source: Kenora Online- Canada

Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) Eric Melillo along with his Conservative colleagues has put forth a new motion for greater access to audio readout technology and digital product labeling. “I’m really proud to be working with my Conservative colleagues to advance a number of different solutions to improve accessibility. I do believe we need a multi-powered approach. This motion put on the table is a huge step in the right direction.” said Melillo…

Most platforms that businesses use are ‘letting them down,’ says accessibility expert

June 29, 2021 | Source: ITBusiness- Canada

On June. 30, 2021 Ontario is implementing the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) which requires businesses to meet accessibility guidelines or face hefty fines as repercussions. Siteimprove and Fable conducted a survey with 55 Canadians who said their disabilities affect how they browse or use websites. The results revealed that 63 per cent of respondents felt limited in their ability to use the internet when compared to those who do not have a disability. When confronted with barriers while shopping online, some respondents switched store brands, others even opted for shopping in person…

MoE reaches out to students with disabilities

June 30, 2021 | Source: Kuensel- India

A total of 39 children with disabilities in far-flung areas of Haa, Punakha, and Gasa will have better opportunity to access to education with three schools now declared as schools for inclusive and special education programme. The programme will start from 2021 academic session. Bjishong Central School in Gasa with 18 students with disabilities, Tshaphel Lower Secondary School with 14 students in Haa, and Khuruthang Middle Secondary School in Punakha with seven students, were identified as inclusive and special education programme…

New Research Into The FTSE 100 Shows We’ve Made Progress In Disability Inclusion In Business – But There’s A Long Way To Go

June 30, 2021 | Source: Forbes- UK

Last month, Tortoise Media released new research into disability reporting by the FTSE 100 – which represent some of the biggest and most influential businesses in the UK. The research revealed that there are no executives or senior managers within the FTSE 100 that have disclosed a disability in company reporting, while only 12% report on the total number of their employees who are disclosed as disabled. Published just ahead of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, the research demonstrates that while we have come a long way, and disability inclusion is now firmly on the business agenda, there is much more progress to be made…

Christchurch gets money for improving disabled access around the city

June 30, 2021 | Source: Star Media Network- New Zealand

For the first time, Christchurch City Council has allocated a specific pot of cash to help improve disabled access around the city. One councillor says planning rules discriminate against disabled people in a way that society would not tolerate for other minorities. Reuben Cleave, 21, lives with cerebral palsy which means he approaches walking and talking differently. He loves visiting parts of Otautahi but unfortunately, there’s only a handful of wheelchair friendly places…

Sign Of The Times: Is Retail Finally Becoming Accessible To Everyone?

June 30, 2021 | Source: Forbes- UK

As one of the world’s most respected Paralympian champions and an icon of 2012 London Olympics, ‘Hurricane’ Hannah Cockroft MBE will soon be heading off to the Tokyo Summer Olympics, to once again represent Team GB. And whilst the world is reopening, Hannah, who is a keen campaigner for the accessibility and awareness within the retail and hospitality industries, has used her platform to remind businesses that everyone deserves an enjoyable shopping experience…

Kellogg’s launches cereal boxes for blind and partially sighted

July 1, 2021 | Source: Irish Examiner- UK & The Sun & Newsweek

Kellogg’s is to permanently add technology it believes is a world first to its cereal boxes to make them accessible to blind and partially sighted people. The new boxes will allow a smartphone to easily detect a unique on-pack code and play back labelling information to shoppers with sight loss. The information will include allergen details, that can often be in print that is difficult for people with sight difficulties to read. The new technology, called NaviLens, includes high contrasting coloured squares on a black background…

Government teams up with disability charity to make EV chargers more accessible

July 1, 2021 | Source: Yahoo Eurosport- UK & FleetWorld

The UK Government has announced a partnership with a disability charity to improve accessibility to the electric vehicle charging network. The Department for Transport is working with Motability and has commissioned the British Standards Institute to set standards for charge point accessibility across the country. By defining accessibility standards, each chargepoint will be given a definition of ‘fully accessible’, ‘partially accessible’ or ‘not accessible’, so drivers can find chargers that suit their needs…

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