Accessibility in the News — 2/11/2022.
NOTE: To get news like this every week in your inbox, before it hits our website, subscribe to our Accessibility in the News e-newsletter. There are no ads or graphics, and we never send spam. Just use the sign-up form on this page to subscribe and stay up to date!
Skip to National News (U.S.) | Skip to International News
More Accessibility Resources on this Page
Accessibility Blogs and Information | Accessibility Announcements and Products
Accessibility Fourms, Tips and Gaming | Accessibility Statement Pages
Microassist Accessibility Services
AITN Quote of the Week
“We all have many more abilities and internal resources than we know. My advice is that you don’t need to break your neck to find out about them.” ― Christopher Reeve
Feature Stories
President Biden nominates nine to U.S. Access Board
February 8, 2022 | Source: Mass Transit & The White House
President Joe Biden has nominated nine members of the public to be part of the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (U.S. Access Board). The U.S. Access Board was established in 1973 and is structured as an independent federal agency dedicated to providing access for people with disabilities. The board develops and maintains design criteria for the built environment, transit vehicles, telecommunications equipment and for electronic and information technology. It also provides technical assistance and training on these requirements and on accessible design and continues to enforce accessibility standards that cover federally funded facilities…
National News (U.S.)
P&G Website Not Accessible To Blind Individuals, Class Action Claims
February 4, 2022 | Source: Top Class Actions
The Procter & Gamble Company’s website is not fully accessible to visually-impaired individuals, according to a class action lawsuit filed Feb. 2 in New York federal court. Plaintiff Robert Weekes is a legally-blind person who says he attempted to utilize P&G’s website www.sk-ii.com, which sells different skin care and facial treatment products. However, the P&G website’s screen reader allegedly fails to read the item description link and stops functioning abruptly in the middle of a sentence, according to the P&G class-action lawsuit. As a result, Weekes says he was not able to utilize the website to purchase items…
Newly renamed and renovated Library of Accessible Media a second home for the visually impaired
February 4, 2022 | Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
There’s feeling a sense of ownership over your local library, and then there’s that library being made with the express purpose of catering to your specific needs. Maybe that’s why those who frequent the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians (LAMP) in Bloomfield feel such a strong connection to it. LAMP has a long, storied history of providing visually impaired Pittsburghers with tactile reading experiences, books in Braille and large print, DTVs (digital talking book machines), and more. It has also built up a loyal group of patrons who couldn’t be more appreciative of its many services…
Super Bowl LVI halftime show to feature ASL performers for the first time
February 4, 2022 | Source: Entertainment Weekly
When the Super Bowl returns to Los Angeles next week after a 29-year absence, it will notch at least one historic first: ASL performers will be featured in the big game’s halftime show for the first time ever. The Super Bowl LVI halftime show has already been majorly hyped, featuring a litany of legendary hip-hop artists such as Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar. But it’s about to get even bigger and more groundbreaking, with the addition of famed deaf musicians Warren “Wawa” Snipe and Sean Forbes…
Braille’s Place in the Age of Technology
February 6, 2022 | Source: New University
A quick assumption would be that the utilization of braille has decreased in recent years, either due to advancements in technology or the rise of the audiobook industry. However, braille has since evolved from solely embossed paper to its incorporation in accessible technology. Evolved from its original use as a means of low-light wartime communication, braille has been used as a tactile reading and writing system for over a century for those who are visually impaired…
4 top legal issues facing grocers
February 8, 2021 | Source: Grocery Dive
Nobody likes to get sued. Nevertheless, grocers have faced a myriad of lawsuits across various parts of their business, from the flavoring in private label sparkling water to workers wanting to wear “Black Lives Matter” face masks to screen reader compatibility with online features. To better understand the main legal threats grocers face, Grocery Dive talked with Stephanie Sheridan, head of Steptoe & Johnson LLP’s Retail & E-Commerce Practice Group and managing partner of the firm’s San Francisco office. She specializes in defending grocers, food brands and other retailers in consumer class actions…
Senator Murray Leads Hearing on Boosting Employment for People with Disabilities
February 8, 2022 | Source: Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, led a hearing on overcoming barriers to employment for workers with disabilities and building on recent progress, including the widespread use of inclusive practices to make work more accessible—like flexible schedules and remote options. The hearing marked the first hearing on disability employment since the Committee last discussed the topic in 2014—but many of the challenges workers with disabilities faced then still persist today…
Burlington will work toward meeting accessibility issues at city properties through audit
February 8, 2022 | Source: The Hawk Eye
The Burlington City Council approved a measure Monday to audit city facilities to see what is needed to ensure they are up to the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA sets into place standards for which public accommodations, as well workplaces, must provide to allow those with disabilities equal access that might not be available but for the accommodations. “It’s just a good idea to have an audit of your facilities to know what ADA issues may exist,” Assistant Manager for Public Works Nick MacGregor said…
Accessibility means opportunity. This founder is bringing both to Milwaukee’s public spaces
February 9, 2022 | Source: Technical.ly
For many Milwaukeeans, Bradford Beach is the crown jewel of the city’s lakefront. But for people living with disabilities, the shoreline presented yet another obstacle to enjoying one of the region’s most treasured pleasures. That was until The Ability Center stepped in to make the beach accessible, from the sand to the waterfront. Today, Bradford Beach is known as the “most accessible beach in the nation,” with extended concrete ramps, seasonal access mats, and free sand wheelchairs rentals to welcome people with all levels of disability…
Utah’s only master’s program for American Sign Language eliminated
February 9, 2022 | Source: KSLTV
Utah’s only Master’s program for teaching American Sign Language is now gone and people in the deaf community are scrambling for a solution. Utah State University cut the program just days ago. It was Utah’s only program where future educators could learn how to teach various subjects through American Sign Language. That is why a lot of people are now fighting to get it back. The classrooms are quiet. The kids depend on sign language to get through their daily lessons because cochlear implants may not be the best solution for all hearing-impaired children…
Molly Burke on What Needs to Happen Next for a More Accessible Beauty Industry
February 10, 2022 | Source: Allure
“Even within the disabled community, blindness is a very small group of people. Most people never meet a blind person in their entire life. I really wanted to figure out how I could make people care about disability as a whole and then specifically about blindness and the issues that affect me. [So I] became somebody they could see being their friend or girlfriend, their daughter or sister, or their mentor. I set out to just be a relatable, authentic, genuine person. When I started seven years ago, there were just a handful of disabled content creators. Now, I see thousands…
Plano native hoping for fourth U.S. Winter Paralympics despite vision impairment, other setbacks
February 10, 2022 | Source: Dallas Morning News
Plano native Danelle Umstead has refused to let vision impairment, a multiple sclerosis diagnosis and other setbacks keep her from the sport she loves. She is now hoping to compete in the U.S. Paralympic team competition in March, which will be her fourth appearance in the event. Umstead expects to know by mid-February whether she will compete, KXAS-TV (NBC5) reported. Umstead navigates the slopes at speeds of up to 80 mph with her husband, Rob, who serves as her sighted guide. They communicate with each other via headsets in their helmets, according to NBC5…
Eye Implant May Restore Some Vision For People With Macular Degeneration
February 10, 2022 | Source: Futurity
Two years ago, the researchers showed that with a thin, pixelated chip and specially designed glasses, they could restore limited vision in the center of the visual field of patients suffering from macular degeneration. Now, in a follow-up study, they found that this prosthetic vision naturally integrated with the patients’ peripheral vision, which was unaffected by the disease. The patients could simultaneously identify the orientations of colored lines in the center and sides of their visual field. The results suggest that the treatment could be used to restore functional vision…
Marvel targets hearing loss in new miniseries ‘Hawkeye’
February 10, 2022 | Source: Pasadena Star News
In the middle of a Broadway production, Clint Barton, otherwise known as Marvel’s arrow-slinging Avenger, Hawkeye, stares blankly at the stage. The singing ensemble is reduced to a quiet drone in the background. His daughter waves her hand in front of his face. “Dad. Did you turn your hearing aid off?” Hearing loss plays a central role in Marvel Studios’ new limited series “Hawkeye,” available on Disney+. This miniseries, which released its final episode on Dec. 22, goes beyond entertainment — by showcasing Clint’s struggles with this condition to a broad global audience, it serves a considerable and much-needed role in raising awareness about hearing loss.
CSUN alumna makes history as Marvel superhero
February 10, 2022 | Source: Daily Sundial
Lauren Ridloff, a CSUN alumna, brought to life the character of Makkari in her debut as the first deaf actress to play a superhero in Disney’s latest movie from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Eternals.” Makkari was written in the original comic as a hearing white man, but Marvel Studios executive Nate Moore decided to make a big change to the character in the form of a deaf woman of color. Ridloff’s character is the first in the MCU to be deaf. “Eternals” follows a group of alien beings that have been secretly living on Earth, helping societies advance and protecting humanity from a group of violent monsters called Deviants…
Disabilities are not binary. Why do we treat them that way?
February 10, 2022 | Source: AAMC
On a gloomy summer day in London in 2009, my family and I arrived fashionably late to an Azeema, or an Arab social gathering. The aroma of cardamom tea and Turkish coffee seeped through the house walls. A feast was awaiting us with a wide array of Arabic appetizers, sumac-based meat dishes, and the hostess’s infamous stuffed grape leaves. After a round of greetings, I began conversing with a charming lady whom I will call Khala Hoda. With a warm smile, Khala Hoda inquired about my experiences living in California, which led to my mentioning my hearing loss. She incredulously responded, “You have hearing loss? But you can hear me just fine!”..
How Creativity Helps Me Navigate the World with Disability
February 10, 2022 | Source: Creaky Joints
It was a Friday night and I was getting ready to go out, fancying myself up for the first time in what felt like a long, long time. My hair was in curls, I put on makeup, and I picked out a gray knit dress with black birds flying across the hemline. I reached for the zipper running up my back, but no matter how I twisted or turned, I could not reach it. The longer I live with ankylosing spondylitis, the more restricted my mobility becomes — and this inability to reach large portions of my back is the newest limitation…
Students rally for increased disability services
February 10, 2022 | Source: News10
On Wednesday, state elected officials, and college students with disabilities rallied at the State Capitol to urge increased state funding for higher education disability services. Lawmakers have also introduced a resolution memorializing February 10, as Students with Disabilities Advocacy Day in the State of New York. Students with disabilities are advocating for their budget priorities, who attend State Universities, City Universities, and private colleges. They are asking for…
Shaping Attitudes Through the Language of Disability
February 10, 2022 | Source: Jewish Boston
Language preferences and connotations are constantly evolving—it can sometimes feel hard to keep up! In the spirit of Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month (JDAIM), when Jewish organizations and communities are working to raise awareness and promote the meaningful inclusion of people with disabilities and their families, I encourage you to take some time to examine your own personal understandings of disability in order to work toward a more inclusive society. One way to do so is to spend some time thinking about language, and how that language shapes our attitudes…
Why Don’t Feds Get Disability Insurance?
February 10, 2022 | Source: Government Executive
Did you ever wonder why you aren’t covered by short- or long-term disability insurance as a federal employee? After all, in 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 42% of private industry workers had access to short-term disability insurance plans and 34% to long-term plans. A quarter of state and local government workers had access to short-term coverage and 38% to long-term benefits. Even more surprising is that most companies pay the cost of this coverage for their employees. Private employers in 2018 paid the full cost for 85% of workers with short-term disability coverage and 94% of workers with long-term disability coverage…
How ‘Build Back Better’ Supports People with Disabilities
February 10, 2022 | Source: SHRM
In October, the White House called President Joe Biden’s proposed Build Back Better Act “the most transformative investment in access to home care in 40 years.” If approved, Build Back Better would allocate $150 billion to home- and community-based services (HCBS), allowing people with disabilities to live independently and hold a job. It would also expand and increase pay for the direct-care workforce, a group under significant strain due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “In our view, Build Back Better as currently constructed has the potential to substantially improve the lives of people with disabilities,” said Cyrus Huncharek…
Boston cookie company helping people with disabilities
February 10, 2022 | Source: Morning in America
A 31-year-old woman with Down syndrome from Boston has made it her mission to create employment opportunities for others with disabilities. When Collette Divitto had trouble finding a job after college, she turned her love of baking into a big business. Only five years later, her cookie company Collettey’s has sold more than 550,00 cookies and made more than $1.2 million in revenue. After graduating from Clemson University, Divitto had a tough time finding a company that would hire her so she started her own company, launching Collettey’s in 2016 when she was only 26 years old…
Jack Fact — According to the Epilepsy Foundation there are 3.4 million people living with active epilepsy. There are 150,000 new cases of epilepsy every year and 1 in 26 will develop epilepsy at some point.
Hit The Road Jack — Taiwan’s Hualien shifts focus to accessible tourism& 16 accessible holidays in Ireland recommended by wheelchair users and their families
International News
HBKU’s TII acts as a catalyst for disability-inclusive change in wider society
February 6, 2022 | Source: The Peninsula- Qatar
At the Translation and Interpreting Institute (TII), part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a wide range of socially-driven projects contribute to creating a more inclusive society by making information, entertainment, culture and heritage accessible to all, including people with disabilities. TII is part of HBKU’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS), providing graduate programs in translation and interpreting, advancing research, and serving the community through foreign-language education and high-quality translation and interpreting services…
Deliver accessible, quality services, Minister Karki directs NTC
February 6, 2022 | Source: The Himalayan Times- Nepal
Minster of Communications and Information Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki has directed Nepal Telecom to deliver accessible and quality services.In his address to the 18th anniversary of the Nepal Telecom here today, Minister Karki directed the concerned authority to offer its services in a more modern and technology-friendly manner. Minister Karki, also the spokesperson for the government, further said, “The telecom has delivered its services even in far-flung areas during natural disasters of any kind. It has to set its target to make the services client-friendly”…
3 years after Ontario accessibility report, ‘little progress’ made, former lieutenant-governor says
February 6, 2022 | Source: CBC- Canada
Three years after the Doug Ford government received a key report on making Ontario more accessible for people with disabilities, its author says little has been done to achieve its goals and there doesn’t appear to be a plan in place to fix that. While he thought it would be “relatively easy” for the government to fulfil the report’s recommendations, David Onley says Ontario is still failing on issues such as employment equity, social assistance and even the physical accessibility of schools and other buildings…
What would persuade Scots to ditch the car?
February 6, 2022 | Source: BBC- Scotland
What would get you out of your car? Tricky when you think most journeys in Scotland are made by car, according to Scottish Transport Statistics 2020. But the Scottish government plans to slash car journey distances by 20% by 2030. It’s to tackle climate change. Because domestic transport, including car travel, makes up Scotland’s biggest chunk of emissions. The plans are in a “route map”. So what do you think? What do you want? I’ve been to southern Scotland to ask just that. And among the ideas and suggestions are win-win solutions, for both people and planet…
In world first, paralyzed man with severed spine walks again
February 7, 2022 | Source: BBC- Switzerland & The Guardian & NBC & ZME Science
A paralysed man with a severed spinal cord has been able to walk again, thanks to an implant developed by a team of Swiss researchers. It is the first time someone who has had a complete cut to their spinal cord has been able to walk freely. The same technology has improved the health of another paralysed patient to the extent that he has been able to become a father. The research has been published in the journal Nature Medicine. Michel Roccati was paralysed after a motorbike accident five years ago. His spinal cord was completely severed – and he has no feeling at all in his legs…
Digital (in)accessibility down under: Why Australia lags behind New Zealand
February 7, 2022 | Source: e-Commerce News- New Zealand
New research from Infosys has revealed that Australia is behind New Zealand when it comes to ensuring all digital properties are accessible, such as enabling accessible mobile banking, digital citizen services or online learning experiences. A survey of 650 medium and large business, public sector and not-for profit organisations revealed widespread lack of understanding of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) – which either means they are not focused on digital accessibility or are failing to meet the WCAG standards…
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities website launched
February 8, 2022 | Source: Museums Association- UK
Museum development officer Sam Bowen has launched a website to support the sector’s work with children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (Send). The website, which features advocacy, guidance and best practice information, also includes blogs from Send activists and parents, as well as museum leaders. “Five years ago this was a non-subject – very few museums were actively engaging with Send audiences,” said Bowen, who is a Send mum. “A lot has changed over the last two years, and I think lockdown helped to highlight the inequalities in life as well as the powerful wellbeing benefits of a museum visit…
Beyond the accessibility limits of an ancient city
February 8, 2022 | Source: Eurocities- Portugal
Porto, a historical city located on the very steep valley of the River Douro and dating to 275 BC, is tackling a particularly challenging goal: barriers-free mobility. As luck would have it, the Portuguese city was never affected by a natural disaster – contrary to neighbouring Lisbon suffering serious damage from the earthquake – or by war bombardments – like several cities in Europe. This means that Porto’s original medieval structure has survived up to today and is still the present-day centre. The archaic roads that meander through the metropolis are small, narrow and full of twists and turns, which stand in the way of accessible public spaces…
Brampton’s plan to unleash e-scooters prompts accessibility and safety concerns
February 8, 2022 | Source: Global News- Canada
Brampton, with its gaping boulevards and suburban-style planning built around the car, does not seem like an ideal setting for the use of commuter e-scooters. But it’s set to be the first GTA municipality to authorize rentals of the increasingly popular electrified two-wheelers, under a pilot program. The move raises a range of questions about safety and regulation and leaves council open to significant backlash from accessibility advocates. The viability of the idea, in a bedroom community that lacks cycling infrastructure, required density, local employment options and a culture that supports active transportation, is another concern…
Government aims to develop accessibility career path in DDaT
February 9, 2022 | Source: UKAuthority- UK
The UK Government is working on a business case for a digital accessibility career path in the digital, data and technology profession. It is also taking steps that could increase the emphasis on accessibility in the procurement of digital products and services, according to Home Office minister Rachel Maclean MP (pictured). She provided details in response to parliamentary questions from Vicky Foxcroft MP, the shadow minister for disabled people, on what the Home Office has done to on defining a cross-government accessibility profession as part of the National Disability Strategy…
N.L.’s accessible legislation has great potential, possible pitfalls, says disability advocate
February 9, 2022 | Source: CBC- Canada
Cecil Whitten, a self-described disability advocate who has cerebral palsy, is cheering the passing of accessibility legislation passed in the House of Assembly in the last sitting. “I think and I hope that the message it sends to people is that it’s a serious piece of legislation,” said the 72-year-old Whitten. “This is the thing, it’s a building block for the disabled community … a huge step forward.” The legislation, formally known as An Act Respecting Accessibility in the Province, which took effect in December…
Study claims documents on Croydon Council website are inaccessible to disabled residents
February 9, 2022 | Source: InYourArea- UK
A study has claimed that several documents on Croydon Council’s website are not accessible to disabled residents. Out of 701 documents on the council’s website, 697 were non-compliant with accessibility standards according to research by codemantra, a UK document processing company. The result gives the website a total accessibility score of just one out of 100 for documents and more than 19,859 errors were found from 12,309 pages that were scanned…
The disability employment gap- what’s digital got to do with it?
February 9, 2022 | Source: BCS- UK
When you read, ‘technology for disabled people’, what springs to mind? Robotic arms? Stair-climbing wheelchairs? The reality of how technology is helping (and harming) disabled people in 2022 is far more widespread and powerful than these headline-grabbing examples – and this is particularly true when it comes to the workplace. The following examples demonstrate the huge potential of ATech to remove barriers for disabled people in the workplace: Samira is an unemployed computer science graduate who has a visual impairment. She uses screen reading technology on her laptop to navigate job sites and decide where she would like to apply…
Parents warned over TikTok ‘eye challenge’ which could lead to blindness
February 10, 2022 | Source: Glasgow Now- UK
Parents have been sent an urgent warning over a new TikTok trend which is causing people to risk their eye health – so much so it could lead to them being blind. Several challenges have come from social media where someone decided to risk their health in a bid to go viral. However more often than not these challenges go wrong with two on WhatsApp resulting in the death of teenagers across several different countries. Some of these challenges see people exposing their eyes to very bright lights in order to change the colour of your pupil whilst using a filter…
Research identifies mechanisms underlying glaucoma
February 10, 2022 | Source: Devdiscourse- Canada
Glaucoma is the non-curable blindness that affected 80 million people worldwide in 2020. Reduced blood flow and impaired neurovascular coupling are well-known features of glaucoma. The mechanisms underlying these abnormalities have now been unveiled, thanks to new research by a team led by Adriana Di Polo, professor of neuroscience and ophthalmology at Universite de Montreal. The study was published in the ‘Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences’…
Face-off: Should kit colours be catered to colour-blind fans?
February 10, 2022 | Source: Rugby World- UK
For the record, I’m not colour blind – just blessed with poor vision since early childhood coming from a long line of bespectacled people. Perhaps that’s why, like any decent human being, I can sympathise with how annoying a visual impairment might be, such as being unable to distinguish between red and green. What I wasn’t aware of until the recent announcement by World Rugby that red-green kit clashes would be phased out by the 2027 Rugby World Cup was just how many people suffer from colour blindness: one in 12 men, including World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont, and one in 200 women…
2.2 billion people with vision impairment globally, 24 million with vision loss in Nigeria
February 10, 2022 | Source: The Nigerian Post- Nigeria
Nigeria’s Country Director, Sightsavers, (an international development organisation) Sunday Isiyaku, has said that globally, there are 2.2 billion people with a vision impairment. He added that of these, at least 1 billion people have a vision impairment or blindness that could have been prevented or is yet to be addressed. In a statement made available on Thursday, he said this burden weighs more heavily on poorer countries, and on marginalised communities, adding that projections show that global demand for eye care is set to surge in the coming years…
Trainees also entitled to disability accommodation, EU court says
February 10, 2022 | Source: Courthouse News- Belgium
When companies make accommodations for employees who become disabled, those in temporary training programs should get the same opportunity, the EU’s top court ruled Thursday. The case was referred to the European Court of Justice by the Conseil d’État, the Belgian Council of State, after an unnamed individual training to be a railway technician complained his termination was illegal. State-owned Infrabel had hired the worker in 2016. The company builds and maintains the Belgian rail network, and it is common for Infrabel to hire recent graduates and train them on the job…
COVID-19 Resources and Information
- Paradise and the Pandemic- fun4thedisabled.com
- ADA settlement to enhance vaccine access – Grand Rapids Business Journal
- Most vulnerable still in jeopardy as COVID precautions ease- Recently Heard
- After COVID-19 illness, Michiganders experienced increased disabilities- Michigan News
- University, faculty address COVID-19 learning effects on accessibility- The Daily Cardinal
- Clic Santé receives the lemon prize from a group of people with visual disabilities- TurnedNews
- Indonesia, Philippines & Vietnam: Building on lessons learned to enhance eyecare services beyond COVID-19- Inquirer.net
- Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Workers Throughout and Beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic- Council of State Governments
- COVID-19 and the Americans with Disabilities Act—recently updated with information about streateries and medical setting visitor policies- ADA.gov
Accessibility Blogs and Information
- DIVERSEability Magazine
- Podcast: DEIA Driven by AI- PEAT
- Billion Strong Disability News Jan 2022
- Legal Update: January 2022- Ken Nakata
- Weekly Travel Digest- Accessible Travel Press
- No Accessibility Without Disabilities- Eric Eggert
- Legal Requirements for Live Captioning- 3PlayMedia
- JAN ENEWS: Volume 20, Issue 01, First Quarter 2022
- International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Accessibility
- The Current Digital Accessibility Lawsuit Landscape- cielo24
- Why Digital First Banking Must Also Be Accessible – PYMNTS
- Data shows marketers investing more in video in 2022- MarTech
- Accessibility for everyone to places open to the public- Elvinger Hoss
- White paper: What the C-Suite thinks about digital accessibility- AbilityNet
- Tenth Circuit kills ‘tester standing’ in accessibility lawsuits- McAfee & Taft
- Truist on Maintaining Accessibility Across All Banking Channels- PYMNTS
- How Is New Technology Changing the World of Web Design? – TechPresident
- Accessibility for everyone to the places open to the public- Elvinger Hoss Prussen
- Understanding the W3C’s Accessibility Conformance Testing (ACT) Requirements- BOIA
- A Guide To Automatic Accessibility Solutions For Search Marketers- Search Engine Journal
- The Importance of Digital Accessibility in Enhancing Loyalty and Brand Reputation- PYMNTS
- How KPMG is recruiting, supporting employees with disabilities, neurodiversity- Benefits Canada
- ‘Language is such a bridge’: UNC ASL club focuses on accessibility and learning- The Daily Tar Heel
- Humans of St. Thomas: Chief Accessibility Officer for Start-up- University of St. Thomas Newsroom
- Roadmap to 2040 – A plan to guide the work of Accessibility Standards Canada- Government of Canada
- Neurodiversity Alliance Seeks to Increase Accessibility for the UNR Community- The Nevada Sagebrush
- Bridging the digital divide for people with intellectual disability: Roundtable Report- Good Things Foundation
- Former Baseball Player Goes on to Assist Others as a Chiropractor After Overcoming Injury- Keiser University
- Making Mobile Devices More Accessible – Phones for Dementia and Intellectual Disabilities- Pipeline Magazine
- Planning for Digital Accessibility in Research Libraries- Digital Publications – Association of Research Libraries
- Optic Neuropathy in an Autistic Child With Vitamin A Deficiency: A Case Report and Literature Review- Cureus
- German Talents From ‘Nico’, ‘Shahada’, ‘For Jojo’ Discuss Diversity & Accessibility In Germany’s Film & TV Sectors- Deadline
- Video Interview: Siteimprove CEO Shane Paladin talks accessibility, content and more as company reaches US $100M ARR- iTWire
- Highlighting innovations, maximizing inclusive practices and overcoming barriers to employment for people with disabilities- MarketScreener
- “U.S. democracy is at stake” Voting restriction law passed in 19 states, making political participation of racial minorities and disabled people difficult- Tokyo
Accessibility Announcements and Products
- Accessible Exploration- Visit Seattle
- BREC’s new project aims to make play accessible for all
- Chrome is changing its logo for the first time in eight years
- Apple releases iOS 15.3.1 with security and Accessibility fixes
- Registration is now open for 2022 Disability Equality Index (DEI)
- FCC Seeks to Improve Accessibility & Clarity of Emergency Alerts
- Accessible PDF requirement, focus to make uncsa.edu more inclusive
- Canton marketing startup puts digital accessibility at the heart of its work
- Tackling Blindness: A Contactless AI Device to Diagnose and Monitor Glaucoma
- The global ophthalmic devices market is predicted to reach US$ 68.2 Billion by 2027
- P.E.I. outreach centre performing accessibility upgrades to welcome more clients, staff
- Vispero Names Seasoned Technology Executive Bob Ciminera Chief Executive Officer
- Givens Field will host new baseball league for kids with disabilities, increase accessibility
- Be An Angel Charity Launches DFW Chapter To Serve Children With Disabilities In North Texas
- Loudoun Chamber Offers Businesses Expert Guidance on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility
- VIA Accessible Transit Committee Seeks Advisors from Disability Community- Deadline to apply extended to February 28
- Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities Seeks Nominations for the Annual Barbara Jordan Media Awards- The deadline for submissions is February 23rd, 2022
Accessibility Forums, Tips, and Gaming
- How to make social content accessible
- Accessibility Testing Best Practices in CI/CD
- Need help and advice from accessibility experts
- 4 Things about Braille you probably don’t know
- How to use the accessibility tree for a11y testing
- Accessibility features in Horizon Forbidden West
- #12 – Amber Hinds on Why Accessibility Matters
- The 8 Best Microsoft Edge Add-Ons for Developers
- Do We Need Screen Reader for Accessibility Testing
- Accessibility on Twitch: the complications of streaming
- If You Know These Keyboard Shortcuts, You Won’t Need a Mouse
- What Is Digital Accessibility Testing? Standards, Guidelines and More
- Our Accessibility team shares best practices for creating Twitter content
- PS5 Beta Announced With Voice Commands, Open Party Support and Accessibility Improvements
Accessibility Statements
- Anvaya Feats
- Horizon Bank
- SUNY Broome
- 3S Tech & Talent
- Southwest Times.org
- InnovateOhio Platform
- George Mason University
- Charles County Public Schools
- University of Southern California
- Accessibility in the News: Accessibility Statement Pages
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:
- The WCAG 2.1 Update: A Brief Look at What’s Changed
- Introducing VPAT®0, the More Stringent Accessibility Reporting Tool Required for Government IT Procurement
- 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
Subscribe to Accessibility in the News
Stay informed! Get your weekly update on digital accessibility standards, private and public sector trends, litigation, events, and more.