Accessibility in the News — 6/30/2023.
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
Higher Education Blogs and Information | Legal Blogs and Information
Microassist Accessibility Services
AITN Quote of the Week
Accessibility in the News- Knowledge is Power
“I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.” ― Abraham Lincoln
Feature Stories
Reddit is about to get a little less accessible
June 23, 2023 | Source: The Verge
Reddit introduces accessibility updates for moderators: What it means?
June 25, 2023 | Source: India TV News and Telangana Today and The Verge and Apple Insider & 9to5Mac and Tech Times and iTech Post and Bizz Buzz and Gadgets Now
r/TranscribersOfReddit, a Reddit community of volunteers who write transcriptions for media that appears on subreddits like r/ProgrammerHumor and r/technicallythetruth, will be closing down in a matter of days, according to a post from a moderator. The community’s final day will be June 30th, 2023. “Our role in the Reddit community has always been to point out inadequacies in the platform — namely, the lack of accessibility features such as alt text — and provide a temporary, constructive solution while raising awareness of these problems,” wrote Rebekah Ginsburg, who goes by u/halailah on Reddit and is chairwoman of the board of Grafeas Group…
National News (U.S.)
Chicago Cubs prevail in lawsuit alleging Wrigley renovations violated accessibility requirements for wheelchair-bound fans
June 23, 2023 | Source: The Denver Post
The Cubs scored a win in Chicago federal court Wednesday after a judge ruled the $1 billion, multiyear renovation of Wrigley Field, which dramatically updated the century-old ballpark, did not violate accessibility requirements for wheelchair-bound fans. The decision follows a one-week April trial, and comes nearly six years after Chicago attorney David A. Cerda filed a lawsuit against the team on behalf of his son, David F. Cerda, a lifelong Cubs fan who is confined to a wheelchair due to muscular dystrophy…
Alzheimer’s Association pushes for accessible breakthrough drug amid growing disparities
June 23, 2023 | Source: WLJA
Are you at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease? A simple screener can tell—and so can these 11 early warning signs
June 23, 2023 | Source: Fortune Well
An Alzheimer’s drug is on the way, but getting it may still be tough. Here’s why
June 26, 2023 | Source: NPR
June is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and the Alzheimer’s Association is working to make a potential breakthrough medication accessible and affordable. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the drug Lecanemab – which slows the rate of cognitive decline of those in the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s and other dementias by 37%. This means those with Alzheimer’s can hold onto their memories and capabilities longer. It’s not a cure, it does not reverse the damage already done, rather it’s a preventive drug…
Kunken family filled with pride as miracle triplets head to college
June 23, 2023 | Source: CBS News
Ken Kunken was injured in a Cornell college football game decades ago and has been a quadriplegic ever since. Now, the inspirational Nassau County attorney’s miracle triplets are graduating high school and on their way to college. “At the beginning of my junior year at Cornell, which was in 1970, I broke my neck and severed my spinal cord making a tackle on a kickoff,” Ken Kunken said. Ken Kunken, of Rockville Centre, is a quadriplegic and the father of 18-year-old triplets. “It sure is a miracle of science,” he said…
Twitter – Microassist
Justice Department Secures Agreement with San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Improve Public Sidewalk Accessibility for People with Disabilities
June 23, 2023 | Source: Department of Justice and News is My Business
The Justice Department today filed a proposed stipulated order that will require the Municipality of San Juan, Puerto Rico, to take critical steps towards making its public sidewalk system accessible to individuals with disabilities. The proposed order was filed jointly with the municipality and private plaintiffs and pauses the department’s lawsuit against the municipality while requiring it to conduct a comprehensive assessment of sidewalk accessibility and to begin fixing accessibility barriers…
Including the visually impaired in Colorado’s outdoors with VIP trail
June 23, 2023 | Source: KOAA
A new kind of VIP trail just opened at the Bear Creek Nature Center on the southwest side of Colorado Springs. In this case, VIP stands for Visually Impaired Persons’. “The VIP trail is a continuation of our commitment to accessibility and action,” said El Paso County Director of Community Services, Todd Marts. The new trail goes beyond the basic requirements of ADA accessibility. “Let’s go past what we have to provide,” said Marts. El Paso County park planner called on visually impaired members of the community like Monica Gimbel to consult on the project…
How did a New York public library by Steven Holl Architects get accessibility so wrong?
June 24, 2023 | Source: Los Angeles Times
I recently traveled to New York City with a family member with mobility issues. Walking with her is a slow and deliberate act in which commonplace fixtures become daunting obstacles: a curb is to be navigated with care; a short flight of steps has to be accounted for with additional travel time. For ease of transit, we stayed near Grand Central Terminal, where I mental-mapped every escalator and elevator in the station. Grand Central is a challenging building to navigate with mobility issues. Flights of steps cascade down the western side of the main hall…
Voice cards, video calls: 5 innovations in accessibility and banking
June 26, 2023 | Source: American Banker
Banks are finding creative ways to make their “offline” services — from branches to debit cards to contact centers — more accessible to people with disabilities. They are using technology to go beyond their responsibilities under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination based on disability in “places of public accommodation.” JPMorgan Chase designed a branch that prioritizes the needs of customers who are deaf and hard of hearing, and introduced one of its key features into the bank’s other locations last year…
Beyond the Checkbox: Rethinking Design for Accessibility in Atlanta Housing and Public Spaces
June 26, 2023 | Source: Saporta Report
I often get asked if I have always used a wheelchair; the answer is no. I was born with a progressive muscular disability which gradually led me to use one full-time at 23. In high school, ascending and descending stairs marked one of the first significant challenges of my decline. I vividly remember feeling isolated having to walk up the switchback ramp alone because the width did not allow side-by-side ascension while my friends waited at the top of the stairs. The ramp had technically “checked the box” for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance…
This Is The Most Commonly Missed Warning Sign Of Dementia
June 26, 2023 | Source: HuffPost
When we think about dementia, we often think of a person experiencing memory loss and confusion. While it’s true that these are certainly symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s (the most common form of dementia), missing some of the more subtle signs that aren’t as well-known can lead to a later diagnosis and delay in care. With an estimated 6.7 million Americans over the age of 65 in the U.S. living with Alzheimer’s, dementia is far from rare. So, what dementia-related signs should someone look out for in themselves and others? And when should they see their doctor for a dementia screening?…
DOJ demands CVS MinuteClinic improve accessibility for deaf patients in new settlement
June 27, 2023 | Source: The Boston Globe
The health care provider arm of retail giant CVS reached an agreement with the Justice Department on Tuesday after investigators found that the company failed to provide proper interpretation services for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing during their appointments with medical staff. The settlement agreement will require the company to change its policies and procures to provide effective communication to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing at all of its more than 11,000 locations…
‘Pre-Boarding Scam’: Customers Furious at Southwest Airlines After 20 Passengers Ask For Wheelchair Assistance to Board
June 27, 2023 | Source: Entrepreneur
eboarding a plane can be a frustrating experience, especially if you’re in a rush to make a connecting flight. And although most airlines try to make the process as streamlined as possible, external factors can make getting off the plane anything but smooth. And while there are many reasons people might request a wheelchair to board a plane, people on social media are accusing airlines of letting people take advantage of the system. A Southwest Airlines passenger in Florida is going viral on Twitter after 20 passengers requested wheelchair assistance for boarding, yet only three needed accommodations to get off the plane…
The Truth About Traveling While Disabled
June 27, 2023 | Source: Thrillist
If you’ve spent any time on TikTok, you’ve probably seen videos of travelers calling out airlines for breaking their wheelchairs. It’s a disappointingly pervasive issue, but it’s just one of the ways that traveling while disabled is both difficult and complicated. According to data from the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) National Network, 54 million Americans are living with a disability. These citizens are working, living, thriving—and vacationing—in the same spaces as nondisabled citizens. My own family is part of that statistic…
MinuteClinic agrees to improve accessibility for deaf patients in DOJ settlement
June 27, 2023 | Source: Providence Business News
MinuteClinic LLC, the health care provider operating inside CVS Pharmacy locations nationwide, agreed to settle allegations that it failed to provide proper interpretation services for deaf and hearing-impaired individuals during their appointments, U.S. Attorney for Rhode Island Zachary A. Cunha announced Tuesday. An investigation by Cunha’s office revealed that MinuteClinic failed to provide a patient with requested American Sign Language interpretation. As a result, she was not able to effectively communicate with MinuteClinic personnel during her medical appointments, the probe concluded…
Macon Transit Authority faces ADA compliance issues in terminal station audit
June 28, 2023 | Source: WGXA
The Macon Transit Authority (MTA) reviewed a survey at a monthly MTA meeting held Tuesday. The board committed to doing an audit in May to determine their building’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). MTA utilized Hecker Design for the inspection, a group MTA CEO, Craig Ross, commended Bill Hecker of Hecker Design at the monthly meeting held in May to be proficient in ADA regulations. “There’s nobody in this room that knows more about ADA compliance than Bill Hecker,” said Ross, “If any part of this building is not ADA compliant, we will fix it because it’s now our building”…
‘This is really necessary for us to participate in daily life:’ Digital accessibility is a concern as 33rd anniversary of ADA Act approaches
June 29, 2023 | Source: KULR-8
As the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act approaches, digital accessibility is a big issue. “That law specifically requires that people with disabilities have access to all aspects of public life, regardless of the fact that they have a disability,” Director of the Rocky Mountain ADA Center Emily Shuman said. “Since the ADA was passed in 1990, it didn’t specifically address digital accessibility because that really wasn’t a thing in 1990,” she added. “The Internet barely existed at that point. Certainly, people were not living their lives on the Internet, you know, the way we are now.”…
Federal Lawsuit Against Los Angeles County Alleges ADA Violations and Discrimination Against Voters with Disabilities
June 29, 2023 | Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California
Following a lengthy investigation that determined the County of Los Angeles discriminated against persons with disabilities at vote centers during recent elections, the United States Attorney’s Office today filed a lawsuit alleging the county has failed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). The investigation into the county’s voting program found that the county, acting through its registrar-recorder, excluded qualified individuals with mobility disabilities and those with vision disabilities from participating in the county’s voting programs…
North Texas Performing Arts makes theater accessible
June 29, 2023 | Source: NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth
North Texas Performing Arts, headquartered in the Willow Bend Center for the Arts, is making theater accessible for people in the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. “We’re trying to support a vision that enables every child to take the stage,” NTPA CEO Darrell Rodenbaugh said. “We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to have their voice heard on stage.” On Friday, the new NTPA Deaf Theatre will open its inaugural full-length production, Deaf Theatre Showcase: A Union of Hands and Voices…
Jack Fact — According to the WHO, by 2050 nearly 2.5 billion people are projected to have some degree of hearing loss and at least 700 million will require hearing rehabilitation.
Hit The Road Jack — 3 Top Tips for Accessible Travel Planning and Carnival ship gets accessibility upgrade ahead of European summer sailings
International News
What organisations can learn from Lego and Barbie when it comes to EDI
June 23, 2023 | Source: People Management- UK
Representation matters and I wouldn’t be surprised if the future make up of C-suites and organisations is shaped by efforts today by companies such as Lego, Barbie, Hasbro and Playmobil, who have recognised the importance of diversity in the products they create. By introducing characters with disabilities, these toy manufacturers have increased the inclusivity of their character ranges, providing children with figures that represent themselves, and instilling a belief that they can dream big too…
Bill C-22 and a Momentous Moment for Canada
June 22, 2023 | Source: Rick Hansen Foundation- Canada
1 in 5 Canadians lives with a disability, and 50% of Canadian adults have or have experienced a permanent or temporary physical disability or lives with someone who has. People with disabilities are twice as likely to live in poverty. Canadians struggle every day to access the places where we live, work, learn and play because of physical barriers to accessibility, and this is something that we must work every day to change. Bill C-22, also known as Canada Disability Benefit Act, has made its way through Parliament…
Web is inaccessible to 80 million Europeans – companies must take responsibility
June 24, 2023 | Source: Innovation Origins- Netherlands
In the Netherlands live two million people with disabilities. It can be difficult for them to use online information and services. Even if someone is (color)blind, partially sighted, low-literate or dyslexic, or has a motor disability, they must be able to use apps and websites. The law requires government services to meet digital accessibility requirements. That obligation will also apply to many commercial organizations starting June 2025, when the European Accessibility Act (EAA) 2019/882 takes effect…
Rose Ayling-Ellis calls for free access to sign language lessons
June 25, 2023 | Source: BBC News- UK
“Being deaf is not something that you overcome, it’s something that you embrace,” says Rose Ayling-Ellis. The 28-year-old Olivier-nominated star made history when she became the first deaf actress to play a regular character on EastEnders and won Strictly Come Dancing in 2021. But as a British Sign Language (BSL) user, she says she cannot believe that some parents and guardians of deaf children have to pay for sign language tuition. “It’s a shame that you have to pay to communicate with your own child,” she told the BBC…
How big tech embraced disabled users
June 25, 2023 | Source: Today Online- France
Buried beneath the hype of the artificial intelligence revolution, big tech is quietly rolling out services for disabled people that it hopes will push a greater transformation for customers. Apple and Google are leading the field, harnessing the sensors and cameras of their best-selling smartphones that allow users to edit, enhance and improve their photos and audio. Among the latest announcements, Apple unveiled its Live Speech feature in May that uses machine learning — the term Apple uses for AI — to re-create a user’s voice…
Digital training for visually impaired
June 25, 2023 | Source: The Manila Times- Philippines
PLDT and Smart are helping open opportunities for visually impaired persons through learning sessions on digital innovations that maximize their smartphone use. “Through our Infoteach program, PLDT and Smart aim to bridge the digital divide and ensure that no one is left behind. We collaborate with like-minded organizations to bring technology to vulnerable populations who are bound to benefit from it the most,” said Stephanie Orlino, assistant vice president and head of Stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart…
A Woman With A Disability Has Shared Her Experience Organising Taylor Swift Tickets
June 25, 2023 | Source: Pedestrian TV- Australia
‘We have to battle for accessibility’: Taylor Swift boycott call over accessible tickets
June 29, 2023 | Source: SBS News- Australia (Podcast)
Ticketek and Frontier Touring have been called out by Amy and Rebecca Evans for allegedly being “discriminatory” towards people with disabilities ahead of the Australian leg of Taylor Swift‘s Eras Tour. On Friday, the Evans sisters uploaded a joint Instagram post detailing their frustrations with Ticketek, Frontier Touring and the Melbourne Cricket Ground after they faced multiple difficulties when they attempted to organise tickets for the highly anticipated Eras Tour…
Enhanced Accessibility at Machu Picchu: New Section Opens for People with Disabilities
June 25, 2023 | Source: Market Research Telecast- Peru
The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu will soon have a section accessible for people with disabilities, announced this Saturday the Minister of Culture of Peru, Leslie Urteaga. During an inspection visit to the monument, the minister confirmed that they are not going to expand their daily visitor capacity. “We have decided to soon implement a more accessible and inclusive section for those people who have a disability, mobility limitations or visual impairment, too…
Lewis Capaldi’s Glastonbury set displayed the best of the human spirit – and put disability centre-stage
June 26, 2023 | Source: The Guardian- UK and BBC and CNN and The Guardian
Glastonbury “moments” do not typically involve silence. On Saturday night, Lewis Capaldi changed that. There were no surprise guests, no wild costumes, nor any clever covers. At times towards the end of his Pyramid stage set, Capaldi himself wasn’t even singing. But the silence was filled – by the sound of a hundred thousand people coming together to sing the words for him. If you didn’t see the set, Capaldi – who has spoken previously about having Tourette syndrome and anxiety – had problems with his voice throughout and was visibly affected by tics (involuntary movements or sounds)…
Hamilton Mountain accessibility advocate not impressed with intersection asphalt
June 26, 2023 | Source: Hamilton Spectator- Canada
Anthony Frisina was hoping for better. The Mountain advocate for people with accessibility issues took a tumble after his wheelchair jammed at the southeast corner of Concession Street and Upper Wentworth during Streetfest on June 10. Frisina contacted local councillor Esther Pauls to get the curb fixed. While the city moved quickly to remedy the matter, Frisina is not happy with the repair work. “I am less than impressed with what they did,” said Frisina after rolling over the layer of asphalt spread around the corner of the intersection to allow for a smoother transition from the sidewalk to the road for people in using wheelchairs or other mobility devices…
Man Utd’s poor performance on disability access hides a deeper issue
June 26, 2023 | Source: Canary- UK
Man Utd has come out mid-table in research around Premier League access for disabled people. However, this masks bigger problems in terms of football’s overall accessibility – not least in terms of chronic illness, but also poverty for disabled people. Oak Tree Mobility is a disability adaptation and aid company. But it also does research into disability access. It’s looked at just how accessible all 20 Premier League clubs are for disabled people – and the results are a mixed bag. The company based its research on multiple criteria..
What is the pay gap between persons with and without disabilities?
June 27, 2023 | Source: Statistique- Canada
Employment and income experiences for persons with disabilities often differ from persons without disabilities. Barriers to accessibility within these areas often lead to lower employment rates and decreased income levels for persons with disabilities, in relation to persons without disabilities, which aligns with the study titled “A demographic, employment and income profile of Canadians with disabilities aged 15 years and over, 2017.” Examples of barriers include inaccessible technology, lack of materials in alternate formats, physically inaccessible spaces, and discriminatory attitudes towards persons with disabilities…
Study shines light on impact of beach accessibility
June 27, 2023 | Source: Mirage News- Australia
New University of the Sunshine Coast research has confirmed the positive impact of assistive technology allowing people with disabilities to access and use the beach. While beach assistive technologies (BAT) such as beach wheelchairs and matting have been anecdotally well-received since their emergence, Dr Michele Verdonck says we’ve only scratched the surface in understanding the full scope of the impact. “This research confirms some of the things we assumed…
Morph: Animated character features in accessible art trail around London
June 28, 2023 | Source: BBC- UK (Video)
Getting around towns and cities in the UK can be particularly difficult when you are in a wheelchair – and London is no different. Now a new accessible trail has been designed to help people explore and enjoy the city together. From this summer the TV character Morph will lead kids and families around some of London’s famous landmarks on a route that suits everyone. Martin and some Newsrounders went along to get involved!…
Centre expands accessibility norms for disabled people, but overlapping rules lead to uncertainty
June 28, 2023 | Source: Scroll- India
An amendment earlier this month to the Right of Persons with Disabilities Rules 2017 revised guidelines that makes it necessary for every establishment to provide accessible infrastructure to a broader population whose movements are hampered by any characteristics – not just persons with disabilities. These standards provide a basic framework for public and private establishments to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities. They can no longer take the excuse or defence of lack of mandate or uncertainty…
TAV Airports helps enhance accessibility at airports for visually impaired passengers
June 28, 2023 | Source: Times Aerospace- Turkey
As part of this collaboration, visually impaired passengers at Antalya, Ankara Esenboğa, İzmir Adnan Menderes, Milas-Bodrum, and Gazipaşa-Alanya airports operated by TAV in Türkiye can receive free description and guidance support from professional assistants through the DANIŞ Visual Support Service via a mobile application. TAV Airports, Türkiye’s leading brand in airport operations, has added its collaboration with the DANIŞ Visual Support Service developed by WeWALK to its efforts to provide the best travel experience for everyone…
All Accessibility Summer: Accessible Fashion Transcript
June 29, 2023 | Source: CBC Radio- Canada
Clothing is generally designed for a typical body type. And not with people living with disabilities in mind. So what are some ways disabled people express their senses of style despite this? And how available are clothes that are comfortable and stylish, regardless of your body type. CBC journalist Aimee Louw joined me recently with her look into the world of adaptive fashion. It started as a self-interested topic for me. I began in radio and for the past year my role here in Montreal has been as a TV journalist…
People with disabilities shine light on lack of accessibility at concerts
June 29, 2023 | Source: Global News- Canada
As some await the construction of a new $1.2-billion event centre in Calgary, Taylor McKnight has been closely pondering early renditions of what the new arena might look like. After attending 24 concerts in a wheelchair, Taylor McKnight envisioned a more accessible stadium that improved the overall experience for people with disabilities. An ideal venue for Taylor would have accessible seating located throughout the arena at various price points, with sections designated for people with physical disabilities…
South Africa’s significant step towards inclusivity and accessibility for the deaf community
June 29, 2023 | Source: Global Voices- South Africa
In a historic move, South Africa has recently recognized sign language as its 12th official language. This milestone decision marks a significant step forward in the country’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility for the deaf community. The recognition of sign language acknowledges the importance of linguistic diversity and the rights of all South Africans to communicate and participate fully in society. This article delves into the journey leading to this remarkable achievement and explores the implications for the deaf community and the nation as a whole…
Survey results reveal top 4 barriers and solutions to creating accessible ads
June 29, 2023 | Source: The Drum- UK
Research suggests that only 40% of ads are subtitled, with even fewer using sign language or audio description to make ad experiences easier for people with sensory disabilities. And, with around 12 million people in the UK being deaf or hard of hearing, and a further 2 million people living with sight loss, there’s never been a better time for brands, broadcasters and creative agencies to collectively ensure that ads are inclusive to anyone and everyone. With this in mind, Clearcast set out to make a change…
Accessibility Blogs, Information, and Videos
- AccessiByeBye
- AI FOR ALL – USA Today
- Peter Torres Fremlin- Protesting the protestors
- The Accessibility issue- MIT Technology Review
- A Personal Journey with RightHear at McDonald’s
- Essential Tips for Successful Web Development- JGuru
- Thomson Reuters Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2023
- 7 ways we can facilitate inclusivity and accessibility- happiful
- Benchmarking progress toward digital accessibility- DiversityQ
- How to make your travel website accessible for all- TTG Media
- When One Fight for Civil Rights Leads to Another- The Legislator
- Billion Strong Disability News, June Issue 2023- LinkedIn Newsletter
- E-Learning platform for dementia caregivers – Open Access Government
- Apple Vision Pro has a vision for disabled inclusion- Robin Christopherson
- How to create a highly usable and accessible GP website- Practice Business
- Achieving Disability Equity In Your Community- World Institute on Disability
- WAI-ARIA Usage Has Quadrupled Since 2019- Bureau of Internet Accessibility
- How to Improve Workplace Accessibility With Assistive Tech- Information Week
- Promote accessible policies for meaningful participation, inclusion- Daily Monitor
- Accessible eLearning Challenges That Organizations Must Face- eLearning Industry
- Hip Fractures From Osteoporosis Are Doubling- Protect Your Bones- mindbodygreen
- Philadelphia Subway Station Accessibility Improvements- Center for American Progress
- What church congregations can do to make things more accessible- Muscular Dystrophy News
- ‘Everybody should be able to see a mountain view’ Groups work to expand accessibility- WLOS
- Session 6 – The Patients Forum – The Glaucoma Foundation’s 28th Annual Scientific Think Tank (YouTube)
- Breaking Down Barriers: Debunking Myths and Misconceptions about Web Accessibility- Jeff Rodgers
- Children’s Toy Clixo Proves Prioritizing Accessible Design Has Relevance Beyond Tech- Steven Aquino
- Why accessibility features should be a technological prerequisite not an afterthought- Assistive Technology
- Interagency Efforts to Promote Accessibility for People with Disabilities Generally Followed Leading Collaboration Practices- U.S. Access Board
- Workplace Opportunity Services Uses Accessibility And Empathy To Help Marginalized People Have ‘A Fighting Chance’ In The Job Market- Steven Aquino
- All About Accessibility: A Conversation with Taryn Mackenzie Williams, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy- Disability and Philanthropy Forum (Podcast)
Higher Education Blogs and Information
- What’s next for higher ed web accessibility- EdScoop
- UWinnipeg accessibility advocate wins national award- University of Winnipeg News
- University of Phoenix Accessibility, Equity and Inclusion Team Wins Catalyst Award
- Texas colleges provide job training for students with disabilities. Here’s how to access it.- The Texas Tribune
- Opening the Doors to All: Library Website Ensures Accessibility for Every Visitor- Montclair State University
- UW-Green Bay’s new Student Accessibility web site designed to help students remove barriers to learning- UW-Green Bay
- Faculty Work to Improve Accessibility and Destigmatize Disability Across CLAS- UConn Today – University of Connecticut
- Inside The University Of North Dakota’s Efforts To Make Disability Awareness And Accessible Design Commonplace On Campus- Steven Aquino
Legal Blogs and Information
- London, Dublin, GAAD 2023!- Lainey Feingold
- Talk Justice, an LSC Podcast: Will AI Be Accessible?
- Web and app ADA lawsuits: 6 trends so far in 2023- Jason Taylor
- 2023 Midyear Report On Digital Accessibility Lawsuits- UsableNet
- Understanding Recent Amendments To RPwD Rules, 2017- LiveLaw
- SCOTUS to Determine the Future of ADA Website Compliance – Small Business Trends
- Making sure your website is ADA compliant saves dollars and make sense – Technical.ly
- U.S. Airline Accessibility Civil Rights Set To Advance As FAA Reauthorization Nears- Gus Alexiou
- ProtectX7: Accessibility of legal design significant for building customer relationships- Cover Magazine
- FCC Requires That Videoconferencing Platforms Comply With Accessibility Requirements- Perkins Coie
- Tips to make your summer internship legally compliant and more accessible to people with disabilities- Inside INdiana Business
- Inclusive Design over Incidental Accessibility: Why Your Existing Remote Desktop Solution May Not Be Serving You as Well as You Think- Pneuma
Accessibility Announcements and Products
- Core One: The World’s Smallest OTC Hearing Aids
- Delta council gives thumbs-up for Accessibility Plan
- Walking charity encourages inclusion and accessibility
- 7 keyboards that make typing easier on hands and wrists
- El Paso County Unveils Visually Impaired Persons Trail
- Hands-on with 5 powerful accessibility features in iOS 17
- New app helps wheelchair users find truly accessible places
- Destination BC Forms Accessibility and Inclusion Committee
- Dublin City Council begins work on homes for Older People
- FCC Proposes Action to Improve Wireless Emergency Alerts
- Vision Pro accessibility: Great potential, but many unknowns
- Google Open – Improving Accessibility and Inclusivity Online
- Accessible Pharmacy for the Blind offers free services in GA, SC
- New accessibility help guide available for Washington Post website
- Dumfries train station accessibility improvements unveiled to public
- Discover The Palm Beaches Activates Program For Accessible Tourism
- Samsung TVs, monitors get new accessibility feature for color-blind users
- Etiquette and Accessibility essential for fan experience at U.S Senior Open
- Google introduces new accessibility and collaboration features for classrooms
- Google upgrades Chrome accessibility with image to text conversion for PDFs
- BNE is Australia’s 1st airport providing inclusive website with Recite Me Technology
- NJ announces $3.25M in grants to improve quality of life for residents with disabilities
- Aids for failing eyesight could be coming: New devices demonstrated for Island seniors
- Wisconsin Elections Commission: Polling place accessibility reviews show improvements
- Sandag and Fact launch first on-demand wheelchair-accessible service in San Diego region
- Help light the way: Fox Cities Festival of Lights seeks donations for handicap accessible trail
- Public Encouraged to Participate in Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) Accessibility Survey
- Chrome’s Upcoming Feature Enables PDF Documents to be Converted into Read-Aloud Text for Enhanced Accessibility
- Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) wins Adobe Experience Maker Award for Innovative Digital Transformation
- DeafBlind Awareness Week Art Show: Self-Expression and Independence Through Art- HHSC Recognizes DeafBlind Awareness Week with Art Show
- HUD Seeks Public Comment on Changes to Requiring Accessibility and Prohibiting Discrimination on the Basis of Disability in HUD-Assisted Programs
Accessibility Forums, Tips, and Gaming
- Skilling snack: Accessibility in Windows 11
- Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown’s accessibility options detailed
- Starfield Aims To Be Accessible To As Many People As Possible
- Final Fantasy XVI’s accessibility features come at an unfortunate cost
- How to Set Apple Devices to Automatically Dim Flashing Lights in Videos
- Top iPhone tips and tricks: Translations, sound alerts, hearing aids and more
- Final Fantasy 16 players praise devs for finally adding highly-requested feature
- Starfield will have a helpful “large font mode” for accessibility and varying screen sizes
Accessibility Statements
- ETRO Spa
- CommBank
- Webster Bank
- UNSW Sydney
- ExploreLearning
- Washington County
- Guildford Borough Council
- NSW Land Registry Services
- Musée National d’Histoire et d’Art
- Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
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
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.