Accessibility in the News — 4/29/2022.

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Demo Day April 29, 2022

Congratulations Shannon McMahon

Feature Stories

High Court upholds excluding Puerto Ricans from aid for disabled and blind

April 21, 2022 | Source: NPR

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Congress may continue to exclude Puerto Rican residents from a federal safety net program that provides direct payments to poor, disabled, and blind American citizens. At issue was whether the Supplemental Security Income program can constitutionally exclude American citizens who reside in Puerto Rico. Congress established the program in 1972 to provide a minimum income for the neediest adults who are over 65, blind, or disabled…

National News (U.S.)

Polk companies hire disabled workers to solve labor shortage

April 22, 2022 | Source: ABC-WFTS

The rapid population growth in Polk County has sparked an explosion of new jobs. More than 100 companies have hired workers with disabilities to help with labor shortages. Cameron Bailey, 20, has been working at Advance Auto Parts Distribution Center in Lakeland for seven months. “I clock in, grab my stuff, head to this area and then go straight to work,” said Cameron Bailey. Bailey sorts and organizes auto parts in the warehouse. He has autism and this is his very first job…

Utah Community Helps Fund And Build Wheelchair Accessible Wing For Disabled Teenager

April 24, 2022 | Source: NBC (YouTube)

18-year-old Max Togisala had been hospitalized since February after becoming paralyzed in a skiing accident. After the incident, Max was determined to get stronger, but another obstacle stood in his way, how to navigate his split-level home in his wheelchair. Misty and Paul Anderson, along with the community in South Ogden, Utah, helped fund and create a wheelchair-accessible wing for Max’s family’s house…

Historic New Bern building is getting a makeover to allow accessibility

April 22, 2022 | Source: Spectrum News

The city of New Bern is finally making its historic city hall accessible by installing an elevator. The current building doesn’t follow the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines, which were put in place over 30 years ago. Mayor Dana Outlaw says that’s because historic buildings built before that time are exempt from certain accessibility laws. However, the inaccessibility still affects disabled residents. “It’s still not fair to your citizens,” Outlaw said. “It’s still the right thing to do.”…

Woman on spectrum says Labor Dept. needs better accessibility

April 22, 2022 | Source: WNYT NewsChannel 13 (YouTube)

Darlene McGraw has autism and epilepsy. She tells 13 Investigates she had a hard time applying for unemployment. McGraw says she could not navigate the website properly because of her cognitive learning disability. Her hours were cut significantly at her part-time job during the pandemic, and she says she’s been trying for months to apply for unemployment. She’s called the Department of Labor many times for help but can’t get anyone on the phone…

Burlington Public Library creates accessible space for disabled people

April 25, 2022 | Source: The Hawk Eye

The Burlington Public Library is taking a step toward inclusivity by becoming one of Iowa’s first sensory-friendly public libraries. “When we started to make our library inclusive for the whole community, it started ground up,” youth services library assistant Allison Richert said. The initiative is based on four specific dimensions — physical space, programming and sensory activity, circulation of materials, and staff training. Richert is a former paraeducator who worked both in a mainstream setting to help children with disabilities who could stay in the regular classroom and children in special education classes…

Disability rights marchers in Northampton call on businesses, city to open up access to all

April 24, 2022 | Source: Daily Hampshire Gazette

A celebration of the lives of people with disabilities on Saturday also served as a blunt reminder that access to public buildings in Northampton is not good enough, organizers said, and that more able-bodied people need to join the ongoing fight. At least 120 people participated in the Disableist Movement Rally, marching and riding their wheelchairs from the train station at 170 Pleasant St. to Pulaski Park on Main Street. They held signs and chanted slogans calling for city businesses and officials to “ramp up” accessibility in public spaces beyond the limited mandates of the Americans with Disabilities Act…

Wall Street Giant KKR Profited While People With Severe Disabilities Suffered Abuse And Neglect

April 25, 2022 | Source: BuzzFeed

Over five decades, the private equity giant KKR became famous — or infamous, depending on the observer — for a particular playbook. It acquired iconic companies such as RJR Nabisco, Duracell, and Toys R Us, loaded them up with debt, and sold them off. In 2019, KKR took on a responsibility that was very different from selling cookies or batteries: caring for thousands of people with severe intellectual or developmental disabilities, some of whom cannot speak, wash, or feed themselves…

More than 5 billion people now use the internet- 63 percent of all the people on Earth are now online

April 26, 2022 | Source: TNW

DataReportal’s new Digital 2022 April Global Statshot report – published in partnership with We Are Social and Hootsuite – reveals that more than 5 billion people around the world now use the internet. This impressive total marks another important milestone on our journey towards universal internet accessibility, and means that 63 percent of the world’s total population is now online. There’s much more to this story than a headline user figure though, and this article offers extensive analysis to help you understand the implications of this milestone…

Questions of accessibility arise after blind man struck by car in Redmond

April 26, 2022 | Source: Fox13 (Video)

A blind man is recovering at home after more than two weeks spent in a hospital and rehab, all from being hit by a car while trying to cross the street. The number of these crashes has fallen in recent years, but for people with certain impairments, the threat may always be in the back of their mind…

Empathetic design is redefining accessibility for people with disabilities and special needs, and a growing number of major companies are adopting it

April 26, 2022 | Source: Fortune

When Raja Rajamannar was a kid, his grandmother, who lived with his family in India, became blind. “My sister and I had to help her navigate every day,” he says. “I really felt for her.” Still, he acknowledges, he couldn’t truly know his grandmother’s experience moving around the world after losing sight. Now, Rajamannar works as chief marketing and communications officer and president, Healthcare business at Mastercard. In 2019, he was approached by a member of the company’s finance team to create a card specifically for people who are blind and visually impaired…

TDF’s Director of Accessibility Lisa Carling on the Importance of Autism-Friendly Performances

April 26, 2022 | Source: Broadway World

April is Autism Acceptance Month, and to honor that, BroadwayWorld is highlighting TDF’s Accessibility Programs Department. According to the TDF website, TDF Accessibility Programs provides a membership service for theatregoers who are hard of hearing or deaf, have low vision or are blind, who cannot climb stairs or who require aisle seating or wheelchair locations. Some of the services available to members include accessible seating, audio description, open captioning, and sign language interpretation…

Women responded better than men to early Alzheimer’s intervention, study found

April 26, 2022 | Source: CNN

After age and genetics, being a woman is the single most important risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease, experts say. “Two out of every three brains affected by Alzheimer’s disease are women’s brains,” said Dr. Richard Isaacson, director of the Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic in the Center for Brain Health at Florida Atlantic University’s Schmidt College of Medicine. Now, a new study has good news when it comes to giving women a chance to reduce their increased risk…

DeafColorado.org helping make COS deaf community accessible & inclusive

April 26, 2022 | Source: FOX21 News Colorado (Video) & Deaf Colorado

DeafColorado.org is a way for everyone to network and find resources, regardless of their disabilities. Deaf Accessibility Consultant, Julie Riddle, stopped by Loving Living Local to share her connection to the deaf community and how she strives to continue making it more accessible and inclusive…

Accessibility at CPS schools called into question after student with disabilities injured

April 26, 2022 | Source: WGN-TV

A South Side family is calling on Chicago Public Schools to make its buildings fully accessible and safe for all students after their daughter was injured during an emergency evacuation. Kateri Hughes is a senior at the Chicago High School for the Arts in Humboldt Park. A musical theater major, she suffers from a rare condition that affects her joints and requires her to often use a cane and walker to get around. During a recent school day, a fire alarm at her school was activated…

Seeking accessibility: Local beeping Easter egg idea spreads inclusion across the globe

April 27, 2022 | Source: Shelby County Reporter

In 2005, Calera Police Chief David Hyche created the first beeping Easter egg in his basement as a way to make Easter egg hunts more accessible for his daughter Rachel who lost her vision when she was 4 months old. Since then, two other generations of the egg have been made, and they have been sent to hundreds of cities across the U.S. and the world to host their own accessible Easter egg hunts. “I think it’s really cool that it was born in Shelby County, and now it’s spread all over the world,” Hyche said…

Northern California winery website accessibility lawsuits face judicial pushback

April 27, 2022 | Source: North By Business Journal

Some judges are pushing back on a recent wave of federal lawsuits against North Coast wineries and other California businesses over the accessibility of their websites to those with disabilities. Over six dozen complaints have been filed in federal court against North Coast vintners, according to court records. The cases mostly were opened since last fall and by one plaintiff — Andres Gomez, described as a Miami man who is legally blind — and one law firm, Southern California-based Potter Handy…

Accessible subways are safer subways for all

April 28, 2022 | Source: New York Daily News

Since the Sunset Park subway shooting earlier this month, the safety of New York’s public transit system has understandably become a major priority for city lawmakers. However, while the conversation has centered on important problems such as the failure of platform security cameras, other equally — if not more — significant safety issues have been almost entirely neglected. Chief among them has been the woeful failures of our city’s transit system to become accessible to those of us who use wheelchairs, canes and walkers, as well as anyone else with mobility challenges…

Video games taught me I was colorblind but it’s not always a friendly lesson

April 28, 2022 | Source: Mashable

Almost 15 years ago, the way I looked at the world changed. Literally. I was playing Peggle, a popular puzzle video game about shooting balls at colored pegs when I realized I had a problem: The green and orange pegs looked almost identical to me. After a bit of online research, some soul-searching, and a visit to the eye clinic, I was diagnosed with moderate red-green colorblindness. Suddenly, my eyes were opened to how games handled colorblind accessibility…

I Team: Beware The Wheelchair Ramp Chaser

April 28, 2022 | Source: CBS12

A concerned citizen contacted the CBS12 News I-Team, wanting to spread the word about a slick legal maneuver that’s hurting our small business owners. At first glance, it might appear to be well intentioned, even heroic, but we did some digging and found out it’s all about one thing. Money. The way in? Handicap access. Wheelchair ramps are one component, but there’s also parking spaces, even websites. And for a small business owner, it’s scary to open a piece of mail, and learn, you’re being accused of violating federal laws…

Jack Fact — According to 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. Over 1 billion young adults are at risk of permanent, avoidable hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices.

Hit The Road Jack — ‘Take it slow’: Florida theme parks have accessibility programs but they still require planning (Video) & Accessible Hikes Near Seattle and Beyond

International News

Collect and Go: The smart locker system that changes accessibility to medication

April 23, 2022 | Source: CapeTalk- Africa

Collecting medication through public health systems is a major problem in the country for a variety of reasons, including unbearable queues and administrative hurdles, and that is a reality millions of South Africans on chronic medication face on a regular basis. Collect and Go is a smart locker programme already operating in Gauteng, the Free State and Mpumalanga and it is opening 11 new sites in the Western Cape to allow citizens to collect their chronic medication from secure locker systems around the province whenever is most convenient for them…

Peter Kay launches wheelchair-accessible boat on Lancashire reservoir

April 23, 2022 | Source: Evening Standard- UK

Comedian Peter Kay has launched a new wheelchair-accessible ‘wheelyboat’ near his home town of Bolton. The comic, writer and actor said he and his children had enjoyed outdoor activities at The Anderton Centre, near Chorley, where the boat was launched on the Lower Rivington Reservoir. It will give disabled adults and children the chance to enjoy water-based activities at the centre for the first time. Kay, 48, stepped away from the public eye in 2017, citing “unforeseen family circumstances” but returned to the stage earlier this month to begin his first tour in 11 years…

Persons with disabilities call for accessible toilets

April 24, 2022 | Source: The Hindu- India

When R. Jayachandran recently wanted to use a public toilet in New Washermenpet, he found the toilet meant for persons with disabilities kept locked.No one was there with the key and it remained inaccessible and he had to finally leave and look for a toilet elsewhere. For several persons with disabilities in the city, public toilets remain inaccessible — either due to lack of maintenance, infrastructure that they are unable to navigate or are simply kept under lock and key…

Inclusive and sustainable technology: Not an option anymore!

April 25, 2022 | Source: Times of India

If I have learnt anything from the pandemic, it’s that technology has the power and potential to enable connection. From virtual meetings to online grocery shopping, innovations in technology allowed us to connect and collaborate whenever, wherever. While we rapidly adopt new digital technologies, we must also place accessibility front and centre. Despite the benefits tech adoption brings with it, several businesses are yet to factor inclusivity and accessibility into their products…

Accessibility advocate Gerry Post

April 26, 2022 | Source: Global News- Canada (Video)

“I don’t think there’s enough discussion going on about affordable and accessible housing.” We chat with accessibility advocate Gerry Post about issues affecting Nova Scotian’s living with disabilities. Post and others are waiting on the government to move forward on recommendations for a proper accessibility standard for the built environment…

SNCB stations fail on accessibility

April 25, 2022 | Source: The Brussels Times- Belgium

As of January 2022, only 4.5% of rail stations were accessible to people with reduced mobility, according to Belgian mobility advocacy group Passe le Message à ton Voisin with reference to data from SNCB. Currently, 115 stations in Belgium offer assistance to those with reduced mobility wishing to board trains. 90 stations offer assistance, but this requires prior booking through the SNCB’s reservation system. These reservations must be made 48 hours in advance for trips abroad, and 24 hours before for national journeys…

It’s easy to hire people with disabilities. These B.C. businesses show you how

April 25, 2022 | Source: BCBusiness- Canada

To foster reliable and loyal talent in an organization, it’s important to address the barriers that employees might face every day. Presidents Group, based in Vancouver with a network of 25 organizations championing more accessible and inclusive workplaces, is encouraging companies to take stock of that through a five-part documentary series it created with production studio True Calling and various local businesses. “We wanted to highlight that people with disabilities are great employees,” says Yat Li, senior accessibility consultant at Presidents Group…

Sensory maps improve accessibility at Stockland town centres

April 26, 2022 | Source: Inside Retail- Australia

Australian property development company Stockland has created a first-of-a-kind sensory map of its shopping centres to assist customers with autism, and their families. The sensory maps created in partnership with Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) will give people on the spectrum an opportunity to better navigate new environments. Aspect’s Autism Friendly team carried out assessments at Stockland’s retail town centres at Green Hills, Merrylands, Point Cook, Shellharbour, Wetherill Park and Wendouree…

Parkinson’s disease symptoms ‘reversed’ by mini implant, trial suggests

April 26, 2022 | Source: BBC- UK & Brain Tomorrow

A hospital in Bristol is believed to be the first in the world to implant a device into a brain to reverse the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Southmead Hospital surgeons used a tiny deep brain stimulation (DBS) device to override abnormal brain-cell firing patterns caused by Parkinson’s. Tony Howells, the first person to receive the treatment as part of a trial, said the impact was “amazing”. Twenty-five patients have been selected for the trial that concludes next year…

Govia Thameslink Railway launches initiative to help boost accessibility

April 26, 2022 | Source: Rail Technology Magazine- England

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has launched a new initiative to improve accessibility on Great Northern, Thameslink, Southern and Gatwick Express services. Passengers looking to travel with GTR can now book assistance for their journey two hours in advance of catching a train. Many disabled people who require assistance at stations simply ask for assistance once they arrive at the station. This follows the recent announcement that the Government will introduce a £2.5m package of investment to help disabled people travel more confidently…

72% of Irish company websites fail users with disabilities

April 27, 2022 | Source: Silicon Republic & techbuzzireland & Breaking News & Irish Tech News& Carlow Nationalist

What are the world’s most accessible online brands?

April 27, 2022 | Source: Campaign Asia

Chanel, H&M lead the way in website accessibility, while Body Shop offers the best UX

April 27, 2022 | Source: Internet Retailing & Professional Jeweller

The Digital Accessibility Index found that Ireland’s top five grocery retail websites were classified as inaccessible based on an EU directive. A new report released today (27 April) claims that 72pc of leading Irish companies do not have websites that are considered accessible for people with disabilities. The first Digital Accessibility Index, published by Inclusion and Accessibility Labs (IA Labs), also showed that no sector in Ireland achieved an accessibility pass rating of more than 50pc…

Most human rights complaints in NWT related to disability: Human Rights Commission chair

April 27, 2022 | Source: NNSL Media- Canada

Disability continues to be at the heart of most human rights complaints in the Northwest Territories, according to the NWT Human Rights Commission’s most recent annual report. Representatives of the tribunal briefed the Legislative Assembly’s Standing Committee on Government Operations on their 2020-21 report on April 26. From April 2020 to March 2021, the office of the executive director of the Commission received 30 new complaints; Of these, 18 — or 60 per cent — were related to disabilities…

Search for accessible rental drives Cambridge resident out of town

April 28, 2022 | Source: CambridgeToday- Canada

Growing up in Cambridge, Linda Montgomery always saw it as the ideal place to raise her family and she’s been looking high and low for a place to call home with her husband for over five years. But to their surprise and dismay, they haven’t been able to find any type of housing in the city with suitable accessibility options. After a disability caused by work injuries left her relying on a cane or walker, she needed a certain level of accessibility at home. Stairs have become an impossible challenge…

Sminu Jindal says ‘accessibility is a trillion-dollar economy’ at GLC summit

April 28, 2022 | Source: Republic World- India

As the Global Leadership Conference came to an end, multiple takeaways marked the success of the event. Indian industrialist, Jindal SAW Ltd Managing Director Sminu Jindal addressed thousands of entrepreneurs from all over the world at the Global Leadership Conference (GLC), the flagship by-invitation-only event of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) on April 25 in Washington, DC. She was the only Indian leader among the select 16 mainstage speakers at the event…

This Accessibility Tech Startup Is Making Public Spaces More Inclusive For The Visually Impaired

April 28, 2022 | Source: TechBullion- Israel

Accessibility Tech refers to the technologies that enable people with disabilities or impairments to participate in society equally with others. In recent years we have seen more and more startups provide effective solutions and products that help and contribute to the daily lives of many people who have disabilities. One startup focusing on helping the visually impaired is RightHear; the company provides talking signage so visually impaired people can interpret and understand their surroundings in real-time…

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