Accessibility in the News — 3/14/2025.
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AITN Quote of the Week
Accessibility in the News (AITN)- Knowledge is Power
“Time is a physician who heals every grief.” ― Diphilus
Feature Stories
Education Department announces it’s cutting nearly 50% of workforce
March 12, 2025 | Source: CBS
Massive Layoffs at the Department of Education Erode Its Civil Rights Division
March 12, 2025 | Source: ProPublica
Federal Agency Dedicated to Mental Illness and Addiction Faces Huge Cuts
March 12, 2025 | Source: New York Times
Social Security Administration to curtail some toll-free phone services
March 12, 2025 | Source: CBS
Social Security Backtracks on DOGE Phone Service Cuts After Media Report
March 12, 2025 | Source: Newsweek
Mark Cuban wants to fill the void created by Musk’s cuts
March 12, 2025 | Source: POLITICO
What dismantling the Education Department means for kids with disabilities
March 13, 2024 | Source: Vox
The Department of Education on Tuesday announced it is cutting its workforce by nearly 50% as the Trump administration proceeds with its plans to dismantle the agency. “Today’s reduction in force reflects the Department of Education’s commitment to efficiency, accountability, and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents, and teachers,” Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a statement. “I appreciate the work of the dedicated public servants and their contributions to the Department.”…
National News (U.S.)
When Climate Crisis Strikes, Who Gets Left Behind?
March 6, 2025 | Source: HuffPost
As California struggles to recover from the deadly fires that consumed our City of Angels, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the most vulnerable citizens are at the most risk of dying during a climate disaster. The stories that have emerged during this crisis are hard to bear witness to — one mother was reportedly forced to leave her disabled son to die because she wasn’t able to evacuate him. And our current political climate is fraught; conservatives don’t appear to think that disabled people need to have access to necessary survival strategies…
Women face higher risk of Alzheimer’s, says Alzheimer’s Association
March 9, 2025 | Source: ABC13
On International Women’s Day, the Alzheimer’s Association Central and Western Virginia highlighted the significant impact of Alzheimer’s disease on women. According to the association, nearly two-thirds of Americans living with Alzheimer’s are women. This disparity is attributed to women’s generally longer lifespans, as the risk of developing dementia doubles every year past the age of 65. The association also noted that 60 percent of dementia caregivers are women, underscoring the dual burden women face in both experiencing and managing the disease…
How a Growing Number of People Identifying as Disabled Could Impact Workplace Accessibility
March 10, 2025 | Source: The Wall Street Journal (Podcast)
More workers are seeking accommodations for mental-health conditions, spurring a debate among people with disabilities about whether the growing number of people who identify as disabled helps or harms workplace accessibility. As more companies call employees back to the office, a growing number of people are seeking workplace accommodations based on mental health diagnoses, and it sparked a debate among disabled workers…
How the Disability Community Can Fight Back in 2025
March 10, 2025 | Source: Center for American Progress
The Trump administration started implementing Project 2025 immediately upon taking office, and as predicted, it is already harming disabled people. Far-reaching administrative actions such as the executive order on “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing” and the U.S. Office of Management and Budget’s memo on freezing federal spending have caused significant confusion for disabled people and organizations that serve them across the country…
The Road Ahead: Anti-DEIA Executive Orders and Ongoing Risks
March 11, 2025 | Source: National Alliance to End Homelessness
The Trump Administration has recently signed the “Ending Radical Government DEI Programs and Preferencing” and “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” Executive Orders – collectively known as the “Anti-DEIA Executive Orders.” These were signed in response to the Biden Administration’s 2021 “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government” Executive Order, which was rescinded on January 20, 2025…
An office known for enforcing special education is now focused on Trump’s political priorities
March 11, 2025 Source: AP
The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights is known best for enforcing the right to disability services across America’s schools. But under President Donald Trump, it’s taking a frontline role in his political battles.
Trump appointees have halted thousands of pending cases while they open new investigations aligned with the president’s campaign promises. Career staffers have been sidelined and pressured to quit, and those who remain are being ordered to refocus priorities on antisemitism, transgender issues and anti-DEI complaints…
Accessibility projects work to make Mount Pisgah Arboretum more welcoming
March 11, 2025 | Source: OPB
According to an equity survey conducted by the Lane County Parks Department, people cited physical barriers as the biggest hurdle when it came to visiting parks. Some of the barriers listed were lack of access to ADA-compliant playgrounds, all-terrain wheelchairs, and trail systems designed for people of all abilities. Recent projects at Mount Pisgah Arboretum, south of Springfield, are designed to make the facility more accessible. The facility is located at the most visited park in Lane County, Howard Buford Recreation Area…
Colorado Lt. Gov. Primavera signs building accessibility bill into law
March 11, 2025 | Source: Colorado Politics
As acting Governor, Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera on Tuesday signed a bill into law requiring local governments to implement building codes that meet or exceed the accessibility standards in international building codes. “Every Coloradan deserves the freedom to live in spaces they can navigate and enjoy,” said Primavera. “By aligning our building codes with the current international accessibility standards, we’re not just meeting legal requirements — we’re reinforcing Colorado’s commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity.”…
The government already knows a lot about you. DOGE is trying to access all of it
March 11, 2025 Source: NPR
Elon Musk’s team within the Trump administration has sought sweeping access to databases that store personal information on millions and millions of Americans. The data collected and maintained by the government isn’t just your name, home address, and Social Security number. Some federal agencies store information that many people don’t share even with their closest friends and family: Medical diagnoses and treatment. Notes from therapy sessions…
Tennessee State Parks hires first-ever accessibility coordinator
March 12, 2025 | Source: WVLT and Tennessee State Parks and WATE
Tennessee State Parks officials announced Tuesday that Ryan Jolley would take on the role of the first-ever accessibility coordinator. The job will including advising, training and working towards projects increasing access to Tennessee’s outdoors. Jolley himself, a self-proclaimed outdoors enthusiast, was diagnosed with a rare condition at 10 that’s left him legally blind. “I’ve always been in love with the outdoors and nature and through my work experience in the disability community I found myself really wanting to assist the state parks in becoming the most accessible state park system in the nation,” Jolley said…
New visual accessibility kits make St. Louis County Library more inclusive
March 12, 2025 | Source: St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis County Library cardholders can now check out visual accessibility kits at all 20 county library branches. Each kit includes a video magnifier, an adjustable LED lamp and a LED angled hand held magnifier. The library’s goal is to eliminate barriers to access for people with visual impairments, said Kristen Sorth, the director and CEO of the county library district. “This is really a new approach for us,” she said “We’ve never had the ability to provide resources for patrons to check out.”…
NYC streets and open spaces see more safety, accessibility in 2024: DOT
March 13, 2024 Source: amNY
NYC streets, sidewalks and open spaces have achieved record-breaking safety and accessibility improvements in recent years, city transportation officials reported on Thursday. Despite ongoing controversy around street infrastructure projects — such as the construction of new bus and bike lanes — the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) says it has made significant strides in safety and accessibility in recent years, according to the city’s updated 2025 Streets Plan…
Jack Fact — A study by Emerald Insight indicates that the accessible tourism market could generate revenues close to 90 billion dollars by 2025, an increase of 65 percent over the last decade.
Hit The Road Jack — Are these the most accessible, responsible accommodations in the world? and Greece Leads The Way In Inclusive Travel With New Beach Accessibility Initiative and Visiting a US national park this spring or summer? Don’t expect business-as-usual
International News
Films that are accessible to persons with disabilities? It’s possible
March 8, 2025 | Source: The Indian Express- India
“WAVES – I think we have such a big country, and the maximum number of films are made here. The world’s biggest creative industry is here. So, I am establishing a huge movement. I am going to gather the creative world here. The world’s creative centre will be India,” said Prime Minister Modi while speaking to Diljit Dosanjh, in reference to the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) in Mumbai. Dosanjh, Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar and other celebrities have amplified the PM’s vision, aiming to make India the world’s entertainment content hub…
Accessibility advocate Anjlee Agarwal takes over PM Modi’s X handle on Women’s Day, calls for inclusivity
March 8, 2025 | Source: Deccan Herald- India
Anjlee Agarwal, the founder of civil society organisation Samarthyam Centre for Universal Accessibility, took over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s social media handles on Women’s Day, calling for a stronger push towards a more accessible and inclusive India under the Sugamya Bharat initiative. Agarwal, a leading advocate for universal accessibility and inclusive mobility, emphasised the need to break barriers and strengthen the nation’s commitment to ensuring that every individual, particularly women and persons with disabilities, can live with dignity and independence…
Weekly newspapers recorded for blind and partially sighted NI
March 8, 2025 | Source: BBC- UK
“I find it a privilege to share my sight with people who are less lucky.” Hazel Semple is one of many people who volunteer their time – and their voice – to ensure local news is accessible for blind or partially-sighted people. The group record and distribute audio versions of weekly newspapers to subscribers. The Craigavon Area Talking Newspaper – which has been in operation since 1978 – distributes about 60 recordings of the Lurgan Mail and Portadown Times for people to listen to every week…
Mecca Grand Mosque enhances accessibility for elderly and people of determination during Ramadan
March 9, 2025 | Source: Gulf News- Saudi Arabia
The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has introduced a series of accessibility enhancements to accommodate people of determination and elderly worshippers during Ramadan. Special prayer areas have been designated across the mosque, equipped with Qurans and Zamzam water. For men with disabilities, allocated spaces include the first floor near Gate 91, the first floor opposite Shubaika Bridge at Gate 68, the southern courtyard near Ajyad Bridge, the western courtyard at Shubaika, and two locations in the Saudi Third Expansion near Gate 123…
Dragons’ Den stars to help cosmetics entrepreneur
March 9, 2025 Source- BBC- UK
An accessible cosmetics entrepreneur who got what was labelled the “best deal ever” on Dragons’ Den, has said she wants the industry to become more inclusive. Millie Flemington-Clare, 26, from Bristol, who has a rare condition called cystinosis, pitched her brand of inclusive make-up products on the BBC One show. Although she was unable to secure investment, she was given offers of help from three of the dragons. “I have ambitions of accessibility across industries and products and creating real societal changes,” said Ms Flemington-Clare…
‘It’s too hard to access’: The vote-casting hurdle these Australians face
March 9, 2025 | Source: SBS- Australia
For most Australians, voting is a relatively straightforward process. You turn up to a polling booth, fill in your ballot paper, and maybe get a democracy sausage on your way out. But for people with disability, voting can come with a great amount of difficulty — and in some cases, it’s preventing them from doing it at all. Stephanie Travers, a director on the board of People with Disability Australia, said: “When you have a disability, there’s always an extra step.”…
Settlement with Croydon Council on blind voter accessibility
March 10, 2025 | Source: Leigh Day- UK and Local Government Lawyer
The challenge was launched after Dr Osman was unable to vote by post without assistance in two 2024 elections. He instead had to rely on a friend for assistance, compromising his ability to vote secretly and independently. In the lead-up to the London General Authority Election in May and General Election in July, Dr Osman was only sent hard copies of postal voting documents which contained no instructions or information in Braille. This was despite the council being aware of his visual impairment…
Women with disabilities continue to face accessibility hurdles online, UN rights chief states
March 11, 2025 | Source: Jurist- Canada
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk informed attendees of the 58th session of the Human Rights Council on Monday of the continuous accessibility barriers that people with disabilities face, especially women. Volker Türk contended that the international community failed to uphold Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states that all people are born equal. He identified two categories of risks that technology creates for people with disabilities: the construction of new spaces for discrimination, and the exclusion of people with disabilities from conversations about the design of technology…
Disabled people must have a say in rail reforms, MP says
March 12, 2025 | Source: BBC- UK
The head of parliament’s transport committee has written to the rail minister, Lord Hendy, urging the government “not to forget about disabled people” when planning upcoming rail reforms ahead of nationalisation. Ruth Cadbury, the chair of the select committee that scrutinises the government’s transport agenda, has asked the Department for Transport why its consultation on rail reforms has omitted any mention of “placing a duty on Great British Railways to have regard to accessibility.”…
Art as therapy: Swiss doctors prescribe museum visits
March 12, 2025 | Source: Reuters- Switzerland
Swiss doctors are expanding the range of prescriptions for patients with mental health conditions and chronic illnesses to include strolls in public gardens, art galleries and museums. The city of Neuchatel, in western Switzerland, launched the pilot project with doctors last month to help struggling residents and to promote physical activity. “For people who sometimes have difficulties with their mental health, it allows them for a moment to forget their worries, their pain, their illnesses to go and spend a joyful moment of discovery,” Patricia Lehmann, a Neuchatel doctor taking part in the programme, told Reuters…
Accessibility committee handled 67 requests in 2024
March 13, 2025 | Source: Prince George Citizen- Canada
The City of Prince George received 67 accessibility service requests in 2024, according to an annual report from the Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Inclusion delivered to city council at its Monday, March 10 meeting. On hand to deliver the report and tell council about the committee’s plans for 2025 was chair Ken Biron and Sarah Brown, the city’s supervisor of civic initiatives and partnerships. According to the report, the most common requests surrounding accessibility came from roads and sidewalks with 32…
Minstead Trust: ‘Bouncing back’ after disability charity break-in
March 13, 2025 | Source: BBC- UK
A charity which had more than £50,000 worth of “crucial” equipment stolen during a break in said it had had “a big impact”. Last October, the Minstead Trust which support people with learning disabilities to build their independence was the victim of a break in. The trust which works with over 300 vulnerable people said a transit van and tools had been taken. Claire Young from the Minstead Trust said nearly six months on, “we are doing ok and are “bouncing back”…
Municipality’s Accessibility Advisory Committee identifies areas of improvement in Sun Peaks
March 13, 2025 | Source: Sun Peaks Independent News- Canada
Established in October 2022, in accordance with the Accessible British Columbia Act, Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality’s (SPMRM) Accessibility Advisory Committee is soon to bring its plan to council. The committee is mandated to identify barriers to accessibility for everyone, including those with disabilities and the aging population. Currently in the works, the plan includes recommendations for the municipality’s online services and properties, including the tennis courts, Sun Peaks Centre and the arena…
Concerns about GBR lacking statutory responsibilities for accessibility raised by select committee
March 13, 2025 | Source: New Civil Engineer- UK
Concerns about the Rail Reform Bill and Great British Railways’ (GBR’s) lack of proposed statutory responsibilities around access for disabled people have been raised by the Parliamentary transport select committee. Transport select committee chair Ruth Cadbury MP wrote to Department for Transport (DfT) minister for rail Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill on 12 March 2025 about the government’s consultation on the draft Rail Reform Bill which includes provisions for GBR…
Accessibility Blogs, Information, and Videos
- Accessible Online Banking- Ipsos
- Hands once joined- Peter Torres Fremlin
- MARCHing into Spring: NEAT Newsletter
- The Complexity of Accessible Travel- Christiane Link
- Bringing disability history into a media classroom- Priti Salian
- Simple ways to make visitor experiences more accessible- City of Melbourne
- Cultivating success through workforce accessibility- Employee Benefit News
- Family Voice Forum- Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance – NY.gov
- Making Your Website Work For You: Web Development Best Practices- Forbes
- How Joshua Miele Turned an Acid Attack into a Career In Accessibility- WYNC(Podcast)
- Accessibility in tourism is more than just ramps and wheelchair access- WebinTravel
- Making Public Media Accessible: A Move from Mission to Practice- Hilary Kissinger
- HC Türk: Technology must support people with disabilities – not deepen discrimination- OHCHR
- Creating an Inclusive Digital Experience: The Future of Accessible UI Components- IBTimes India
- Parenting a Child with a Disability: A Guide to Support, Resources, and Advocacy- Disability Advice
- Ep 7 – Ted Drake – Global Accessibility and Inclusive Design Leader, Intuit- Accessibility and Gen AI(YouTube)
- Text (digitised) and videotape: video transcripts help everyone, not just people with access needs- GOV.UK
- COS 2025: Enhancing Singapore’s digital accessibility- Singapore Government(YouTube) and OpenGov Asia
- Towards AI-Driven Sign Language Generation with Non-Manual Markers- Apple Machine Learning Research
- Driving Innovation and Customer Loyalty in Travel: The Strategic Opportunity of Digital Accessibility- MarTech Cube
- Educator Voice: How dismantling the Department of Education would affect teachers and students- PBS NewsHour Classroom
- How to manage people with disabilities webinar- Peak Performers, Disability:IN Central Texas, and Disability:IN North Carolina
- Exploring Accessibility of Voice-Controlled Interfaces and Gesture Interactions in Vehicles for Secondary Driving Tasks for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Drivers- ResearchGate
Fedesrally Speaking
- FCC Adopts Rules Permitting “Silent” Wireless Emergency Alerts- FCC
- NG911 Resiliency and Accessibility at the FCC March 27 Open Meeting- FCC
- FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced the items tentatively on the agenda for the March Open Commission Meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 27, 2025
Higher Education Blogs and Information
- Project Helping Instructors Improve Accessibility- UC Davis
- Making our campus physically accessible- University of Bath
- Neurodiversity: Think outside the box – @theU – The University of Utah
- BYU Accessibility Center hosts 25th annual Awards Banquet- BYU Universe
- Disability and Homelessness in America – Accessibility Digest – Carleton College
- People with physical disabilities in space: Mission possible- University of North Dakota
- AI in school education: Can learning be made more inclusive? – India Today’s Best Colleges
- Carleton’s Abilities Living Laboratory Advancing Accessibility and Innovation- Carleton Newsroom
- Disability Celebration Month: Empowering athletes and transforming lives- San Diego State University
- What WashU, MIT, Yale, UC Berkeley have done for disabled students—and what IIT Delhi has- The Print
- UI to close Division of Access, Opportunity, and Diversity on March 27- Iowa Now – The University of Iowa
- Attorney General Rayfield Issues Guidance For Schools On Diversity, Equity, Inclusion And Accessibility Initiatives- Oregon Department of Justice
Legal Blogs and Information
- Accessibility Directive Overview And Compliance- Lewis Silkin
- The EU Accessibility Act: What Maltese businesses need to know- Deloitte Malta
- ADA Title III Federal Lawsuit Numbers Rebound to 8,800 in 2024- Seyfarth Shaw
- Fair Housing Advocates Reach Agreement to Expand Accessible Housing Opportunities for Residents with Disabilities to Over 5,300 Apartments in the South- NHFA
Accessibility Announcements
- Take the CWA Accessibility Survey
- Nominations open for accessibility awards
- c2c invites customers to join Accessibility Panel
- Dementia friendly bungalows on countdown for completion
- Nominations Open For Chatham-Kent Accessibility Awards
- Flint awarded $472K to upgrade rentals for residents with disabilities
- Lift off: Wheelchair elevator boosts accessibility at Revelstoke museum
- Peel Region seeks feedback to inform new Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
- Village Launches Initiative To Improve ADA Accessibility In Glen Ellyn
- Ravenswood Council hears bid for ADA accessibility of The Great Bend Museum
- Allianz Trade partnership introduces AI mind-controlled keyboard for accessibility
- XtraMath Achieves WCAG 2.1 Compliance, Enhancing Accessibility for All Students
- Newcastle United champions inclusive matchday experiences through Unite For Access
- City of Chicago renews contract with Curb to continue wheelchair accessible vehicle program
- Vision Ireland and Benetech Join Forces to Launch EU-Compliant Global Certified Accessible Certification
- Statement of the Commission on Human Rights commending the enhanced accessibility of NAIA’s main arrival curbside to the public
Accessibility Products and Services
- TfGM modernises transport accessibility apps
- MBTA ‘Almost There’ on Station Accessibility
- Muirhead launches accessible aviation leather collection
- Android 16 is getting a major hearing accessibility feature
- Sony is committed to advancing inclusive accessibility initiatives(Video)
- British Airways launches a dedicated customer service team for disabled passengers
- Door Services Corporation Celebrates National Automatic Door Day with Accessibility Initiatives
- Liverpool ONE becomes first destination in North West to introduce WelcoMe accessibility service
Accessibility Forums, Tips, and Gaming
Accessibility Statements
- AMD
- Berghahn
- BioRender
- Lewis Silkin
- Access Intelligence
- Uninettuno University
- CU Anschutz Medical Campus
- Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District
- University of Illinois College of Medicine
- Ministry of Digital Development and Information
Microassist Digital Accessibility Services
Have you received an accessibility demand letter because of your website or application? Please contact us for any questions you have about our accessibility services and how we might support your organization.
Services include:
- Accessible Website and Application Development— We rely heavily on accessibility best practices and using HTML5 and ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) standards to build WCAG-compliant and human-tested accessible environments. Our teams are proficient in open source technologies such as WordPress, Drupal and Moodle, as well as custom frameworks in .NET, PHP, AngularJS, and other frameworks. Our Learning and Development team can also help you create accessible custom training.
- Accessible Document Services— Whether you’re dealing with a few or a warehouse of Microsoft Office documents, PDFs, or other files, there are several ways Microassist can enable your team to offer documents and materials that meet stringent accessibility standards.
- Accessibility Remediation— Our accessibility remediation services help you fix existing materials so that they conform to WCAG, Section 504 and 508, Department of Education OCR, and ADA Title II/III requirements. We remediate websites, applications, documents, and elearning, recommending re-creation when that is more efficient and economical. Especially for website and applications, to find out what is in need of remediation, we’ll start with an Accessibility Audit.
- Accessibility Training— With several courses available for developers, testers, and content creators, your team can become equipped to consistently and expertly produce accessible digital products and online environments.
- VPAT®Evaluation Services— Primarily used by government purchasers and government vendors during the procurement and sale of ICT products and services under Section 508, a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template® (VPAT) attests to the accessibility of a given product or service. Contact us to make sure the VPAT you write or review is accurate and meaningful.
Learn More About Digital Accessibility
Our Digital Accessibility Digest blog covers our Accessibility in the News archives as well as expert commentaries on digital accessibility issues.
Our most popular commentaries include:
- What is a VPAT®? A VPAT Primer
- Understanding Digital Accessibility in the Procurement Process
- Accessibility in the News, Legal Edition: Updates on ADA Title III News and More
- What Lawyers Need to Know: A Primer on Digital Accessibility Terms and Today’s Legal Landscape
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