Accessibility in the News — 12/22/2023.

The Biden-Harris Administration has been actively working towards fostering inclusivity for the 61 million Americans living with disabilities. Recognizing the concerning statistic that almost half of the most popular Federal Government websites lack full accessibility, the Office of Management and Budget is releasing updated guidance. This guidance mandates federal agencies to prioritize accessibility in their digital experiences, requiring testing, involvement of people with disabilities in design and testing, establishment of digital accessibility programs, inclusion of accessibility experts in procurement processes, regular monitoring, and prompt issue resolution. The focus is on delivering equal access to critical services for all Americans, with digital accessibility viewed as an ongoing initiative requiring leadership and renewed government-wide attention.

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AITN Quote of the Week

“The joy of brightening other lives becomes, for us, the magic of the holidays.” ― W. C. Jones

2023 Accessibility in the News Summary
Newsletter Categories	Monthly Average	Weekly Average	2023 Totals
National News	89	23	1,063
International News	72	19	866
Accessibility Blogs and Information	178	47	2,140
Accessibility Training and Conferences	337	88	4,041
Accessibility Job Opportunities	41	11	490
Accessibility Announcements and Products	110	29	1,314
Accessibility Q&A and Tips	55	14	662
Accessibility Statements	39	10	470
2023 Accessibility in the News Totals	921	240	11,046

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Feature Stories

OMB Releases Digital Accessibility Guidance to Ensure All Americans Have Ability to Access Critical Government Resources

December 21, 2023 | Source: The White House and Nextgov and MeriTalk and Federal News Network and FedScoop

From day one, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken significant steps to achieve a more inclusive country for people with disabilities. Currently, 61 million Americans live with a disability, but nearly half of the most popular Federal Government websites are not fully accessible to all Americans. This lack of accessibility could lead to unequal access to critical services for millions of Americans. That’s why, today, the Office of Management and Budget is releasing updated guidance that requires Federal agencies to put accessibility at the center of the Federal Government digital experience – so government can truly deliver for all Americans…

National News (U.S.)

Landmark DOJ Statement of Interest Exposes City of Chicago’s Weak Defense in Accessible Affordable Housing Litigation

December 13, 2023 | Source: Access Living

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a Statement of Interest (SOI) in a civil rights case brought forth by leading disability organization Access Living and represented by Relman Colfax, challenging the City of Chicago’s arguments concerning Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Federal disability rights claims brought by Access Living allege that the inaccessibility of many of more than 500 apartment complexes funded by the Department of Housing (DOH) have forced thousands of Chicagoans with disabilities into nursing homes, assisted living, homeless shelters, or inaccessible housing units…

How to Make Comics Accessible to Those Without Sight?

December 14, 2023 | Source: Golden Gate Xpress

As a visual art, comic books have always been inaccessible to the blind and visually impaired. Over 7 million Americans are blind or have vision loss. That is 2% of the total U.S. population that cannot read or interact with this medium. With accessibility at the forefront of social discussion, the comics industry as a whole has not made any strides toward including this group of people, until now. Nick Sousanis, a liberal studies professor and head of the comics minor, and Emily Beitiks, interim director of the Paul K. Longmore Institute on Disability, have adapted comics for the blind…

Crafting Inclusive Narratives: The Role Of Sensitivity Consultation In Media Design

December 15, 2023 | Source: Science Friday

Often when we think of language accessibility, we think of non-English speakers. However, language can take many forms, including American Sign Language, and deaf community members can face unique challenges in healthcare settings. Starting in August of 2023, D. Peterschmidt, Science Friday’s radio producer and Diana Plasker, Science Friday’s event manager, wanted to help tell the story of how healthcare inequities affect the deaf community with guest experts Tamiko Rafeek, patient advocate with Deaf Diabetes Can Together in Tucson, Arizona, and Dr. Michelle Litchman, medical director of the intensive diabetes education and support program…

Designs and initiatives that address and inspire accessibility and inclusivity

December 16, 2023 | Source: STIRworld

At a time when design innovations worldwide have managed to strike a chord with the various styles deemed popular and fanciable, a few mavericks are harking on the path of design and architecture with the intent of making these disciplines more accessible and inclusive, and, in turn, administering the world with features that support all people. These initiatives in accessible design range from product design and furniture design to the development of AI tools, institution of architectural lexicons in tandem with sign languages, and the non-partisan inclusion of those with impairments in the creative fields…

‘Barbie’ now has ASL as an option and the reactions are beautiful

December 16, 2023 | Source: NBC

“Barbie with ASL” is maximizing the blockbuster’s accessibility and inclusivity, and fans are loving it. The hit film became available Dec. 15 to stream on Max with an additional feature: an American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation. According to a Dec. 5 press release from Warner Bros. Pictures, the company leaned on research and sought feedback from the Deaf community when it came to including ASL in “Barbie.” ASL performer Leila Hanaumi appears in the lower corner of “Barbie” as its interpreter, signing for each character who speaks or sings throughout the film…

Man invents device making hiking accessible for all abilities

December 16, 2023 | Source: Idaho State Journal

When LJ Wilde’s daughter Luci was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder that would limit her ability to walk independently, one of the first questions that arose was “how are we going to hike together?” A native of Jackson, Wyoming, hiking and high adventure was a large part of Wilde’s upbringing. Every summer, he would go on long backpacking trips with his family and scout troop. When he met his wife, she had this same love for the outdoors. On their second date, they did the Wind Caves hike in Logan Canyon…

Embracing ADA accessibility: Fostering cultural inclusion and economic prosperity

December 17, 2023 | Source: Time Standards

If you are a business owner, odds are you are well-acquainted with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The obligation to ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities extends beyond goodwill; it’s a legal mandate for businesses. While compliance with ADA requirements can be costly, it’s imperative to understand that adhering to these guidelines can profoundly impact both our culture and economy. Improving accessibility serves as a cornerstone for promoting inclusion among all Humboldt County residents…

Students with disabilities raise concerns about emergencies following shooting

December 17, 2023 | Source: KTNV

The recent shooting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas has prompted concerns among students, especially those with physical impairments, about their safety during emergencies. Natalie Matarazzo, a junior at UNLV, shared her experience, stating, “I had nothing. I had no idea what to do in that situation. I’ve never been in any situation like this, and I can only imagine what it was like for other people with disabilities.” Natalie emphasized the need for proactive steps and preparation, particularly for individuals with disabilities…

Do you hear what I see? How blindness changes how you process the sound of movement

December 18, 2023 | Source: The Conversation

Almost nothing in the world is still. Toddlers dash across the living room. Cars zip across the street. Motion is one of the most important features in the environment; the ability to predict the movement of objects in the world is often directly related to survival – whether it’s a gazelle detecting the slow creep of a lion or a driver merging across four lanes of traffic. Motion is so important that the primate brain evolved a dedicated system for processing visual movement, known as the middle temporal cortex, over 50 million years ago…

Tech hasn’t removed all workplace roadblocks for those with low vision

December 18, 2023 | Source: The Conversation

Imagine you have low vision and you’re completing an online job application using screen reader software that reads aloud the text on your laptop screen. You get through half the form and then come to a question with drop-down options the screen reader can’t access because the online form doesn’t conform to accessibility standards. You’re stuck. You can’t submit the application and your time has been wasted. Assistive technologies like screen reader software go a long way toward closing the gap between people who are blind or have low vision and their sighted peers…

Signing Santa makes Christmas wishes accessible

December 18, 2023 | Source: KFOR Oklahoma City

Signing Santa recently made his annual visit to North Park Mall. The decades-long tradition brings holiday cheer to students who are deaf, hard of hearing, and/or communicate with sign language. The children have the opportunity to sign their holiday wish lists to Santa. “If you are only able to sign and Santa can only speak English, there’s that language barrier that you don’t really feel like you’re being heard,” said Ray, who was at Thursday’s event with his family…

A controversial Census Bureau proposal could shrink the U.S. disability rate by 40%

December 18, 2023 | Source: NPR and HuffPost

A proposal to change how the Census Bureau produces a key set of estimates about the number of people with disabilities in the United States has sparked controversy among many disability advocates. Some are concerned that the potential revisions to the disability questions on the bureau’s annual American Community Survey, as well as how the bureau reports out people’s responses, could skew the government’s official statistics. That in turn, advocates worry, would make it harder to ensure that disabled people have access to housing and health care, enforce legal protections against discrimination in schools and at work…

San Angelo ADA committee reveals self-assessment results

December 19, 2023 | Source: Concho Valley Homepage

The City of San Angelo Americans with Disabilities Act Advisory Committee discussed the results of its 2023 self-assessment with the San Angelo City Council during the City Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 19. According to the ADA self-assessment report provided in the Dec. 19 meeting’s agenda, the assessment is conducted “to evaluate the current state of ADA accessibility compliance as it relates to City of San Angelo programs and services to provide a roadmap to improve citizen access to these programs and services.”…

Judge refuses to block laws aimed at curbing ‘ADA abuse’

December 19, 2023 | Source: Courthouse News Service

A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge on Tuesday declined a request by three wheelchair-bound men to block several provisions in California law that limit the right to sue or threaten to sue businesses over violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. In a short tentative ruling, adopted as final without oral arguments, Judge Robert Broadbelt found the plaintiffs had not shown that they were likely to succeed on the merits of their lawsuit, and even if they had, they hadn’t shown that allowing the laws, which have all been in effect for at least eight years, would cause them irreparable harm…

Paralyzed Dad in Wheelchair Builds Elaborate Bedroom for Daughters: ‘It’s a Huge Emotional Reward’

December 19, 2023 | Source: People

In 2013, Daniel Kotter was helping a friend build a house when the truss he was standing on — 35 feet in the air — started to sway. “I was like, ‘Oh crap,’” Kotter, 46, tells PEOPLE exclusively. “I took a couple of steps. That’s the last thing I remember. And then, I woke up in the hospital.” The accident left the once-active construction worker from West Haven, Utah, paralyzed from the waist down, with extensive injuries including a torn spleen, collapsed lung, and broken pelvis…

ACLU Sues Over Ohio Voting Law, Saying It Violates Federal Disability Law

December 20, 2023 | Source: HuffPost

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit on Tuesday alleging that an Ohio voting law provision criminalizes voter assistance and violates federal disability law. The lawsuit was filed by the ACLU, the ACLU of Ohio and the Covington and Burling law firm on behalf of a disabled voter and the League of Women Voters of Ohio, and claims that a provision in Ohio’s HB 458 restricting who can legally help disabled voter’s return their absentee ballot “creates an unlawful burden on the right to vote for many people with disabilities.”…

Philadelphia receives Sensory Inclusive Certification, first city in the nation

December 20, 2023 | Source: CBS News Philadelphia

Philadelphia is being recognized for work being done to make the city more accessible to people with sensory sensitivities and challenges. On Tuesday, Dec. 19, the city became the first in the nation to receive the “Sensory Inclusive Certification” from KultureCity, a nonprofit organization that helps communities adapt to the needs of people with sensory-based disabilities. According to the city, Philadelphia has the highest rate of disability among the country’s large cities, at 17%. Nationwide, more than 6% of Americans experience a sensory disability…

Settlement Ensures Accessibility Upgrades for BART, Bay Area Disabled Commuters to Benefit from Elevator with Escalator Overhauls

December 20, 2023 | Source: Hoodline

Big win for disabled commuters in the Bay Area—BART is making a major commitment to accessibility improvements. A class action lawsuit filed in 2017 accusing the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) of skimping on accessibility features has reached a settlement. This move could make life easier for those with mobility disabilities, BART announced. Under the proposed deal, set for review in April 2024, BART promises to overhaul its stations’ elevators and escalators, keep fare gates working for all, and even staff call-boxes and helplines…

‘Extremely humiliating’: Why this passenger crawled to his seat on a flight

December 21, 2023 | Source: USA Today

Sean Chang did something in November that most travelers have done at least once or twice – he cut it a little too close for his flight. But unlike most travelers, the race to the boarding door ended in him having to crawl to his seat.

Chang said the security line at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was unusually long on Nov. 3, and he wound up getting to his gate with only about 10 minutes to spare before departure. For most travelers, those 10 minutes would result in a sigh of relief, but Chang is paraplegic, and getting to the gate by such a narrow margin only led to more complications…

Austin Trail of Lights working to rectify accessibility concerns

December 21, 2023 | Source: KXAN

Steven Eichner has lived in Austin for years but had never made his way out to the city’s annual Trail of Lights holiday display. When he tried to attend a Rice University alumni event at Trail of Lights Sunday night, he said he ran into several accessibility issues that made navigating the event in a wheelchair all the more difficult. Eichner said he and his wife arrived at the event around 6 p.m. Sunday. When he tried to make his way over to the party registration tent, he said the accessible ramp laid over the curb was approximately a four-inch over one foot of ramp. Under ADA standards, those should be one inch of rise over one foot of ramp, he said…

Jack Fact — The World Health Organization states vision impairment poses an enormous global financial burden, with the annual global cost of productivity estimated to be US $411 billion.

Hit The Road Jack — Where to find hiking trails accessible to just about everyone in L.A. and These Are London’s Most Accessible Tourist Attractions and 5 of the best wheelchair-accessible holidays and Welsh luxury holiday resort expands its accessibility offering with newly launched adapted Platinum lodges

International News

The Clarion: The accessible musical instrument trying to find its soul

December 14, 2023 | Source: BBC- UK

Music is said to be a language that transcends all others. But traditional instruments are not always as inclusive as they could be. Now, another instrument is about to open up the music scene like no other as it is officially recognised by the classical music world. Alessandro Vazzana, 26, has been playing music since he was five years old. First the piano, then guitar and drums. Disabled since birth, he uses an electric wheelchair and has seen a decline in his ability to use his hands. He has Fragile X syndrome resulting in a learning disability which can impact communication, but not his love for music…

Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination enhancing accessibility and inclusion in Egypt

December 15, 2023 | Source: Abu Dhabi Media Office- Egypt

Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination and the Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports have partnered to implement the Bridge of Amal Holding programme. The programme aims to raise awareness and support People of Determination in various rural areas in Egypt. The initiative, which aims to benefit more than 400 people, is supported by the Abu Dhabi Development Holding Company (ADQ Holding). The programme will develop 60 centres for People with Determination affiliated with the ministry, starting from 2024…

Advocate says Regina councillor was right to oppose proposed accessible waterslide budget cut

December 15, 2023 | Source: CBC- Canada

A disability advocate is backing a Regina city councillor who lashed out during a council meeting after another councillor proposed cutting the budget for an accessible waterslide. Ward 7 Coun. Terina Nelson made strong remarks during council’s budget debates on Dec. 14 after previously approved upgrades to the slide at Wascana Pool were called into question. “You all make me sick,” Nelson said. “How dare you take this away from the disabled community, the community that was so excited to finally go down a god damn waterslide.”…

Deaf children missing out on Christmas pantomimes, charity says

December 17, 2023 | Source: BBC- UK

Deaf children are being excluded from Christmas pantomimes because of a lack of accessibility, according to a charity. The National Deaf Children’s Society said there are worries children are missing out on positive experiences from live theatre. One show hopes to counter that by using British Sign Language (BSL) and Welsh. One if its actresses said deaf people have the same right as others to enjoy shows. The charity said it hears too often from the parents of Wales’ more than 2,300 deaf children who are frustrated at not be able to take them to live shows…

Ontario accessibility in ‘crisis,’ says report quietly released by Ford government

December 18, 2023 | Source: CBC- Canada and National Post and Toronto Star and Stratford Today

With a year left until Ontario is supposed to be fully accessible, the state of accessibility in the province is in “crisis,” a new report finds. The declaration, along with over 23 recommendations on how to get the province back on track, was made in a critical report by Rich Donovan, the fourth person appointed to review the province’s progress implementing the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Enacted in 2005, AODA was intended to make the province accessible by 2025…

Khelo India and Svayam collaborated to improve support for Para Athletes at Khelo India Para Games 2023

December 19, 2023 | Source: PIB Delhi- India

Khelo India, the flagship program of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and Svayam, India’s pioneering accessibility organisation, joined hands to ensure transportation and infrastructure are accessible in New Delhi during the Khelo India Para Games. Accessible transportation services were provided for more than participating 1400 para-athletes. More than 300 volunteers, and officials associated with the Games were sensitised at the beginning of this 8-day-long event…

What does a building need to call itself ‘accessible’ – and is that enough?

December 19, 2023 | Source: ArchitectureAU- Australia

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) review and the disability royal commission’s final report both highlighted the crucial role of accessible buildings and homes in ensuring the inclusion of people with disabilities.

But the experiences of people with disability show Australia is a very long way from achieving this. There are the stories from people with disability who can’t enjoy events or venues. And researchers say even accessible bathrooms are not usable for half the people with disability…

Life-saving NSW bushfire app no longer accessible for vision-impaired

December 20, 2023 | Source: 9News- Australia

A major flaw has been discovered in a life-saving app that warns residents in New South Wales of nearby bushfires and floods. The NSW Hazards Near Me app provides updates on local emergencies including floods, bushfires and tsunamis. But Donna Purcell, who is blind, says the app is no longer accessible for the vision impaired following a software update. She told 9News she picked up the flaw a few weeks ago when she smelled smoke near her home at Mount Ku-ring-Gai…

Peak District village unveils new accessibility features for disabled visitors

December 20, 2023 | Source: Derbyshire Times- UK

The Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) has worked with AccessibleUK and local businesses to create Accessible Castleton, a package of dedicated visitor information complete with an interactive website and a sensory story, itineraries and maps to guide people around the village. Backed by the Access for All funding funding programme at the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and tourism board Visit Peak District and Derbyshire, the project partners have also delivered accessibility training to key businesses in the visitor economy so they can cater to whatever their guests need to get the most out of their time in the Peaks…

Calgary family asking ski resort to reconsider after support staff asked to pay for pass

December 20, 2023 | Source: Global News- Canada

A Calgary family is asking a nearby ski resort to reconsider its policies after a support worker for their autistic son was denied a complimentary ticket. For years, David Meisner and his family bought season passes for Nakiska Ski Area, usually receiving discounted or complimentary tickets for support staff. But the family said this year their request was denied. “David is an adventurer. He loves all outdoor pursuits. He snowmobiles, he dirt bikes, he quads, he hikes, he curls,” said Janice Meisner, David’s sister. “When he’s up on the hill, (the support staff) ensures his safety…

Accessibility Woes Plague Chromepet Railway Station: Commuters Demand Urgent Action

December 21, 2023 | Source: News18- India

Chennai’s Chromepet Railway Station has become a symbol of the accessibility challenges faced by commuters, particularly those with mobility impairments, according to The Times of India report. The report says that the station’s entrance is marred by debris, compelling passengers to dangerously navigate through railway tracks to access platforms. This daunting scenario came to light when Lavanya Maheshwari, a 56-year-old wheelchair user, found herself waiting for 45 minutes for assistance from railway staff…

Do not use derogatory words for persons with disability: ECI tells parties

December 21, 2023 | Source: Hindustan Times- India

ECI said that the the violation of these guidelines may lead to an imprisonment of up to five years under Section 92 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Usage of such semantics in speeches/campaigns by members of any political party or their candidates can be interpreted as an affront to the PwDs, said the ECI. Their public speeches, campaigns and other activities should also be accessible to PwDs, and so should their websites and social media, it said…

Free public transport for the disabled will enhance their opportunities, accessibility

December 21, 2023 | Source: The Sun- Malaysia

Women, Family, and Community Development Minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri (pix), has lauded the provision of complimentary public transport services by Prasarana Malaysia Berhad (Prasarana) for persons with disabilities, emphasising its role in enhancing opportunities and accessibility for the disabled community. She underscored the significance of this initiative, viewing it as a clear indication of the Unity Government’s commitment to the well-being of the people…

Air Canada fined more than $97K for violating accessible transportation regulations

December 21, 2023 | Source: City News- Canada

Air Canada has been fined $97,500, after a B.C. man with a disability was forced to drag himself off of a flight. The Canadian Transportation Agency says the fine was issued due to “several violations” of Canada’s accessible transportation regulations. On Aug. 30, a Prince George resident who uses a wheelchair was forced to drag himself off an Air Canada flight in Las Vegas when airline staff failed to assist him. The agency says the man has spastic cerebral palsy and can’t move his legs…

‘They’re doing the wrong thing’: accessible taxi drivers at Melbourne airport filmed refusing service to wheelchair user

December 21, 2023 | Source: The Guardian- Australia

When a storm forced her Canberra-bound plane to divert back to Melbourne, Samantha Connor, a disability advocate, and her partner found themselves trying to hail a wheelchair taxi at Melbourne airport late on a Friday night in early December. Earlier that day, Connor had spent eight hours filming training about the discrimination faced by people with disabilities when needing a taxi. While trying to leave the airport, she said four accessible-vehicle drivers refused to take the pair due to her wheelchair…

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