Accessibility in the News—10/27/16
In this issue of Accessibility in the News (AITN), media coverage included toys (both modified and off-the-shelf items for kids with disabilities), the impact of technology and text for those with learning disabilities and visual impairments, potential future government decisions on private-sector requirements for accessibility (from the U.S. Department of Justice’s ADA interpretations to the upcoming ruling on Section 508), and the debut of Apple’s accessibility-focused website.
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The doctor who is recreating play for disabled children
10/4| Source: CNBC
Go Baby Go modifies toys for children with disabilities. The toys, often incorporated into physical rehabilitation, can serve a population of 330,000 kids with relevant disabilities. A toy-tinkering doctor makes play for disabled children
Six-year-old Paxton Padilla’s mom, Suzanne, gets choked up when she talks about trying to create the best life possible for her son in spite of his mobility issues. “Since he was born, he has an underlying genetic syndrome that they can’t figure out what it is,” she told CNBC. “He has a congenital heart defect that’s pretty severe, and because of a lot of his neurological issues, he’s non-ambulatory, so he can’t walk, he can’t talk … he is limited in how he can interact with his environment around him.”
Suzanne, though, remains hopeful. That’s thanks in part to Dr. Cole Galloway, a professor in the department of physical therapy at the University of Delaware and the founder of GoBabyGo, an organization that modifies kids’ toys, like Fisher-Price Power Wheels jeeps, so that children with even the most severe mobility issues can still use them…
Elementary teacher uses technology to help dyslexic kids develop love of reading
10/14 | Source: Dallas News
Leslie Patterson said she knew nothing about dyslexia when she first became an elementary school teacher. Now, the certified academic language therapist and licensed dyslexia therapist at Griffis Elementary School in Caddo Mills is leading the way in using technology to help some of her dyslexic students develop a love for reading.
Using Bookshare, which, with 480,000 books is the world’s largest digital library, Patterson is helping her students access books they can read, using their eyes and ears, by listening to and seeing highlighted text…
How is the Department of Justice Addressing Website and ICT Accessibility?
10/21 | Source: Peat Works
In light of the critical role that the Internet and information and communication technology (ICT) play in contemporary society, including in the employment context, the federal government recognizes that access to information and electronic technologies is a civil right and a vital employment issue for individuals with disabilities.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has taken the position that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) covers Internet website access, mobile applications, and other forms of ICT.
Free online course enabling improved digital accessibility
10/21 | Source: Electronics and Computer Science and Global Accessibility News
Academics from the Web and Internet Science (WAIS) research group within Electronics and Computer Science are lead educators on a new, free online course that aims to help learners understand how accessible digital technologies can overcome barriers encountered by people with sensory, physical or cognitive impairments.
The Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) in Digital Accessibility: Enabling Participation in the Information Society has recently been launched on the FutureLearn platform and already thousands of students from more than 50 countries have signed up…
Our View: A new chapter opening for disabilities law
10/21 | Source: Central Penn Business Journal
Nearly three decades after it became law, the Americans with Disabilities Act is posing what could be its biggest challenge to U.S. business. The 1990 law, which dictated a slew of physical changes to stores and offices around the country, is coming to the internet.
Under regulations currently in the works, companies will have to make sure their websites are accessible to people with disabilities, including people who are blind or deaf. Staff reporter Jason Scott captures the details in a story in this week’s issue. The deadlines are at least two to three years out. But companies should begin thinking now about how to comply.
Business leaders surely grasp the potential benefits of expanding access to their online presence, whether it helps them with sales or recruitment. There is some history to draw from. While companies wrestled with modifying buildings, especially older ones, the long-term benefits outweigh the costs…
Israel Can Be The World Leader In Digital Accessibility
10/22 | Source: The Jerusalem Post
For Yuval Wagner, a former IAF pilot who survived a helicopter crash and founded Access Israel, the sky’s the limit. Wagner’s helicopter crashed during an IAF training exercise over the Jordan Valley in 1987.
Yuval’s eyes dance when he talks about Access Israel, the nonprofit organization he founded in 1999 to promote accessibility for Israelis with disabilities. During an interview at his home in Hod Hasharon, he voices the hope that Israel will become a world leader in the field of “digital accessibility.” Before he explains why, Wagner, 51, shares his own miraculous story. Although he smiles as he talks, his eyes well up with emotion…
Toy companies break down barriers to be more inclusive
10/22 | Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch
Toy companies are working harder to think outside their usual box, offering more inclusive items such as dolls with disabilities, female superhero figures, and characters with a range of skin tones. Many of the products breaking down the barriers started with smaller businesses, but big names like Mattel and Hasbro are getting into the game and offering lots more options this holiday season.
What that means on the shelves is Barbies that have a greater variety of body types, eye colors and facial structures, a Lego mini-figure of a boy who uses a wheelchair and an American Girl doll with accessories like a diabetes kit and arm crutches in addition to the hearing aids and service dogs it has offered before. Other items include coding toys, robots and circuit builder sets aimed at both girls and boys…
Internet is becoming unreadable because of a trend towards lighter, thinner fonts
10/24 | Source: MSN
The internet is becoming unreadable because of a trend towards lighter and thinner fonts, making it difficult for the elderly or visually-impaired to see words clearly, a web expert has found. Where text used to be bold and dark, which contrasted well with predominantly white backgrounds, now many websites are switching to light greys or blues for their type.
But the US based Web Accessibility Initiative, which came up with the original ratio formula in 2008 to help web designers said too little contrast made web pages ‘confusing and frustrating’. “Choosing colours with poor contrast makes navigating, reading and interacting a real pain,” said a spokesman…
Additional “Internet is becoming unreadable” sources
FOIA committee mulls Section 508 responsibilities
10/25 | Source: Federal News Radio
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act is meant to serve as a curb ramp for access to federal information and communication technology, but for some Freedom of Information Act stakeholders, 508 is more like a pothole.
That debate on whether 508 is an aid for open government or a crutch for agencies to lean on to avoid releasing information was highlighted during the Oct. 25 National Archives and Records Administration’s Federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Advisory Committee meeting.
Officials with the U.S. Access Board — which is charged with providing standards under Federal Acquisition Regulation —told committee members a final rule for Section 508 is under review at the Office of Management and Budget, which will hopefully clear up questions around compliance…
Reduce Potential ADA Liability by Making ATMs and Websites Accessible
10/25 | Source: Lexology
Banks and credit unions are among the most recent targets of a wave of demand letters and lawsuits alleging violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (the “ADA”). The most common allegations concern inaccessible ATMs and websites, despite the fact that the ADA and its implementing regulations do not yet address website accessibility.
Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals “on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages or accommodations of any place of public accommodation,” 42 U.S.C. § 12182(a), which includes banks and credit unions…
Online public services to be made more accessible for the disabled and elderly
10/26 | Source: European Parliament News
The websites and apps of public administrations, hospitals, courts and other public sector bodies will have to be made accessible to everyone, under new EU-wide rules approved by the European Parliament on Wednesday. The web accessibility directive, already agreed by Parliament and Council, should make it easier for disabled and elderly people to access data and services on the internet, e.g. to file a tax declaration, apply for an allowance, pay fees or enrol at university.
“Today, we have ensured that e-government is accessible to everyone. Just as physical government buildings should be accessible, so too should the digital gateways. We solved the public side of web accessibility, but the internet is far more than government websites and apps. We need reform also for the private world of services, from banks to television stations to private hospitals. I hope that we can soon adopt the European Accessibility Act, so that both public and private services are accessible to all our citizens”, said Parliament’s rapporteur Dita Charanzová…
Additional “Online public services” sources
Sears Launches Heroes at Home for the Holidays, Will Provide Immediate Accessibility Upgrades for Veterans
10/27 | Source: PR Newswire
As part of its long-standing commitment to supporting veterans and military families, Sears is bringing back its Heroes at Home program for the holiday season to immediately assist low-income veterans who are in urgent need of wheelchair accessibility ramps at their homes. Starting Oct. 30 through Nov. 19, members can donate to Rebuilding Together, a leading national nonprofit in safe and healthy housing, when they check out at any Sears store or via a link at sears.com/heroesathome.
“Our goal is to fund and build as many ramps as possible for veterans in select cities across the country before Christmas,” said Joelle Maher president and chief member officer for Sears. “We’re thankful for the incredible generosity of our members and associates, who have helped us raise nearly $40 million over the past nine years and impact so many military families. It’s a cause that truly unites us, and an opportunity to give back this holiday to those who served.”…
Whitby adopts three-year accessibility plan to continue removing barriers
10/27 | Source: Durham Region
“Accessibility benefits everyone.” That’s the basis of a three-year plan adopted by Whitby council in an effort to continue identifying and removing barriers to local programs, services and facilities. The Town of Whitby’s Accessibility Plan 2016-2018 outlines initiatives that the Town intends to achieve to ensure compliance with the Province’s accessibility legislation.
“Within the legislation, it requires that we do an annual update to our municipal council and highlight what we have accomplished, acknowledge what we have not been able to accomplish and put a plan in place to make sure that the next year it’s going to be accomplished,” said Michele Cotton, accessibility co-ordinator for the Town of Whitby at a recent public meeting.
The plan covers a variety of barriers to accessibility from physical obstacles to limitations in communicating information to the public. Actions noted in the plan include training staff on accessibility standards, enhancing partnerships with the Town’s accessibility advisory committee and other groups, as well as continuing to develop and retrofit parks and playgrounds…
Apple Debuts Website Focused on Accessibility Features
10/27 | Source: Fortune
Apple wants to make it easier for people with any type of disabilities to use its products, so it created a website with all relevant information about its products. Apple CEO Tim Cook announced the new website on Thursday at the start of a press event at the company’s headquarters in Cupertino, Calif. The presentation kicked off with a short video featuring a young woman in a wheelchair using an Apple computer effortlessly and enjoying herself.
“We believe that the technology should be accessible to everyone,” said Cook, adding, “We hope that this website becomes a great resource to people all around the world.”…
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