Accessibility in the News — 9/10/2021.

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Feature Stories

Limited wheelchair accessible taxis or private hire vehicles in Mansfield and Ashfield, figures show

September 4, 2021 | Source: Chad- UK & Oldham Times & The Mail & Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News & Reading Chronicle

With just one in seven vehicles across England and Wales suitably equipped, disability charity Scope said everyday inequality is rife – even for the nation’s returning Paralympic heroes. Department for Transport figures show 118 vehicles were licensed to operate in Mansfield at the end of March – but just 47, or 40 per cent, could be used by those in wheelchairs. Of the 77 traditional taxis which can be hailed from the street, 45 were wheelchair accessible…

Kansas City Airport: Setting the bar for inclusivity and accessibility

September 6, 2021 | Source: International Airport Review & Future Travel Experience

Lily Mae Pacey, Junior Editor of International Airport Review, spoke with Justin Meyer from Kansas City Aviation Department, and Dan Moylan from Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate, to discuss the exciting new developments at KCI which will transform the airport into a space accessible and inclusive to all passengers. Why are you undergoing the project and why is it important for airports to make changes like this? When Kansas City International Airport (KCI, IATA: MCI) opened on 11 November 1972, the unique three terminal layout featured a “drive-to-gate” design that became quickly out of date just 26 days later…

Inspector calls on Amtrak to make 312 stations ADA compliant after long delays

September 8, 2021 | Source: Yahoo News

Amtrak needs to do more planning before it is fully compliant with disability legislation, a new report says. The US rail operator has outlined plans to spend roughly $1.2 billion to enable bring 312 stations in line with the Americans With Disabilities Act, which was enacted in 1990. Amtrak was given until 2010 to accommodate those living with disabilities, a deadline the company missed. According to the company’s website: “Most Amtrak stations in major cities, and many other stations across the country, are accessible to passengers with a disability…

National News (U.S.)

Make accessibility part of your startup’s products and culture from day one

September 3, 2021 | Source: TechCrunch

The world of accessibility has experienced a tipping point thanks to the pandemic, which drove people of all abilities to do more tasks and shopping online. For the last year, the digital world was the only place brands could connect with their customers. A Forrester survey found that 8 in 10 companies have taken their first steps toward working on digital accessibility. What’s driving this change besides the increased digital interactions? Fortune 500 companies are finally starting to realize that people with disabilities make up 1 billion of the world’s market…

Bad websites shouldn’t keep people with disabilities from accessing vaccines

September 3, 2021 | Source: Fast Company

As the highly contagious delta variant rages, and U.S. death counts from the virus again begin to rise, COVID-19 has largely shifted from a pandemic of all citizens to a pandemic of the unvaccinated. But while the Biden-Harris administration pours more than $120 million into grassroots efforts to encourage hesitant Americans to get the jab, and the Pfizer vaccine’s recent FDA approval means that more vaccine mandates are likely to follow, one very large sector of the population continues to be shut out: people with disabilities…

Do Different Types of Blind People See Things Differently?

September 3, 2021 | Source: The Pioneer

When you think about blind people, you rarely consider them being different from other people who are also blind. The majority of people think that all those suffering from blindness cannot see. However, how much you can see will depend on the condition you have. For instance, if you are declared “legally blind” you may still be able to see reasonably well however, with the use of corrective lenses. The term is a functional description. The U.S. for instance uses the term to refer to those who receive certain types of services and aid to help them with their vision impairment…

Remembering deaf lesbian pioneer Barbara Kannapell

September 3, 2021 | Source: Washington Blade

Even as a child Barbara Kannapell, who was deaf, experienced audism — overt and subtle discrimination against deaf people. Born in 1937, she was nurtured by her parents and other members of her family who were deaf. They taught her American Sign Language, her native language. Yet, “my experiences with audism started at age 4,” Kannapell wrote in a 2011 open letter to the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. A principal at a school for deaf children tried “to make me say ‘United States,’” Kannapell said in the open letter…

America Faces A Severe Caregiver Shortage, As This Grad Student Learned Firsthand

September 5, 2021 | Source: HuffPost

It’s hard to imagine a university student in America who was more excited about this fall’s return of classroom learning than Justin Martin, who is starting the second year of a master’s program at Vanderbilt. Martin, 25, is studying education and hopes to become a high school English teacher. It’s a dream that many have doubted Martin can achieve because he has cerebral palsy, making it impossible for him to walk or handle many daily activities on his own…

How a Mother and Daughter Could Help Airbnb Improve Its Accessibility for Traveling Wheelchair Users

September 6, 2021 | Source: Well + Good

Earlier this summer, Airbnb launched a program called “Live Anywhere with Airbnb,” which called for applicants of all backgrounds from around the world to apply for a year of subsidized living in the company’s properties. (What a dream!) In all, 314,000 wannabe nomads applied, and 12 were accepted. One of them, Lindsey Miller-Voss, will be traveling with her mother, Bev, and her daughter Anna, who is 14 and a wheelchair user. Miller-Voss and her family hope to show travelers not only the accessibility issues they face on the road, but also—and more importantly, in their opinions—just how much wheelchair users can do while traveling…

Court of Appeals in Pasadena Orders District Court to Review Decision on Accessibility at Baseball Stadium

September 6, 2021 | Source: Pasadena Now

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth District in Pasadena has decided that a judgment in favor of the stadium where the Seattle Mariners play did not adequately explain how the stadium accommodates visitors in wheelchairs. In their federal lawsuit against the owners and operators of the park, a group of fans claimed the park does not have accessible sightlines that make it possible for folks in wheelchairs to see all of the game, such as the playing field and the scoreboard, according to Courthouse News…

Barriers hearing-impaired community overcome

September 6, 2021 | Source: KNOP News2

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, approximately 37 million American adults 18 and older report trouble hearing. Some people address their hearing concerns early on, but others prolong treatment, leading to additional health issues. “Studies are beginning to show a connection between hearing loss and dementia,” said Lindee Miller, Hearing Instrument Specialist at Family Hearing Specialist. “When people have a hearing loss, they isolate themselves. That lack of social activities decreases brain activity which then increases risks of early-onset dementia.”…

Is There a Connection Between COVID-19 Vaccines and Ringing in the Ears (Tinnitus)?

September 6, 2021 | Source: Healthline

Tinnitus is the medical term for noise in your ear in the absence of an external sound. It’s a common condition that’s thought to affect about 10 percent of people. The sound may come or go or remain constant. There are two types of tinnitus. Subjective tinnitus means no one else can hear the sound. Objective tinnitus means the sound can be heard by a medical professional using a stethoscope placed to the ear canal. The most common type is subjective tinnitus…

What Is Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?

September 7, 2021 | Source: Very Well Health

How Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Is Treated

September7, 2021 | Source: Very Well Health

In the United States, macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in people ages 50 years and older.1 The macula is the central part of the retina that allows fine details to be seen. People affected by macular degeneration have loss of central vision. Fine details will be difficult to see, regardless of distance. Peripheral, or side, vision typically remains normal. Imagine looking at an analog clock. A person with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can see the numbers around the clock face but cannot see the hands on the clock due to the loss of central vision…

New Texas law changes rules for accessible parking for disabled veterans

September 8, 2021 | Source: KSAT

One of the many new laws that went into effect in Texas this month will change the rules for disabled vets when it comes to accessible parking spaces. Disabled veteran’s license plates, also referred to as DV plates, will no longer be sufficient by themselves to legally park in accessible parking spaces starting Jan. 1, 2022, according to Senate Bill 792, which was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott in May. Texas law will require all vehicles with DV plates parked in an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible parking space to also display a placard with the International Symbol of Access (ISA)…

For Disabled People, Accessible Technology Is Finally Getting Better

September 8, 2021 | Source: Teen Vogue

No two disabled people have the same exact needs or experiences surrounding resources that do and don’t help us. The spectrum of disability is vast — from people with hearing or speech impairments, visual disabilities, motor limitations, developmental and neurological conditions, and people who are multiply-disabled. While many might never use these features or even know they exist, thoughtful and well-integrated accessibility features are life-changing for many disabled people…

Fashion show in Nashville features all-inclusive models

September 8, 2021 | Source: News Channel 5

A fashion blogger is challenging the norm in the industry. From her purple hair to “loud” clothes, Alicia Searcy isn’t afraid to make a statement, but that wasn’t always the case. The Ashland City resident was born with cerebral palsy and is wheelchair and walker dependent. Growing up with a fashion model as a mother, Searcy says she was criticized for her appearance. “For a long, long time I didn’t bother with fashion and was a slob,” said Searcy. “People weren’t treating me well and not talking to me because I was in a wheelchair and I thought this was ridiculous so I decided to do something to change it.”…

‘See’: A Blind Consultant Is on the Crew to Ensure Visual Impairment Is Portrayed Realistically

September 8, 2021 | Source: Showbiz CheatSheet

Jason Momoa had been acting before he appeared on Game of Thrones in season 1. After his character Khal Drogo got written out of the famed period piece, Momoa went through a sort of dry spell in terms of work, and he frequently expressed his regret over his character’s unexploited storyline. Momoa got his footing when he appeared in Aquaman, and since then, the actor has been on a winning streak. Momoa appeared in See in 2019, with critics lauding his performance on the show…

New Housing for Elderly, Visually Impaired Indy Residents

September 8, 2021 | Source: Inside Indiana Business

A new apartment building is set to open on the east side of Indianapolis and this one pays special attention not only to the elderly but to those who have visual impairments. Indianapolis-based real estate developer TWG will host a grand opening Thursday at its Line Lofts Apartments, an affordable senior living development. The $11 million development caters to elderly residents, but it also was built to serve people with visual challenges. TWG says there are 63, two-bedroom units and one fifth are reserved for people who struggle with their vision…

Deaf community responds to ‘CODA’: What the movie gets right and misses

September 8, 2021 | Source: Today

The movie “CODA,” released on on Apple TV+ earlier this summer, has sparked conversations in the deaf community. The film focuses on Ruby, a child of deaf adults, and her relationship with her parents and brother, all of whom are deaf. Audiences at Sundance Film Festival loved the movie and many appreciate that deaf actors play all the deaf characters, something that doesn’t occur as much as hearing people might believe. “It’s absolutely fantastic that three main deaf roles are played by deaf actors…

Climate resilience efforts pose new risks for disabled people

September 9, 2021 | Source: The Hill

Disabled people, who are already among the most adversely affected by climate change, are facing new risks from climate mitigation efforts. Advocates are sounding the alarm after July flooding in Germany killed 12 residents of a group home for disabled people in the town of Sinzig that was unable to evacuate in time. Almost exactly a year before, flooding killed 14 nursing home residents in Kuma, Japan. “As more and more extreme weather events occur due to changing climate conditions, this risk becomes greater,” said Mary Keogh, author of a 2020 paper that found disabled people are among the five groups most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change…

How IT Leaders Can Make Learning More Accessible to Students with Low Vision

September 9, 2021 | Source: EdTech Magazine

Last month, Atkinson Hyperlegible typeface became available on Google Fonts. Created by Applied Design Works with guidance from the Braille Institute, Atkinson Hyperlegible is designed to aid readability for users with low vision. The font is named for Robert J. Atkinson, founder of the Braille Institute. Atkinson Hyperlegible improves legibility because “it breaks the traditional typographic approach of uniformity, and instead focuses on letterform distinction to increase character recognition, ultimately improving readability,” according to a press release from the Braille Institute…

Blind 9/11 survivor explains how guide dog saved him from World Trade Center collapse

September 9, 2021 | Source: Fox Business

Imagine being 78 stories up in the Twin Towers during the terrorist attacks; that was the location a blind 9/11 survivor found himself in before he escaped the collapsing World Trade Center on the fateful day that changed the world. Now, as the 20-year mark of the September 11th attacks approaches, Michael Hingson lives to tell his remarkable story of how his guide dog, Roselle, led him and others to safety on one of the darkest days in U.S. history, joining FOX Business’s “Cavuto: Coast to Coast.” Thursday to do just that…

Substance use, adverse mental health symptoms high among adults with disabilities

September 9, 2021 | Source: Healio

Adverse mental health symptoms and substance use were more prevalent among U.S. adults with disability than those without before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, according to findings published in MMWR. “Adults with disabilities, a group including >25% of U.S. adults, experience higher levels of mental health and substance use conditions and lower treatment rates than do adults without disabilities,” Mark É. Czeisler, MD candidate at Harvard Medical School, and colleagues wrote…

Jack Fact — According to Disability Living Foundation Key Facts, 1.6 million UK people are aged 85 or over. The number of people over 85 in the UK is predicted to more than double in the next 23 years to over 3.4 million.

Hit The Road Jack — The 7 Best Wheelchair-Accessible Campgrounds in America & Volunteers work to make Florida beach accessible to those with physical disabilities

International News

NCB and forces deafness compensation with Eldred Law

September 3, 2021 | Source: Doncaster Free Press- England

Eldred Law, which is headed by Steven Eldred, a solicitor who has specialised in hearing loss claims since 1997, has successfully represented thousands of Union members in the South of England, and has recently assisted many clients based all over the country with their similar claims for hearing loss. “These companies have, for decades, been aware of the dangers of noise exposure in the workplace, but have chosen to do nothing or very little about it,” explains Steven. “This has been to the detriment of millions of employees…

Tourist calls for compassion for those with disability after accessibility issues left her isolated

September 4, 2021 | Source: ABC- Australia

A woman who once took walking for granted has been left feeling excluded from society, isolated in her wheelchair on the footpaths outside businesses and an iconic train in the Gympie region. Laura McCarthy, 55, has a functional neurological disorder (FND) that causes her to lose mobility as she ages. For the past 12 months, Ms McCarthy has used a wheelchair and employed a carer to help her physically and psychologically with everyday activities…

‘It took me 50 houses’ to find an accessible home, says Kitchener voter

September 4, 2021 | Source: The Record- Canada

Ann Marie Hagey looked at 50 houses before she found one that was affordable and more importantly, accessible. Hagey uses a wheelchair and a walker mostly, but she can also do some walking on her own. “It took me 50 houses. Most people don’t look at 50 homes,” said the Kitchener woman, who bought a three-bedroom, semi-detached bungalow in the Stanley Park neighbourhood 11 years ago. Home ownership was a struggle for Hagey. The divorced mother of two was able to purchase her home through the Region of Waterloo’s Affordable Home Ownership Program which offers down payment loan assistance…

Japan removing physical barriers to disabled people, but prejudices remain

September 4, 2021 | Source: The Mainichi- Japan

Although the Tokyo Paralympics have drawn praise for embodying the ideals of an inclusive society, in terms of social attitudes, Japan appears a long way from achieving the “barrier-free spirit” the government has pushed. Opportunities for everyday interaction between the able-bodied and disabled remain scarce in Japan, and friction between the two groups exists. So, while Paralympic venues and public transportation have made strides in hardware, much remains to be done in upgrading the population’s mental software…

Kiwis with disabilities ‘confronted, harassed’ for not wearing mask now scared to access essential services

September 5, 2021 | Source: Newshub – New Zealand

Government agencies are urging Kiwis to “trust others are doing the right thing” even if they’re not wearing a mask, revealing people with disabilities and health conditions are being harangued in public for going out without one on. The Ministry of Health told Newshub members of this community, many of whom are exempt from wearing a mask at any COVID-19 alert level because they are unable to for health reasons, are being “confronted and harassed” when accessing essential services…

Hotels making efforts toward more accessible facilities

September 6, 2021 | Source: The Japan News

The incorporation of accessible designs for hotels and other accommodation facilities in Japan made great headway in the lead-up to the 2020 Tokyo Games, but there is still much room for improvement. It may take a long time after the Games are over to achieve 100% accessibility. Hotel Kazusaya in Nihombashi, Tokyo, reopened in summer last year following a major refurbishment carried out in sync with the original schedule of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. The doorways of its guest rooms have been resized to 85 centimeters wide…

Voters who have disabilities can get assistance while maintaining independence and secret ballot

September 5, 2021 | Source: The Spokesman-Review- Canada

Julian F. Wheeler, who volunteers as an election observer in Pierce County, appreciates the ways officials continue to make voting more accessible. A veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, Wheeler was injured and has a service-related disability that requires him to rely on some of those improvements. What might be a simple change for some – a curb cut at a bus stop, for instance – can make all the difference for a person with a disability who wants to vote…

650,000 sign petition to make medical cannabis accessible to children with epilepsy

September 5, 2021 | Source: Best Foot Forward- UK

The families of children who need medical cannabis to prevent seizures are calling on MPs to make it accessible on the NHS, after parents have been paying up to £2000 for private prescriptions. The End Our Pain campaign is urging members of the public to write to their local MP to urge them to attend an adjournment debate on Monday 6th September, led by Christine Jardine MP. A petition in support of the campaign has reached over 650,000 signatures…

Review: Parliamentary Standing Committee notes multiple gaps in the implementation of schemes for Persons with Disabilities

September 6, 2021 | Source: Factly- India

The Preamble to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) 2006, adopted by the United Nations, emphasizes that “Persons with disabilities include those who have long term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.” The expressions reflect a shift from a medical model to a social model of disability…

The issues with accessibility at live music venues

September 6, 2021 | Source: The Boar- UK

Although for a while it felt like we’d never step foot into a concert again, the recent Boris-approved abandonment of most Covid measures marks the return of live music. This also means the return of the well-established accessibility issues that have always plagued concert-goers with disabilities. From painfully understaffed disabled booking lines to inaccessible seating, people with disabilities have to jump through many metaphorical hoops in order to be able to enjoy live music…

Disability Gateway website received positively by advocacy groups

September 7, 2021 | Source: Talking Disability- Australia

Key advocacy groups believe a website designed to provide information about support to people with disability could be a positive step towards reaching more culturally and linguistically diverse people. The website, called the Disability Gateway, aims to connect all people with disability, their families and carers with support services across sectors including health, housing, employment, transport and everyday living. The information about services is available in a range of languages and audio or written formats and the Government has rolled out an advertising campaign to promote the platform and attract users…

Living with disability: Focus on what you can do not on what you can’t

September 7, 2021 | Source: Stuff- New Zealand

Over the past two years, I had both my legs amputated above the knee. This was due to critical limb ischemia, a medical condition where circulation to the lower leg becomes so poor that blood can no longer heal wounds or infections. I have accepted I will now be a wheelchair user for the rest of my life as prosthetics are not encouraged (or funded) in a dual situation. I have been a guest of our very excellent public health system, and have nothing but plaudits for it…

Platform Inaccessibility? Canadians living with disabilities say key issues are being overlooked in Election 44

September 7, 2021 | Source: Angus Reid Institute- Canada

Now well into Canada’s 44th election, party leaders are laying out their visions of Canada’s future in a bid to gain an edge in an increasingly tight race. While criss-crossing the country, party leaders have made promises on a number of subjects from tax reform and the government deficit to energy policy and climate change. One subject rarely broached in townhalls, photo-ops, and media scrums is how best to support Canadians living with disabilities…

Tragic reason a hardworking Aussie bloke has been rejected from 100 jobs even though he’s got a university degree

September 7, 2021 | Source: Daily Mail- Australia

A hardworking Australian man has been rejected from over a hundred job applications despite having a university degree because he is legally blind. Conor Smith, 31, from Sydney, has spent nearly five years relentlessly job hunting, submitting his resume to around 60 to 100 businesses. ‘They know full well they can’t say we can’t hire you because you’re blind, so you usually just get a ‘You’ve been unsuccessful’,’ Mr Smith told News.com.au. Mr Smith, who is now a project officer with Blind Citizens Australia, revealed his countless job rejections made applying for a position feel ‘pointless’…

PM Modi launches key initiatives for accessible education

September 8, 2021 | Source: Tribune- India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched several initiatives in the education sector, including Indian sign language dictionary and talking books, asserting that they will play an important role in shaping India’s future. Addressing the inaugural conclave of the “Shikshak Parv”, he expressed confidence that the measures would not only make the Indian education system globally competitive but also the youth future-ready. “The new initiatives will bring in an educational revolution and place the Indian education system on the global map,” the PM said…

Dear Editor: Do Scotiabank and EOC see all clients as equal—including the differently abled?

September 8, 2021 | Source: Wired868- Trinidad and Tobago

The recently publicised issue relating to the difficulties of attorney Veera Bhajan has convinced me that I also need to share my story. I am hoping that others will be willing to share theirs so that we can fix a horrible hole in the system affecting the differently abled and senior communities, in terms of how little recourse they have to either proper banking service or redress. I am a visually impaired (blind) person living abroad. In early January of this year, I started a journey to find a way to help my mom, a senior without any technical know-how, computer or Internet connection, to be able to continue her banking despite the Covid restrictions…

Ananya Rao-Middleton on making the industry more accessible to disabled artists

September 9, 2021 | Source: Creative Boom- UK

Marginalised people in our society, almost by definition, frequently have their voices silenced. But gradually, as we see representation from such communities grow within the creative sector, artists are breaking through who can share their thoughts, feelings and experience, being the voices we don’t listen to often enough. Ananya Rao-Middleton is one great example. A disabled woman of colour, she became an illustrator directly due to being diagnosed with a brain injury. She uses her much-in-demand work to express herself, post-brain injury, and as someone living with multiple sclerosis…

BlindSA, Section27 in court bid to make published works accessible to the blind

September 9, 2021 | Source: IOL- South Africa

Although textbooks may be available in braille, literacy is about more than just textbooks. This is according to BlindSA and Section27, who are calling for copyright reform so that people who are blind can access all published works in accessible formats. As the world celebrated World Book Day yesterday, there were still barriers to accessing books and reading material for those who are visually impaired. In South Africa, an apartheid-era Copy Right Act stipulates that in order to convert a book into braille, or an accessible format, permission must be secured from the copyright holder…

Svayam celebrates Paralympians

September 9, 2021 | Source: The Hindu- India

The contingent of 54 athletes, which returned with 19 medals including five gold from the Tokyo Paralympics, was felicitated at a dinner hosted by accessibility partner Svayam on Thursday. The athletes were provided specially modified accessible vehicles by Svayam right before their departure for the Games, and for their visit to the Prime Minister’s home on Thursday. “It is possible for every individual to discover the best version of themselves if given the right opportunity…

Canadians with disabilities say they’re missing from the election discussion

September 9, 2021 | Source: CTV News- Canada

Federal party leaders aren’t listening enough to the concerns of disabled Canadians, advocates say. They say key priorities missing from campaign pledges include equitable emergency relief, stronger housing, and workplace polices that address all types of disabilities. Sarah Jama, co-founder of the Disability Justice Network of Ontario, said this lack of scope boils down to a “lack of understanding of what systemic ableism looks like.” “Nothing is prioritized by the government unless there’s people campaigning behind it,” she told CTVNews.ca in a phone interview…

These Two Women are Changing the Perception Around Deafness

September 10, 2021 | Source: Woman’s Health- Australia

Hermon and Heroda are content creators and disability advocates via their blog and Instagram. The deaf twins, who’ve worked with the likes of MAC Cosmetics, are all about fierce fashion, clearing up stereotypes and changing perceptions. “When we started [studying fashion], we were suddenly thrown into the hearing world. We felt people often looked down on us because they didn’t have any awareness of what deafness meant, and that really affected our confidence. But, the doubters gave us determination to succeed and fulfil our dreams…

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