Accessibility in the News — 1/24/2025.

NOTE: To get news like this every week in your inbox, before it hits our website, subscribe to our Accessibility in the News e-newsletter. There are no ads or graphics, and we never send spam. Just use the sign-up form on this page to subscribe and stay up to date!

Feature Story

Skip to National News (U.S.) | Skip to International News

More Accessibility Resources on this Page

Accessibility Blogs, Information and Video | Accessibility Announcements
Accessibility Fourms, Tips and Gaming | Accessibility Statements
Higher Education Blogs and Information | Federally Speaking
Legal Blogs and Information | Accessibility Products and Services
Microassist Accessibility Services

AITN Quote of the Week

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” ― Martin Luther King Jr.

Billion Strong- A Global Disability Movement

Feature Stories

White House orders government DEI employees to be placed on leave

January 21, 2025 | Source: CNN and NPR and The 19th

Ending Illegal Discrimination And Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity

January 21, 2025 | Source: The White House

Trump’s Return Sparks Worry About Cuts To Medicaid, Disability Services

January 21, 2025 | Source: Disability Scoop

DEI Is Being Cut As People With Disabilities Are Paid $0.22 An Hour

January 22, 2025 | Source: Forbes

OPM creates email account to report suspected diversity and inclusion initiatives

January 22, 2025 | Source: Fed Scoop

Employees in any federal diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility offices will be placed on paid administrative leave “effective immediately,” according to a post from White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Slashing jobs in federal DEI positions is one move in a series of actions taken by the new administration, after Donald Trump promised to wage a war against such programs and take on the practice on Day 1. Trump has already cut high-profile military personnel and ended the use of DEI in hiring and federal contracting…

Trump executive orders threaten healthcare of millions of Americans

January 22, 2025 | Source: The Guardian

Within his first 48 hours back in office, Trump has signed several executive orders that threaten the healthcare of millions of Americans. Amid a flurry of executive orders, some of which were signed live on TV on inauguration night, the US president issued several orders that repeal Biden-era directives that had expanded healthcare access and options for lower-income and middle-class Americans. Those orders are expected to affect the medical insurance coverage for upwards of 20 million people in the US…

National News (U.S.)

Walz proposes slowing spending on disability services to address looming deficit

January 16, 2025 | Source: Minnesota Reformer

The state of Minnesota is spending more money than it’s bringing in, and if current trends continue, the state will spend down the current balance as soon as 2027. DFL Gov. Tim Walz wants to address the issue mostly by slowing state spending on disability services, one of the major drivers of the state’s escalating costs. He also proposed changes to the state sales tax that would shift the tax burden on to wealthier Minnesotans, while generating more revenue for the state…

Migrants with a disability: 5 insights to understand an ‘invisible’ problem

January 17, 2025 | Source: World Economic Forum- Global

Entry into the job market is a central issue when it comes to migrant trajectories. In 2020, there were more than 280 million international migrants around the world who had left their homes in search of better opportunities. However, different populations face a variety of obstacles when trying to enter destination job markets. Much attention has been paid to how inclusion intersects with gender, race, nationality, age and educational levels, among other factors…

How scientists with disabilities are making research labs and fieldwork more accessible

January 18, 2025 | Source: The Associated Press

The path to Lost Lake was steep and unpaved, lined with sharp rocks and holes. A group of scientists and students gingerly made their way, using canes or a helping hand to guide them. For those who couldn’t make the trek, a drone brought the lake — blue and narrow — into view. The field trip was designed to illustrate the challenges disabled researchers often face and how barriers can be overcome. “Just because you can’t do it like someone else doesn’t mean you can’t do it,” said Anita Marshall, a University of Florida geologist leading the outing…

Your Local Government Isn’t Ready to Evacuate Disabled People

January 18, 2025 | Source: Mother Jones

On January 8, after multiple wildfires erupted in Los Angeles, a father who was an amputee, and his son, who had cerebral palsy—both wheelchair users—died while waiting for assistance to leave their home. Two days later, on January 10, a woman described as bedridden also died from smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. They were three of many. Research has shown that disabled people are two to four times more likely to die in climate disasters, including wildfires; among other factors, disabled and aging people are less likely to have access to cars, which leaves them vulnerable when large fires strike…

These COVID Symptoms Are Red Flags That You Need Medical Attention

January 19, 2024 | Source: HuffPost

When you have a COVID-19 infection, you’re told to isolate and stay away from others until you’re better. But while many folks do improve at home thanks to a combination of medication, rest, hydration and time, others require additional medical intervention. While we know the hallmark symptoms of COVID ― like coughing, fatigue, for example ― there are some COVID-19 symptoms that aren’t normal and shouldn’t be treated as such…

How to stay safe when aging in place

January 20, 2025 | Source: MyCentralJersey

You or a loved one is getting older. Things are getting a bit more difficult around the house. Routine tasks and maintenance are put off or not done at all. But you − or your loved one − does not want to leave home. It’s a special place with cherished memories and a sense of security. Many are opting to age in place at home rather than move to an assisted living community, a move that is not cheap and that many see as a surrender and a loss of independence…

Disabilities community ‘distressed,’ ‘scared’ by proposed $200 million cut to state services

January 20, 2025 | Source: Maryland Matters

Advocates are reeling at recent proposals to cut $200 million from a state agency that administers resources for people with developmental disabilities — cuts that advocates call inhumane and harmful for the people who need those services. “We are deeply distressed by the nature of a number of these proposals,” said Laura Howell, CEO of the Maryland Association of Community Services, who said the plans “are absolutely going to hurt people.”…

Volunteers in Montana work to make skiing accessible

January 20, 2025 | Source: NBC

At Discovery Ski Area between Anaconda and Philipsburg, they take inclusion seriously. For many people living with a disability, they need an extra boost to enjoy what the mountain has to offer, which is why they’ve partnered with Ability Montana to create a volunteer training program. “The mountains are for everyone and there’s no reason to stay home in the winter. Even if you have a disability, you should get out and play just like everybody else,” said Sherene “Lefty” Ricci, a volunteer-in-training…

Grand Rapids Public Museum unveils new wheelchair-accessible carousel chariot

January 21, 2015 | Source: MLive

When the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s riverfront construction is completed later this year, its 1928 Spillman carousel will be transformed into a fully accessible space inside and out. The Cook Carousel Pavilion, which houses the downtown landmark, will feature a wheelchair-accessible ramp and chariot to allow individuals with mobility devices to ride. Construction temporarily closed the space on Jan. 9 as part of an expansion project along the Grand River to add new museum exhibit space, improve landscaping and more…

Broadway Grand Rapids: Accessibility, innovation raise the curtain for all

January 21, 2025 | Source: Rapid Growth Media

Accessibility in the arts manifests in diverse ways, from physical accommodations to technological innovations, creating pathways for everyone to engage in transformative cultural experiences. Yet for many, the barriers to enjoying live theater — from ticket prices to a lack of accessible options — remain daunting and, at times, mysterious. Wendy Taylor, a Grand Rapids resident and community advocate, has shared her struggles as a hearing-impaired patron to participate in our local arts scene…

Gov. J.B. Pritzker Signs Bill to Phase Out Subminimum Wage for Disabled Workers

January 21, 2025 | Source: WTTW

Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday signed a long-awaited bill to stop Illinois organizations from paying less than the minimum wage to workers with disabilities. The bill applies to businesses and other facilities that hold what is known as a 14(c) certificate, named after the section of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 permitting lower wages for disabled people. Organizations receiving the exemption are allowed to pay a “commensurate wage” based on the worker’s individual productivity in proportion to the wage and productivity of workers who do not have disabilities but are performing the same or a similar task…

Deaf advocates share how to make restaurants more accessible

January 22, 2025 | Source: The Advocate

When Jay Isch, director of Louisiana Association of the Deaf, goes to a restaurant in Baton Rouge, he always checks the TVs for captions. “If there’s captions on, I can say, ‘All right, great, I can relax,’” he said. “If there’s none, then I’m like, ‘OK, I’m gonna have to start dealing with people, pointing to them, explaining to them, and it’s just such a hassle. It’s a small thing. It’s just a button on the remote.” Baton Rouge’s food scene is gaining ground, but many of the spaces people enjoy the most are not accessible for everyone…

Making the Emergency Department More Accessible for Visually Impaired Patients

January 22, 2025 | Source: American Journal of Managed Care

Emergency departments (EDs) are often the frontline of health care, addressing urgent and life-threatening cases. However, for patients who are visually impaired, these environments can present significant challenges that hinder equitable care and thus lead to poorer outcomes. Navigating the physical environment of the ED is a major challenge for visually impaired patients, who are more likely to experience in-hospital complications such as falls, delirium, and extended hospital stays…

NYC to upend major transportation program that provides vital rides to disabled New Yorkers

January 22, 2025 | Source: amNewYork

Disability advocates are fuming as city officials plan to upend a major accessibility program that helps thousands of disabled New Yorkers get to jobs, schools and other vital appointments, amNew York Metro learned on Wednesday. Advocates said the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) wants to shut down the Accessibility Dispatch program to save money. They added that the program is important because it helps wheelchair users, visually impaired people and other disabled New Yorkers get around the city by calling or using an app to order an accessible taxi in advance of their trip…

State accessibility panel weighs conflict between two worthy aims

January 23, 2025 | Source: CommonWealth Beacon

A meeting of the state Architectural Access Board Subcommittee on Regulations doesn’t sound like a setting for passionate debate pitting talk of civil rights against the challenge of revitalizing the state’s most economically distressed communities. But amid the invocation of obscure acronyms and weedy talk of building code subsections, that conflict was at the center of a public hearing on Wednesday, marked by emotion-filled testimony with potentially far-reaching consequences…

Jack Fact — According to a policy brief by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and the International Diabetes Federation, globally, 537 million adults aged 20-79 years are living with diabetes, a number that is predicted to reach 1.3 billion in 50 years.

Hit The Road Jack — Accessibility: is cruise really open to all? and Europe Without Barriers: accessible tourism in action and UK’s ‘most accessible’ staycation spots revealed

International News

Common Injury Is Linked To An Increased Risk Of Dementia

January 16, 2025 | Source: HuffPost- UK

According to the UK Government: “People aged 65 and older have the highest risk of falling; around a third of people aged 65 and over, and around half of people aged 80 and over, fall at least once a year.” While younger people may not experience much harm from falling, the UK Government outlines that for older people, it is more likely to be harmful and can occur due to worrying factors such as: muscle weakness, poor balance, visual impairment, polypharmacy – and the use of certain medicines, environmental hazards, and some specific medical conditions, which might make a person more likely to fall…

“I Matter Too” campaign launches urging retailers to prioritise accessibility ahead of the European Accessibility Act

January 17, 2025 | Source: A1 Retail Magazine- UK and THIIS &

London Daily News

As the June 2025 deadline for the European Accessibility Act approaches, Nexer Digital has launched a new campaign, “I Matter Too”, to raise awareness about the importance of inclusive online experiences. The campaign aims to encourage online retailers to act now and embrace digital accessibility as a core part of their strategy, not just to meet legal requirements but to go beyond compliance and deliver true inclusivity. “I Matter Too” sheds light on the barriers faced by people with disabilities in accessing digital services, apps, and platforms, tools that have become essential to daily life…

From the First Line to First West: A Journey to Designing a Better Future

January 16, 2025 | Source: Canadian Architect- Canada

At 17, Adam Taylor’s ice hockey career promised the stuff of dreams. The right winger was drafted by the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Florida Panthers, had a stint in Asia with the China Sharks, and played in the British Elite Hockey League with the Edinburgh Capitals. But for all the accolades and adventures, injuries mounted: concussions, a bad back, a broken ankle. By his late 20s, Adam was at a crossroads…

Resident says Yellowknife is a hostile city for those with disabilities

January 17, 2025 | Source: CBC- Canada

When an ongoing health condition was compounded with a more serious injury, a Yellowknife resident says she realized just how inaccessible the city is for those with disabilities. Lisc Daley moved to Yellowknife 14 years ago to accept a job from the N.W.T. government as a librarian at the Legislative Assembly. Daley has had rheumatoid arthritis since she was a child, and in 2021 she broke her femur, which — after three surgeries and the installation of a rod in her leg — left her disabled…

Karácsony to Propose Disabled Accessibility Along Entire M2 Metro Line

January 18, 2025 | Source: Budapest Business Journal- Hungary

Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony will propose ensuring disabled accessibility along the entirety of the city’s M2 metro line, the Mayor’s Office said on Friday, according to a report by news wire MTI. Karácsony will submit a proposal to the municipal assembly for an upgrade involving European funding that would see old escalators in need of repair replaced with new ones and platform lifts, the office said. This would not only help those with mobility issues, the elderly and parents with small children, but it would also help with saving energy, the statement added…

East Midlands Railway introduces accessibility maps for passengers

January 18, 2024 | Source: BBC- UK

East Midlands Railway (EMR) has launched maps to provide disabled passengers with “key accessibility information” across its stations. The train operator said the maps outline step-free access points, accessible toilets, parking facilities and assistance services. EMR said the maps were created using feedback from members of its accessibility panel, made up of disabled customers that regularly engage with the company. There are currently Nottingham Station, Robin Hood Line and EMR Network accessibility maps, with more being created “throughout the year”, said EMR…

Let’s Talk About Better Accessibility At Music Festivals

January 19, 2025 | Source: MetalTalk- UK

Live music is not an inherently exclusionary activity, but gatekeeping and inadequate accessible provisions can make it so. In a genre that has long given voice to marginalised people, alternative music is home for many disabled fans, but organisers are leaving large numbers of them behind. Festivals are a notoriously exhausting environment. Between long walks carrying heavy camping gear, standing in any weather, uncomfortable sleeping conditions and incredibly long lines for the toilet, even non-disabled people usually need a decent rest afterwards…

Shut away and ignored: thousands of disabled adults are at the frontier of the human rights struggle

January 19, 2025 | Source: The Guardian- UK

In what passes for the national conversation, our social care crisis tends to be reduced to a handful of factors so familiar they now feel like cliches. Just about all of them are centred on older people, the pressures on financially broken local councils from an ageing society and people having to sell their homes to pay for residential care. All these things, of course, are urgent and hugely significant – but they exclude a huge part of society for whom care is just as important…

Too few accessing North Okanagan accessibility survey

January 20, 2025 | Source: Penticton Western News- Canada

Low participation in a public survey has the the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) urging residents to partake. The RDNO requires public input to develop a well-rounded Accessibility Plan for the region that identifies barriers to accessibility and experiences of inclusion. The survey opened on Dec.16, and participation is low so far. “We want to understand the challenges our community members face, and in order to do so, we need to hear from the public,” said Ashley Bevan, RDNO deputy corporate officer…

OT Interview: Sminu Jindal On Why Accessibility Is A Right For Everyone And What Keeps Her Going

January 21, 2025 | Source: Outlook Traveller- India

Sminu Jindal was 11 years old when a car accident turned her into a wheelchair user. With the support of her parents, who raised her to be independent, she completed her education and is now the managing director of Jindal SAW Ltd, a subsidiary of the O P Jindal Group. In October 2000, she founded Svayam, a not-for-profit organisation that aims to change societal mindsets around people with reduced mobility by spreading awareness, offering practical solutions in the built environment, advocating for policy interventions and capacity building…

This Greater Sudbury mom is advocating for accessibility after life-changing diagnosis

January 21, 2025 | Source: CBC- Canada

Laura McKenzie, a 34-year-old mother of two in Greater Sudbury, never imagined her life would drastically change. But now, she’s using her experience to advocate for others. In January 2023, a sudden paralysis that started in her legs left her unable to move from the chest down. Doctors diagnosed her with transverse myelitis, a rare inflammation of the spine. Now living with permanent paralysis, McKenzie has become a passionate advocate for accessibility…

Westpac NZ enhances banking accessibility for the disabled

January 22, 2025 | Source: NZ Adviser- New Zealand

Westpac NZ has recognised the need for significant improvements to make banking services more accessible for disabled New Zealanders. A recent report by ThinkPlace, commissioned by Westpac, revealed that nearly one in four New Zealanders face challenges accessing banking services due to disabilities, emphasising the impact on their daily lives. The Westpac NZ Disability and Inclusion in Banking Report highlighted the experiences of individuals with various disabilities, including issues related to vision, hearing, mobility, social interactions, and cognitive understanding…

‘I became a cruise agent to advocate for accessibility from within the industry’

January 22, 2025 | Source: TTG- UK

When she was 19 years old, Deanne Moses-Wright underwent an operation that was intended to fix her scoliosis, a condition that causes an abnormal curve and twist to the spine. But complications arose that that had life-changing consequences. “After complications during and after surgery I was given 48 hours to live, but I’m thankfully still here,” she says. “I was in hospital for most of the next two years, and my list of issues is quite long, but each of them affects me in a different way. I’m very lucky that I can use my legs, but it’s not always safe for me to do so.”…

Couple wants accessibility in qathet to be a priority

January 22, 2025 | Source: Powell River Peak – Canada

Since Dave and Marg Hodgin’s son had a stroke at age 39, then again a few years later, the couple has made it their mission to shed light on accessibility, or lack of it, for those who are differently abled, in many qathet region places and spaces. Their son now uses a wheelchair. Last March, City of Powell River, along with qathet Regional District (qRD) and Powell River Public Library, with input from the public and the Joint Accessibility and Inclusion Advisory Committee, approved the 2024-2026 Accessibility Plan…

Accessibility Blogs, Information, and Videos

Federally Speaking

Higher Education Blogs and Information

Legal Blogs and Information

Accessibility Announcements

Accessibility Products and Services

Accessibility Forums, Tips, and Gaming

Accessibility Statements

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:

Icons representing government and technology, with caption "What is a VPAT?"

Subscribe to Accessibility in the News

Stay informed! Get your weekly update on digital accessibility standards, private and public sector trends, litigation, events, and more.

Name(Required)

First Last

Work Email(Required)

Job Title(Required)

Organization(Required)

Comments

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.