Accessibility in the News — 7/1/2022.

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“We must be treated as equals, and communication is the way we can bring this about.” ― Louis Braille

AI-Learners covers all math topics taught in grade levels PreK – 2nd grade. The games are for students with physical, cognitive, behavioral disabilities, and mild disabilities.

Please contact founder, Adele Smolansky, at [email protected] if you’re interested in learning more about how you can help AI-Learners support more students!

Feature Stories

With Roe v. Wade overturned, disabled people reflect on how it will impact them

June 25, 2022 | Source: NPR

‘It Can Kill Us’: Protester On The Dire Cost Of Forced Birth For People With Disabilities

June 27, 2022 | Source: HUFFPOST

In 2008, around eight weeks into her second pregnancy, Robin Wilson-Beattie began experiencing hyperemesis gravidarum, which caused her to have severe episodes of vomiting. She had gone through this condition as well as other complications, such as preeclampsia, during her first pregnancy four years prior and knew that she would likely become bedridden, but this time she didn’t have the support to help her through it. With a 4-year-old son at home, she also didn’t know if she’d be able to raise another child, so she decided to get an abortion…

National News (U.S.)

Where to find adaptive golf courses in New Jersey that are accessible to all

June 24, 2022 | Source: northjersey.com

In early June, as golfers were getting ready for the U.S. Open, Bill Botten and Juliet Shoultz of the United States Access Board were reminding people that even golf — with its rolling greens and water hazards — should be accessible to all. The Access Board, which is responsible for writing the guidelines required by the Americans with Disabilities Act, hosted a June 2 webinar and blasted out emails to remind golf course owners, recreational professionals and the public of their “obligations for barrier removal.” …

How AstroAccess plans to make space more accessible

June 24, 2022 | Source: Fast Company

AstroAccess, a nonprofit that promotes disability inclusion in space, has partnered with the Aurelia Institute to advance astronaut diversity by doing research on zero-gravity missions. “In one sense, space is the ultimate equalizer: everyone who leaves Earth is subject to the radical experience of leaving gravity behind,” the Aurelia Institute said in a blog post this month. But in another sense, real barriers to entry still exist for astronauts—be it cost, physical access, or lack of outreach…

Andy Warhol Museum increases accessibility with art you can hold

June 24, 2022 | Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Andy Warhol is woven so deeply into Pittsburgh culture, it’s easy to forget that our city is home to the The Andy Warhol Museum. With that singularity comes responsibility, such as showing leadership in the realm of accessibility. That’s why visitors to the museum, especially those with no or low vision, are able to experience Warhol’s art through the sense of touch, not just sight. Nearly 10 years ago, the museum began the research and development phase of creating tactile reproductions of classic Warhol pieces, which included a focus group of people with visual impairments…

Wheelchair-accessible basket lets former pilot take flight again at Tigard Festival of Balloons

June 24, 2022 | Source: Oregon Live

For more than a decade Jim Smith had no reason to return to the Tigard Festival of Balloons. Once an avid hot air balloon pilot, Smith had served on the festival’s board and organized pilot briefings. And then, 12 years ago, he was grounded by a major stroke. Now 84, he uses a wheelchair. Speaking is difficult. Home is a Beaverton senior care center. His days of floating above the ground have been a distant memory. But a few months ago, Smith learned a balloon outfitted with a Federal Aviation Administration approved passenger basket that allows a person in a wheelchair to take flight would be at this year’s Festival of Balloons…

Selma Blair is Helping Create Makeup for All — Including those with Mobility Issues — for GUIDE Beauty

June 24, 2022 | Source: People

Selma Blair is getting into the beauty biz! The actress and activist, 49, recently announced that she has joined GUIDE Beauty as Chief Creative Officer. The position is a natural fit for Blair, an activist for MS awareness, inclusion and the disabled community since revealing her MS diagnosis in 2018, because GUIDE Beauty’s entire product line is designed to be easy to use for all makeup wearers, no matter their skill levels or dexterity. Blair has been vocal about how her MS affects her mobility from time to time and tells PEOPLE that she was a fan of GUIDE’s products and founder Terri Bryant before becoming part of the company…

TikToker shows how ‘only one step’ is a major issue for wheelchair users

June 25, 2022 | Source: The Daily Dot & Blavity

While the Americans with Disabilities Act is supposed to ensure that those with disabilities are able to access most establishments in the United States, the reality on the ground is far different. For years, activists have complained that everything from restaurants to public transit systems fails to meet the standards laid out by the ADA, with many offering harrowing and embarrassing stories of having to deal with inadequate facilities or inability to access places at all…

First person with Down Syndrome to complete Austin Marathon will participate in Boston Marathon

June 26, 2022 | Source: KVUE

In February, Kayleigh Williamson became the first person with Down syndrome to complete the Austin Marathon. Now, she will be the second person with a cognitive disability to participate in the Boston Marathon. According to a release, Adidas chose Williamson to join the Boston run under bib number 321. It’s all part of the “Runner 321” program developed in partnership with Adidas and the Boston Marathon to challenge marathons around the world to designate bib 321 for a runner with a cognitive disability who wants to participate…

Michigan’s pandemic-era special education guidance under U.S. investigation

June 27, 2022 | Source: Chalkbeat

Federal officials are investigating a complaint alleging that Michigan provided illegal guidance to districts about serving students with disabilities during the pandemic. The November 2020 guidance specifically concerned students who lost access to special education services — such as tutoring or physical therapy — during pandemic-caused school shutdowns, and the districts’ obligation to make up for those losses later through so-called compensatory services…

Dallas needs $54 million to install sidewalk ramps that meet ADA requirements

June 27, 2022 | Source: FOX4 & Planetizen

The city of Dallas is in bad shape when it comes to crosswalks and sidewalk ramps. The city manager says there’s not enough money to solve the problem. City staff revealed on Monday that the city would need $54 million to install all of the ramps needed to comply with the federal ADA law on the books for more than 30 years. Dallas City Councilman Chad West is frustrated that city management did not agree with making pedestrians a priority in response to a recent audit…

Kohl’s Hit With South Florida Website Accessibility Suit

June 28, 2022 | Source: Law.com & Complaint

The ADA and Your Website A Guide to Website Accessibility Claims

June 29, 2022 | Source: Bradley

DraftKings complaint alleges website inaccessible to visually impaired, blind

June 29, 2022 | Source: Top Class Actions

6 ADA Web Accessibility Trends Revealed In Our Mid-Year 2022 Report

June 30, 2022 | Source: UsableNet

Kohl’s was hit with a website accessibility lawsuit Monday in Florida Southern District Court over alleged violations of the ADA. The lawsuit, brought by attorneys Pelayo Duran and Roderick V. Hannah on behalf of Pedro Vergara, contends that the defendant’s website denies full access to blind and visually impaired individuals. Counsel have not yet appeared for the defendant. The case is 1:22-cv-21960, Vergara v. Kohl’s, Inc…

How The Met Celebrates Disability Through Art

June 28, 2022 | Source: MuseumNext

All museums and galleries agree that accessibility is important in a museum space. But it is something that is difficult to achieve. Budgets are tight, and it can be difficult to know how best to create programming and events that would be suitable for an array of disabilities and accessibility needs. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has taken a comprehensive view of its accessibility initiative, looking at how they can make every aspect of a museum visit more accessible…

Disability Advocates & MTA Reach Historic Settlement to Make NYC Subway Accessible to People Who Need Stair-Free Access

June 28, 2022 | Source: Legal Reader & Construction Dive & Queens Chronicle

Disability advocates in New York today signed a settlement agreement that will make the New York City subway accessible for more than half a million people with disabilities who cannot use stairs to access the system. Today only 25% of stations (113 stations) have elevators or ramps and are usable by people with disabilities affecting their mobility. Full text of the Settlement Agreement will be posted on Disability Rights Advocates’ website when finalized…

Being deaf is no tragedy – it’s one of my greatest strengths

June 28, 2022 | Source: Big Issue

I was in junior high when I failed my first hearing test, a mandated screening that took place in the auditorium of our public school each fall. I don’t remember what I was thinking as I stood in line awaiting my turn, but I know I was certainly not thinking my life was about to change. At the time, I hadn’t really noticed things going quiet at the edges. Even today, having been deaf more of my life than not, this is a difficult thing to explain – how could I know what I hadn’t been hearing?…

Accessible Voting Systems Are Required by Federal Law and Are Vital to Our Democracy

June 29, 2022 | Source: National Disability Rights Network

Voting technologies designed to improve the accessibility of ballot marking, verifying, and casting for all voters (such as direct recording electronic voting system or other voting system equipped for individuals with disabilities) are required by federal law. The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) and the undersigned organizations declare that any state or jurisdiction that terminates use of an accessible voting system is in clear violation of existing law and is at high risk of litigation…

Carson Pickett becomes the first player with a limb difference to play for USWNT

June 29, 2022 | Source: CNN

Carson Pickett became the first player with a limb difference to play for the US Women’s National Team (USWNT) on Tuesday as she helped her side to a 2-0 victory in a friendly against Colombia. The 28-year-old, who was born without part of her left arm, has played for the North Carolina Courage in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) since February 2021 when she was traded from Orlando Pride. Pickett has become an integral part of her club; she was named to the 2021 NWSL First-Team Starting XI and was a finalist for 2021 Defender of the Year…

These management changes for neurodivergent employees make work more accessible for everyone

June 29, 2022 | Source: Fast Company

When we talk about inclusion today, we think of identity markers such as race, class, ability, and sexual orientation. But another important consideration is neurodiversity, which refers to the different ways in which people’s brains interact with the world around them. This facet of inclusion is gaining traction, but there is still a lot to be done in terms of designing workplaces that not just accommodate, but also nurture, neurodivergent employees. The full scope of neurodivergence is still under debate, but it includes a number of psychological profiles, with autism, dyslexia, and ADHD being prominent examples…

DOJ fails to report on making federal websites accessible to disabled people

June 30, 2022 | Source: NPR

About a quarter of Americans live with a disability, but nearly a third of the most popular federal websites are difficult for disabled people to access. It has been 10 years since the Department of Justice filed a biennial report on the federal government’s compliance with accessibility standards for information technology, a bipartisan group of concerned senators say. The reports are required by Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. On Thursday, a group of seven senators sent a letter to the department asking for the DOJ to once again issue these reports, and the lawmakers want to know why the agency hasn’t filed them…

Accessible Birding – Paul’s Story

June 30, 2022 | Source: Audubon California

Working with the Sacramento Audubon chapter, Paul Miller has started leading local birding trips for those with physical limitations. He has also identified and documented multiple birding locations within the Sacramento Region that are truly accessible. The word “accessible” has different meanings depending upon your physical abilities. For those using mobility devices such as wheeled walkers or wheelchairs, accessible typically means areas with wide-level paved or hard-packed gravel pathways…

Visually impaired cast brings ‘The Braille Legacy’ to life onstage

June 30, 2022 | Source: Spectrum News1

“The Braille Legacy” is a musical about the boy who invented a system of reading and writing for the blind. It debuted to sell out crowds in Los Angeles in June, marking the first time the show had been performed in the U.S. — and the first time it was performed by a cast fully comprised of blind actors. The cast spoke with “LA Times Today.” Coco Atama plays Louis Braille in “The Braille Legacy” and discussed why it’s important for this musical to be staged…

Jack Fact — According to the CDC, adults living with disabilities are more likely to be obese, smoke, have heart disease and diabetes: 38.2 percent of adults with a disability are obese while 26.2 percent of adults without a disability are obese.

Hit The Road Jack — How the Caribbean island of Curaçao offers accessibility for disabled travellers and comfort & Clevedon Marine Lake to be fully wheelchair accessible

International News

‘It’s not the waiting, it’s the indignity’: disabled passengers tell of air travel torment

June 22, 2022 | Source: The Guardian- UK

Passengers with a disability or reduced mobility are legally entitled to special assistance when travelling by air, with airports and airlines required to provide help and assistance free of charge. Recent experiences of disabled passengers, however, suggests that this support is not always available and cannot be relied on. Suzanne Croft, a wheelchair user with muscular dystrophy, has said she was left “traumatised and humiliated” after special assistance was slow or nonexistent at two separate UK airports…

Disability board asks States to assess accessibility of public buildings

June 24, 2022 | Source: The Hindu- India

Nearly 828 public buildings in states yet to meet ‘Accessible India’ target

June 24, 2022 | Source: Times of India

The Central Advisory Board on Disability on Friday asked States and Union Territories to identify public buildings that were yet to be made accessible by July 31 and seek an extension if required, according to a statement by the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry. The CAB, which is required by the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 to meet once in six months, held a meeting on Friday, its fifth-ever. The last meeting of the board was in November 2020…

Accessibility concerns emerge as Regina Farmers’ Market end of online store

June 25, 2022 | Source: Regina Leader Post- Canada

Halifax’s Common Roots hosts ‘blindfolded tour’ as it works on farm accessibility

June 24, 2022 | Source: Global News- Canada

A month after the Regina Farmers’ Market (RFM) shut down its online store, disability advocates say the decision points to a larger problem around accessibility. “It’s considered nice to have, rather than a fundamental way to improve the way that a business or organization works in the world,” John Loeppky, a member of the disability-led Listen to Dis’ Community Arts organization, freelance journalist and consultant, said in an interview Friday. “And that doesn’t mean that I am shouting into a phone, oh, Farmers’ Market terrible, bad,” he added. “What I am saying is that there’s a lesson to be learned here.”…

Essential services websites in UK ‘should be accessible to all’

June 26, 2022 | Source: The Guardian- UK

The design of websites and apps vital for daily tasks, from car parking to booking NHS appointments, should be regulated to prevent digital exclusion among millions of people struggling with life online, campaigners say. The Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA), a coalition of charities, is calling for greater help for an estimated 11 million UK citizens lacking digital life skills and believes “basic, inclusive design requirements must be enforced for all essential services”…

How Accessible Are Apartments and Do They Stack Up?

June 27, 2022 | Source: The Urban Developer- Australia

Accessibility in multi-residential apartment buildings has been wanting, but now developers and architects are incorporating features to make units more liveable for everyone. However, requirements of additional space and automation come at a cost. “An additional 15 per cent floor area internally is required to fit all of the additional spatial requirements in a high physical support unit,” says Thirdi group’s general manager Ashleigh Button. “In a market where construction costs are rising, every square metre counts. So, spatial constraint is the biggest challenge to incorporate accessibility.”…

Deaf teenager inspires MPs in House of Commons

June 27, 2022 | Source: Time Series- UK

A deaf Barnet teenager highlighted the urgent need for investment to ensure all deaf children can reach their potential during a speech in the House of Commons. Lauren Press, who has profound impairment which is one of the most severe levels of deafness, was among six young people victorious in a writing competition who were given the opportunity to address MPs. The Power of Speech event on June 14 was hosted by Auditory Verbal UK (AVUK), which has a vision for all deaf children to have the same opportunities in life as their hearing peers…

Great Manga and Anime With Disabled Protagonists and Side Characters

June 27, 2022 | Source: CBR- Canada

Everyone wants to see themselves represented in their favorite media. It can be difficult to find great anime with disabled protagonists and even side characters. There’s no need for fans to worry, however, there are plenty of anime and manga with disabled protagonists and side characters. Here are some great anime and manga featuring disabled characters. The iconic duo, Edward and Alphonse Elric, are two great characters who have very different disabilities. Ed clearly has two prosthetic limbs — his right arm and left leg…

University Of Edinburgh: Expert Warns Of Hearing-Loss Diagnosis Crisis

June 28, 2022 | Source: India Education Diary- UK

Rachel O’Neill, who is based in the University’s School of Education and Sport, said parents needed “a great deal more support”. Rachel teaches the teachers of deaf children in Scotland on the postgraduate diploma in inclusive education. She says schools and nurseries should be on alert to spot children whose issues have not been diagnosed. The health board has apologised to the families of 155 children after a review of its paediatric audiology service.

An investigation by the British Academy of Audiology (BAA) found ‘significant failures’ in diagnosing and treating hearing loss over nine years at NHS Lothian…

When it comes to accessibility, architects must hold themselves to a higher standard

June 29, 2022 | Source: The Globe and Mail- Canada

The first thing you see is a set of stairs. As you walk or roll through the front doors of Robarts Common – the new wing at the University of Toronto’s main library – the staircase rises up behind the front desk. It’s lined by a set of large platforms where you can lounge, visit and study. Unless, that is, you have a physical disability. This is a problem. This five-storey wing provides study space for students on the U of T’s downtown campus, and it’s designed for people to gather. Yet a major aspect of its architecture clearly excludes people with disabilities…

Belgian train station malfunctions disrupt accessibility needs

June 29, 2022 | Source: The Brussels Times- Belgium

In 2021, there were 1,119 malfunctions of lifts and escalators in Belgian train stations. Each of these can take up to ten working days to repair, showing a lack of attention to those who rely on these infrastructures for travel. Belgian National Railway Service, SNCB, manages a total of 285 lifts and 312 escalators across train stations, Belga News Agency reports. These provide ease of mobility for those with limited mobility abilities and those travelling with heavy luggage…

Canadian goes viral for her honest restaurant accessibility reviews on TikTok

June 29, 2022 | Source: Daily Hive- Canada

Taylor Lindsay-Noel started her TikTok account with the hopes of being a helpful resource for Canadians with accessibility needs. Little did she know that her “Access by Tay” accessibility reviews would go viral. “It’s not just people in wheelchairs who could use the information, it’s companions, it’s an elderly person or someone’s grandma… there are so many people who have accessibility needs,” the Toronto-based content creator told Daily Hive. “And it’s also a way to get me out of the house, so it’s kind of like a win-win.”…

Further advisory council details revealed as British Sign Language Act comes into force

June 29, 2022 | Source: The Limping Chicken- UK

The non-statutory advisory board advising on the British Sign Language (BSL) Act will be made up of nine BSL users, it has been announced, as the law legally recognising the language came into effect on Tuesday. The Act, which also requires the Work and Pensions Secretary to produce regular reports on the UK Government’s work to ‘promote and facilitate’ BSL, passed its final parliamentary stage in April. David Buxton, chair of the British Deaf Association and founder of the BSL Act Now campaign, told viewers of a livestream last night: “Ultimately there are nine people that make up the Advisory Council…

Retailers Lose Billions By Not Signposting Product Accessibility – New Report

June 30, 2022 | Source: Forbes- UK

According to research published yesterday by Business Disability Forum (BDF), consumers with disabilities are routinely left in a state of confusion and hesitancy as a result of retailers being uncertain about how accessible their products might be and how this type of information should be conveyed. The report, entitled “What disabled consumers choose to buy and why” was sponsored by Microsoft and looked into the buying experiences of the one in five consumers across the U.K. living with one or more disabilities…

Mohawk College faces criticism for cancelling program geared to help people with disabilities

June 30, 2022 | Source: Hamilton Spectator- Canada

When a blind disability advocate reached out to Mohawk College to complain they’d cancelled a program that trains students to develop accessible media, he received a response in a format he couldn’t fully read. The irony of the situation was not lost on David Lepofsky, chair of advocacy group Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Alliance — given the right to have documents that are accessible to all was one of the things he was fighting for…

AICTE wants to create model ‘disability-friendly’ institutes, orders accessibility audit

June 30, 2022 | Source: The Print- India

To encourage the enrolment and retainment of students with disabilities, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) is planning to develop model “disability-friendly” technical institutes across India — at least one in each state. The initiative by the AICTE, a national-level body that regulates technical education in India, will involve making infrastructural and administrative changes to existing institutes. The council floated a tender Tuesday to help with an “accessibility audit” aimed at identifying gaps in facilities for students with disabilities. It has already identified some institutes…

B.C. siblings with a rare degenerative disease inspire and help each other

June 30, 2022 | Source: Global News- Canada

A B.C. brother and sister with a rare degenerative disease have been losing their vision since a young age, but it hasn’t stopped them from competing in the activities they love, while inspiring and supporting each other through their challenges. Chase Henderson loves basketball, and despite the fact he’s slowly losing his sight, he fits right in. Basketball practice for him and his fellow 10-year-olds looks exactly how you would imagine: players launching thee point shots from everywhere and imitating flagrant fouls just for fun…

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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.
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