Accessibility in the News — 5/6/2022.

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Feature Stories

Utah’s housing market is tough, but those with disabilities face additional barriers, advocates say

April 30, 2022 | Source: Deseret News

Soon after veteran David Ware moved from Florida into an apartment in Salt Lake City in 2014, he found himself homeless and sleeping on a bench downtown in the summer heat. “It’s funny, when you’ve got everything you own in a bag, where do you start at? You’ve got to walk for blocks or miles to find a restroom, that’s where I was at,” Ware said. But a Good Samaritan literally picked him up and carried him to the nearby Rescue Mission of Salt Lake, Ware recalled…

National News (U.S.)

City discusses how to include people with disabilities as they move to “smart” technology

April 29 2022 | Source: WOAI

Hundreds of thousands of people in San Antonio are living with a disability. This week at the Texas Smart Cities Summit in San Antonio, one of the biggest conversations has been how to make the Alamo City more accessible for people who are blind, deaf, or have other disabilities. Jose Martinez sees the world through his fingers. He’s blind, but he’s also an advocate for online accessibility, aiming to improve the technological experience for people with disabilities…

How Star Trek: The Next Generation Explored Blindness & Accessibility With Geordi LaForge

April 30 2022 | Source: Game Rant

Throughout the many additions to the Star Trek universe, one key element remains at its core: a fundamental drive to explore topical difficult subject matters, like racism, sexism, and even fascism, all through futuristic allegory. Star Trek: The Next Generation took these philosophical and ethics based quandaries to the next level, often the subject tackled by the fan favorite Captain Jean-Luc Picard, but one character embodies the idea of striving for a better future unburdened by discrimination…

Zoo animals to trampolines: Akron-Canton area offers sensory-friendly experiences

May 1, 2022 | Source: Canton Repository

Families searching for sensory-friendly experiences don’t have to travel far to get them. A number of places in the Akron-Canton area offer activities, rooms and experiences for guests with a sensory, social or learning disability, whose brains become overwhelmed by stimulation. Nearly one in six Americans have or will experience a sensory or communication disorder in their lifetime, the U.S. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion reported…

Whole Foods Class Action Claims Website Not Accessible To Blind, Visually Impaired

May 3, 2022 | Source: Top Class Actions

A would-be Whole Foods customer is suing the health foods company for allegedly failing to maintain a website that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), thus denying equal access for blind and visually impaired people. Elbert Dawkins, the lead plaintiff, says he visited wholefoodsmarket.com on several occasions but was “effectively barred” since the website lacked accommodations for blind and visually impared people who use screen-reading software…

How “Talkies” Disrupted Movies for Deaf People

May 2, 2022 | Source: JSTOR Daily

The kicking of Harold Lloyd’s feet as he dangles from the face of a clock, high above a street. Charlie Chaplin’s brow, furrowed in puzzlement as he considers the stewed shoe on his dinner plate. Mary Pickford’s cowering posture as she flinches before a scolding employer. While CODA’s wins at the Academy Awards have been considered by some to be several steps forward in the entertainment industry, these iconic scenes and gestures demonstrate why many Deaf people consider silent-era films to be more accessible than those produced today…

Fresno County election officials focusing on accessibility and inclusivity

May 2, 2022 | Source:
ABC30

June 7 primary elections in California are around the corner, and Fresno County is highlighting flexible and convenient options for voters. The California Voters Choice Act modernizes elections by providing more convenience and flexibility to voters. This election model — which has been in Fresno County for at least four elections now — allows voters to choose how, when, and where to cast their ballot. This is a big deal for those with disabilities like Sarah Harris, who lost her sight 20 years after a car accident…

Ms. Wheelchair Minnesota Linda Hood advocates for accessible restrooms at St. Cloud State

May 3, 2022 | Source: St. Cloud Times

When Ms. Wheelchair Minnesota Linda Hood went to the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas, she was surprised by how nice its accommodations were. The airport had an adult changing table, an accommodation that allows people who use briefs, such as some people with disabilities, to be changed comfortably and safely. Where accommodations like that are not available, it leaves Hood, who uses a wheelchair due to Guillain-Barré syndrome, to be changed on the floors of bathrooms…

Amputee Jacky Hunt-Broersma ran 104 marathons in 104 days — and may have set a record

May 3, 2022 | Source: NPR

Most people who ran the Boston marathon last month spent days before resting up and days after recovering. But not Jacky Hunt-Broersma. The Boston race was the 92nd marathon she had run in 92 days. The very next day, she ran another, then another, then another. In total, she ran 104 marathons in 104 days, with her last race on Saturday. If it’s confirmed by Guinness World Records, that would be a new world record. And she did it all with one leg and a prosthesis…

TikTok Videos Show What It’s Like Living With Dementia, and Raise Privacy Questions

May 4, 2022 | Source: The Wall Street Journal

Alzheimer’s biomarker sparks warning about brain-boosting serine supplements

May 4, 2022 | Source: Study Finds

Dan Salinger posted a video on TikTok late last year of his dad, who has dementia, trying to start the car. The video, which shows the two men arguing with each other, drew more than 875,000 views. Some viewers were sympathetic to Dan trying to look out for his father and some were critical that Dan lost his temper. “It showed a lot of real frustration and I got a lot of flak,” says the younger Mr. Salinger, a 54-year-old attorney who lives in Elk Grove, California…

Justice Department Reaches Agreement with Columbus, Ohio, Hotel to Improve Access for People with Disabilities

May 4, 2022 | Source: Department of Justice

The Justice Department today entered into an agreement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites in Columbus, Ohio. The department reached the agreement with Badrivishal LLC, which owns and operates the hotel. The agreement requires a series of modifications to provide better access for customers with disabilities, including those who use wheelchairs. The Civil Rights Division launched an investigation after it received a complaint from a couple who claimed that they reserved accessible rooms after being told by hotel staff that the rooms had accessible “roll-in” showers fitted for wheelchairs…

Kim Kardashian’s Skims launches The Adaptive Collection for people with limited mobility

May 4, 2022 | Source: Good Morning America & Fast Company

This week, Skims, Kim Kardashian’s “solutions-oriented” brand of underwear, shapewear and loungewear, launched The Adaptive Collection for people with limited mobility. The collection includes four pieces, all within the Fits Everybody wider range: an adaptive scoop bralette, thong, brief, and boy short. Each piece comes in four different colors and sizes from XXS to 4X. Moreover, these pieces all have added hook and eye closures “for added accessibility of dressing,” Skims explains on their website…

Bill To Update Disability Benefits Wins Crucial Republican Co-sponsor

May 4, 2022 | Source: HUFFPOST

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) has won a key Republican ally in his quest to improve one of the most outdated social welfare programs in the United States. This week, Brown joined forces with Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) to announce their co-sponsorship of a bill updating the Supplemental Security Income program, which provides benefits to nearly 8 million Americans with disabilities. The program pays less than $700 per month for the average recipient meeting its strict eligibility criteria, which include a requirement that recipients have less than $2,000 in their bank accounts…

Ever-positive approach helps Penn State student complete unlikely journey

May 4, 2022 | Source: The Pennsylvania State University

When Michael Smedley crosses the stage during Penn State commencement exercises Saturday, he’ll complete a statistically unlikely journey. Once you meet him, though, there’s no doubt his journey would finish as it has — and there’s no doubt he’s on his way to accomplish much more during his career. Smedley, blind since birth because of a rare genetic disorder, will complete his undergraduate career at Penn State with a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications, a bachelor of fine arts in theatrical sound design, minors in business law and music technology, and a certificate of business fundamentals…

Protect Healthy Vision with 7 Habits for Healthy Retinas

May 5, 2022 | Source: American Society of Retina Specialists

Habits that support a healthy lifestyle come in many forms, like eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly and keeping an eye on blood pressure and cholesterol levels. But did you know these and other healthy habits can also protect your and your family from vision loss? Some of the leading causes of blindness and vision loss in the U.S. are retinal diseases, including conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). But there are steps everyone, and especially those at a higher risk for retinal diseases, can take to prevent vision loss and support retina health…

Louisiana House passes education savings account bill for disabled students

May 5, 2022 | Source: The Center Square

Legislation to create Education Savings Accounts for students with exceptionalities passed the Louisiana House. Lawmakers voted 91-1 to approve House Bill 194, sponsored by Rep. Rhonda Butler, R-Ville Platte, to create state-funded ESAs for students with disabilities such as deafness, blindness or autism. The parents can use the ESAs to educate their children outside of the public education system. HB 194 directs the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and State Department of Education to “allocate to each account annually, from funds appropriated or otherwise made available for the program…

CDA plans fundraisers to jump start return of outdoor activities for all abilities

May 5, 2022 | Source: The Daily Sentinel

Enjoying the litany of outdoor opportunities Colorado offers can be a challenge when the individual is blind, may not have limbs or may live with mental disabilities. However, some unsung heroes wanted to see these adventures happen for people with all levels of abilities. In late 1980, what is now known as Colorado Discover Ability (CDA), was born. “The very first person to get the Powderhorn Handicap Ski program going was Pat Collister,” said CDA President Chris Muhr. “She contributed an amazing amount of time and energy to get things started.”…

Man’s Claim He Was ‘Detained’ at Airport for Stuttering Shocks the Internet

May 5, 2022 | Source: Newsweek

Aman took to TikTok to allege that he was “detained” at the airport by a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agent because of his stuttering in a now-viral post that’s shocking viewers. The man making the claim is named Marc Winski, and he’s an actor, singer, and speaker in New York City who doubles as an advocate for stuttering awareness. Winski has gone viral before, and this time his 42-second video has garnered 191,200 views and 33,600 likes so far since it was shared on April 30…

Eliminate ableism in New York’s community engagement and planning

May 5, 2022 | Source: NYNMedia

Ableism – that is, discrimination in favor of able-bodied people – is a pervasive issue in our society. People with disabilities often face exclusion and barriers to access in many areas of life. Decisions at the municipal level can exacerbate these barriers – or alleviate them. Indeed, ableism is often present in municipalities’ community engagement and planning processes. For example: town hall meetings that certain residents can’t access, or public comment periods that some don’t feel comfortable, or even able to engage with…

Unions Must Fight for Disabled Workers

May 5, 2022 | Source: Left Voice

In recent years, workers in the United States have gained new insights through their experience of the pandemic and through participating in the Justice for George Floyd movement. As a result, they have become increasingly conscious of how different modes of oppression are linked to one another under capitalism, as Ezra Brain recently described in “Social Justice Unionism: How ‘Generation U’ Is Building Class Solidarity.” At Amazon alone, immigrant workers and queer workers have played leading roles as union organizers with an eye toward how a union would protect them as oppressed people…

Jack Fact — According to Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the number of Australians aged 85 years and over is projected to double by 2042, increasing to over 1 million people according to the latest population projections.

Hit The Road Jack — Mesa is One of the Most Accessible U.S. Travel Destinations, Here’s Why & VIDEO: Disability advocates campaign for more accessible tourism

International News

Disability pay gap wider than in 2014

April 29, 2022 | Source: Personnel Today- UK

The disability pay gap has widened since 2014, new figures from the Office for National Statistics show, although there was a slight narrowing between 2019 and 2021. In 2021 the gap between median pay for disabled employees and non-disabled employees, was 13.8%, where as in 2019 it was 14.1%. However, in 2014 disabled employees earned 11.7% less than non-disabled employees. The ONS revealed that the disability pay gap has consistently been wider for disabled men than for disabled women; in 2021 median pay for disabled men was 12.4% less than non-disabled men, whereas median pay for disabled women was 10.5% less than non-disabled women…

Kids, families benefit from more funding for accessible school playgrounds

April 29, 2022 | Source: BC Gov News- Canada

More than 7,000 B.C students will have access to new, safe and accessible playgrounds as the Province invests in the Playground Equipment Program (PEP) for the fifth year in a row to support healthy and active lifestyles. “Taking a break from the classroom and getting time outside to play gives children the opportunity to explore through play-based learning,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education and Child Care. “We know having space for kids to play safely is important for families and that’s why our government is committed to supporting students with accessible new playgrounds for many years to come.”…

Improving Transport Accessibility Across State

May 1, 2022 | Source: Mirage News- Canada

The Andrews Labor Government is improving accessibility, safety and comfort across the public transport network to ensure every Victorian can get to where they need to go – particularly people with disability. Train stations, bus stops, and tram stops across Victoria will be upgraded through a $157.8 million package of works included in the Victorian Budget 2022/23, giving Victorians better access to transport. The Labor Government is improving accessibility on the train network with $21.9 million from the budget to upgrade five stations including Lalor, Merri, Thornbury, Victoria Park and Warrnambool…

From Santa Barbara with Love: Wheelchair-Accessible Van Makes It into Ukraine

May 1, 2022 | Source: The Santa Barbara Independent- Ukraine

On the sixth floor of an apartment building on the outskirts of Kyiv, Sasha, a Ukrainian man with cerebral palsy, was strapped to a red spinal board and carried down ladders by firefighters after a missile strike demolished the complex. Air-raid sirens echoed through survivors’ ears and smoke billowed through the broken windows as Sasha’s rescuers carried him to a transport vehicle, and he received an immediate medical assessment. “Thankfully he survived,” said Alina Tupchyk, a Ukrainian-American and occupational therapist at Cottage Hospital…

Vancouver Airport welcomes Autism Accessibility Tour

May 3, 2022 | Source: International Airport Review- Canada

Canucks Autism Network (CAN), Vancouver Airport Authority and Air North, Yukon’s Airline has welcomed 100 individuals to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) for its sixth annual YVR Autism Accessibility Tour on 24 April 2022. The tour provides an opportunity for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families to experience and rehearse the entire pre-flight process including checking-in, going through security, and boarding an Air North aircraft for a simulated take-off…

One-size-fits-all model of accessible housing ‘a disaster’ for Australians with disability

May 3, 2022 | Source: The Guardian- Australia

Elijah Armstrong’s wheelchair is 76cm wide. The doorways at the rental home he shares with his family are 78cm wide. “Every time he goes through a door I think: ‘is he alright getting through the door? Can he make it?’” his mother, Grace Dlabik, says. “You’re never able to live comfortably knowing that everything is OK in the home. You’re always mindful, and you’re hyperaware every time he’s using the space that he might potentially crash into something.”…

City of Regina to increase touchless crosswalk signals

May 3, 2022 | Source: Regina Leader Post- Canada

A tender from the City of Regina is looking to expand the number of motion-sensored crosswalk signals in the city, making navigating the streets more accessible to all pedestrians. The city has opened the floor to competing bids on an accessible pedestrian signals contract, calling for any companies interested in helping provide touchless capabilities to current intersections. Carloyn Kalim, manager of traffic engineering, estimated the three-year, $550,000 contract would provide the city with 55 new signal systems to have on deck for installation moving forward…

Israel’s Paratrek Designed A Wheelchair To Make Hiking ‘Accessible For All’

May 4, 2022 | Source: NoCamels- Israel

It’s early morning, but the sun is already beating down on some 100 students and teachers who are about to begin their high school’s annual hike in the Eilat desert. The Ort Tivon students and faculty are excited — keen to embrace the outdoors, conquer the rocky hills, and form bonds. And this year they were especially thrilled to welcome three people who, in the past, might have thought twice about joining the trip. This year, Ort Tivon’s annual hiking trip included three hikers who use wheelchairs to get around. Yaella Shimonov’s disability stems from childhood polio that forces her to walk with armbands…

New research finds accessibility a top priority for majority of UK heritage organisations

May 4, 2022 | Source: Museums + Heritage Advisor- UK

Engaging diverse audiences and ensuring everyone, including people with additional needs, have access to heritage is a key priority for the sector. Three quarters (77%) of the heritage workers surveyed said accessibility is extremely or very much prioritised at their organisation. Just 5% said improving accessibility isn’t currently a priority. The majority of heritage organisations include accessibility as part of their stated policies or commitments (65%), strategic objectives (62%), and planning (60%). Two in five (41%) say accessibility is also part of their organisation’s mission statement…

Vernon, B.C. HandyDART passengers say newer buses are less accessible

May 4, 2022 | Source: Globalnews- Canada

It’s supposed to be an accessible mode of transportation that allows people with disabilities to travel around the community. However, Vernon HandyDART passengers say newer buses in the fleet are making the service less accessible. “A lot of the drivers say it is like they are going back in time rather than moving forward to being more accessible,” said Vernon handyDART passenger Gail Pifer. “I’m an advocate for people with disabilities and I just hated hearing how upset people were about this change happening without being consulted.”…

We Cannot Keep Leaving Women With Disabilities Behind in Leadership

May 4, 2022 Source: AllAfrica

I know first-hand the difference that having women at the table can make. “Women hold up half the sky, but they usually do not occupy half of the seats in the positions of influence” – Marcia VJ Cran, member of UN Human Rights committee. One in five women worldwide have a disability. Yet 15 years after 180 countries adopted the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, we are still among the most marginalised and poorest in society, often experiencing dual discrimination…

“It’s not fair” – How airline apps are letting down blind passengers

May 5, 2022 | Source: Which?- UK

Four out of the five airline Apps that we tested did not allow blind customers to book a flight using a screenreader. Instead, any blind person wanting to book a flight would be forced to call, potentially incurring charges or long waiting times. The exception was easyJet, whose App was praised by our researcher, Adi Latif from accessibility consultancy AbilityNet, who said that while using it ‘I didn’t feel blind.’ Adi, who’s been blind since he was a teenager, is able to use the screenreader on his iPhone on many different Apps…

The Goal of Visually Impaired Judoists Gökhan Biçer and Onur Taştan is Paris

May 5, 2022 | Source: Railly News- Turkey

Gokhan Biçer and Onur Tastan, visually impaired judokas of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Youth and Sports Club, aim for Paris. The two athletes will work for the 2024 Paris Paralympics after success at the European and World Championships. Silver medal in 24 kilos at the Visually Impaired Judo World Grand Prix competitions held in Antalya on 25-90 April kazanGökhan Biçer and Onur Taştan, who won the bronze medal in the plus 90 kilograms, set their goals as the Olympic Games…

Attendance Allowance: Full list of 56 conditions that qualify for DWP benefit worth £4,000

May 5, 2022 | Source: Express- UK

Pensioners struggling to pay soaring energy bills and food costs should check whether they could be eligible for Attendance Allowance. Shockingly, 3.4 million pensioners are estimated to be missing out on this help from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). People who qualify for the full amount would be £369 per month better off which adds up to over £4,428 a year. More than two million pensioners are living in poverty due to the cost of living crisis, but many could be due extra financial support from the DWP…

Deaf Awareness Week 2022: a deaf Edge Hill student is championing deaf awareness and sign language education in schools

May 5, 2022 | Source: Lancashire Evening Post- UK

County Durham social worker champions deaf awareness

May 5, 2022 | Source: East Durham News- UK

The theme of this year’s Deaf Awareness Week is #MyDeafStory and the story of Martha Ryan, a third year BA Children’s Learning and Development student, shows why she wants to teach the next generation about deafness, having being inspired by her teachers growing up. Martha, from Coventry, said: “Throughout my education, I have faced many challenges, due to my deafness. Despite this, I have been fortunate enough to experience both mainstream and residential specialist secondary education at a school for the deaf…

Report calls for disability poverty action plan for Glasgow

May 5, 2022 | Source: Disability News Service- Scotland

Disabled people’s organisations (DPOs) are set to play a key role in drawing up a plan to address disability poverty in Glasgow. The call for an action plan is one of the recommendations from a report for Glasgow City Council’s Social Recovery Taskforce. The report* by the taskforce’s Disability Workstream, which was co-convened by Glasgow Disability Alliance (GDA), points out that nearly one in four (24 per cent) of Glasgow’s working-age population are disabled people…

Disability assist dogs now protected in law

May 5, 2022 | Source: Stuff- New Zealand

Having mobility dog Wren is “life-changing” Aucklander Claudia Chaney says, and a law to protect service animals and the rights of their owners “means so much”. The Human Rights (Disability Assist Dogs Non-Discrimination) Amendment Bill passed its third reading on Wednesday with the unanimous support of Parliament. Under the law, a person cannot be a denied a service – such as a home or transport – because they have a disability assist dog. Chaney had acute myeloid leukaemia when she was just three…

Gov’t aims to reduce vision impairment rate

May 6, 2022 | Source: Khmer Times- Cambodia

The government is committed to reduce the rate of blindness and vision impairment to 0.35 percent by 2030, according to the Ministry of Health, citing that the government had managed to lower the prevalence rate of blindness and vision impairment 1.5 in 1995 to 0.37 in 2019. The commitment was shared by Minister of Health Mam Bun Heng in a workshop on strategies for managing and preventing blindness for 2030 held on Wednesday. Over the past two decades, the government has continued to work to improve the quality and expand the scope of eye health under the Ministry of Health’s public health equity policy…

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