News and issues on the disabled 1 Nov 2024
Azmi Anuar
Contents
1. MK South Korea - A new world has opened for Ko Mi-sook, a blind person
2. The Manila Times Philippines - American Foundation for the Blind Announces Ford Foundation Grant Supporting Groundbreaking Research and Advocacy for Digital Inclusion
3. FOX 35 Orlando USA - Orlando leaders call for pedestrian safety using 'blind experience'
4. iNews UK - We rode the bus for a day to meet the people who rely on the £2 fare cap
5. The Malaysian Reserve - China's AI tech brings more convenient, dignified life to people with disabilities
6. RNIB - RNIB responds to Chancellor’s first budget of the new government
7. PR Newswire - The American Council of the Blind's 2024 Audio Description Awards Gala To Be Broadcast on November 14
8. South London Press UK - ‘Floating bus stops’ are a ‘menace’ for the blind, Bexley guide dog user says
9. LBBOnline - Connected Packaging for Accessibility: How Smart Tech Enhances Inclusivity
10. Block Club Chicago USA - Apartment Building For Visually Impaired Opens In Illinois Medical District
*****
1. MK South Korea - A new world has opened for Ko Mi-sook, a blind person31 Oct 2024
Native social venture dot develops the world's first tactile webtoon. Collaboration with Webtoon Entertainment, a subsidiary of Naver U.S. 280 million blind webtoon experiences will be opened around the world.
Yumi's Cells Webtoon is implemented for the blind on the dot pad. [Photo provided = dot]
A new world has opened for Ko Mi-sook, a blind person.
This is because you can feel webtoons that you've only heard about. This is what became possible when the native social venture Dot (CEO Kim Joo-yoon, Sung Ki-kwang) met its own "Dot Pad." Ko said, "I was curious about what each cell in the webtoon 'Yumi's Cells' I've wanted to see so far, and it was so interesting because I could feel the shape directly with my touch."
An era has opened in which visually impaired people can also touch webtoons with their hands. Through the dot pad, the webtoon scene was implemented as a convex cell. Braille was added to this so that I could understand the situation. This is the result of Dot's collaboration with Webtoon Entertainment, a subsidiary of Naver listed on Nasdaq in the United States.
Dot announced on the 31st that it held the world's first tactile webtoon demonstration event for a month in October at the Braille Institute, the largest blind institution in the West in Los Angeles (LA). It was an event to celebrate World Sight Day, which was designated as the second Tuesday of October. It introduced Lee Dong-gun's popular webtoon "Yumi's Cells" and Miriam Bonastre Tour's "Hooky" to local blind people for free. The authors agreed that the event was for the blind.
Blind people at the Braille Institute in California are experiencing tactile webtoons implemented by Korean social venture Dot and provided by webtoon entertainment through dot pads. [Photo provided = dot]
Rolando Romero, an American in his 40s (President of Sports and Recreation for the Blind in America), who participated in the demonstration, said, "I saw it on a dot pad flying on a broomstick, and it was so amazing that I could see and understand such diverse picture books even though I don't know the braille, and I'm looking forward to the future."
Monique Mariani, a blind person who teaches braille at the LA Braille Library, said, "The experience of enjoying cartoons with touch was very impressive. I hope that many people who visit the Braille Library will be able to experience a new world through the new tactile opportunities provided by DotPad."
Founded in 2015 by CEO Kim Joo-yoon, Dot is a social venture that attracted attention by introducing the world's first Braille smartwatch, "Dotwatch," in 2017. The 'dot pad', which won the Innovation Award at CES 2023, the world's largest consumer electronics fair, is the world's first smart tactile graphic display. It uses 2,400 cells to convert various visual information such as text, pictures, and graphs into tactile graphics in real time to help those who are blind.
Blind people are experiencing tactile webtoons provided by webtoon entertainment through dot pads at the LA Braille Institute in California, USA. [Photo provided = dot]
If various webtoons of webtoon entertainment are provided in dot pads, it is expected that the blind people around the world will be able to access more digital content. The blind population is estimated to be 285 million worldwide, and about 90% are considered to be acquired blind.
Lee Shin-wook, head of Webtoon Entertainment's North American Service, said, "We are happy to cooperate with Dot to provide new content experiences for the blind," adding, "It is very meaningful to realize one of our missions to help fans around the world access webtoons more easily."
A Dot official said, "We will create an inclusive content environment through various contents and webtoon production for the visually impaired and continue to expand accessibility of digital storytelling."
Dot achieved 10 billion won in sales last year by supplying smart devices for the visually impaired through government procurement markets and support for donated goods, including the U.S. and Brazil, and was also selected as the "2024 Preliminary Unicorn" selected by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.
*****
2. The Manila Times Philippines - American Foundation for the Blind Announces Ford Foundation Grant Supporting Groundbreaking Research and Advocacy for Digital InclusionWASHINGTON, Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) announced today a generous grant of $150,000 from the Ford Foundation for AFB's Public Policy and Research Institute (PPRI). Funded through the Ford Foundation's Technology and Society program, this funding will support AFB's pioneering research and education on digital inclusion and accessibility in emerging technology such as artificial intelligence.
"During these transformative times in society, the foundation's support will be a significant milestone for our organization, allowing us to dive deeper in our research to bolster a more inclusive world for people with disabilities,” said Eric Bridges, AFB president and CEO. "It comes at an exciting point in our history as we look at how new technologies like A.I. will impact the broader disability community, and allow us to provide guidance for advocates, policymakers, and industry leaders.”
The Ford Foundation's commitment to equality and human welfare fits well within AFB's new strategic plan; a key goal of which is to provide thought leadership on critical issues impacting accessibility and the full and equal inclusion of people with disabilities in society, including the 50 million Americans who experience some degree of blindness and low vision. As the digital age continues to transform every aspect of modern life, the research and advocacy undertaken by AFB is more relevant now than ever before.
"We're thrilled to leverage this grant from the Ford Foundation in order to move our common missions forward,” said Stephanie Enyart, AFB chief public policy and research officer. "We know that this series of research studies and our outreach will be of great value for leaders and advocates in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.”
PPRI's research fills gaps toward understanding the blindness and broader disability community and how technology can create or alleviate tensions between greater access to information and the risk of systematized bias. Through the generous support of the Ford Foundation, PPRI will produce research reports and actionable information on A.I. and other emerging technologies. In conjunction with the research, AFB will be able to amplify its public awareness and reach key audiences across a wide range of industries and sectors. It expects to publish its first set of findings on the impact of A.I. in early 2025 followed by briefings and webinars. The research will be accompanied by principles and conversations offering guidance to technology developers, various sectors adopting AI, and government leaders.
"We look forward to continuing on this journey, with the support of Ford, and elevating this research within the broader discourse taking place throughout society,” added Bridges. "Our talented team of researchers bring both scholastic expertise and lived experience as scholars who are blind, offering a unique vantage to tackle the leading issues in our world.”
ABOUT AFB
Founded in 1921, the American Foundation for the Blind creates equal opportunities and expands possibilities for people who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision through advocacy, thought leadership, and strategic partnerships. In addition to publishing the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (JVIB), AFB is also the proud steward of the Helen Keller Archive, which is available on the AFB website at www.afb.org.
*****
3. FOX 35 Orlando USA - Orlando leaders call for pedestrian safety using 'blind experience'30 Oct 2024
ORLANDO, Fla. - Local officials are raising awareness about pedestrian safety as traffic continues to speed along city streets.
It was dubbed the "blind experience," and just like it sounds, people wore blindfolds as they were escorted by a partner to see what it was like to try and navigate crosswalks with zero sight.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said he has done this a few times, and it's frightening.
"When you hear cars whizzing 30, 40 miles an hour and not knowing what's out there... today is to bring awareness to that and also refocus our efforts that we're inclusive, and everyone can enjoy their pedestrian experience," said Mayor Dyer.
The statement reflects growing concerns about traffic safety and inclusivity in Orlando’s walkable areas.
*****
4. iNews UK - We rode the bus for a day to meet the people who rely on the £2 fare cap31 Oct 2024
Stockport’s brand new £140m bus interchange is a work of art – not just hosting hundreds of services per hour, but also a distinctive, oval-shaped park which sits on top.
Local people are rightly proud of it and when i visited on Tuesday all eighteen bus stands were buzzing with activity.
Travellers say the £2 fare cap, first introduced in 2022, has played a pivotal role in encouraging them to uses buses which are busier than ever.
They expressed dismay at the Government’s decision to announce an increase in the cap to £3 in the Budget, although Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has pledged to use further local funds to keep it at £2 until at least the end of 2025.
“I don’t think it’s right, they should leave it as it is,” Tracey Rogers, a carer for her mother Jean who is blind, told i.
“They’ve already cut the winter fuel payment, if they increase bus fares as well it’s going to impact a lot of people.
“With the cost of living going up, bus fares going up as well isn’t fair.”
The pair often have to get two buses to get from their home in Cheadle to Stockport town centre to go shopping, meaning Ms Rogers faces a significant rise in costs.
Passenger numbers on buses have been steadily increasing after collapsing to record lows during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ms Rogers said she thinks the fare cap has encouraged people to get back onto public transport, especially those who are more vulnerable.
“Buses are ideal [for getting around] – we’re on one all the time, every day near enough,” she added.
Jean, left, and her daughter Tracey Rogers waiting for their bus at Stockport Interchange (Photo: Jon Super)
“They are always full, I think it’s gone up threefold [since the pandemic].
“The bus is a lifeline for a lot of people, we wouldn’t be able to get here without it…I do think it’s a bit underappreciated.”
The £2 bus fare cap was first introduced as a national policy by the Conservative government as the cost of living crisis began to bite.
Funding for the policy was due to run out at the end of the year and Labour says it is investing £151m to to keep the cap at £3 until the end of 2025, and was applied on over 5,000 routes across England.
Despite the cap being a lifeline to locals, bus operators argue that it is not sustainable in the long term because of costs, and have been lobbying the Government for an alternative.
The situation is also complicated by the fact devolved authorities such as Greater Manchester can also fund their own schemes to keep fares down.
Stockport in Greater Manchester has a £140m brand new bus interchange and passenger numbers are increasing (Photo: Jon Super)
Mayor Burnham has confirmed he intends keep the £2 cap for at least another year, saying that the city-region is “in a different position” to other parts of England because it has taken bus services back into public ownership.
This has allowed Greater Manchester to negotiate cheaper contracts and reinvest profits for the benefit of passengers.
“We understand it is easier and cheaper to maintain a £2 cap in a regulated system and expensive for the Government to subsidise it in a deregulated one, but they have maintained the principle of a cap,” Mr Burnham said.
“Greater Manchester was the first to propose the £2 cap in March 2022, introducing it in September that year ahead of the national £2 scheme, and we will keep it as long we can.”
i understands that other mayoral authorities would like to follow Mr Burnham’s lead but fear they may not be able to fund their own schemes amid tight budgets.
It means there is likely to be a scenario where fares remain at £2 in Greater Manchester but increase to £3 in neighbouring areas for similar services.
A Royal Mail worker, who declined to give her name, was furious when speaking to i on the 383 service to Marple, a town near Stockport.
Charlotte Smith, a mum of three, said the fare cap should have stayed in place (Photo: Jon Super)
“It’s a rip off if they put it up,” she said. “We’re struggling enough with our wages as it is.
“They [politicians] never keep their promises, but people thought [Sir Keir] Starmer would be a bit more for the working class.”
Charlotte Smith, 27, a mum of three, said she uses the £2 fare cap a few times a week to get from Brinnington to Stockport.
“I’ve also got to be able to afford gas, electric, food, everything adds up and it’s ridiculous,” she said.
“They should try and keep the fare cap at the same level, there’s no need to increase it, all they are going to do is put more people in panic mode.
“There’s no need to put people in that position saying to themselves, ‘Can I afford a bus today?'”
Ms Smith also expressed concern that the the single fare increase will lead to increases in other fares such as child tickets.
Chris Eagleton, 32, a roofer, spoke to i on the bus as he travelled back home from a trip to Stepping Hill hospital.
Roofer Chris Eagleton, 32, said the fare cap has encouraged him to use buses more often (Photo: Jon Super)
He said he doesn’t drive and likes to walk but has started using the bus a lot more since the £2 cap was introduced.
“It’s definitely worth it, it’s encouraged me to get the bus,” he said.
“I’ve got to save up, it’s a nice ride, you get to see a bit of the countryside.”
Mr Eagleton said he believes “some people will struggle” with the fare increase but that he understands the Government has a lot of difficult decisions to make to balance the country’s finances.
“It’s one of them, there’s not a lot you can do about it,” he added.
Friends Roy, 52, and Anthony, 43, said they were “disappointed” by the news that the £2 fare is increasing.
“I probably use it twice a week, I don’t drive so it’s the best option,” said Roy. “The Government see it is £1, but in real terms its a 50 per cent increase isn’t it.
“I know people who live their life to the penny because money is so tight. The amount of money that the bus fare is going up could buy a box of kids drinks that lasts a week.
“This is what the Government doesn’t get, they just think it’s £1.”
Anthony added: “You wouldn’t expect it from Labour, they are supposed to be the party of the working man.”
The rise to the cap was announced ahead of the Budget by the Prime Minister saying that working people would benefit from such decisions as a necessary part of fixing the public finances.
He added: “I do know that this matters, particularly in rural buses, and that’s why I’m able to say to you this morning that in the Budget, we will announce there’ll be a £3 cap on bus fares until the end of 2025, because I know how important it is. So that’ll be there in the Budget on Wednesday.”
*****
5. The Malaysian Reserve - China's AI tech brings more convenient, dignified life to people with disabilitiesBEIJING, Oct. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — When Yong Yong (pseudonym) navigates through the bustling exhibition hall, a soothing voice whisperers in his ear, guiding him past obstacles and pointing out objects in his path. Wearing a special pair of glasses, Yong Yong walks around on his own, overwhelmed by a newfound sense of freedom and independence – “as if I was not blind,” he said with a smile.
Yong Yong, 30, was born with severe visual impairment. As his eyes can perceive only faint light, in the past decades, Yong Yong has rarely visited public places without his crutches.
But now, he can walk almost as unaided as people with regular sound and vision, being able to avoid obstacles with the help of the glasses on his nose, which can dynamically recognize the objects around and remind him by voice.
These special glasses were one of highlight products being showcased at a recent exhibition of innovative auxiliaries for the people with disabilities. At the exhibition, which was held in South China’s Guangdong Province in May, many Chinese tech firms brought the AI products they developed specifically for people with disabilities, expecting to equip those in need with AI-powered “eyes” “ears” “mouths” or “limbs.”
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that there had been 85.9 million people with disabilities in China by 2023. The rapid development of China’s AI technology is trying to reduce the inconvenience of people with disabilities in this country, and help them to live as able-bodied individuals to the maximum extent.
“As a developer of AI products, I deeply feel about the tremendous changes AI technology is bringing to the lives of people with disabilities,” said Li An, whose team developed the glasses trialed by Yong Yong at the May exhibition.
“Every time I see our products truly helping them, I feel doubly gratified and proud,” Li told the Global Times.
Feeling connected
Li is the director of a Chinese tech startup named Shenzhen Bixin AI Company, which spent more than six months in developing the “vision-helper AI glasses,” with the aim to enable visually impaired people to “see” surroundings when walking alone on the street.
Based on large language and auditory models, the glasses, equipped with hardware including a microphone, speaker and camera, possesses human-like abilities of hearing, speaking, and seeing.
By taking photos or directly asking questions to the glasses, a user can clearly know the objects around, such as obstructions on the road, the names of the road, roadside stores and bus stations, and even the plants in the flower beds, Li explained.
So far, more than 100 users have experienced the glasses, which, as some of them said, was like “a useful and convenient assistant.” Li said the current 1.0 version of the glasses can only provide information based on questions, but it is expected to be developed into “a 2.0 version that has a real-time voice reminding function” in the near future.
On many occasions, Li invited people with a visual impairment to try the glasses, collected their feedback, and drove them home in person. He said he is delighted to see AI products help visually impaired people become more independent in their life.
“Moreover, AI technologies promote their connection to the world,” Li told the Global Times. “AI not only offers them conveniences, but also brings them dignity and more opportunities to participate in social activities on an equal footing.”
For individuals with visual or hearing impairments, AI can serve as a new window for them to get closer to people, and feel more connected to the world they live, he said.
In 2023, China’s tech giant NetEase, together with a welfare foundation for people with disabilities, launched a “Life’s First Words” voice restoration program. By uploading a two-minute voice clip without complete semantics, the hearing-impaired users can have their words spoken in their own voices through AI-generated speech based on typed text. According to a NetEase report in 2023, this product is available in China for hearing-impaired individuals free of charge, helping them to communicate with the world without barriers and share their emotions by saying their “first words.”
A survey showed that 67 percent of the people with hearing impairment were willing to try this voice restoration technology, reported Qianjiang Evening News in July 2023.
“They said, their ‘life’s first words’ would be ‘Thank you.'”
Small groups matter
Apart from benefiting people with disabilities, a number of Chinese AI products and technologies are also trying hard to relieve burden for their families, particularly those who have to spend a lot of time and energy looking after their loved ones, and those who have lost the ability to care for themselves.
The “Ice Bucket Challenge,” a previous viral social media campaign that involved dumping a bucket of ice water over their heads, raised public awareness for the Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and brought wide attention to sufferers of the condition.
ALS is severe progressive neurodegenerative disease that leads to the loss of muscle control and eventually paralysis. With the gradual development of the disease, the patients gradually lose their speech and mobility. Severe patients have difficulty in breathing, swallowing and expectoration, which may lead to death if not treated in time.
For the caregivers of ALS patients, they have to check the patient’s breathing status every once in a while (even as short as half an hour or 10 minutes in the late stage of the disease). This creates a heavy burden for both patients and their caregivers.
Some Chinese tech enterprises have tried to make a change, by designing AI-powered uninterrupted and meticulous care systems specifically for ALS patients and their families. AI software company SenseTime, for instance, is among the first in domestic AI industry that developed an intelligent nursing system that provides 24-hour contactless care for ALS patients.
Apart from monitoring the physiological indexes of patients in real time, the system is equipped with functions including emergency warning, active calling, sleep analysis, and abnormal statistical detection, introduced Sun Qigong, director of the system’s program.
Based on computer vision technology, the system can keenly capture the painful expressions of patients who have lost speech and mobility, and timely notify nursing staff to deal with the critical situation within three seconds to avoid the risk of patients’ lives, Sun said.
“Every alert from the system could potentially save a life,” Sun told the Global Times.
The system had been applied on a philanthropic basis across more than 60 families among 17 Chinese provinces and regions as of the end of 2023, according to Sun. “We also cooperate with several commonweal organizations and donate them such caring system equipment, so as to let the system benefit more people,” he added.
June 21 marks the world’s Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Day. Sun said that considering the cost-effectiveness, some companies are hesitant to engage in developing similar AI caring products for the small number of ALS patients. “But the desire of this small group to live a relatively dignified and decent life matter as well,” he noted.
“We hope that through our efforts, we can offer a helping hand to the ALS patients and their families, who may be sometimes ignored by the mainstream technology development,” he told the Global Times.
Joint efforts
At the May exhibition in Shenzhen, visitors with disabilities like Yong Yong tried many AI-powered auxiliaries, such as a portable bath machine for people with extremity disabilities, and an AI brain computer interface electric wheelchairs.
Most exhibitors bringing the AI auxiliaries there were from Shenzhen No-Barrier Incubation Space, a project under local non-profit public institution Shenzhen Comprehensive Service Center for Disabled Persons.
Established in 2020, the 1,600-square meter incubation space was China’s first exemplary base specifically to support the innovative development of enterprises and organizations engaged in barrier-free industry, introduced Chen Jinzhou, director of the auxiliary device development department under the service center.
To help people with disabilities and promote the development of barrier-free industry requires the joint efforts of a number of parties, Chen said. “Therefore, we launched the incubation space project to help cultivate innovation and entrepreneurship programs in the fields such as intelligent rehabilitation AIDS, medical rehabilitation, and special education,” Chen told the Global Times.
The space helps connect them with investors, organizes auxiliary device exhibitions for them, and provides them with many free services such as entrepreneurial guidance, professional consultation and road show opportunities. Over the past three years, the settled enterprises have obtained 559 patents, including 119 utility model patents and 102 invention ones, according to Chen.
Li’s company and his “vision-helper AI glasses” team were among the latest batch that settled the incubation space in April.
“From helping people with visual, hearing or physical impairments, to improving cognitive impairment and mental health, AI will have a lot to offer,” he said.
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202407/1316218.shtml
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-times-chinas-ai-tech-brings-more-convenient-dignified-life-to-people-with-disabilities-and-their-families-302292559.html
*****
6. RNIB - RNIB responds to Chancellor’s first budget of the new government31 Oct 2024
Healthcare
RNIB welcomes the additional investment announced for the NHS. This funding will be crucial to tackle the long waiting lists for ophthalmology. In England alone, there are 608,000 people waiting for their first consultant-led ophthalmology treatment as of August 2024 – with over 210,000 waiting for longer than the 18 week target. Ophthalmology also has the highest number of people waiting for follow-up appointments, higher than any other NHS speciality.
Although the Chancellor has pledged that investment will be in place to help ensure people wait no longer than 18 weeks for appointments, it’s important to note that a number of eye conditions require time critical treatment. In many cases, patients would need to be seen far sooner than the 18 weeks target to prevent sight loss.
We agree with the Chancellor’s comments that a cash injection alone will not fix the NHS; reform and transformation is needed to improve eye care services and prevent avoidable sight loss. The ten-year plan also has the potential to overcome some of the barriers that blind and partially sighted people face when receiving reasonable adjustments in healthcare, including getting health information in accessible formats.
Ensuring that blind and partially sighted people get equitable access to health care will help the UK Government’s prevention mission. It’s crucial that the shift to digital, including the NHS App and patient portals, are designed in consultation with accessibility experts and representative groups. We also recommend in-depth user testing by blind and partially sighted people, and for non-digital methods to continue to be available.
Social care
RNIB also welcomes the Chancellor’s announcement to provide additional funding to local authorities, allowing them to deliver essential public services. This includes £600 million designated for social care services. It’s vital sensory support services, including vision rehabilitation, are able to benefit from this investment.
Although this additional investment is a step in the right direction, more resources will be needed to address underfunding across the social care sector, including within vision rehabilitation services. We will be monitoring the impact of this announcement closely.
Employment and welfare
It’s disappointing not to get clarity on the UK Government’s plans to reform health and disability benefits, with very little detail in today’s budget, including how the Government plans to save £3 billion from the benefits bill over the next four years. We will continue campaigning for a benefit system where people can afford an adequate standard of living and manage the extra costs that come with sight loss. In our conversations with Ministers, we will also be stressing all employment support for disabled people must be voluntary and not impact people’s entitlement to financial support through the social security system.
We welcome the funding announced to support disabled people into work, including £115 million for Connect to Work, a new supported employment programme. For this to succeed, ongoing Access to Work delays must be tackled. Employers involved in the Connect to Work programme should also be encouraged to take part in RNIB’s Visibly Better Employer Standard, so they consistently provide an accessible and inclusive workplace.
Education
We’re pleased to hear of the £1 billion uplift in funding for special educational needs and disabilities provision. It’s vital this funding is ringfenced and reaches local authority vision impairment (VI) services.
We’ve previously welcomed the UK Government’s commitment to recruit 6,500 teachers and reiterate our call for this to include Qualified Teachers of children and young people with Vision Impairment (QTVIs).
Getting around
The increase in funding to intercity and local public transport will benefit blind and partially sighted passengers if it results in an increase in services. It’s vital that these additional services, and rolling stock, have accessibility factored in from the beginning.
More money to maintain roads should help fix poor quality pavement and road infrastructure. Potholes are a tripping hazard for blind and partially sighted pedestrians and can result in cyclists cycling on pavements rather than roads, becoming an additional moving hazard.
We’re concerned, however, about the 50 per cent increase on the cap for single bus fares, from £2 to £3. While many people with sight loss have concessionary travel passes that allow them free or reduced bus travel, many fall short of the criteria, are not sure of the criteria or application process, or face similar difficulties. Additionally, many blind and partially sighted people travel only when accompanied by a friend, family member or carer, so this fare increase could result in more difficulty for people with sight loss getting around.
Cost of living
As we head into the winter, the UK Government’s extension of the Household Support Fund is welcome and much needed.
With nearly 80 per cent of people with sight loss aged 65 or older, we remain concerned that the UK Government has removed universal entitlement to the Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners. We continue to support Age UK’s call for the decision to be reversed and RNIB is promoting awareness of the importance of checking entitlement to Pension Credit through our social media channels, as a qualifying benefit for retaining the Winter Fuel Payment.
*****
7. PR Newswire - The American Council of the Blind's 2024 Audio Description Awards Gala To Be Broadcast on November 14ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 31, 2024 -- The American Council of the Blind (ACB) announces that the 2024 ACB Audio Description Awards Gala will air on November 14 at 7:30pm ET. Created in 2021 to recognize outstanding achievement in audio description in entertainment and educational media, the Awards Gala features celebrity guests, film clips, and a dozen awards. The broadcast of the show will include captions, audio description, ASL interpretation, and Spanish dubbing.
Join hosts Marilee Talkington and Alie B. Gorrie as they welcome guests from the arts, entertainment, and sports worlds to celebrate accessible films, series, video games, and more. Awards will be presented in categories such as Innovation, Popular Entertainment, Live Events, Spanish Media (USA), and International. The winners of the Audio Description People's Choice Awards will also be announced.
Special guests include:
- Kathy Bates, award-winning actor
- Rebecca Alexander, author and disability rights advocate
- Molly Burke, digital creator, author, and advocate
- Ross Minor, accessible gaming consultant
- Roy Samuelson, author and AD producer and narrator
- EJ Scott, actor and activist
- Trischa Zorn-Hudson, Paralympics Hall of Famer
The Awards Gala will be available on multiple platforms:
Visit ADAwardsGala.org for more information.
About the American Council of the Blind
The American Council of the Blind is a national member-driven organization representing Americans who are blind or have low vision. For more than 60 years, ACB has been a leader in national, state, local, and international advocacy efforts. With 68 affiliates, ACB strives to increase independence, security, equality of opportunity, and the quality of life for all people who are blind or have low vision. For more information, visit www.acb.org.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-american-council-of-the-blinds-2024-audio-description-awards-gala-to-be-broadcast-on-november-14-302293141.html
*****
8. South London Press UK - ‘Floating bus stops’ are a ‘menace’ for the blind, Bexley guide dog user says31 Oct 2024
A blind guide dog user has urged Sadiq Khan to pause and rethink the roll-out of ‘floating bus stops’ because of what she calls the dangers faced by the people like her, as well as the elderly and disabled.
Floating bus stops are found where a cycle lane cuts a bus stop from the rest of the pavement. They are intended to allow cyclists to keep moving, rather than being caught behind buses or forced to cycle out into busier lanes of traffic. Bus users are expected to cross the cycle lane to reach the pavement, usually via a ‘mini-zebra crossing’.
But its pitfalls are all too obvious for Taylor Notcutt, from Bexley, who has only 10 per cent vision and gets around with the help of her three-year-old Golden Retriever, Labrador cross called Jilly.
She has first-hand experience of a floating bus stop at Shooters Hill and says it is so fraught with danger, she sometimes gets off one stop earlier just to avoid it.
Taylor, 29, told the South London Press: “Bus travel is vital for the blind because we can’t cycle or drive and it is an integral part of our day-to-day routine. We need to have our voices heard over this.
“There’s a particularly bad one in Shooters Hill, where you come straight off the bus into a cycle lane. There isn’t even a small area of paving as you get off. Jilly has to get off ahead of me straight into the cycle lane – putting two paws on the floor before edging out.
“You feel under pressure because you don’t want to hold anyone up, but you need to be so careful.
“It’s a problem, even with a guide dog in other words, and if you are blind and using a walking stick, even more so. It can be dangerous for cyclists, too, with a potential for sticks getting caught up in spokes.
“It’s not great for elderly people, too. My grandmother hates them.”
No margin for error: The narrow pavement offers Taylor only a small refuge between buses and cyclists (Picture: Guide Dogs)
Taylor says that if floating bus stops must exist, there needs to be a uniform design that the blind can work with, and clearly delineated paving bumps on the floor to differentiate pavements from cycle lanes.
“It’s bad that we were not consulted over this and the designs do not seem safe. The scheme should be frozen until something safer is put in place.”
Her views have been echoed by the National Federation of the Blind of the UK, which has said the bus stops are “chaotic, confusing and dangerous places which are not safe or accessible for blind and visually impaired people to use independently”.
Eleanor Briggs, head of policy, public affairs and campaigns for Guide Dogs UK, said: “Public transport should be a gateway to independence, but for disabled people, these types of bus stops make using public transport an even more stressful and potentially frightening experience, forcing people to stay closer to home.
“We welcome changes to make cycling safer, but not at the expense of disabled people. Our findings underline the need for street designs to be consistently designed, planned and tested with the involvement of all potential users, including disabled people.”
Sadiq Khan has, however, has so far refused to bow to pressure to pause the roll-out of ‘floating bus stops’.
Mr Khan’s office says that “very few collisions” have occurred between cyclists and pedestrians at the stops, but added that City Hall is “actively working with disabled and accessibility groups to look at improvements to the design, as well as the behaviour of road users”.
A Transport for London (TfL) safety review, published in June, said: “The chance of being injured by someone cycling at a bus stop bypass is very low compared to the chance of being injured by a driver on the wider network”.
A spokesman for the Mayor said: “Protected cycle routes, which can feature bus stop bypasses on bus routes, reduce the risk of injury to cyclists by 40-65 per cent and are an important part of London’s Vision Zero goal to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on our roads.”
*****
9. LBBOnline - Connected Packaging for Accessibility: How Smart Tech Enhances Inclusivity31 Oct 2024
In a world where diversity is celebrated, connected packaging is emerging as a revolutionary approach to reaching and supporting all consumers. Appetite Creative's exploration of this innovative technology showcases how smart solutions can enhance inclusivity, ensuring that products and their information are accessible to individuals of all abilities.
Enhancing Accessibility with Technology
Connected packaging integrates various technologies - QR codes, NFC, and augmented reality (AR) - that transform product interaction. For example, visually impaired users can scan QR codes to receive audio descriptions or braille instructions, while NFC tags allow for easy access to multi-language and spoken prompts. Advanced solutions, like NaviLens, enable visually impaired consumers to scan specially designed codes, connecting them to product data directly through their smartphones, creating a more inclusive and autonomous shopping experience.
Personalising Consumer Experiences
NFC and AR overlays enable personalised accessibility features, such as adjusting text size and colour contrast, enhancing readability for visually challenged users. Additionally, connected packaging offers cultural and demographic personalization, ensuring each consumer finds relevant and relatable content, fostering a sense of inclusion.
Addressing Language Barriers
Language is often a significant barrier in global markets, but connected packaging can bridge this gap by providing translations via QR codes and NFC tags. Instant translations make product information accessible to people from various linguistic backgrounds, enhancing global reach and inclusivity.
Embracing Inclusive Design
Connected packaging encourages brands to integrate inclusive design principles, making accessibility a core feature rather than an afterthought. Focusing on user-friendly interfaces and accessible usability reflects a design approach that prioritises inclusivity for all consumers, promoting an equitable product experience.
Appetite Creative’s work underscores the power of connected packaging to foster inclusivity and accessibility, breaking down barriers and promoting a more connected consumer world. For more on this topic, explore “Fostering Inclusivity: How Connected Packaging Enhances Accessibility and Empowers Diverse Audiences,” which delves into the transformative role of connected packaging in empowering consumers from all walks of life fostering inclusivity.
*****
10. Block Club Chicago USA - Apartment Building For Visually Impaired Opens In Illinois Medical District31 Oct 2024
ILLINOIS MEDICAL DISTRICT — An apartment complex built to meet the specific needs of the blind and visually impaired is now open on the Near West Side.
Foglia Residences was developed by the Chicago Lighthouse, a local organization dedicated to serving the blind, visually impaired, disabled and veterans. The nine-story building at 1134 S. Wood St. opened Wednesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The building has 76 units, which are a mix of studio, one and two-bedroom apartments. All of the units are affordable and available for those making 30, 60 and 80 percent of the area median income.
Developed in partnership with Brinshore Development LLC, Foglia Residences is the first housing development created by Chicago Lighthouse. The $47 million residential complex is also the first of its kind in the U.S. to be funded through federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, according to a Chicago Lighthouse press release. The tax credits were awarded to the organization in 2022.
“It’s really overwhelming. I can’t believe this day has come. It’s been a long time in the making. This is truly a historic day in the 118-year history of this great organization known as the Chicago Lighthouse, to offer safe, affordable, beautiful housing for people who are blind, visually impaired, disabled and veterans,” said Janet Szlyk, CEO of Chicago Lighthouse.
State, local and federal officials cut the ribbon at the opening of the ceremony for Foglia Residences alongside The Chicago Lighthouse executives. Credit: Melody Mercado / Block Club Chicago Inside one of 76 units at Foglia Residences, created with accessibility features for the blind and visually impaired. Credit: Melody Mercado / Block Club Chicago
The building features numerous accessibility features for the visually impaired, including high-contrast design of the lobby, kitchens and hallways to make it easier for those with limited vision to navigate the spaces.
Other features include handrails in the hallway, easy-grip door handles, orange bumps for temperature control on oven knobs and electrical outlets painted jet black so they stand out from the walls.
All of the units include Amazon Alexa voice-activated assistant complete with Amazon smart plugs, Blink doorbells and Echo Show smart displays.
Inside one of 76 units at Foglia Residences, created with accessibility features for the blind and visually impaired. Credit: Melody Mercado / Block Club Chicago
The Chicago Lighthouse ran a “housewarming” campaign during the year to raise funds that would cover stipends for each tenant to buy furniture for their apartments, Szlyk said.
“This has come through the community, and it also provided enough funds to purchase beautiful art to decorate the common walls,” she said.
Other donations include $75,000 from Amazon and 600 upholstered chairs from Skyline Furniture, which guarantees each tenant at least one nice chair for their space.
Ald. Walter Burnett (27th) at a ribbon cutting ceremony for Foglia Residences with state and federal elected officials. Credit: Melody Mercado / Block Club Chicago
Speaking at Wednesday’s ribbon cutting, local Ald. Walter Burnett (27th) asked Sen. Dick Durbin and Rep. Danny K. Davis for their support in building another similar development.
“We need y’all’s help right now … we putting the plug in right now,” Burnett said on stage to Davis and Durbin. “After the first building like this, we need the second building … right?”
Those interested in Foglia Residences can apply here. Apartments are available to people who are blind, visually impaired, disabled and veterans, and who meet affordable housing income standards.
*****
This Google Group news service has been made possible by courtesy of the Society of the Blind in Malaysia