Accessibility in the News- July 4, 2024
Jack McElaney
Hello Everyone: A quick update on the number of accessibility statements I have received since last week from my Accessibility in the News subscribers and LinkedIn contacts. I received 207 new accessibility statements, which surpassed the 165 accessibility statement I received the last time I requested submittals, and now I have a total of 2,862 accessibility statements. Thank you to everyone that submitted their organization’s accessibility statements!
I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Independence Day and weekend with your family and friends.
Sincerely,
Jack
Accessibility in the News- Knowledge is Power
Crafted while listening to: Public Radio's Favorite New Artists Of 2024 (So Far) & Coldplay - Fix You (Glastonbury 2024) & Coldplay – Feels Like I’m Falling In Love & 'Born In The U.S.A.' at 40
Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on. ― Thurgood Marshall
Fourth of July – Independence Day
National News (U.S.)
1. Vermonters with hearing and vision loss fear end of a pilot program- June 24, 2024 Source: VTDigger
For roughly the past two years, the state of Vermont has operated a program to help people like René Pellerin. Pellerin, who lives in Waterbury Center, has dual sensory loss — he is deaf and has a condition that has caused his vision to deteriorate. To do many activities in his daily life, Pellerin uses state-funded support service providers: trained aides who drive him to social events, help him do outdoor activities and guide him when shopping at the store. But with the funding for that state program scheduled to dry up this fall, Pellerin and others fear that it will leave them without crucial support…
2. Iowa Baseball Camp for the Deaf brings accessibility to the sport- June 28, 2024 Source: KWWL
Every summer for nearly a decade, the Iowa Baseball Camp for the Deaf helps children experience America's favorite pastime. The free week-long camp welcomes more than two dozen deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes to Johnston's Little League Park. Camp organizers say the kids come for the baseball but keep coming back for the comradery. "Everyone's on equal footing. It's full access here. There is no barriers, there is no struggling, no frustrations, just open communication," said camp director Dylan Heuer…
3. Alpena County courtrooms see accessibility issues- June 28, 2024 Source: The Alpena News
Alpena County is grappling with significant challenges regarding accessibility in its courtrooms, particularly for wheelchair users. This issue gained prominence during the recent case of Thomas VanDuinen, which had to be moved to the district court building due to the circuit court’s inaccessibility for those with mobility impairments. Alpena County Administrator Jesse Osmer and County Commissioner John Kozlowski both emphasized that budget constraints are a primary reason for the lack of necessary renovations…
4. NH advocates push to end use of ‘special’ when talking about disability- June 29, 2024 Source: New Hampshire Public Radio
Disability rights groups in New Hampshire are pushing to end use of the word “special” when talking about people with disabilities. They say the term is demeaning, casts people with disabilities as “others” and suggests they don’t belong in the same spaces as everyone else. “When we say that people with disabilities are ‘special,’ we're trying to dress up our tendency to think of people with disabilities as not being normal, not being part of our community,” said Patricia Vincent-Piet, a disability advocate and member of the New Hampshire Council on Developmental Disabilities…
5. Study suggests connection between anxiety and Parkinson’s disease- June 30, 2024 Source: The Washington Post
People over 50 with anxiety may be up to twice as likely to develop Parkinson’s disease as their peers without anxiety, a new analysis suggests. The study, published in the British Journal of General Practice, looked at primary care data from the United Kingdom. Researchers compared a group of 109,435 people 50 and older who were diagnosed with a first episode of anxiety between 2008 and 2018 with a control group of 987,691 people without anxiety…
6. Middle School Students Innovate with 3D-Printed Accessibility Tools for Animals- June 30, 2024 Source: OneGreenPlanet
At Marston Middle School in Clairemont, 18 students worked on a unique set of projects this spring, designing accessibility items for animals and a local blind student. This initiative was part of an inaugural program by the county Office of Education’s Educational Technology department, aiming to bring innovative learning experiences to San Diego schools. The students created various items, including a braille-inscribed video game controller for Diego, a blind student, and a splint for animals with injured legs. These designs came to life using 3D printing technology…
7. How Inaccessible Film Festivals Silence Disabled Voices In Cinema – New Research- June 30, 2024 Source: Forbes
Though much important work remains to be done, the past few years have witnessed the building of a significant head of steam when it comes to campaigning for more authentic disability representation in films and TV. However, whilst growing scrutiny has been placed on how disability is depicted, or sadly, all too often excluded from the finished product, less attention has been paid to a serious accessibility barrier impacting film creatives with disabilities at the very grassroots of the industry…
8. Rallying call for disability rights in NC draws national response- June 30, 2024 Source: WFAE
Just as in Marvel comics, when a superhero summons the team with the “Avengers assemble!” rallying cry, one member of the national disability rights group ADAPT put out a call — and advocates from across the country responded with collective force. This past week, people with disabilities from Minnesota, Texas, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Kansas and other states loaded up their wheelchairs and assistive devices, recruited personal assistants and made their way to Raleigh to push for better housing and more services for people with disabilities in North Carolina…
9. Outdoor enthusiasts who have disabilities: Being active outside 'changes everything'- July 1, 2024 Source: WGBH
Being active outside — biking, hiking or paddling — is a key part of life for many in western Massachusetts. For some people who have disabilities, outdoor recreation can be challenging, but also life-changing. That’s true for 50 year-old Amy Sugihara. “I hiked a bunch. I used to rock climb and kayak. And white water rafting,” she said. Today she still kayaks and gets out on trails. And even plays pickleball. On a recent day at Look Park in Northampton, she headed toward a court in her wheelchair, pushing a second chair — called a court chair — ahead of her…
10. Blind Plaintiff Sues Major Playing Card Company Over Website Accessibility Issues- July 1, 2024 Source: Pennsylvania Record
A visually impaired individual has taken legal action against a major playing card company, alleging that its website is not accessible to blind users. Blair Douglass filed the complaint in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania on June 17, 2024, targeting The United States Playing Card Company. Douglass, who is legally blind and relies on screen reader auxiliary aids to access online content, claims that the company's website fails to provide adequate accessibility features…
11. Jules Edwards advocated for her autistic kids — then learned she's autistic, too- July 1, 204 Source: MPR News
Jules Edwards is a Twin Cities-based Anishinaabe autistic author and disability justice advocate. After her kids were identified as being autistic, Edwards became a passionate advocate for people on the autism spectrum. She later learned she is autistic, too. Edwards’ journey in advocacy began from a place of necessity, she explained. Edwards saw Native people, while disproportionately experiencing disabilities, often had the least access to supportive resources…
12. Salt Lake City celebrates progress in accessibility- July 2, 2024 Source: KSL News
One in 4 Utah adults reports having a permanent disability; 1 in 3 Utahns is under 18 years old; 1 in 10 Utahns is older than 65 years old, approximately 10% to 20% of days in the year are snowy or wet in the state; 3 in 4 Utahns do not have a regular 9-to-5 job and 3% to 5% of Salt Lake City households do not have an automobile. These are the parameters Tom Millar, of the Salt Lake Planning Division, has worked with to expand accessibility throughout Salt Lake…
13. In Her Own Words: At Understood.org, Deb Wilson aims for workplace accessibility- July 2, 2024 Source: The Business Journals
People get into human resources and talent development for all sorts of reasons. For me, human resources is all about making a difference in peoples’ lives. I’m very lucky that my role as Chief People & Culture Officer at Understood.org allows me to do this, not only for our team members, but also for the 1 in 5 Americans who have a learning or thinking difference, like ADHD or dyslexia. My career began in sales. I was quickly recognized for my talent, promoted, and took on leadership roles where I was recruiting and training new staff…
14. U.S. Attorney's Office Secured Agreement With Town of Glen Alpine To Ensure Compliance With The Americans With Disabilities Act- July 2, 2024 Source: U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of North Carolina
U.S. Attorney Dena J. King announced today that the Town of Glen Alpine has remedied several violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to its Town Hall building. The resolution is part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s commitment to ensure that civic institutions comply with the ADA. The United States Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are responsible for enforcing the ADA, which prohibits the failure to make reasonable modifications where those modifications are necessary to make services available to individuals with disabilities…
15. VA employee files EHR lawsuit, claiming lack of accessibility features- July 2, 2024 Source: Federal News Network
A Department of Veterans Affairs employee is suing the VA over its rollout of a new Electronic Health Record (EHR), over claims the system is inaccessible to employees and veterans with disabilities. The lawsuit claims VA’s new Oracle-Cerner EHR doesn’t work with assistive devices, such as screen readers that allow visually impaired users to access information on a computer screen. Laurette Santos, a licensed social worker who’s worked at the VA for over a decade, is leading the lawsuit, which she filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia last month…
16. County struggles with new state 'digital accessibility' law- July 2, 2024 Source: Sterling Journal-Advocate
Colorado’s county officials, especially in rural counties with small budgets, are running into the unintended consequences of a 2021 state law that was supposed to make local government more accessible to citizens. In fact, as the Logan County Board of Commissioners discovered Tuesday, the bill will have the exact opposite effect. During their work session prior to Tuesday’s business meeting, the commissioners discussed the fallout of House Bill 21-1110…
17. Popular weight loss and diabetes drugs linked to increased risk of rare form of blindness- July 3, 2024 Source: CNN
People who take Ozempic or Wegovy may have a higher risk of developing a rare form of blindness, a new study suggests. Still, doctors say it shouldn’t deter patients from using the medicines to treat diabetes or obesity.
Last summer, doctors at Mass Eye and Ear noticed an unusually high number of patients with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, or NAION, a type of eye stroke that causes sudden, painless vision loss in one eye…
18. Asian-owned businesses feel targeted by Portland lawyers who filed dozens of ADA lawsuits- July 3, 2024 Source: KGW
Several Asian-owned businesses feel they were targeted by a pair of Portland lawyers who have filed dozens of Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA lawsuits over the past nine months. "We're easy targets," said Sara Tran. One of the lawyers sued her mother, Hanh Tran, over alleged ADA compliance issues. "We don’t know the law," said Hanh. "We don't speak well; the language and we don’t know how to get help." Hanh emigrated from Vietnam when she was 19 years old…
Jack Fact — According to the British Medical Bulletin, one in seven people worldwide are neurodivergent.
Hit The Road Jack — New accessibility options for people visiting the Lake District & This Is the Most Wheelchair-accessible City in the U.S. & Accessible Attractions, Hotels & Getting Around in Monterey County & The ultimate checklist: How destinations can offer accessible travel experiences
International News
1. 'Shocking' failure of election candidates asked about accessible housing- June 27, 2024 Source: Disability News Service- UK
Politicians attending an election disability hustings event showed a “shocking and disappointing” lack of knowledge and commitment to addressing the accessible housing crisis, when they were asked about the issue. None of the major parties have engaged within their manifestos with the critical shortage of accessible housing, despite several parties issuing significant house-building pledges. Representatives of Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party were asked about the issue at the hustings event in Richmond, south-west London, on Monday…
2. Driving accessibility: Africa's push for active mobility- June 28, 2024 Source: Stockholm Environment Institute- Africa
Transport is pivotal in shaping societies and economies, and Africa is no exception. The continent’s vast size, diverse landscapes and limited resources make it a complex environment for transportation development. With rapid urbanization and a growing population that is expected to double by 2050, the demand for reliable and inclusive mobility solutions is only set to increase. The ability to travel safely and efficiently is crucial for accessing jobs, education, healthcare and other essential services…
3. Election debate for deaf and disabled community praised- June 28, 2024 Source: BBC- UK
More than 1,000 people watched a special election debate that allowed the deaf and disabled community to be heard by key political candidates. The event, hosted by the Cambridgeshire Deaf Association (CDA) in Peterborough, was live streamed and featured British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters and captions. Vladimirs Krumins, who is deaf, said events like these made a difference as it could be hard for him to interpret television debates that did not include BSL…
4. Brighton Dome: New festival celebrates work of disabled artists – June 29, 2024 Source: BBC- UK
A new festival celebrating disabled artists and their work is to take place at one of Sussex's best-known venues. Disabled + Disobedient Festival will be held at Brighton Dome on 6 July. Organisers said it will will offer an afternoon of free workshops, talks and networking sessions created by and for deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists. A Dome spokesperson said: "Our venues now include even more accessible spaces to support a wider, more inclusive programme of events."…
5. Will the Paris Olympics mark a new era of inclusive, accessible sports storytelling?- July 1, 2024 Source: Creativebrief- France
2024 will mark a new era of sports storytelling, realised by social media, but driven by a wholesale shift in sports culture towards a more inclusive and authentic narrative. Just as the 2012 London Olympics was heralded as the first ‘social media olympics’ the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games promises to raise the bar of sports storytelling. Performance messaging alone has run out of steam. In the wake of the emotional and economic fallout of the covid crisis, consumers are seeking more humanity from their sporting superstars…
6. Greece Aims for Top Spot in Accessible Beaches for the Disabled- July 1, 2024 Source: Greek Reporter- Greece & Greek City Times
Greece aims to be the top country in terms of accessible beaches for disabled persons. The country’s goal is to accommodate a larger number of visitors with physical handicaps or needs. Currently, more than 250 beaches throughout Greece are accessible to everyone. This means that those with limited mobility and other handicaps or needs, such as the elderly, pregnant women, and people with temporary injuries can access the vast blue waters of the Greek seas…
7. 'Elections are not accessible for disabled people'- July 2, 2024 Source: BBC- UK
Elections and voting are not fully accessible for people with disabilities, an advocacy group has said. Ace Anglia, based in Stowmarket, Suffolk, primarily worked with people with learning disabilities and autism. Mark Conquer, who works with the group, said more needed to be done to allow people with disabilities to have the same access to election material and the ability to keep their vote confidential. The Electoral Commission said recent changes required equipment and support for disabled people to be available, to allow them vote independently and in secret…
8. Federal Parliament Officially Launches Australian Paralympic Team- July 2, 2024 Source: Paralympics Australia
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton have led a bipartisan show of support for the 2024 Australian Paralympic Team with a stirring official team launch in the Great Hall of Parliament House in Canberra. Federal Members of Parliament came together to offer their encouragement for the final stretch before the Paris Paralympics, which starts on August 28. Australian team co-captains, three-time Para-canoe gold medallist Curtis McGrath and soon-to-be seven-time Paralympic wheelchair racer Angie Ballard were among more than 25 Para-athletes from 14 sports in attendance…
9. IT ministry: Govt websites, apps set to get an accessibility reboot soon- July 2, 2024 Source: The Economic Times- India
The government is working on a plan to improve the accessibility of all government websites, digital applications, and services in the government-to-government, government-to-business or government-to-citizen space, a senior government official told ET. The ministry of electronics and information technology will anchor this project and suggest ways to improve page and website loading times, have better user interfaces on websites and apps, and make them more accessible for people with disabilities, the official said…
10. Web stores increasingly not accessible- July 2, 2024 Source: Aussiedlerboten- Germany
Only one fifth of the most popular webshops in Germany are partly accessible. This was the result of a study presented by Google, the funding organization "Aktion Mensch," and the Pfennigparade Foundation in Berlin. The situation has worsened compared to the previous year. In 2023, only 25 percent of popular webshops were accessible. The barriers in online shops affect many people: In Germany, there are 7.8 million people with recognized disabilities, including around 350,000 people with blindness or visual impairments…
11. Govt Mulls Major Accessibility Upgrades For Its Websites, Digital Apps And Services- July 2, 2024 Source: Inc42- India & The Economic Times
The Centre is reportedly planning to improve accessibility for all its websites, digital applications and services across government-to-government, government-to-business and government-to-citizen space. Citing a senior government official, ET reported that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology will anchor this project, suggesting ways to improve page and website loading times, enhance user interfaces on websites and apps and make them more accessible for people with disabilities…
12. Urban space should be rethought: Kharkiv launches a department of inclusive accessibility- July 2, 2024 Source: Ukrainian National News- Ukraine & Rubryka
For the first time in Ukraine, Kharkiv will establish a department of inclusive accessibility and barrier-free environment. The city authorities are striving to make the city accessible to everyone, including those affected by the war. This was stated by the mayor of the city, Igor Terekhov, reports UNN. According to him, it's not just about technical shortcomings, but rather about the need to start forming a completely different urban philosophy. He emphasized that everyone who lives in Kharkiv should have free access to any service or public place…
13. United Synagogue launches 'first ever' accessibility guidebook- July 2, 2024 Source: The Jewish Chronicle- UK
For disabled and neuro-diverse people synagogue buildings can offer huge challenges, whether in the shape of a flight of stairs or a noisy room. Now the United Synagogue is hoping to enable even more of the community, to use its shuls, community groups and nurseries with the publication of a new accessibility guidebook. The book, believed to be the first of its kind in the Jewish community and possibly of any faith community in the UK, has a key of symbols for features such as a Shabbat lift, a wheelchair ramp to the bimah and a quiet space…
14. Creating a more accessible built environment- July 3, 2024 Source: Toronto Star- Canada
Not all public spaces are designed in a way that can be used comfortably by everyone. “The built environment is probably one of the most challenging areas of accessibility to address because many spaces are grandfathered in,” says Alison Novak, senior scientist with the KITE Research Institute-University Health Network. For example, many public buildings in Toronto have stepped entrances, which means someone in a wheelchair has to use a side or back door…
15. Lincoln Castle concerts spark accessibility concerns- July 3, 2024 Source: BBC- UK
Some disabled people who attended Live at Lincoln Castle concerts say more needs to be done to ensure the events are accessible. Richard Adams, 45, who lives in the St Giles area, wrote a post about one of the gigs on his Facebook page, Disabled in Lincoln, where he shares information on accessibility at local venues. Concerns were raised over not being able to see the stage, a lack of accessible toilets and cobbles and cables in the accessibility lane…
Accessibility Blogs, Information, & Videos
- WID Monthly Newsletter: July 2024
- 2024 State of ASR Report- 3Play Media (PDF)
- The Glaucoma Foundation July 2024 Newsletter
- New videos on the topic of accessibility- ETH Zurich
- Reimagining Accessibility As An Aesthetic- Priti Salian
- How hotels can best help disabled travelers- Travel Weekly
- The User's Technology- American Foundation for the Blind
- Canada isn't as accessible as it claims to be- Broadview Magazine
- Updated Resource: How People with Disabilities Use the Web- W3C
- There Is No Inclusivity in Beauty Without Accessibility- BeautyMatter
- 7 Ways to Align Your Website to Your ESG Commitments- CMSWire.com
- Digital Accessibility: Ensuring Inclusivity in an Online World- ITPro Today
- Travel 'neither accessible nor truly inclusive' in its current state- TTG Media
- "Crip Camp" director talks accessibility in the film industry- Marketplace.org
- Another Way for Blind People to Cross Streets: Tactile Traffic Maps- Haben Girma (Video)
- Meeting digital accessibility standards: What you need to know- Education Executive
- 'Progress over perfection': addressing accessible accommodation - Hotel Management
- 7 Ways to Champion Accessibility in Your Company...when it's hard- Christiane Link
- Accessibility at work: How a culture of acceptance strengthens companies- Laura Varley
- Celebrate Disability Pride Month 2024 with the MTA!- Metropolitan Transportation Authority
- Why Is It So Difficult to Give Best in Class Accessibility Examples of Websites?- Bogdan Cerovac
- Meet the Wheelchair User Making Google Maps More Accessible- Steve Wright and Seth McBride
- Advancing Accessibility: ADA Compliance and Vision Impairment- New England College of Optometry
- Designworks’ Matthew Potter Talks Building Accessible Cities, Inclusivity, More In Interview- Steve Aquino
- Accessibility On Healthcare Websites: Best Practices For Improving Patient Access And Engagement- Forbes
- Summer camps aren't accessible for my autistic child. I still want him to experience the fun of camp- Diana-Ashley Krach
- Digital Accessibility and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities - a Conference Review- David Sloan
Federally Speaking
- FCC July 18 Open Meeting to Consider Accessibility Items
- GSA publishes final rule adopting new accessibility guidelines
- FCC Approves 360 Direct Video as a Qualified Direct Video Entity
- TRS Fund Compensation and Contribution Formulas for 2024-25 Fund Year
- Government, Partners Plan Together for Accessible AI- Government Technology
- SEC Updates Website to Improve Compliance, Functionality, and User Experience
- All Access: Customer Experience and Accessibility Collide- Government Technology
- FCC Issues Reminder to Make Televised Emergency Information Accessible to Viewers with Disabilities
Higher Education Blogs & Information
- Spotlight Archives - Office of Student Accessibility Services- University of Southern California
- Ed Department: More States Failing To Meet Special Education Requirements- Disability Scoop
- Mobility Impairment Accessibility at Neiu Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies Building- NEIU Independent
Legal Blogs & Information
- Legal Update: June 2024- Ken Nakata
- Digital Asset Accessibility Under ADA Title II- Microassist
- States Work to Make Digital Services Accessible for All- Government Technology
- Disability Nonprofit to Pay $1 Million to Settle ADA Claims - Bloomberg Law News
- Blind employee takes VA to court saying new EHR from Oracle is inaccessible- STAT
- Race-Conscious Policymaking: A Key Way Forward for Health Equity- Giridhar Mallya
Accessibility Announcements
- Indian Blind Cricket Team Tour
- Committee pushes for accessible taxi bylaw
- Ontario seeks input on accessibility standards
- Rapid City's Dinosaur Park more accessible than ever
- Blackstrap Provincial Park Opens New Accessible Facilities
- Butte ADA transition plan to provide blueprint for compliance
- First-ever Accessibility and Inclusion award winner announced
- Prophet's mosque enhances accessibility for elderly and disabled
- Greater Anglia offers new virtual station tour to aid accessibility
- FIT Beauty Think Tank Predicts the Future of Accessible Beauty
- Cateys 2024: Accessibility Award: Windmill Barns Holiday Lets
- DEC launches interactive map of accessible recreation opportunities
- Adirondack Land Trust awarded $3M for accessible trail development
- Accessibility advocate gives Capitol Theatre renovation a rave review (Video)
- TIME Partners with ElevenLabs to Enhance Audio Accessible Content
- Buffalo National River seeks public input on new disability access plan
- New tactile sign on Burlington's waterfront aims to improve accessibility
- EOTSS Announces New Digital Accessibility and Equity Board Members
- Volunteers sought to join Southeastern’s Accessible Travel Advisory Panel
- Charleston group seeks more members to help address accessibility in the City
- Australia’s most accessible and inclusive music festival is coming to Queensland
- Donation to support accessible design of new Fredericton Performing Arts Centre
- Southeastern seeks to expand membership of its Accessible Travel Advisory Panel
- Athens Buses, trolleys to become accessible to people with disabilities by end-2025
- Canadian LSP difuze Acquires Accessibility Division of Blackstone Sight and Sound
- Zimmerli Introduces New Works by 14 International Artists Who Examine Accessibility in the Museum World
- City of Atlanta Awarded $16 Million RAISE Grant for Infrastructure and Accessibility Improvements on Westside
- Minneapolis Agency Preston Spire Designs New Logo for Kennedy Krieger Institute with Eye on Inclusivity and Accessibility
- Committees hear testimony on creating a Committee on Disability and Deaf Inclusion, expanding childcare at General Convention
Accessibility Products & Services
- Adaptive Sports Center
- Accessibility options for V/Line
- Nimbus Disability: Access Card and NOS
- CarPlay Features For iOS 18: What's New?
- Accessibility guide to popular wildlife attraction
- LG's accessible ComfortKit is a win for everyone
- ReadSpeaker and Accessibility: ‘A Partner in Voice’
- Sensory room set to increase accessibility at Perth Airport
- 4 New Accessibility Features Worth Checking Out In iOS 18
- Greater Anglia offers new virtual station tour to aid accessibility
- All Out Adventures- Outdoor Recreation for People of All Abilities
- Amazon Alexa Expands Accessibility with New Smart Home Features
- The latest ChromeOS update delivers several accessibility improvements
- Black-Led TestParty Snaps Up $4M To Make Websites More Accessible
- EEASY Lid Brings Accessibility to Customers in Spain & Latin America
- AirPods Pro New Head Gestures Are Great For Privacy And Accessibility
- All aboard! Take a look inside Via Rail Canada's new, accessible train fleet
- Samsung Electronics and Accessibility: Looking Back on a 12-Year Journey
- Chinese robot 'guide dogs' expected to improve accessibility for the visually impaired (YouTube)
- Apple’s Forthcoming ‘Tap To Provision’ Feature Enriches Apple Pay’s Accessibility Story
- Overcoming Barriers: 4 Residential Projects with Accessibility Strategies in Latin America
- For Many Disabled San Franciscans, A No-Waitlist Waymo Means More Agency, Autonomy In Transportation
- Revolutionizing Accessibility: Tongue-Controlled MouthPad Enables Computer Interaction for Paralyzed Users
- Zimmerli Introduces New Works By 14 International Artists Who Examine Accessibility In The Museum World
- “I always wondered why someone didn’t do something about that… then I realised I was someone…”- Shelley Simmonds
- Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Launches Expanded 'Outdoors for Everyone' Initiative to Improve Water Accessibility
Accessibility Forums, Tips, & Gaming
- Blind gamers say accessibility is a 'must-have'
- A Brief Introduction to Keyboard Accessibility
- The Video Game Industry's Slow Move Towards Accessibility in Gaming
- The Proteus Controller for Xbox Pieces Together Accessibility for Gamers
- The Importance of Inclusive Design and Workplaces in the Games Industry
- Microsoft and Amazon expand gaming accessibility with Xbox app on Fire TV sticks
Accessibility Employment Opportunities
- Sr Accessibility Specialist- PDF - JPMC
- Senior Accessibility Engineer - Agile Six
- Accessibility Specialist - High Point University
- Front End Engineer II, AWS Accessibility - AWS
- Staff iOS Software Engineer, Accessibility - Slack
- Digital Experience & A11Y Analyst - Coles Group
- Lead Accessibility Remediation Specialist - PingWind
- Associate Director, Content Accessibility - College Board
- Accessibility Specialist - Maryland State Department of Education
- Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Coordinator- Simpson College
- Employee Relations and Accessibility/ADA Coordinator - Salt Lake County
Accessibility Training & Meetings
- Learn Accessibility
- Video Accessibility 101
- Accessibility fundamentals
- Free AODA Online Training (NEW)
- AccessiblePass.net Academy
- The A11Y Collective Courses
- Accessibility in Digital Society
- Accessible PowerPoint Training
- Introduction to Web Accessibility
- Fun4theDisabled- Events Calendar
- Get Started with Web Accessibility
- Accessibility training- Access for all
- JAN 2024 Webcast Series Registration
- Archived JAN Webinars and Webcasts
- NEAT's Spring 2024 Webinar Schedule
- GSA Section 508 Accessibility Training
- Accessibility Training Resources- HHS.gov
- New Accessibility Fundamentals- Microsoft
- Introduction to Accessible Web Development
- Upcoming IAAP Webinars - Digital Accessibility
- CAST: The Accessible Learning Experience Podcast
- Legal Frameworks and Responsibilities for Accessibility
- Archived Sessions Section 508 Best Practices Webinar Series
- Inclusive by design: an 8-week journey to digital accessibility
- Accessibility Training for Developers, Testers, and Content Creators
- ITU Academy Web Accessibility - The cornerstone of digital society
- Great Lakes ADA Center - Section 508 Best Practices Webinar Series
- IAAP 2024 Professional Education Webinar Series: Digital Accessibility
- The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C): Introduction to Web Accessibility
- W3C Course List - Digital Accessibility Education, Training, and Certification
- Web App Accessibility (feat. React) with Marcy Sutton Todd- Frontend Masters
- State of Minnesota’s free e-Learning program on how to create accessible PDF document
- Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities Accessibility and Disability Policy Webinars
- Get informed about the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Integrated Accessibility Standards (IASR) in one course
- Chicago Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities Accessible Events Calendar
- Introduction to Digital Accessibility - July 4, 2024
- Virtual Web Accessibility Training July 9-10, 2024
- Understanding FEMA's Accessibility Changes- July 9, 2024 at 11:00 AM CT
- Ask an ADA Professional Questions RE: Early Childcare and the ADA - July 10, 2024
- Dementia, AI and simple tech tweaks to help - with Alzheimer's Society - July 10, 2024
- Picture This! Identifying Non-Compliant Elements & Spaces - July 11, 2024
- San Diego Accessibility & Inclusive Design July Meetup- July 11, 2024 at 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM PDT
- RespectAbility's Third Annual Disability Impact Awards/New Brand Launch Celebration: July 11, 2024, at 5:30 pm ET, K&L Gates in Washington, DC
- Testing & Remediation Strategies for PDF Accessibility – Intermediate Edition (Austin, TX) – Offered: July 11, August 22, and September 12
- ALT Text As Poetry- July 14, 12–1 pm, 2:30–3:30 pm
- Crafting a Career Site Experience Accessible to All- Jul 16, 2024 01:00 PM in CT
- Mobile Accessibility Tools: Camera Switches and More- July 16, 2024 at 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
- ADA 34th Anniversary Update - July 16, 2024
- Recent ADA Developments in the Criminal Legal System - July 17, 2024
- Overview to Document Accessibility - July 17, 2024
- Creating Accessible PowerPoints 2020 Essentials (Austin, TX) – Offered: July 18, August 6 and September 30
- Accessibility - Ready, Set, Go!- EIR Accessibility Workshop- July 22 - 24, 2024
- Accessible Documents Webinar (Presented by WebAIM)- July 23, 2024 at 12:00 PM CT
- Accessible PowerPoint Presentations - July 24, 2024
- U.S. Access Board Meeting on July 24 from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. (ET)
- Implementing County Web Accessibility Standards: Overview and Strategy Session- July 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. EDT
- Testing & Remediation Strategies for PDF Accessibility – Advanced Edition (Austin, TX) – Offered: July 25, August 29, and September 19
- ADA 34 LIVE! Show your ADA and History Knowledge - July 25, 2024
- HighEdWeb 2024 Accessibility Summit- Online- July 30, 2024
- Beyond Section 508 Digital Accessibility Requirements: An Overview of Web Accessibility Requirements from WCAG 2.1 and 2.2 - July 30, 2024
- Creating Accessible Word Documents 2020 Essentials (Austin, TX) – Offered: July 31, August 15 and September 26
- Batteries included Accessibility: A Pragmatic Guide to get started today- August 7, 2024 at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EDT
- New Accessibility Self-Assessment for Arts and Culture Organizations - August 8, 2024
- Testing & Remediation Strategies for PDF Accessibility – The Basics (Austin, TX) – Offered: August 8 and September 5
- UX Virtual Training- August 10-16, 2024
- Accessible Excel Content - August 14, 2024
- How to Create Accessible and Customized Word Styles - August 21, 2024
- The Web Accessibility in Mind Conference will be held online on August 27–28, 2024 from 12 pm–5:10 pm Eastern Time
- The first annual Adirondack Nature Festival for People with Disabilities- September 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET
- Inclusive Design 24 (#id24)- September 12, 2024
- Pacific ADA Center Lunch and Learn Webinar: Employment Rights- September 24, 2024 2:00PM CDT
- Symposium on Dis/Ability & Debility in Appalachia on September 28th, 2024
- Introduction to digital accessibility - October 3, 2024
- Accessibility testing with NVDA- November 11, 2024, at 5:00 pm – November 25, 2024, at 7:00 pm CST
- Starting your career as Digital Accessibility Professional - November 19, 2024
- Pacific ADA Center Lunch and Learn Webinar: Effective Communication- December 3, 2024 2:00PM CST
Accessibility Conferences
Date: July 3-8, 2024
Date: July 8 -12, 2024
Date: July 15-18, 2024
Date: July 29-August 1, 2024
Date: July 30, 2024
Date: August 6-7, 2024
Date: September 12-13, 2024
Date: September 13, 2024
Date: September 22-25, 2024
Date: September 23-27, 2024
Date: September 26-28, 2024
Date: October 3-4, 2024
Date: October 8-9, 2024
Date: October 8-11, 2024
Date: October 15 - 17, 2024
Date: October 15-17, 2024
October 21–24, 2024- San Antonio, TX
November 13–14, 2024- Online
Date: October 21-25, 2024
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Beyond Tellerrand Berlin- Berlin, Germany
Date: November 7-8, 2024 - Accessing Higher Ground- Accessible Media, Web and Technology Conference- Denver, CO
Date: November 11-15, 2024
Date: November 11-14, 2024
Date: November 13, 2024
Date: November 18-19, 2024
- Web Directions Developer Summit- Sydney, Australia
Date: November 27-28, 2024 - CES 2025- Las Vegas, NV
Date: January 7-10, 2025
Date: March 10 -14, 2025
Accessibility Employment Resources
- Upwork
- SideHusl
- Inclusively
- A11YJOBS
- Ability Jobs
- WIRED Hired
- Higher Ed Jobs
- WorkforceGPS
- Disabled Person
- Peak Performers
- Digital A11y Jobs
- Texas HireAbility
- Disability Solutions
- SSI Youth Solutions
- U.S. Department Of Labor
- National Industries for the Blind
- PEAT Future of Work Newsletter
- Job Accommodation Network- JAN
- National Industry Liaison Group (NILG)
- Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP)
- National Organization on Disability (NOD)
- Partnership on Inclusive Apprenticeship (PIA)
- 6 Best Job Posting Sites for Employers of 2023
- American Council of the Blind Job Connection
- Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
- Mentra is a Neurodiversity Employment Network
- Workplace Resources for Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Disability Employment Resources for Staffing Firms
- American Job Center (disability job-driven resources)
- Federal Exchange on Employment & Disability (FEED)
- The State Exchange on Employment & Disability (SEED)
- National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials
- Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology (PEAT)
- Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN)
Accessibility Statements |
If you know of any others that would benefit from my newsletter please forward this email to them or have them subscribe at Accessibility in the News. If you have missed any of my Accessibility Statements or past issues of Accessibility in the News please see all of my archived issues since 2016.
Jack McElaney
VP of Sales & Marketing and Accessibility in the News Publisher
P: 512-794-8440
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