Accessibility in the News- December 8, 2023
Jack McElaney
Accessibility in the News- Knowledge is Power
Crafted while listening to: The Teskey Brothers - Vault Sessions with Orchestra Victoria
“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The surest way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” ― Thomas Edison
National News (U.S.)
1. Innovative fraud whistleblower suit in website case produces multimillion-dollar damages settlement and remediation plan- December 1, 2023 Source: TRE Legal Practice & Press Release & Settlement
In hopes of bringing more awareness to the importance of digital inclusive design in the government procurement sector, we are pleased to share this press release, announcing a precedential settlement of one of our impact cases involving the California Department of Parks and Recreation’s camping reservations website. We hope that this public settlement, which requires the defendants who developed the website to fix the access barriers on the website and pay over $2 million in damages and attorneys’ fees, sends a strong message to the website development community…
2. Disabled LGBTQ+ Youth At Greater Risk Of Suicide Than Their Peers, Study Finds- December 1, 2023 Source: HuffPost
A report released this week by a youth suicide prevention group found that young LGBTQ+ people who are disabled have higher rates of mental health issues and are at greater risk of suicide compared to their non-disabled peers. The Trevor Project, a national suicide prevention nonprofit that serves LGBTQ+ youth, surveyed more than 28,500 LGBTQ+ people between the ages of 13 and 24 for its study, 7,780 of whom identified as having a disability…
3. Needy Cases 2023: Community Access Unlimited helps create a more accessible world- December 1, 2023 Source: My Central Jersey
Both Dianna Simms and Melissa Pearl are a triple threat in the Community Access Unlimited (CAU) world. The women, who are both visually impaired, are participants in the Academy for Continuing Education (ACE), active in its social community, and performers in the musical theatre performance troupe. Simms, who suffers from hypoplastic retinal degeneration, and Pearl, who is diagnosed with red cone dystrophy, adore being on stage. They have never let their disabilities, vision or developmental challenges, hold them back in their quest to further their education or their joy of performing…
4. How to improve digital inclusion and accessibility for girls with disabilities- December 2, 2023 Source: UNICEF
Girls and young women with disabilities face more barriers to digital inclusion compared to their peers, as the gender gap in digital adoption is amplified at the intersection with disability. To drive inclusion, it is essential to design accessible environments in collaboration with people with disabilities so that barriers may be removed and replaced with enablers for access and participation. This is important when thinking about digital spaces and the need for digital accessibility and inclusive design…
5. Behind the scenes of Netflix's 'rule-breaking' accessibility wins in 'All the Light We Cannot See'- December 2, 2023 Source: Mashable
In the weeks since Netflix released the Shawn Levy-directed historical drama All the Light We Cannot See, the limited series has received mixed reviews. Mashable's Belen Edwards said the show's at-times "heavy-handed" dialogue was equally matched by "genuine earnestness" and phenomenal acting performances, while the Hollywood Reporter called it a "clumsy" offering that seemed to "dislike" its literary origins. Critics may belie viewers: the show's spent four weeks on the platform's Top 10 list and been commended for award-winning, high-value production efforts…
6. How Marlee Matlin and Troy Kotsur Helped the 2023 Media Access Awards Make History- December 3, 2023 Source: The Hollywood Reporter
When Marlee Matlin began her career 35 years ago, she says there was “nothing” in terms of accessibility in the awards industry space. But that’s begun to change, especially following her film CODA’s best picture win in 2022, including at the 2023 Oscars, where she saw a “significant improvement.” “I’ve seen changes in award shows and how they are perceived by people who attend them, by producers, by the people who make the decisions as to what to present on the air — all the little things,” she tells The Hollywood Reporter…
7. ‘Turning the I can’ts into the I cans’: Mackenzie Gilmore provides hope to amputees by increasing their accessibility to soccer- December 4, 2023 Source: The Michigan Daily
June 4, 2021 was a typical workday for Mackenzie Gilmore — until it wasn’t. Like any other day, Gilmore sat at her desk at Baker Orthotics and Prosthetics in Fort Worth, Texas. Then, Dr. Fred Sorells — president of the faith-based nonprofit Operation Go Quickly — approached her about an opportunity that would eventually change her life. The position was a perfect fit for Gilmore. She is a lifelong soccer player who coached able-bodied soccer for more than 10 years and committed her career to helping amputees through her work in orthotics and prosthetics…
8. Easterseals aims to make air travel more accessible to people with disabilities- December 4, 2023 Source: CBS News
With the holiday travel season underway, Easterseals is launching a new campaign with the hopes of making air travel more accessible to people with disabilities. For people who are blind or in wheelchairs, navigating air travel is described as a nightmare. Easterseals said it's time for that to change. Air travel with Will Dunham, who uses a wheelchair, is a big challenge for his parents, who live in Feasterville. "It's like a moving circus," Will's father Chris Dunham said. "It's quite an adventure going through security."…
9. MTA unveils wider fare gates to improve accessibility, decrease fare evasion- December 5, 2023 Source: ABC7 New York
The MTA unveiled new wider fare gates to make their system more accessible. The new gates are now in place at the Sutphin Boulevard-Archer Avenue station in Jamaica, Queens. They'll also be at Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The changes will make it easier for customers with disabilities, young children and tourists to enter the subway. The new faregates replace the emergency exit gate at that end of the station, which was a major contributor to subway fare evasion…
10. Supreme Court Throws Out Case That Could Have Altered Enforcement Of Disability Law- December 5, 2023 Source: HuffPost & New York Times & Reuters & Fox & NBC & Decision (PDF)
The Supreme Court has dismissed a major disability case that could have affected disabled individuals’ rights to sue a place of public accommodation for its failure to provide information about its accessibility on its website, deciding that the case is moot. On Tuesday, the justices dismissed Acheson Hotels LLC v. Laufer, which the plaintiff, Deborah Laufer, had requested after voluntarily dropping her case. Justice Amy Coney Barrett issued an opinion acknowledging the concerns of Acheson Hotels about “litigants manipulating the jurisdiction of this Court” but maintained the decision to not rule in the case…
11. Increasing Accessibility: How Airline Seating May Improve to Better Accommodate Wheelchair Users- December 5, 2023 Source: Simply Flying
One of aviation's most glaring shortcomings is accessibility for passengers with limited mobility. Though commercial flight is marketed for non-able-bodied individuals, the experience at the airport and in the air is remarkably more challenging for wheelchair users than their able-bodied peers. However, private companies are developing solutions to make air travel more accessible for passengers who use electric wheelchairs. Here's how. Taking flying for granted is easy if you've never done it in a wheelchair…
12. Her Guide Dog Inspired Her Art. Now the Lab Stars in a Museum Show- December 5, 2023 Source: New York Times
After losing her sight in a catastrophic accident, Emilie Gossiaux found meaning and art in a bond with her dog, London, celebrated at the Queens Museum. How does it feel to have your life change in an instant? Emilie Gossiaux was an art student at the Cooper Union in 2010 when she was hit by an 18-wheel truck while on her bike in Brooklyn. Taken to Bellevue Hospital, she had suffered a traumatic brain injury, a stroke and multiple fractures. While Gossiaux ultimately regained her life, she had lost her sense of sight. She struggled to decide if she could, or even wanted to, continue making art…
13. How to Make Your Car More Accessible for Aging, Injury, Disability, or Pregnancy- December 6, 2023 Source: Consumer Reports
Tom Wiebell knows a lot about cars. During his career as a radio broadcaster around Columbus, Ohio, he reported on and road-tested new vehicles. When he realized he was having trouble seeing over the hood of his 1997 Mazda Miata, he added a small seat cushion. And when he learned about a free program called CarFit designed to help older drivers find the safest and most comfortable seating position, he went to one of its events to report on it for his radio program…
14. Accessibility advocates thrilled over Minneapolis' investment in sidewalk snow removal- December 6, 2023 Source: MPR News
The Minneapolis City Council Tuesday night passed a $1.8 billion budget for next year which includes a $595,000 funding package to help clear city sidewalks of snow. It’s intended to target high-traffic areas and residents who don’t shovel their walks. Accessibility advocates — like José Antonio Zayas Cabán, executive director of Our Streets Minneapolis — are especially thrilled about the city’s move. The group tries to make streets safer for pedestrians and bicyclists…
15. Breaking barriers on ice: sled hockey program expands accessibility in winter sports across UP- December 7, 2023 Source: Upper Michigan's Source
A Marquette-based sled hockey program is breaking down barriers on the ice. Sled Hockey U.P. was founded in 2016 by Allan Beauchamp after he was injured, and subsequently paralyzed in his lower body. Today, Beauchamp recognizes the positive difference the sport can make in the lives of those with physical disabilities, and wants to see the sport grow all over the Upper Peninsula. Beauchamp, along with Sled Hockey U.P. Assistant Manager Eric Hammerstrom, Team Manager Kristy Burt, and player Jim Bennett join TV6′s Tia Trudgeon for a conversation about accessibility in hockey and why it matters…
16. Hatiye Garip's whimsical comic embraces tactility and audio to create an accessible publication- December 7, 2023 Source: It's Nice That
The Land of Uncertainty is the illustrator and freelance designer Hatiye Garip’s first long-form comic – though it’s not just any comic. Using spot gloss ink and an audio bundle, the publication is one that makes comic reading accessible for disabled individuals, specifically, those with visual impairments. The project first arose after Hatiye set herself on creating something in long form that could be both “innovative and enjoyable”. What’s more, as a disabled individual, Hatiye wanted to make a creative experience that was truly accessible…
17. Burger King Operator Facing Class Action Over Alleged Accessibility Barriers for Wheelchair Users- December 7, 2023 Source: ClassAction.org & Complaint
A proposed class action alleges the operator of at least 141 Burger King restaurants throughout Texas has failed to ensure that its parking lots are equally accessible to customers who rely upon wheelchairs for mobility. The 14-page lawsuit claims Fritz Management, LLC has run afoul of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to remedy excessive slopes in the Burger Kings’ purportedly accessible parking spaces, access aisles and curb ramps…
Jack Fact — The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that nearly 1.5 billion people globally grapple with hearing loss. Of these, 430 million face disabling hearing challenges, a figure projected to rise to over 700 million by 2050.
Hit The Road Jack — The Disabled Hiker’s Guide to the San Juan Islands & Wheelchair Accessible Attractions In Detroit & Plans to expand Laceby accessible holiday park
International News
1. Accessibility a challenge for city man with cerebral palsy- November 29, 2023 Source: Lethbridge Herald- Canada
For the ‘average’ Lethbridge citizen, the city is quite easy to navigate – 20 minutes from one side to the other. For many other residents however, it’s a whole different story. Tim Hamilton was born with cerebral palsy. He has spent the entirety of his 64 years in a heavy electric wheelchair. He can move his right arm and he can move his head. He can speak, he can eat, he can drink and he can laugh and joke around. He can use a computer and a telephone and he has a Facebook account…
2. Study finds Ottawa is 53 per cent accessible to those with disabilities- November 29, 2023 Source: CTV- Canada & Business Wire
A new study has found that 53 per cent of Ottawa's public-facing buildings and businesses are accessible to those with disabilities. The study, conducted by accessibility technology company AccessNow (opens in a new tab), showed that over 60 per cent of buildings mapped in Canada are not fully accessible. A news release by AccessNow(opens in a new tab) said that Ottawa was the most accessible of all the cities surveyed, with 53 per cent of restaurants and bars being identified as accessible…
3. Disabilities Awareness Week to Focus on Accessibility- December 1, 2023 Source: Jamaica Information Service- Jamaica
a. JCPD Launches Accessibility Checklist to Remove Barriers for Persons with Disabilities- December 4, 2023 Source: Jamaica Information Service- Jamaica
The issue of accessibility for the disabled will be the focus for Disabilities Awareness Week 2023, which will be observed from December 3 to 8 under the theme ‘Inclusion in Action: Building Accessible Communities’. Speaking in an interview with JIS News, Executive Director of the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD), Dr. Christine Hendricks, said that “accessibility for persons with disabilities is critical to enable their right to participate and to be included in society on an equal basis with others”…
4. City of Regina delays Accessible Taxi Program to 2024- December 1, 2023 Source: Regina Leader Post- Canada
Regina’s executive committee has voted to table the proposed Accessible Taxi Program (ATP) for a second time, after administration recommended a centralized dispatch system that would cost the city just shy of $500,000. In executive committee meeting earlier this week, administration suggested the system would help prevent lulls in service to those requiring accessible rides. It would also be intended to collect data that currently isn’t available, for the city to analyze how many accessible rides are requested and completed at any given time…
5. Make a difference: Click an accessible space for wheelchair users in the city- December 2, 2023 Source: Citizen Matters- India
As a wheelchair user, who likes to travel and go around the city, the biggest hurdle is navigating public spaces and using public transport to get around. As a member of the Disability Rights Alliance (DRA) in Chennai, I have taken part in accessibility audits and have been involved in different activities such as training wheelchair users for state and national-level competitions in a paralympic game called Boccia. Whenever we travel for all these activities, accessibility is the main challenge…
6. Deaf community offered compensation after feeling let down at Coldplay's Perth concert- December 2, 2023 Source: ABC- Australia
A group of deaf and hard-of-hearing Coldplay fans say they were let down at the rock band's Perth show after paying $220 for what they believed was an Auslan accessible ticket that included a number of services which were late or never provided. Among the group to attend the Australian premiere of Coldplay's Music of the Spheres world tour at Perth Stadium on November 18 was Casper Campbell who was born deaf and who regularly attends live music shows when she can…
7. 'Big, dark canvas of despair': Rick Hansen speaks on how his mindset changed after being paralyzed- December 2, 2023 Source: CTV News- Canada
Shortly after Rick Hansen survived a vehicle accident that left him paralyzed, the then 15-year-old decided he wouldn't let his disability hold him back. Fast forward 50 years, Hansen is a household name across Canada and the world for championing accessibility rights and competing on the world stage. But learning to live with his physical disability was not always easy, Hansen told CTV National News' Sandie Rinaldo. "When you're in a situation like that, you're overwhelmed, you're in shock, you're in disbelief, and you have this big, dark canvas of despair," Hansen said…
8. Building a disability-inclusive smart Bangladesh through accessible procurement- December 2, 2023 Source: The Business Standard- Bangladesh
In today's interconnected and technology-driven world, inclusivity and accessibility are vital to ensure that no one is left behind. Bangladesh, with its strong commitment to building a fair and equitable society, truly understands the importance of providing accessibility in all aspects of public life. Accessible procurement is a powerful tool and it is important in forging a disability-inclusive Smart Bangladesh, where every individual can enjoy equal rights as protected through our constitution…
9. Disabling barriers: How 'Accessible Everything' makes changes in Türkiye- December 3, 2023 Source: Daily Sabah- Turkey
International Day of Persons with Disabilities, observed on Dec. 3 annually, serves as a global reminder to raise awareness about the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and promote inclusivity in all aspects of life. It’s a day to celebrate the unique abilities and contributions of people with disabilities and to advocate for a more accessible and equitable world for all. On this day, “Accessible Everything” is a pioneering social initiative dedicated to promoting greater accessibility for individuals and businesses alike in Türkiye…
10. Global officials, scholars call for more inclusive society for persons with disabilities- December 3, 2023 Source: Global Times- China
UNESCO officials and representatives from more than ten countries share experiences and explore ways to enhance social inclusiveness for persons with disabilities at a seminar jointly hosted by Communication University of China (CUC) and UNESCO held in Beijing on Friday. Either on-site or through video, officials and scholars from China, France, Mongolia and Malaysia attended the seminar and discussed ways to promote information accessibility and empowerment of the persons with disabilities…
11. Wheelchair Accessibility In India: The Way Forward- December 3, 2023 Source: Youth Ki Awaaz- India
42 year old Swathi looked outside the window as her family left to visit the local library. ‘Oh how I wish I could go too’, she thought wistfully, being an avid reader herself. A chronic, debilitating neurological condition had left her wheelchair-bound in her early thirties. Despite living in Bengaluru, an urban area of India equipped with advanced technology and resources, wheelchair accessibility was a struggle. Most local restaurants, libraries and retail outlets were not equipped with ramps and elevators for the disabled…
12. Campaign To Find Accessible Spaces In City Begins- December 4, 2023 Source: Times of India- India
Courts, activists, and people with disabilities have been fighting a long battle to bring accessibility. Amid this, a disability activist has started a campaign to map the accessible spots in the city through a crowd-sourced initiative. “While the noise on inaccessibility is valid, this campaign is also to find partially accessible spots as a small win to celebrate,” said disability rights activist and wheelchair user Sathish Kumar, who began the #FindWheelchairAccessiblePlaces campaign on December 3, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities…
13. NSW public sector to leverage achievements and strengths of people with disability- December 4, 2023 Source: The Mandarin- Australia
More government departments in NSW are able to harness the skills and experience of people with diverse abilities, according to Kate Washington. The NSW minister for disability inclusion released a statement marking International Day of People with Disability (December 3) on Sunday, explaining that barriers were being removed for people with disability to work in the public sector. “The NSW government is committed to improving inclusion and accessibility across mainstream services,” Washington said…
14. How Kenya's ICT Accessibility Standards can create more inclusive workplaces- December 4, 2023 Source: The Standard- Africa
As the world observes the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in 2023, Kenya emerges as a pioneer in fostering inclusivity by adopting a groundbreaking national standard for information and communication technology (ICT) accessibility. Kenya has become one of the first countries in Africa to gazette such standards, solidifying its commitment to ensuring that ICT products and services cater to the needs of persons with disabilities, older individuals, and other users who benefit from accessibility features…
15. Ukrainian reconstruction efforts lack commitment to accessibility- December 4, 2023 Source: EURACTIV- Ukraine
The needs of persons with disabilities have been largely neglected in Ukraine, even though their number has greatly increased during the Russian invasion, and efforts to reconstruct the country should address this, European disability rights activists told Euractiv. “What we are afraid that it’s not going to be addressed, it’s a clear mention to no new funding going to rebuilding, renovating residential institutions,” Giulia Traversi, a humanitarian policy officer for the European Disability Forum (EDF), said…
16. Digital accessibility in the enterprise- December 4, 2023 Source: BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT- UK
One in five of the UK population has a disability. John Carter, Head of Experiences at KPMG in the UK, considers the opportunities and risks enterprises face and how they can respond. In essence, digital accessibility ensures that technology and digital content is perceivable, operable, understandable and robust to those with a disability or long-term condition. But what is a disability? The Equality Act (2010) states that ‘[A person has a disability for the purposes of the Act if he or she has] a physical or mental impairment and the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.’…
17. 'Dignity by Design' underpins Commonwealth Bank's new Accessibility and Inclusion strategy- December 4, 2023 Source: CommBank- Australia
Disability may be different to what you think. That was the opening message from Commonwealth Bank’s Katherine Alderson at an event hosted by Enable, the employee network that advocates for people living with disability, carers and people who are neurodivergent. “Disability can be temporary. It can be situational, or permanent,” said Ms Alderson, who works in the bank’s Customer Service Network and is co-chair of Enable. “Inherited, or acquired. From very young children through to teens and adults and older people. Disability can be visible and non-visible.”…
18. TV presenter Ade Adepitan calls out inaccessible Tube stations after having to be carried upstairs- December 4, 2023 Source: Evening Standard- UK
TV presenter Ade Adepitan has hit out at the lack of accessibility on public transport after sharing a video of being carried upstairs on the Tube. The wheelchair basketball player and media personality shared a clip of two members of the public carrying him up a flight of stairs on the Jubilee line because the lift was broken. He called the situation “dangerous” and said it was proof that public transport does not work for disabled people. “Have you ever had to be carried up the stairs on your commute to work, as the lifts you need to use are out of order and there is no one on the platform to help you?” he said…
19. Group celebrates new accessibility legislation in Saskatchewan- December 4, 2023 Source: 980 CJME & Regina Leader Post & CTV News Regina- Canada
A rally at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building on Monday celebrated the announcement of the provincial government’s disability accessibility legislation. The Accessible Saskatchewan Act will help to prevent and remove accessibility barriers for people with disabilities. Brenda Edel, the president of Barrier Free Saskatchewan, said the group wants to see more opportunities created for people with disabilities in all aspects of life throughout the province…
20. Improving eye care and eyewear accessibility in the UK- December 5, 2023 Source: Warrington Worldwide- UK
Access to potentially vision-saving eye care is of growing importance in the United Kingdom. Here, ophthalmology demand is expected to increase by 40% between 2018 and 2038 due to an increasingly ageing population. Unfortunately, the current state of UK eye care is not up for the task, with 63% of National Health Services (NHS) ophthalmology services estimating that clearing their backlogs will take at least a year. This has been exacerbated due to the series of strikes affecting the healthcare sector across the board, putting those with otherwise treatable eye conditions at risk of partial or total vision loss in the interim…
21. State of accessible transport is ‘unjust and unacceptable’, says report- December 7, 2023 Source: Disability News Service- UK
The current state of accessible transport is “unjust and unacceptable”, and the government’s efforts to offer “equal access for disabled people” by 2030 have “stalled”, according to a major new report. Are We There Yet?, released yesterday (Wednesday) by the disabled people’s organisation (DPO) Transport for All, shows that access barriers are “rife” across every form of transport, and at every stage of a journey. The report details the findings of a survey carried out during 2022 and 2023, with more than 500 disabled people in England asked about journeys they had made between September 2021 and September 2022…
Accessibility Blogs, Information, & Videos
- Accessibility is a cultural shift- Medium
- Disability Equality in the Media - UNESCO
- Digital accessibility standards to note- TechTarget
- Making online recruitment more accessible- Onrec
- Stories you won't read elsewhere- Peter Torres Fremlin
- What is the “A” in DEIA And Why Does It Matter?- Forbes
- Accessibility: Building a More Inclusive Future- Garhwal Post
- How To Design a Neurodiverse-Friendly Website- TechRound
- Creating Workspaces that Work for Everyone- Procter & Gamble
- A holistic way to look at accessible learning- University Business
- She considered suicide but found us — and hope – instead- Steve Wright
- Don't Get Left Behind: Ensure Accessibility in your 2024 Plan- AbilityNet
- Customized Employment and Guided Group Discovery- The LEAD Center
- 3 ways AI could dramatically change smartphone accessibility- Tom's Guide
- Accessibility Insights now supports WCAG 2.2 AA - Engineering@Microsoft
- Inaccessible hurdles between me and my love of hotels- United Spinal Association
- Making Websites And Apps More Accessible For People With Disabilities- NDTV (YouTube)
- Disabled People Are More Free with 'Accessible Transportation' Studies - RaillyNews
- Mobile App Accessibility: What Blind Customers Want You to Know- Michael Taylor
- Holiday Shopping with a Screen Reader: My Black Friday Experience- Michael Taylor
- Automated Video Transcription: Transforming Media Accessibility and SEO- Droidmen
- Billion Strong Stands With International Children With Disabilities Protection Act In The U.S.
- How people with disabilities can use Alexa to help them lead more independent lives- Amazon
- Education, Employment And Accessibility Remain A Challenge For People With Disabilities- NDTV (YouTube)
- Easterseals launches new campaign to make air travel more accessible to people with disabilities- CBS (YouTube)
- Ensuring Accessibility, Jobs And Equal Opportunities Are Key, Say Disability Rights Advocates- NDTV (YouTube)
- EY Executives Talk Government Workers, Normalizing Accessibility, More In Interview- Steven Aquino
- Disability, Politecnico di Milano experiments with AI to make historic city centers accessible- EurekAlert!
- Twilio’s Sam Richardson: Accessibility should be built in to customer engagement strategies- Econsultancy
- Disability Confident: P&G’s Inclusive Workplace Grows Innovation, Careers and Business- Procter & Gamble
- Be My Eyes CEO Mike Buckley Talks OpenAI Boardroom Saga, ‘Life-Changing’ Tech, More- Steven Aquino
Federally Speaking
- FCC Reminder and More about Audio Description
- Disability Inclusion- Job Accommodation Network
- Inclusion: Always in Season- Department of Labor
- Helping Disabled Veterans with Spending and Saving Habits- The LEAD Center
- A Proclamation on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 2023- The White House
- Exploring the Future of Public Transportation Research: A National Online Dialogue- Ideascale
- Biden Administration Announces More Than $300 Million Available to Make Transit Stations Accessible for All- Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
Higher Education Blogs & Information
- The Future of Accessibility in Utah- The Daily Utah Chronicle
- Do we belong here? A disabled student's perspective- The Slate
- Wānaka pupil advocates for accessibility changes- Otago Daily Times
- USU hosts first disability week to create accessible, aware campus- The Utah Statesman
- Navigating illness and disability as a physician- Family Medicine- McMaster University
- Brock employees, student honoured for accessibility, inclusion allyship- Brock University
- Jessey Shin | Dear Penn, your scooters are mobility aids (sort of)- The Daily Pennsylvanian
- Students Push for Accessibility Awareness on Manhattan College Campus- The Quadrangle
- University Challenge special axed over lack of support for disabled contestants- The Guardian
- Editorial: Creating and maintaining accessibility resources on campus is essential- The Ithacan
- New community of practice aims to improve accessibility in higher education- Brock University
- Bemidji State Students Strive to Improve Accessibility, Inclusiveness on Campus- Lakeland PBS
- 'Definitely on the right track': Students reflect on campus accessibility in 2023- The Daily Tar Heel
- Accessibility, Professional Development Key to VR Adoption in Schools- Government Technology
- Inaccessible Accessibility: I Have a Disability, Despite What the University Will Tell You- The Wesleyan Argus
- Ask an expert: How can tourism become more accessible for disabled travellers?- Dal News- Dalhousie University
- Disabled Students Association brings Lachi to celebrate accessibility through speech and song- The Bowdoin Orient
- International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Spotlight on Digital Communications- McGill Reporter- McGill University
- Recognizing the International Day for Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) 2023- The Division of People Strategy, Equity & Culture- University of Toronto
Legal Blogs & Information
- Legal Update: November 2023- Ken Nakata
- Justices dismiss “civil rights tester” case- SCOTUSblog
- Website Accessibility And ADA Compliance- Klein Moynihan Turco
- Guide for accessible events in legal sector - The Law Society of Ireland
- Reminder of Upcoming Accessibility Compliance Report Deadline- Hicks Morley
- DOJ's Proposed Web and Mobile App Accessibility Regulations: An Overview- EDUCAUSE
- Supreme Court punts question on 'tester' standing for ADA Title III violations- McAfee & Taft
- SCOTUS Punts on Whether ADA “Testers” Have Standing in Acheson v. Laufer- Seyfarth Shaw
- Sixth Circuit Approves Hospital’s Exclusion of Nursing Student’s Service Animal- Seyfarth Shaw
- Great outcome in California Whistleblower’s Inaccessible Website Fraud Lawsuit- Lainey Feingold
- Supreme Court Says Case Over ADA 'Tester' Standing Is Moot, But Issue is Still Alive- Ogletree Deakins
- SCOTUS Leaves Businesses Hanging: Your 4-Step Plan to Avoid ADA Accommodation “Tester” Cases- Fisher & Phillips
Accessibility Training & Meetings
- Learn Accessibility
- Video Accessibility 101
- Accessibility fundamentals
- Introduction to Web Accessibility
- Introduction to Web Accessibility
- Fun4theDisabled- Events Calendar
- Get Started with Web Accessibility
- Accessibility training- Access for all
- Archived JAN Webinars and Webcasts
- GSA Section 508 Accessibility Training
- Accessibility Training Resources- HHS.gov
- Designing for Accessibility & Beauty- AIAU
- Introduction to Accessible Web Development
- Upcoming IAAP Webinars - Digital Accessibility
- Accessibility & ADA courses for architects - AIAU
- CAST: The Accessible Learning Experience Podcast
- On-demand: EU policy and accessibility requirements
- Legal Frameworks and Responsibilities for Accessibility
- JAN Accommodation and Compliance Webcast Series 2023
- Announcing NEAT's Fall and Winter 2023 Webinar Schedule!
- 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
- The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C): Introduction to Web Accessibility
- W3C Course List - Digital Accessibility Education, Training, and Certification
- State of Minnesota’s free e-Learning program on how to create accessible PDF document
- Creating Accessible PowerPoints 2020 Essentials (Austin, TX) – Offered, December 11, January 30, and February 13
- Free Webinar: How to avoid The 12 Scams of Christmas - December 12, 2023
- San Diego Accessibility & Inclusive Design December Meetup- December 13, 2023 at 6:00 PM PST
- Holiday Networking by Peak Performers and Disability:IN Central Texas- December 13 at 5:30 – 7:00 pm CST
- FCC Open Meeting to Consider Wireless Hearing Aid Compatibility on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at 10:30 am EST
- Testing & Remediation Strategies for PDF Accessibility – Intermediate Edition (Austin, TX) – Offered, December 14, January 11 and January 11
- Inclusive India: Digital First- New Delhi, India- December 14, 2023
- Leveraging Dyslexic Thinking for Success- December 15, 2023 at 7:30 PM CT
- Flying with Disabilities: An Updated Guide to Air Travel- December 19, 2023 11:00 AM CT
- The Challenges of Implementing Accessibility in a Digital Twin for Learning- December 19, 2023 at 3:00 PM CT
- Testing & Remediation Strategies for PDF Accessibility – Advanced Edition (Austin, TX) - Offered, December 20, January 24 and February 29
- Testing & Remediation Strategies for PDF Accessibility – The Basics (Austin, TX) - Offered, and January 3 and February 7
- Sporting: The Spectator’s Experience - Thursday, January 4, 2024
- StrategicA11y - Virtual Strategic Web Accessibility Workshop January 10–11 & 17–18, 2024
- Ask an ADA Professional Questions RE: Accommodations in the Court System- January 10, 2024 at 2:00 PM - 3:00 AM Eastern Time Zone
- I've Been Diagnosed With Glaucoma. Now What?- January 11, 2024 04:00 PM CT
- Creating Accessible Word Documents 2020 Essentials (Austin, TX) – Offered, January 16 and February 22
- State Government as a Model Employer of People with Disabilities - Tuesday, January 16, 2024
- Persons with Disabilities, Technology, and the Evolving Legal Landscape: Part 2 - Wednesday, January 17, 2024
- Making Accessible Videos Webinar- January 18, 2023 at 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm ET
- Accessible PowerPoints- January 18, 2024 at 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Eastern Time Zone
- Highlights from the new Government-wide Section 508 Assessment - January 30 2024
Accessibility Conferences
Date: January 9-12, 2024
Date: January 12-26, 2024
Date: January 25-27, 2024
Date: February 20-22, 2024
Date: February 21-23, 2024
Date: February 27-29, 2024
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Date: March 15, 2024
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Date: March 20-21, 2024
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March 21-22, 2024
Date: March 25-26, 2024
Date: April 7-10, 2024
Date: April 8-9, 2024
Date: May 13-14, 2024
Date: May 13-16, 2024
Date: May 14-16, 2024
Date: May 27-28, 2024
Date: July 3-8, 2024
Date: September 23-27, 2024
Accessibility Employment Resources
- Upwork
- SideHusl
- Inclusively
- A11YJOBS
- Ability Jobs
- WIRED Hired
- Higher Ed Jobs
- WorkforceGPS
- Disabled Person
- 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 Employment Opportunities
- UX/UI Designer- Aston Carter
- Junior Accessibility Tester - Testlio
- Apps Accessibility Engineer - Apple
- Accessibility Software Engineer - Splunk
- Senior Accessibility Specialist - JPMorgan Chase
- Director of Digital Accessibility - University of Washington
- Digital Accessibility and QA Manager - University of Sussex
- Accessibility Services Agent - Hershey Entertainment & Resorts
- Chief Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Officer - TSA
- Accessibility Software Quality Engineer - VoiceOver & Braille - Apple
- Accessibility Engineer - School of Computer Science - Carnegie Mellon University
Accessibility Announcements & Products
- Momentum Refresh
- Making accessibility a reality
- Braille Signage Now at All Vancouver Bus Stops
- North Dakota's Collective Approach to Digital Equity
- GoMedia Avatars to Increase Passenger Accessibility
- New Requirement - Texas Driving with Disability Program
- CMF AND Disability Screen Office Announce New Partnership
- Amazon Pay introduces video KYC in sign language accessibility
- Nature Play WA Secures National Award for Digital Accessibility
- Burnaby’s Accessibility Plan enters community engagement phase
- Electrosonic & Float4 develop accessible exhibits for View Boston
- Transport Committee inquiry hears challenges on accessible transport
- British Airways improves accessibility for hard-of-hearing passengers
- “Could This Product Be The Future of Accessibility on The Internet?” (YouTube)
- Flathead Rivers Alliance receives grant to assist people with disabilities
- Toyota to deliver inclusive electric mobility solutions for all at Paris 2024
- Tui goes live with guides to support accessibility for customers at 200 hotels
- Stiltz unveils inclusive homelift offering greater accessibility for wheelchair users
- Taika Waititi's New Apple Film Shows Off the iPhone's Speech Accessibility Tools
- Angelo Tocco – Winner of the 2023 Carol McGregor CLC Disability Rights Award
- How Apple devices are empowering people with disabilities to live more independently
- Ability Unveils Game-Changing Move: “Max Access” Accessibility Toolbar Now Free Forever
- More Than a Gesture: How Galaxy Watch’s Universal Gestures Feature Enhances Accessibility
- Hip hop dancing promotes awareness of disability rights and performance equality, study shows
- Smirnoff launches new global campaign promoting accessibility, inclusion and social connections
- The Accessible Saskatchewan Act Comes into Force on International Day of Persons with Disabilities
- Venngage Is Transforming Design with Their New Groundbreaking AI-Powered Accessibility Features
- City’s accessibility officer to serve on state committee focused on rights for Coloradoans with disabilities
- Visit Anaheim achieves certified Autism Center designation, spearheading citywide accessibility initiative
- San Antonio Zoo unveils newly transformed entrance: A milestone in accessibility and cultural celebration
- Amazon’s 8 most helpful accessibility features, including Reading Ruler and Dialogue Boost on Prime Video
- British Airways partners with Signcode UK for enhanced accessibility in travel for deaf and hard-of-hearing customers
Accessibility Forums, Tips, & Gaming
- How to create accessible PDF documents
- Accessibility in gaming: 'When we all play, we all win'
- Gaming Accessibility: Making Games Inclusive for All
- Making sport accessible to everyone - Camosun College
- HTML5 landmark elements are used to improve navigation
- Tips to make your home more accessible this holiday season
- Cyberpunk 2077’s new accessibility options are the best thing in 2.1
- EA adds to open source accessibility tech including photosensitivity tool
- PlayStation Access Controller Sets A New Standard For Adaptive Gaming
- Mastering the Art of Front-End Web Development: Tips and Tricks for Success
- Super Mega Baseball 4 Adds New Accessibility Features, Improvements & Fixes - Patch Notes
- Microsoft’s ban on third-party controllers on the Xbox excludes some disabled gamers from using the device
- The Launch Of The Access Controller For PlayStation 5 Is A Really Big Deal For Gamers And Tech Journalists Alike
- EA makes more patents open source in a bid to share its accessibility tools and "help gamers" & EA opens up more patents for increasing Accessibility in gaming
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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