Accessible Design and the Internet of Things in 2023

I’m Raul Krauthausen the founder of SOZIALHELD*INNEN, an NPO and consultancy from Germany, focussing on Disability Mainstreaming. With this newsletter, I share hand-picked links from around the world.

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Questions? Tips? Suggestions?

Feel free to drop me a line!

Thank you,

Raul

I wrote a book (in german)

In this book, I raise fundamental questions about inclusion in Germany. In conversations with experts, we sketch out an idea of how inclusion can work together at all levels.

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Hand-picked news about inclusion, accessibilty and innovation

Accessible Design and the Internet of Things in 2023 (accessibility.com)

Embracing accessible design principles creates IoT technologies that empower individuals with disabilities while benefiting the broader population.

How Your Smartphone Can Help If You Have Vision Loss (accessibility.com)

Let’s take a look at how your smartphone can make a difference in your life if you are one of the 2.4% of people with a visual disability in the United States.

How Your Smartphone Can Help If You Have Hearing Loss (accessibility.com)

Smartphones are excellent accessibility tools if you have hearing loss or hearing-related disabilities.

EALA’s 2023 New Champions Retreat: Enhancing Support and Creating Opportunities for Special Education Students in Underserved Communities (educatingalllearners.org)

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, it’s crucial to explore innovative approaches that address the unique needs of diverse student populations. Recently, a group of education leaders came together to discuss groundbreaking ideas for improving the educational experience of high-need special education students. This blog post will delve into their creative ideas and initiatives, highlighting opportunities to foster more inclusive and effective learning environments for these students.

Disability News and Mental Health, The musical instrument you can play with your fingers, legs or eyes (bbc.co.uk)

Designed for disabled people, the Clarion gets recognition for the skill needed to play it.

Desperate Families Search for Affordable Home Care (nytimes.com)

Facing a severe shortage of aides and high costs, people trying to keep aging loved ones at home often cobble together a patchwork of family and friends to help.

Invisible Impact (lens15.com)

Disability on Climate Change’s Frontline.

Invisible impact; Behind the scenes Intro (youtube.com)

People with a disability are the world's most vulnerable community. in this four part series, journalist, Jason Strother takes you behind the scenes in Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, as he produces the documentary film "Invisible Impact; Disability on Climate Change's Frontline".

How Marlee Matlin and Troy Kotsur Helped the 2023 Media Access Awards Make History (www-hollywoodreporter-com.cdn.ampproject.org)

The Oscar winners and 'CODA' co-stars talk to The Hollywood Reporter alongside producer Deborah Calla about the significance of putting on the first televised awards show featuring two deaf hosts.

Wheelchair User’s Holiday Gift List — Seven Items $100 and Less (newmobility.com)

Love or hate winter, we can all agree that wheelchair tires and cold, wet weather don’t mix. Stop worrying about tracking mud and debris indoors and make the season a little easier by getting a pair…

New Disability Inclusion Action Plan released (disabilityinsider.com)

Kiama Council has marked International Day of People with Disability (3 December) by releasing our new Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) 2023 - 2027.

How Disabled People Are Building Political Power (nonprofitquarterly.org)

Because of systemic barriers, disabled people are underrepresented at the polls and on the ballot. Galvanized by the momentum of recent years, organizations run by and for disabled people are working to combat these barriers and build political power.

Safety standards weren't met at French vacation home housing disabled adults where a fire killed 11 (apnews.com)

A prosecutor says required safety standards weren’t met at a vacation home housing adults with disabilities at which a fire killed 11 people in eastern France.

After years of 'harrowing' evidence, the disability royal commission wants these changes (abc.net.au)

After four-and-a-half years of horrific evidence, Australia's biggest-ever investigation into the treatment of people with disability has dropped its final report. Here are the main takeaways.

Accessibility and Whistleblower Lawsuits - Bashin v. Conduent settles (accessability.substack.com)

Can people with disabilities sue when government contractors fail to deliver accessible goods and services? Why yes, yes they can.

AI is Now Accessible to Everyone: Three Things Parents Should Teach Their Kids – and Themselves (educatingalllearners.org)

It is almost a year since ChatGPT burst onto the scene, fuelling great excitement as well as concern about what it might mean for education.

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Updated Resource to Support the Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs (educatingalllearners.org)

The U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (the Departments) today announced the release of an updated joint-policy statement on supporting the inclusion of children with disabilities in early childhood programs.

Advancing Accessibility and Inclusion (educatingalllearners.org)

On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), the Queen’s Gazette is highlighting the work of Queen’s researchers who are deepening the understanding of disability issues and mobilizing support for upholding the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities.

Disability History Month: 'The Cripple Suffragette' (lucywebster.substack.com)

The story of Rosa May Billinghurst, a true disability icon.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities (un.org)

Given the multiple crises we are facing today, the world is not on track to reach numerous Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets by 2030. Preliminary findings from the forthcoming UN Disability and Development Report 2023 indicate that the world is even more off-track in meeting several SDGs for persons with disabilities.

My 27 Tattoos Have Helped Me Reclaim My Chronic Pain (refinery29.com)

Tattoos are my therapy, my pain relief, my way to find autonomy.

Wave of change in disabled-led theatre (artsprofessional.co.uk)

This week a trio of plays opens at Live Theatre Newcastle in which, for the first time, every show is captioned. For Vici Wreford-Sinnott, playwright and disability activist, it shows how times are changing.

Architectures of Care | From the Intimate to the Common (taylorfrancis.com)

ABSTRACT Drawing from a diverse range of interdisciplinary voices, this book explores how spaces of care shape our affective, material, and social forms, from the most intimate scale of the body to our planetary commons.

Disabled Domesticities and the Politics of Bathrooms (taylorfrancis.com)

In the 1970s, disabled individuals in Berkeley countered their confinement in medical institutions as much as they did their isolation in the family household.

UCLA has a new disability studies major — the first of its kind at any public university in California (latimes.com)

The state's universities, despite being leaders in the field, have struggled to institutionalize disability scholarship and to hire disabled faculty to teach it.

STIM CINEMA (nottinghamcastle.org.uk)

Nottingham Castle announces the premiere of STIM CINEMA – a new touring exhibition and moving image installation exploring repetitive actions and autistic experiences, tracking back to the earliest forms of moving image, and the birth of cinema and cinematic language. STIM CINEMA is part of Nottingham Castle’s season of new programming focusing on Neurodivergence.

Disability Access at Lincoln Center's Summer for the City (shortyawards.com)

The Shorty Awards honor the best content creators and producers on social media: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Tumblr, Instagram, Snapchat and the rest of the digital world.

2023 Media Access Awards with Easterseals (pbs.org)

Celebrating disability in media, hosted by Oscar winners Marlee Matlin and Troy Kotsur.

Announcing our 2023 shortlist for the Unlimited UK and International Open Awards (weareunlimited.org.uk)

The UK Open Awards are supported by Arts Council England, Arts Council of Wales and Creative Scotland, and the International Open Awards are supported by British Council.

LAC and ART:DIS Collaborates on Exclusive Limited-Edition Umbrellas: A Celebration of Artists Overcoming Disabilities (acnnewswire.com)

LAC joins hands with ART:DIS to celebrate the artistry of individuals with disabilities through the distribution of 40,000 umbrellas to showcase their artistic talents, championing art and resilience this festive season.

The Crip News 2022 Holiday Gift Guide (cripnews.substack.com)

A holiday gift guide! And talk to you in 2023.

At Malls Nationwide, Santa Goes Sensory-Friendly (disabilityscoop.com)

As the holiday season gears up, shopping centers from coast to coast will host special events designed to give kids with disabilities a chance to meet Santa Claus without all the usual frenzy.

Upcoming Webinar: Addressing Our Histories: Disability & LGBTQ+ Communities on the Path to Solidarity (disabilityrightsflorida.org)

A panel discussion on legal and medical precedents that have led to the division between the disability and LGBTQ+ communities.

Disability Intimacy: Upcoming Anthology Edited by Alice Wong (disabilityvisibilityproject.com)

Hi everyone, it’s been some year, huh? At least it has been for me. I moved into my first place, adopted two cats, Bert and Ernie, co-edited Low and Slow, a series of food writing by disabled people in partnership with Eater, published and edited several guest essays for the Disability Visibility Project, and had a few other secret hijinks. I cannot believe it’s been a little over a year since the most difficult experience of my life and am still in the process of adjusting and resting. A labor of love I have been working on is my second anthology, Disability Intimacy: Essays on Love, Care, and Desire, available April 30, 2024 by Vintage Books.

Disability Is Not A Bad Word (kamredlawsk.com)

The phrase, ‘Disability Is Not A Bad Word’ comes from the need to tell society that, yes, we may be disabled, but this does not mean our lives are smaller than yours. We are not smaller than you. It means we are not monoliths or riddled with only sadness-void of agency or worth-as you may immediately suspect. It means we are full multi dimensional beings with abilities, desires, contributions, passions and dreams with the capability to inspire love and eroticism. It means we have all the same range of emotions and quality of living as non disabled people.

Transforming Spaces, Touching Lives: How a Family's Journey with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Inspired a Heartwarming Home Makeover on 'This Old House' (assistivetechnologyblog.com)

Key Points: Family’s Challenge: Adapting their home for son Caffrey’s mobility needs due to Duchenne muscular dystrophy.Renovation Goals: Focus on accessibility, including an elevator, hydrotherapy pool, and smart home features.Awareness and Advocacy:  Raising awareness about rare diseases and the costs of accessibility.Benefits of Television Production: The efficiency and exposure provided by “This Old House” in completing the project. Michelle Werner and William Lester, driven by the needs of their 13-year-old son Caffrey, who suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, embarked on a major renovation of their mid-century modern home in Lexington, Massachusetts. Featured on “This Old House,” the project was not just about aesthetics but crucially about making their home more accessible for Caffrey, who struggles with mobility and is expected to need a wheelchair in the near future. The family’s story began with a response to a Facebook post seeking a home renovation project for the show, leading to their selection for the transformation.

"My career in accessibility", Raghavendra Peri (abilitynet.org.uk)

Raghavendra Peri who is the founder behind the influential Accessibility Blog DigitalA11Y.com and non-profit accessibility organisation HelloA11y, joined us for November's IAAP Network and Learn event where he shared his accessiblity career insights.

Students with disabilities excel, bringing pride to parents in Guinea-Bissau (disabilityinsider.com)

With a smile on her face, Adama Baldé greets the bell that marks the morning meal.

Spain's San Cristóbal wins EU Access City Award 2024 for accessibility (disabilityinsider.com)

The Spanish city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna has won the 2024 Access City Award for improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities.

Youth with disabilities embrace online expression despite increased vulnerability to abuse (disabilityinsider.com)

The internet is a haven of creativity and connection for young people with disability, even though they’re almost twice as likely to experience weekly online abuse.

Enhancing teaching time with AI and digital tools for educators (disabilityinsider.com)

The Cook Government has announced the first instalment of initiatives to reduce red tape, ease workloads, and bring about changes in schools to free teachers up to teach.

Unraveling Ableism in Our Lives - Gizelle Clemens (fun4thedisabled.com)

Today, as we observe International Persons with Disabilities Day, I want to share a deeply personal journey that led me to confront a harsh reality: we live in an ableist society, and it is killing us. Ableism, as aptly defined by abolitionist TL Lewis, is a system that assigns values to people’s bodies and minds based on societal constructs of normalcy, productivity, desirability, intelligence, excellence, and fitness. It took me years to fully grasp the magnitude of this pervasive issue, and I believe it’s crucial that we all acknowledge its presence in our lives.

Filming Disability: A Guide for Filmmakers and Editors (together2012.org.uk)

Together! 2012 CIC runs the annual international Together! Disability Film Festival, which was founded in 2012 and regularly attracts over 1500 entries from around the globe. This Guide for Filmmakers and Editors is based on our experiences.

How Screenwriter Mark Rizzo Brought the Love of the Game Into Champions’ Script (nbcuniversal.com)

When screenwriter Mark Rizzo told his agents he wanted to do a basketball movie, he was handed his dream job—adapting the international Spanish hit comedy Campeones into an American movie for Bobby Farrelly. In Focus Features’ Champions, Woody Harrelson plays a tough, obsessive minor-league coach whose dream of working in the NBA is derailed when he is court-mandated to work with a team of players with intellectual disabilities, the Friends.

How to plan a solo trip with accessibility in mind (tripadvisor.com)

Tips for making adventures easier—for everyone.

2023-24 Blue Badge Access Awards: Recognizing Achievements (bluebadgeaccessawards.com)

Recognise stylish accessibility in hospitality. Nominations open for Blue Badge Access Awards 2023/24. Celebrate innovation and inclusivity in venues.

How to Ride the Greyhound Bus as a Wheelchair User (travelabilityinsider.com)

Award-winning travel blogger Sylvia Longmire has put a whole lot of miles on her electric wheelchair. She has visited 57 countries, 48 of those as a wheelchair user and 34 of those by herself. Along the way she has written four books and launched a consulting business.

Santa Parade Grand Marshal Marcie Post introduces new sensory-free zone (ourmidland.com)

The Midland Santa Parade is taking strides this year in becoming more inclusive with the help of its Grand Marshal Marcie Post, a leader for accessibility in the community.

Supreme Court seems inclined to punt case on online hotel accessibility (washingtonpost.com)

Deborah Laufer, who has multiple sclerosis, filed more than 600 lawsuits against hotels whose websites lack accessibility information required by the ADA.

TravelAbility and Destinations International Announce Partnership to Promote Accessibility (travelabilityinsider.com)

TravelAbility, the leading conference and media company dedicated to making travel easier and more enjoyable for people with disabilities and the aging population, has announced a partnership with Destinations International, the world’s largest and most reliable resource for destination organizations and tourism boards.

Accessibility Checklists — Just say No (accessability.substack.com)

There are so many articles touting themselves as general “accessibility checklists” that I’ve literally lost track. Even respected organizations like W3C and WebAIM have published them. WCAG 2.1 triggered the authoring of a slew of new checklists. Consultancies post checklists partially to try and prove that they are subject matter experts, and partially to scare companies into thinking “wow, this is complicated, I need to hire a consultant.” There is one author who appears to be in the process of posting a general accessibility checklist for every…single … US state.

This week in Accessibility: Gomez v. GNC (accessability.substack.com)

Multi-colored pills Gomez v. GNC should serve as a warning to any company facing an accessibility lawsuit as to the importance of their accessibility experts actually being experts in accessibility. This case started as many digital accessibility lawsuits do.

Open Source Wheelchairs (redpillinnovations.com)

This page provides information on open source wheelchairs.

London for all: 'Green man' pedestrian crossings replaced with wheelchair-user lights (standard.co.uk)

New signals follow LGBTQ+ and 'green woman' pedestrian crossings.

Nordic Business Forum (tiktok.com)

How can you re-express a challenge? 2022 Speaker Contest Winner Duncan Wardle at #nbforum2022 Duncan introduced the third tool to use to help make your organization become more innovative: How else? He also explained that diversity is innovation: "If someone doesn't look like you, they don't think like you, and if they don't think like you, they can help you think differently" Also, Speaker Contest 2023 is accepting applications until the 22nd of January! If you are interested in speaking in front of thousands of Business Leaders in Helsinki, Oslo, and Amsterdam, go to our website and fill in the application!

Desert Island Discs, Liz Carr, actor and activist (bbc.co.uk)

Liz Carr, actor and activist, shares the soundtrack of her life with Lauren Laverne.

Government’s new access adviser questions release of discrimination evidence (disabilitynewsservice.com)

The new chair of the body that advises the government on accessible transport has questioned whether it is right to release research that exposes the discrimination faced by disabled passengers.

New scanners bring end to hand luggage restrictions and 100ml liquid limit (londoncityairport.com)

London City Airport becomes the first major airport in the UK to deploy next generation security scanners for all passengers, enabling travellers to pass through security without removing laptops and liquids from their hand luggage.

Uncharted (disability-visibility-newsletter.ghost.io)

Greetings you lovely lovely humans! Several years ago I interviewed Gabi Serrato Marks for my podcast for an episode about disabled scientists and now Gabi is the co-editor with Skylar Bayer of Uncharted: How Scientists Navigate Their Own Health, Research, and Experiences of Bias published by Columbia University Press and available now. I'm happy to offer three copies (paperback or e-book). Details below.

Sidney adopts its first accessibility plan at its council meeting (capitaldaily.ca)

After a series of consultations, the Town of Sidney releases its Accessibility Plan to the public.

More than 70% of Irish company websites are inaccessible for those with a disability (irishexaminer.com)

Most of the websites of Ireland’s biggest companies are inaccessible to people with a disability, according to an annual report on digital accessibility.

Cork Businesses At Risk Of Penalties If Websites Are Not Made Accessible (redfm.ie)

A new report from Inclusion and Accessibility Labs (IA Labs), commissioned by the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI), has found that 73% of Ireland’s Top 100 companies have inaccessible websites – meaning that they cannot be used by the 600,000 people in Ireland who live with a disability.

Longford businesses at risk of penalties if websites are not made accessible (longfordleader.ie)

Longford businesses at risk of penalties if websites are not made accessible as a new report by Inclusion and Accessibility Labs (IA Labs), commissioned by the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI), has found that 73% of Ireland’s Top 100 companies have inaccessible websites.

Galway businesses at risk of penalties if websites are not made accessible (galwaydaily.com)

A new report has found that 73% of Ireland’s top 100 companies have websites which are inaccessible for people with disabilities.

Major French websites struggle with accessibility (gearrice.com)

The web is hardly welcoming to Internet users with disabilities. The new barometer from the Contentsquare foundation shows that there is still a lot to do to improve the accessibility of the most used French websites.

Can we use AI to tackle internet accessibility? (siliconrepublic.com)

IA Labs, the spin-out of Vision Ireland, is focused on making websites more accessible and plans to use AI to tackle this global issue.

Council bosses outline first phase in reversing York’s ‘blue badge ban' (yorkpress.co.uk)

Council bosses have outlined the first phase of their plans to reverse the ‘blue badge ban’ in York.

TfL launches partnership to enhance accessibility for individuals with autism and learning disabilities (intelligenttransport.com)

TfL's new initiative aims to gain insights into the experiences of those with autism or learning disabilities when using public transport.

York City Centre Opens Doors Wider: Major Steps Toward Improved Accessibility for Blue Badge Holders (modernghana.com)

In a significant move towards inclusivity, York City Council has announced a comprehensive plan to enhance accessibility in the city centre for Blue Badge holders.

OpenTable’s guide to 7 restaurants at the forefront of accessible dining in America (opentable.com)

These revolutionary restaurants are changing the game when it comes to championing accessibility and hiring inclusively.

California's Accessibility Laws Let Wheelchair Users Actually Take a Vacation (cntraveler.com)

Writer Sophie Morgan describes how, thanks to California's accessibility laws, she didn't have to stress out about how to navigate the Golden State as a wheelchair user.

Improving Clinical Trials Accessibility For Patients With Disabilities (clinicalleader.com)

While increasing DE&I in clinical trials is essential to all individuals, this article speaks to considerations for removing barriers and improving trial accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Discussion includes combating stigma and bias, changing structural design, and more.

Is fashion ready for an accessibility overhaul? (voguebusiness.com)

Sinéad Burke’s Tilting the Lens has been working with luxury giants Gucci, Capri Holdings and Farfetch since the pandemic. But building a profitable, purpose-driven company in a notoriously exclusive industry is no easy feat.

Do States Need Digital Accessibility Coordinators? (govtech.com)

A new brief from the National Association of State Chief Information Officers underlines the importance of and reason for having a position dedicated to statewide digital accessibility coordination.

NASCIO makes case for more digital accessibility coordinators (statescoop.com)

A new report from the National Association of State Chief Information Officers found that 15 states have statewide digital accessibility coordinators.

Selma Blair Recalls Doctor Telling Her To Get A Boyfriend Amid MS Journey (huffpost.com)

The "Legally Blonde" actor says dealing with dismissive doctors led to “so much medical trauma."

Selma Blair 'Cried' After Doctor Suggested She Get a Boyfriend While Seeking Help for 'Unbearable' MS Pain (people.com)

Selma Blair recalled crying after a doctor suggested she get a boyfriend when seeking help for “unbearable pain” prior to her multiple sclerosis diagnosis.

Selma Blair calls ‘sub-minimum wage for people with disabilities’ ‘out of touch and wrong’ (nbcnews.com)

Actor and advocate Selma Blair joins Meet the Press and tells Kristen Welker her message to lawmakers as she fights for equity and accessibility for the disabled community.

Tips for Creating Accessible Museums: Universal Design and Universal Design for Learning (aam-us.org)

The American Alliance of Museums offers the following information from Violet Rose Arma, Curatorial Assistant & Administrative Support, University of Arizona Museum of Art.

Blind Papa John’s worker fired over his service dog, feds say. Now company will pay (miamiherald.com)

Officials said the Georgia restaurant violated the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Many Americans with dementia can’t get the hospice care they need (vox.com)

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter have drawn attention to the benefits of hospice care. But it’s not serving everyone well.

This High-Tech Shirt Helps Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Patrons Feel Music (smithsonianmag.com)

Guests at Chicago's Lyric Opera can now immerse themselves in performances through the SoundShirt’s vibrations.

Phoenix citizens with disabilities confront barriers in public transportation (azbigmedia.com)

The risks and limitations of Phoenix public transportation are magnified for a particularly underrepresented community: people with disabilities.

How States Are Improving Accessibility for Parks and Trails (planetizen.com)

State parks are introducing adaptive mobility devices to help more visitors enjoy natural spaces.

New Solutions to Older Adults’ Housing Challenges (nextavenue.org)

Long-term care costs, social isolation, dementia and financial insecurity are all notable problems facing many older Americans. But perhaps their biggest challenge of all is housing.

Maine businesses sued for their websites not being 'ADA accessible,' paying $9,000-$23,000 in damages (wgme.com)

Under the law, businesses open to the public must provide equal access to their goods and services.

Viral Video Of American Airlines Employee Crashing Wheelchair Draws Outrage (huffpost.com)

In 2022, U.S. airlines damaged or destroyed more than 11,000 wheelchairs, scooters and other mobility aids. In January alone this year, 871 were battered.

Airline calls video 'deeply concerning' after wheelchair falls from plane's luggage chute (cbs2iowa.com)

Haeley Dyrdahl said she posted the video to TikTok after she saw the baggage handlers do it twice before and laughed about it.

American Airlines under fire as viral video shows bag handlers callously tossing passenger’s wheelchair (nypost.com)

Shocking video shows American Airlines baggage handlers at Miami International Airport callously hurling a passenger’s wheelchair down a lengthy metal ramp — sparking fierce backlash against America’s largest airline.

Viral clip of airline passenger’s wheelchair falling to tarmac will be investigated: Buttigieg (thehill.com)

A viral video showing baggage handlers at Miami International Airport sending a wheelchair tumbling down to the tarmac prompted a promise from Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg that his department will investigate the incident.

Express Bus Lift Problems Leave Wheelchair Users Stuck (thecity.nyc)

From bus operators who don’t know what they’re doing to mechanical breakdowns, people with disabilities who spoke to THE CITY said they try to avoid the longer distance coaches.

Improving Accessibility: Ensuring Smooth Transitions for Wheelchair Users on New York City Buses (energyportal.eu)

New Yorkers who rely on wheelchairs often hesitate to use MTA express buses due to concerns about boarding and disembarking. Mechanical issues with hydraulic lifts and drivers who are unfamiliar with their operation leave wheelchair users uncertain about their ability to navigate these buses.

Justice department investigates Service Oklahoma's mobile app for accessibility barriers (okcfox.com)

On Thursday, November 16, the US department of Justice sent a letter to Service Oklahoma in regards to an investigation into its mobile app, which was in response to a complaint alleging that the app is inaccessible to individuals with disabilities.

Disability History Month - A Letter To My Younger Self (rockfordisability.com)

The theme for this year’s Disability History Month is “Children and Youth”. To mark the occasion, AccessAble Ambassador Emma Purcell has written a letter to her younger self, highlighting the achievements and challenges she has faced as a disabled person.

What it means when you say, “I don’t see you as disabled” (carlyfindlay.com.au)

I wrote and filmed this for Disability Day 2023. Saying “I don’t see you as disabled, you’re just Carly to me” is not the compliment you think it is. I also meant to add, you don’t see my access needs.

Disability led + centred journals you should read! (carlyfindlay.com.au)

Here are four disability led/centred journals you should read (and submit to)! There is such talent among Disabled, Deaf, Chronically ill and Neurodivergent people.

Nine books by Disabled writers (carlyfindlay.com.au)

Here is my annual book stack to celebrate Disabled writers! This stack features memoir, middle grade fiction, a handbook and graphic novels.

Still On the Margins: Long COVID Patients of Color (disabilityvisibilityproject.com)

Before getting COVID-19 here in Los Angeles in March 2020, I was a runner for nearly two decades. In fact, the morning of the day I first started feeling sick, I had gone for a great three mile run. It’s been over three years of Long COVID symptoms and I now embrace my new identity as a disabled person of color. Still, it has been a journey of reflecting on my own privilege, and understanding the new (to me) ways in which I and people like me, continue to be marginalized — not just in healthcare or employment, but also in our own justice movements.

Robotaxis Won’t Get Us There, So Let’s Stop Being Used to Sell a Future that Doesn’t Serve Us (disabilityvisibilityproject.com)

Transportation is one of the biggest barriers for people with disabilities. According to the National Household Travel Survey 7 out of 10 Americans with travel-limiting disabilities reduce their daily trips because of transportation barriers. Lack of transportation is one of the factors contributing to much lower employment rates for disabled people. The Center for American Progress reports that in 2021, nondisabled workers were three times more likely than disabled workers to be employed.

Why Palestinian Liberation Is Disability Justice (disabilityvisibilityproject.com)

Several years ago I organized an event at a local Jewish organization and planned another collaboration when some close friends told me it receives funding from the state of Israel and why that is problematic. My friends, Jews from the disability community, didn’t pressure me to do anything and offered me more information about Zionism and the BDS movement. It was the first time I started to educate myself on this issue. In my conversations with them, I expressed fears of being called an anti Semite and discomfort at not being Jewish, Arab, or Muslim from the region or the diaspora who have a deeper understanding of the politics, history, and cultures involved. It took years of growth and reflection to realize I was totally wrong. Everyone has a stake in defending humanity and dignity and Palestinian liberation is tied to disability justice.

Making accessible social media content (carlyfindlay.com.au)

Fifteen percent of the world’s population is Disabled – probably more considering many Disabled people don’t disclose or aren’t diagnosed. So your social media followers will comprise Disabled people! Please make your content accessible – it brings more views, and is a great business decision. Accessible content shows Disabled people we are welcome.

Spinal Stroke Survivor And TfL Introduces Wheelchair User Traffic Signals (criplife.co.uk)

Transport for London (TfL) has worked with Olympic rowing champion, Captain Pete Reed OBE to introduce green wheelchair user traffic signals to represent disabled people ahead of International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

We Are Family - Inclusion Music Video on Disability Awareness ft Nimo Patel & Ritika Sahni (youtube.com)

Dive into the vibrant melody of "We Are Family," a music video that brings together a diverse group of individuals, both disabled and non-disabled, all celebrating unity and inclusion. The song resonates with hope for a world where discrimination is replaced by acceptance.

My accessible parking bay is not your loading zone - ABC Everyday (abc.net.au)

Accessible parking permits are a right given to people who truly need them. They are not there for the convenience of able-bodied people who think that no-one is watching.

Federal committee launches investigation into accessibility issues at Canadian airlines (cbc.ca)

A parliamentary committee is launching an investigation into accessibility at Canadian airlines, with a focus on the country's two largest carriers.

How to Make 2024 the Year Your Brand Embraces Accessible Design (lbbonline.com)

Little Black Book, As the 2025 European Accessibility Act deadline looms, brands and marketers need to get moving - but help is at hand, writes LBB’s Laura Swinton.

Blind lawyer raises accessibility concerns over risky new raised bike lanes (momentummag.com)

The bike lane, constructed at sidewalk level instead of road level, has sparked a debate on accessibility.

Number of homeless with accessibility needs expected to double (signalhfx.ca)

Almost two-thirds of unhoused people in Halifax have accessibility needs, the regional municipality’s housing director reported Tuesday.

Concerns with transit, homelessness raised at Halifax accessibility town hall (cbc.ca)

People with disabilities in Halifax had their say at a meeting Tuesday night, raising concerns with transit, homelessness, and developments that aren't following accessibility standards.

Dismantling systemic ableism in health research (policyoptions.irpp.org)

An unheralded accessibility plan from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research is a step toward wider awareness of disability barriers.

FREENOW welcome Government’s call to prioritise enhanced accessibility in taxis and PHVs (taxi-point.co.uk)

FREENOW have welcomed the Government's call for councils to prioritise enhanced accessibility in taxis and private hire vehicles.

UK Government calls on councils to improve taxi accessibility (intelligenttransport.com)

Updates to guidance underline that action must be taken against taxi and PHV drivers who discriminate against people with disabilities.

It was very frustrating" former Paralympian calls for better accessibility measures after pulling herself onto plane (iheartradio.ca)

Sarah Morris-Probert, a former Paralympian, opted to pull herself onto her WestJet flight leaving Cabo for B.C. after the airline provided her being carried onto the plane as her means of access, which she deemed unsafe. The airline says Morris-Probert refused assistance; she says she requested the nearby ramp to be used as an alternative and it was not.

Adam uses a screen reader at uni — but it takes weeks for the coursework to be made accessible for him, meaning he's falling behind (abc.net.au)

Following COVID lockdowns, it's clear flexible study works. So why aren't universities taking a "more proactive approach" to ensure people of all abilities can access higher education?

Accessibility a challenge for city man with cerebral palsy (pentictonherald.ca)

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.

WASH Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities and Older People in Bangladesh: A Way Forward (reliefweb.int)

On 18 November 2023, Bangladesh Society for the Change and Advocacy Nexus (B-SCAN) organised a roundtable discussion in collaboration with icddr,b on the findings of the study titled 'Nationwide Assessment of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) situation of persons with disabilities and older people in Bangladesh’ at the Daily Star Centre, Dhaka.

Disability and financial wellbeing: barriers and accessibility (ftadviser.com)

Picture this: a couple of years ago you might have been fit, healthy, happy, with a great job. Then, last winter you took your family on a skiing holiday and suffered an accident.

Christmas In The Park Aims To ‘Spread Joy To All’ This Holiday Season With Inaugural ‘Accessible Sunday’ Plans (forbes.com)

On Sunday, December 10, Christmas in the Park is hosting "Accessible Sunday," a special day designed for people with disabilities.

Empowering Inclusivity: Navigating Mobile Accessibility Testing for a User-Friendly Digital Future (newsanyway.com)

According to a WHO report, 15 percent of the global population has some kind of disability. As the digital era progresses, companies should make digital content accessible to every Internet user, including those with disabilities. This is where the accessibility test comes into the limelight. One effective method to conduct mobile app testing and website accessibility testing is using a mobile device lab.

Inclusivity hype flops as Accessible India venue inaccessible to invitees’ wheelchairs (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

Digital accessibility is one of the fastest-growing trends in investor relations. Unfortunately, it can be a dense topic that overwhelms your team. If no one in your department has accessibility experience, you may not know what you should and shouldn’t do to foster an accessible IR website.

Breaking Barriers 3 Resources for Investor Relations Website Accessibility (goodmenproject.com)

Digital accessibility is one of the fastest-growing trends in investor relations. Unfortunately, it can be a dense topic that overwhelms your team. If no one in your department has accessibility experience, you may not know what you should and shouldn’t do to foster an accessible IR website.

WCAG 2.2 will be a part of EN 301 549 and with that a part of WAD and EAA (cerovac.com)

WCAG 2.2 is here, when do we get it into legislation, like Web Accessibility Directive and European Accessibility Act? Well EN 301 549 seems to be updating in 2025, according to work item schedule it may come in early 2026. Unless ETSI adds WCAG 2.2 sooner it seems that we will have to wait quite a long time.

What it was like attending a Queen concert with a mobility aid (multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com)

Columnist Ed Tobias, who uses a mobility aid due to MS, shares his thoughts on the accessibility of a recent Queen concert in Baltimore.

Common Challenges When Grocery Shopping Online As A Blind User (blog.usablenet.com)

Discover the common challenges faced by blind users when grocery shopping online, from nutrition label troubles to delivery difficulties. Read more.

Accessibility on Seasonal Websites (Feedback from a blind shopper) (blog.usablenet.com)

A website me be seasonal, but it should still be accessible. Read about our blind screen reader user's experience while shopping online.

Finite Attention Spans and Employee Agility Drive Corporate Training Trends (td.org)

As overall L&D spending for corporate budgets continues to increase, two prominent learning trends from 2023 are expected to remain relevant in 2024 (and likely beyond): continuous learning and microlearning.

Automation and Manual Accessibility Testing: When To Use Which? (applause.com)

Knowing how to use automated and manual accessibility testing is key, as using automated tools alone will not discover all issues on your digital properties.

Web Accessibility 101: Why It's Essential for Every Designer (theworldbeast.com)

In the ever-evolving landscape of web design, one crucial aspect often takes a backseat in the creative process—web accessibility. As designers, our Web accessibility refers to the inclusive practice of designing and developing websites that can be used and navigated by people of all abilities.

Comfort and Image: How to Create a Welcoming Place (pps.org)

The ways in which a public space is designed, managed, and programmed send a powerful message about who is welcome there. And while every person will need a different combination of elements to feel invited into a space, there are many common threads among great places.

Air Travel Accessibility: Are We Really in a Golden Age? (equalentry.com)

It’s not news that traveling on airplanes is fraught with challenges for people with disabilities. In late 2021, Disability Advocate Engracia Figueroa died after an airline damaged her customized wheelchair.

Designers are making a more accessible BC (straight.com)

Tucked away in a corner of Vancouver’s sprawling BC Place is a small yet immersive space that is designed to engulf visitors’ senses. The walls of the cool, dark room feature glowing neon panels that emit the soothing sound of flowing water. What may initially appear to be textured artworks or optical illusion boards are actually interactive elements, made by medical professionals to help guests shift their focus from the chaos outside to the calming environment inside. BC Place launched this sensory room in September in an effort to increase accessibility and inclusivity for all its guests.

Your Questions on WCAG 2.2 and Accessible Design (blog.usablenet.com)

Read through the questions and answers from our webinar on accessible design and WCAG 2.2 answered by our senior UI UX designer.

The Dos and Don'ts of Crafting an Inclusive Website (newscase.com)

The importance of having an accessible and inclusive website can’t be overstated. You must ensure that your brand utilizes ethical practices while appealing to a broad audience base. To ensure you’re at the top of your inclusivity game, read on for some crucial dos and don’ts of crafting an inclusive website.

How can I allow you to go to church? (disabilitydebrief.org)

Curated disability news from forty countries: shackling in Ghana, Israel-Palestine, scolding children of the elite, and more.

Accessibility training will not save you (reidmore.online)

I cannot pinpoint the source of this misconception, it could have been a vendor, or long-lost blog post, or one of the many webinars I attended in my early days as a program lead. Regardless of the source, I operated under the wild misconception that all I needed to do was train my teams to do accessibility. Developers, QAs, designers, all they needed was training!

Taking the side of humanity: reaction to Israel-Gaza coverage, and more (disabilitydebrief.org)

Debrief mailbag explores appreciation and critique of recent articles.

Lifeboat in the ocean: lessons from Australia (disabilitydebrief.org)

Disability news: Australian disability benefits, exhibit on the US Civil war, and a shift on mental health

My multi-day PG&E power shut off diary (accessability.substack.com)

PG&E and AT&T stupidity has devastating effects on everyone near where I live.

Winter Accessibility Woes (wid.org)

Winter storms mean limited mobility for everyone––they often serve as reminders that we are powerless to the elements and that our plans to venture out into the world may need to be put on hold. No one, really, is immune to this. But for people with disabilities, including elderly individuals, winter storms bring higher stakes.

Airline Accessibility for Passengers with Disabilities (wid.org)

People with disabilities often experience difficulties getting appropriate accessibility accommodations on airplanes and airports with wheelchairs and other assistive technologies often geting lost or damaged. As pandemic-related travel protections are being lifted coupled with the fact that according to The World Health Organization (WHO), 15 percent of the global population have some type of disability, airline accessibility should be a priority for all airline carriers. But to our dismay, this does not appear to be the case.

Global Heumann Fellowship Application (survey.alchemer.com)

The Global Heumann Fellowship (GHF) seeks Disabled, visionary leaders with a demonstrated history in advocacy, policy, communications, and influential collaboration. Fellows must have the ability to be effective while working remotely and maintain flexibility working with a diverse, global team. Before starting this application, please make sure you have read all of the information regarding the GHF and the World Institute on Disability (WID).

World Institute on Disability 40th Anniversary Virtual Celebration (youtube.com)

On November 7 of 2023, WID celebrated our 40th anniversary with a special virtual celebration, featuring remarks from our staff and board, as well as special guests and performances.

Inclusive Disaster Planning (open.spotify.com)

Listen to this episode from INside the OUTcomes: A Rehabilitation Research Podcast on Spotify. On this episode of INside the OUTcomes: A Rehabilitation Research Podcast, we talk with Dawn Skaggs director of emergency, disaster and climate resilience at the World Institute on Disability. We'll learn about their global disaster response program, find out what can go wrong when people with disabilities aren't included in disaster planning, and hear about Dawn's 25 years of experience helping organizations, corporations and government agencies become more inclusive in their disaster planning and response. Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Four minority-disability activists you should know (minorityrights.org)

We're highlighting the work of four minoriy-disability activists and their efforts at this year's UN Forum on Minority Issues.

Do We Want an Immersive Web? (silicon.co.uk)

Is the immersive web in your business’s future? Learn how your enterprise can embrace and benefit from the virtual spaces that are now taking shape.

Double Tap On Apple Watch Series 9 Exemplifies The Idea Accessibility Is For Everyone (forbes.com)

Along with the iPhone 15 models, Apple sent me a Series 9 review unit following the company’s September event.

Inside Greenhouse And Webflow’s Respective Missions To Make Accessibility Matter (forbes.com)

The company works with more than 7.000 companies, including Squarespace, Airbnb, and others, in an effort to bolster their hiring efforts.

Assistive tech startup ReBokeh is growing with new TEDCO funding and a first hire (technical.ly)

The Towson-HQ’d company for those with moderate low vision received a financial boost.

Microsoft warns that a key accessibility feature is broken in Windows 11 23H2 (betanews.com)

Microsoft has acknowledged an issue with Windows 11 23H2 which causes the Narrator accessibility tool to fail.

AI to disrupt TV market with better accessibility features, say industry leaders (indulgexpress.com)

AI will disrupt the TV market, improving accessibility for those with impairments, industry leaders noted on World Television Day.

Moodle App is recognised as a finalist at the Australian Access Awards 2023! (moodle.com)

The Moodle App ensures seamless access to Moodle's solutions online and offline, from any device or location.

Government announces £5.3m investment for accessibility projects (globalrailwayreview.com)

The Government have announced a new £5.3 million investment, for innovative accessibility projects across the UK.

Ticketek Debuts Online Accessible Ticketing Platform in Australia (ticketnews.com)

Securing live event tickets just became easier for people with disabilities and their companions with the launch of Ticketek’s online accessible ticketing platform.

Accessible Christmas Food Magazines (trendhunter.com)

M&S and RNIB, the Royal National Institute of Blind People, teamed up to create the first accessible Christmas Food magazine for Marks & Spencer and it offers an inclusive design that supports people with visual impairments. There are different variations of the Christmas Food magazine available, including a paperback braille edition and an audio version that can be listened to online.

European Parliament organises its first Disability Rights Week (europarl.europa.eu)

From 27 November to 4 December, the Week aims to raise awareness and enhance the public debate to ensure all people with disabilities can exercise their rights.

HSBC shares digital accessibility training (thebanker.com)

The bank’s initiative is on target to train other global companies’ employees to develop apps that accommodate the disabled.

This is how we do it: ‘His disability might change the sex we have, but we’ll adapt’ (theguardian.com)

Jayda has lost desire in the past, but is loving the “vanilla-plus” sex she has with Syd – who has motor neurone disease.

A life-changing injury transformed an expert’s view on disability services (msn.com)

“I’m happy to be alive and to see how I can take where I’ve ended up and do something positive with it,” said Nora Super, who suffered a spinal cord injury in July.

New disability employment pilot program for certain businesses including Kmart, Target (hcamag.com)

Program works directly with people 'who have a lived experience of disability'

World Disability Day: Foundation eulogises Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu (thenationonlineng.net)

Anon-governmental organisation, Kehinde Oshilaja Foundation, has eulogised the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for their roles in making life more meaningful and worthwhile for the people living with disability. This was done to commemorate this year’s World Disability Day.

Rick empowers during Disability Action Week (bundabergnow.com)

Working in disability support has been a gratifying change for Bundaberg’s Rick Gill, who shares his story during Disability Action Week.

UCLA has a new disability studies major — the first of its kind at any public university in California (msn.com)

The state's universities, despite being leaders in the field, have struggled to institutionalize disability scholarship and to hire disabled faculty to teach it.

A Student Wrote a Book About Her Learning Disability. Now, She Has Advice for Teachers (edweek.org)

Zoe Kozina, 17, is the author of Your Beautiful Mind, a children’s book published this year.

One in five have seen someone mocked because of their learning disability, survey finds (ca.news.yahoo.com)

One in five people (21%) say they have seen someone mocked because of their learning disability, according to a new survey. The poll of 2,000 people, by disability rights charity Dimensions, also found 48% of those questioned said they believe people without a learning disability are unwelcoming towards those who have them, revealing a poor public perception. According to the government, a learning disability is a significantly reduced ability to understand new or complex information, to learn new skills (impaired intelligence), with a reduced ability to cope independently (impaired social functioning), which started before adulthood.

I have a disability, but that won't stop me living life to the fullest (couriermail.com.au)

Gretta Serov has experienced more adversity in her first 32 years than most people do in a lifetime, but she won’t let that stop her from living life to the fullest.

Ubuntu offers lessons in how to treat people with disabilities – a study of Bomvana rituals (theconversation.com)

The philosophy of ubuntu means that good health is for everybody and disability is not regarded as a difference.

Paying the Disability Tax in an Inaccessible World (tcf.org)

As a freelance journalist, I take work where I can get it. However, I don’t drive; I’m blind. I live in Des Moines, Iowa and frequently travel to Omaha, Nebraska. It’s only a two-hour drive between the two cities, but my only transit options are a bus or train. Just to get to the train from where I am in Des Moines takes an hour. In addition to the $132 round-trip ticket, it’s another $67 to take an Uber to catch the train. Or, it’s only $15 to Uber downtown for the bus, but round-trip for the bus is $120. Fortunately, I have family in Omaha, so I stay with them when in town. But the only bus circling their neighborhood comes once an hour. And on a recent assignment, I needed to make it to downtown Omaha on a Saturday night—$60 for an Uber.

United Airlines Is Making It Easier for Wheelchair Users to Book Flights That Accommodate Them (cntraveler.com)

Passengers will be able to easily search flights that can handle their specific wheelchair dimensions.

If Money Talks, What Does the Subminimum Wage Say? (newamerica.org)

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month and Disabled workers can't have equitable access to the workforce until we eliminate the loophole that allows them to be paid as little as pennies per hour.

Hear the Dance: Audio Description Comes of Age (nytimes.com)

Recent experiments in describing dance, like the film “Telephone,” approach it not just as an accessibility service but as a space for artistic exploration.

'Sesame Street' videos get an accessibility expansion with new descriptive audio and ASL features (mashable.com)

An upgrade for both English and Spanish content.

Ukraine’s Children With Special Needs Suffer the ‘Huge Pressure’ of War (nytimes.com)

Children with conditions like ADHD and autism have been particularly affected by the traumas and uncertainties of the war and the disruptions to daily life, families and experts say.

‘How to Dance in Ohio’: A Story About Autism and Connection (nytimes.com)

In a first for Broadway, openly autistic actors are playing the autistic characters in this new musical about a doctor helping neurodiverse clients.

EDF 6th Human Rights Report 2022: political participation of persons with disabilities (edf-feph.org)

The Sixth Edition of the European Disability Forum’s Human Rights Report focuses on the rights of persons with disabilities to vote and to stand as candidates in the European Parliament elections, also known as ‘EU elections’.

Access to Elected Office Fund (inclusionscotland.org)

The Access to Elected Office Fund will be closed for applications for the Local Authority elections from 11th April 2022. Applications to the panel are allowed two weeks to be decided on. After that, it can take time to roll out awards. We will however consider any late applications, if an award is likely to be turned around quickly enough to support a candidate before the end of 5th May 2022.

Webinar: The Youth Leadership Programme 2023 (enil.eu)

The Youth Leadership Programme (YLP) involves recruiting 4 young disabled activists to spend a week with an organisation advocating for independent living and the rights of disabled people in another European country for 1 week each.

(Un)reasonable society and reasonable accommodations (radoskeravica.com)

Nearly two years ago, I received an email from a young disabled man from Serbia. He found my contact online and decided to write to me asking for legal advice regarding the problem he was facing at his university in Serbia. He asked the university to accommodate his request to take the oral exam via Teams or Zoom. He knew this was possible to do since the university had been doing it regularly during the pandemic. However, once the pandemic was over, the university returned to its traditional way of conducting the exams. The reason why he insisted on being examined online rather than in-person is the mental health issues he was experiencing. Travelling on the bus for several hours to get from his town to the university would cause him anxiety coupled with a risk of contracting COVID-19 as he was identified as having a heightened vulnerability to COVID-19.

Blind Call the Midwife star explains how acting is a 'release' (getsurrey.co.uk)

Ellie Wallwork has starred in Doctor Who and most recently Call the Midwife but her journey hasn't always been a smooth one.

Doctor Who's New UNIT Character Future Confirmed By David Tennant & Producer (screenrant.com)

UNIT's newest scientific advisor will return.

Ireland's first sign language café opens in Dublin (irishexaminer.com)

The Deaf Café will provide members of the deaf community with a modern new space to connect, share experiences, and express their cultural identity.

Film and Media Round Table 2023 Notable Films for Adults (ala.org)

Alaskan Nets (2022, dir. Jeff Harasimowicz) 117 minutes. Indivisible Productions. DVD. Available from Good Deeds Project. CC. A remote Alaskan town serves as the backdrop for a story about high school boys who live, fish, and play basketball. The community rallies around the team as players and their coach vie for an elusive state championship title. The film touches on both the cultural and commercial way of life for Alaska’s Indigenous Tsimshian people that leads to certain tragedies.

Crutch (bullfrogfilms.com)

Chronicles the gravity defying life of Bill Shannon, an internationally renowned artist, breakdancer and skate punk—on crutches. From Bullfrog Films, the leading source of DVDs & videos about the environment, ecology, sustainable development, globalization, indigenous peoples, cultural diversity, and performing arts, music and dance.

Australians are cancelling autism assessments after learning a diagnosis could jeopardise their driver's licence (abc.net.au)

Psychologists say some Australians are cancelling their autism assessment appointments after learning they could be required to disclose their condition under Fitness to Drive standards.

EbonyLife’s Mo Abudu Makes Directorial Debut With Short Films About Nigerian Women and Mental Health (variety.com)

Nigerian producer Mo Abudu has made her directorial debut with two short films making the festival rounds, 'My Perfect Life' and 'My Wife.'

She considered suicide but found us — and hope – instead (unitedspinal.org)

When she was at her lowest, considering suicide, she reached out to United Spinal and our team helped lift her up.

Competitions and Commissions (kennedy-center.org)

Competitions offer learners opportunities to extend their creative best—to think critically, to research independently, to practice and hone skills. To go beyond what they may have thought possible.

Hollywood to make movie about Morgan’s Wonderland (ksat.com)

Morgan’s Wonderland will soon be featured on the big screen.

I'm a magician who lives with autism. It doesn't make me 'inspirational' (abc.net.au)

The word "inspirational" is a Trojan horse to people with a disability. I want what everyone wants: to be treated equally and fairly.

Para athletes hail arrival of latest Airbnb Athlete Travel Grants (paralympic.org)

USD 2,000 travel and accommodation grants available. Applications are open at Athlete365 from 30 November to 20 December 2023.

Disability Research Job Opportunities (sheffield.ac.uk)

Between late 2023 and September 2024 we will be recruiting to a number of research and project manager positions.

The Kids Are Not Okay. Stop Making Them Sick. (okdoomer.io)

There's more danger to the pneumonia outbreaks than we're being told.

A child loved cinnamon applesauce. Then he got lead poisoning. (washingtonpost.com)

A Maryland toddler is among the children who developed lead poisoning suspected to be caused by recalled applesauce pouches.

New Hallmark Christmas movie inspired by B.C. Guinness World Record holder (vancouversun.com)

Autistic teen Auldin Maxwell's journey to multiple Guinness Book of World Records titles began with a love of stacking things. Read more.

Accessibility and Disability Blogging — one year anniversary (accessability.substack.com)

Here are a few things that I’ve learned.

Doctor Who's disability representation proves why small moments matter (radiotimes.com)

Ruth Madeley made her on-screen Doctor Who debut as Shirley Anne Bingham.

A life-changing injury transformed an expert’s view on disability services (washingtonpost.com)

“I’m happy to be alive and to see how I can take where I’ve ended up and do something positive with it,” said Nora Super, who suffered a spinal cord injury in July.

ENIL delegation meets with MEP Katrin Langensiepen (enil.eu)

On 26 November, ENIL met with Katrin Langensiepen MEP to discuss the European Disability card.

Wheelchair Damage Levels in November 2023 Air Travel Consumer Report (wheelchairtravel.org)

Data from the November 2023 Air Travel Consumer Report includes insights on airline wheelchair damage from the first three quarters of 2023.

University Challenge special axed over lack of support for disabled contestants (theguardian.com)

Christmas alumni episode had one blind entrant and another who was neurodivergent, both of whom say they did not get help.

Nurturing the Basics: ASL Learning Resources for Novices (assistivetechnologyblog.com)

American Sign Language (ASL) is a rich and expressive language that is used by the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities in the United States and parts of Canada. Learning ASL is not only a valuable skill for effective communication but also an opportunity to bridge the communication gap and promote inclusivity. In this blog post, we will explore various resources and methods to help you embark on your journey to learn ASL.

The power of accessibility for business: why it should be a priority from the get-go (maddyness.com)

While digital, creative, and business teams surge ahead, accessibility is sometimes seen as an obstacle to future success. Natalie Burns.

How to improve digital inclusion and accessibility for girls with disabilities (unicef.org)

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. This guide highlights best practices in inclusion and accessibility of digital solutions for persons with disabilities, particularly girls. It aims to support developers and implementers of digital products and services, so that girls and young women with disabilities may benefit from digital services and platforms.

Designing for Older Adults (medium.com)

Have your parents ever come over and asked for your help with one of their electronic gadgets? It’s a scenario filled with genuine intentions, often accompanied by a sense of amazement. Just imagine this: You turn on their phone, and suddenly, it becomes as dazzlingly bright as the sun. The font, larger than life, forces you to strain your eyes to read it. And if that’s not enough, the volume is set so high that it seems determined to wake up the entire neighborhood. These moments, a blend of amusement and insight, illuminate the challenges older adults navigate in the digital landscape. They made us rethink our approach to designing for this demographic.

Why doesn’t AI work for producing accessible code? (alastairc.uk)

The short answer to the title is: Accessibility is not an average.

Most Disabled Workers Need Software Accessibility, yet 45% Find Current Features Insufficient (businesswire.com)

Capterra’s 2023 Tech Accessibility Survey of disabled workers found that 82% think software is important to do their job effectively.

How to deal with low contrast in digital Accessibility (netz-barrierefrei.de)

Low contrast is a common problem in digital accessibility. Let's take a look on the different ways to handle this problem.

Accessibility annotation kits only annotate (ericwbailey.website)

An uncomfortable truth is that the vast majority of access-related issues are created in the design phase.

Creating Accessible UI Animations (smashingmagazine.com)

Animation and accessibility are often seen as two separate powers at odds with one another. How is it possible to strike a balance between elements that move and the possible negative effects they expose to users who are sensitive to motion? Oriana García explains how her team at Mercado Libre tackled the challenge by creating guiding principles for applying animation to user interfaces and incorporating them into the team’s design system.

EI Accessibility for Neurodivergent Audiences (td.org)

earning emotional intelligence and other social skills can be a great challenge for those who identify as Neurodivergent. As we strive to humanize our classroom communities we are reminded of science-backed, heart-centered strategies to embrace and celebrate our fellow team members with diverse identities and orientations. Competent learning designers will succeed by tailoring their EI content, enabling classrooms that are marked by inclusivity and respect.

Engineering accessibility (news.stanford.edu)

Aya Mouallem is creating a tool to help blind electrical engineering students simulate circuits and collaborate with their sighted colleagues.

Addressing Accessibility Concerns With Using Fluid Type (smashingmagazine.com)

The CSS `clamp()` function is often paired with viewport units for “fluid” font sizing that scales the text up and down at different viewport sizes. As common as this technique is, several voices warn that it opens up situations where text can fail WCAG Success Criterion 1.4.4, which specifies that text should scale up to at least 200% when the user’s browser reaches its 500% maximum zoom level. Max Barvian takes a deep look at the issue and offers ideas to help address it.

The added value of (neuro)diversity (erikkroes.nl)

People like people who are like them. That's practical for making friends. It's not when you want a well-rounded team.

Disability Thinking Weekday - November 2023 Recap (disabilitythinking.substack.com)

Here is a look back at November’s Disability Thinking Weekday links. They are sorted, roughly, into three broad topic categories — Disability Life & Culture, Politics, Policy & Activism, and Practical Information, plus Videos. I hope this recap is useful!

Unhidden's Gift Guide (unhiddenclothing.com)

We’ve asked the office what’s on their Christmas wish list! From the perfect stocking fillers and Secret Santa presents to gifts to gifts that come with love as well as impact. These gift ideas range

Changing the image of disability: why authentic representation is so important for the disabled community (businessdisabilityforum.org.uk)

Lucy Ruck, BDF’s Taskforce Manager, talks about our Changing the image of disability campaign.

Unlocking the Power of Inclusion: Naidex 2024 Registration Now Open (ablemagazine.co.uk)

Naidex, the National Accessibility, Inclusion & Disability Expo, is thrilled to announce that registration for its highly anticipated 2024 edition is now open. Taking place on the 20th and 21st of March 2024 at the NEC Birmingham, this transformative event promises to be a celebration of diversity, innovation, and empowerment.

The AAC Connection (bethmoulam.com)

Back in September 2023 a friend, Joanna Holmes (aka MummyvsAAC) and I got together to speak at the annual Communication Matters conference in Leeds. We had met at the 2022 conference and immediately discovered we had a lot in common. We had shared views about AAC users, communication partners and family life. Jo has a daughter Lucy, who like me uses Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Lucy and I are very different ages and our journey to date is also dissimilar. But nevertheless Jo and I shared views and thoughts that were were similar over a wide range of AAC related topics. Our presentation was based on our shared passion to get people talking about communication partner skills. To round off our talk we wanted an ongoing dialogue so launched The AAC Connection on Facebook, please come and take a look.

The gifts of understanding and acceptance (michellesmission.net)

One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is giving and receiving gifts. As a child, I wished for many things including dolls, and anything pink and sparkling. I now wish for many non-material things, such as the gifts of understanding and acceptance. Many times, people do not understand or accept my disability.

McDonald's Employee Triumphs Over Mental Health Challenges with Workplace Support (disabilityaction.org)

This is a heartwarming success story on what can be achieved when two organisations cared enough to collaborate to help a young person in need.

Key Insights from 3Play’s Giving Tuesday Celebration with the GAAD Foundation (3playmedia.com)

3Play celebrates Giving Tuesday by donating to accessibility-focused organizations and hosting a webinar. Read the key takeaways from this year’s celebration.

Early-stage stem cell therapy trial shows promise for treating progressive MS (disabilityinsider.com)

The study, led by scientists at the University of Cambridge, University of Milan Bicocca and Hospital Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (Italy), is a step towards developing an advanced cell therapy treatment for progressive MS.

New in the Shop: "Return Wheelchair to Aircraft Door" Embroidered Tag (wheelchairtravel.org)

With this bright tag attached to your wheelchair, airline baggage handlers won't be able to say they didn't know where to return your device.

Harper K. Smith (spreaker.com)

Harper K. Smith is a queer musician with chronic disabilities from Vancouver currently based in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Treaty 1 territory). We will be chatting about her experience in the music industry, her thoughts on accessibility in the music scene, and talking about her music and new single 'not sad'.

Young people in the UK: are you unable to work due to longterm illness? (theguardian.com)

We would like to speak to under-30s in the UK who are unable to work because of a longterm health condition.

Rail Ticket Office Closures Scrapped in Government U-turn as Charity Calls for National Railway Accessibility Strategy (pocklington.org.uk)

National sight loss charity Thomas Pocklington Trust, today, is calling for publication of a national government strategy to address inaccessible rail travel, following issues raised in the ticket office closure consultation.

Cost of living: support can’t wait (pocklington.org.uk)

75 charities and voluntary organisations representing people with disabilities, including Thomas Pocklington Trust, have written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer demanding action on the cost of living crisis.

Do Nondisabled People Avoid Vacationing With Their Disabled Friends? (wheelchairtravel.org)

Inaccessibility impacts both disabled people and their nondisabled travel companions, but does it impact their desire to vacation together?

Some thoughts ahead of Disability Day (carlyfindlay.com.au)

I’m dreading Disability Day solely because I know allies won’t step up. All those organisations , media outlets and brands who celebrate pride and other diversity groups will remain silent on 3 December.

The Climb: My Life in the Arts (blindnewworld.org)

Actor and artist Ronnie Chism stars in ArtsUpLA Theatre by the Blind's play, The Climb. Here, he shares his journey to the world of the arts.

A Basic Understanding of Accessibility (withkeri.com)

In the United States, over 25% of people have a disability. Our colleagues, community members, and families most likely have at least one person with a disability. So what qualifies as a disability? What is an accommodation? This tutorial examines a basic understanding of accessibility.

10 Disabled Climate Activists Around The World (criplife.co.uk)

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges to society globally, with an even bigger impact on the disability community., Here we list 10 disabled climate activists from around the world who are doing incredible things to help save the planet.

People with disabilities get support to start up microbusinesses (disabilityinsider.com)

Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) has developed a range of videos and information packs for people interested in exploring microbusiness options through funding by the Palaszczuk Government.

Griffith Design Cafe is revolutionising access through co-design (disabilityinsider.com)

Griffith University’s Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability Design Cafe pilot project was such a success, its blueprint for co-design has been incorporated into a course available to design students.

12 of the best gift ideas for travel lovers (havewheelchairwilltravel.net)

If you’ve got a travel enthusiast in the family, then gift giving should be easy. Here’s my suggestions for travel-related gifts that are sure to be a winner. We’ve got all our favourites listed below and they range from inexpensive to pricey but hopefully you’ll find something for your travel-loving family member or friend.

Mailbag: Easy Accessible Destinations for First-Time Disabled Travelers (wheelchairtravel.org)

These 5 cities are among the easiest and most accessible destinations to visit for your first trip as a wheelchair user in the United States.

Adapting to your Circumstances (quirkyquad.com)

Things have been challenging in my care life at the moment. I am going to leave it at that and just say that everyone is doing the best they can despite unforeseen circumstances. With that said, I have some of my beautiful caregivers coming in the morning to help.

Inclusion indicators 2023: Union of equality? Here’s the reality (inclusion-europe.eu)

Half of EU countries don’t allow some people to vote. 700,000 people are forced to live in harmful segregated institutional “care”. Families are isolated and left to provide all support to family members with disability.

Doctor Who's Tardis 'getting wheelchair ramp to accommodate upcoming characters' (metro.co.uk)

In, erm, unrelated news, Bernard Cribbins was spotted in set photos.

Cases of this COVID variant tripled in just two weeks, CDC estimates (eu.usatoday.com)

Incidence of a COVID-19 variant appears to have increased threefold in the U.S. in recent weeks, federal tracking showed.

Maryland stumbles when autism and violent crime collide (thebaltimorebanner.com)

Joel Johnson-Liphart was ruled not competent to stand trial for manslaughter in the death of his grandmother six years ago. Now he’s back in court after assaulting his caregiver at a group home. It’s not clear if Maryland is equipped to deal with this.

Park Slope subway station gets three new elevators after long battle (enewspaper.nydailynews.com)

Three new elevators at the Seventh Ave. F and G train station in Park Slope, Brooklyn, will make it easier for straphangers to get to the platform, MTA officials said Tuesday.

Mainers with disabilities, and all Mainers, should feel empowered to exercise their right to vote (bangordailynews.com)

"People under guardianship already had the right to vote and continue to have that right. This right is not in jeopardy."

Dolls With Disabilities Escape The Toy Hospital, Go Mainstream (npr.org)

Longtime toymakers are broadening their horizons — offering dolls and other figures with hearing aids, wheelchairs and insulin pumps in city scenes, not just hospitals. That's a start, activists say.

The 12 Gifts of Blissmas: This Holiday Season's Gift Guide for the EDS Warrior (chronicpainpartners.com)

Author Susan Jackson suggests the 12 best gift ideas for the holidays which may improve the life of your chronically ill loved one!

Rising Doctor Making an Impact on hEDS: Q&A with MUSC MD/PhD Student Roman Fenner (chronicpainpartners.com)

In this interview, Christie Cox speaks with a rising doctor who also has hEDS and other comorbidities, Roman Fenner. Fenner is currently enrolled in the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) as a dual enrollment student for an MD and PhD – meaning he will learn how to lead medicine and science combined in an intensive NIH-funded program teaching both clinical care of patients and scientific research simultaneously. He was also one of the first four inaugural interns at the MUSC Norris Lab in 2021 when they made their discovery (pending research publication), so he has been on the exciting frontier for years beyond his own patient story. Read the Q&A to learn more about what he is doing now and where he thinks the future of connective tissue disorders, diagnostics, treatment and care could go.

It’s Worth a Shot: Prolotherapy, PRP & Regenerative Therapy - A Medical Overview for Curious EDS Patients (chronicpainpartners.com)

Learn about regenerative medicine as an option for EDS patients, including prolotherapy and PRP.

Win Your EDS Disability Claim: A Zebra's Step-By-Step Basic Training Bootcamp (chronicpainpartners.com)

Here are a few key lessons learned from the scars of battle as patients with EDS and how to prepare yourself and your troops. Disability is an enormous topic with many nuances, so do your research. Start by learning the basics of when a chronic illness becomes a disability. Ensure you are well informed if you enter the battlefield, armed with your best weapons, allies, and bunker buddies, because you will need all the help you can get.

Mastering Appointments Successfully with EDS (chronicpainpartners.com)

When living with a rare condition like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), it is essential to become an active participant in managing your health as a patient because most doctors have little knowledge about EDS. At the same time, the healthcare system is not designed to treat complex and chronically ill people, so doctors often have limited to no time to learn about EDS. As a result, patients have to take on many responsibilities in their own care to achieve the best possible quality of life. With a multitude of appointments, it can be easy to lose track, while at the same time, various hurdles have to be overcome before, during, and after the appointment. In the following text, you will learn about these challenges and how to navigate through appointments successfully as a patient.

Cervical Spine Instability: Patient Guide (chronicpainpartners.com)

This patient guide helps people with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome get diagnosed with cervical spine instability and find treatment options.

MCAS Patient Guide (chronicpainpartners.com)

This Mast Cell Activation Syndrome Guide provides basic knowledge of diagnostic testing, symptoms, triggers, management and emergency measures.

Lego Oma (chronicpainpartners.com)

Lego Oma is a short film about a quirky German grandma who builds wheelchair ramps from Lego.

EDSed Episode 4: Dr. Jacqueline Wolf on GI symptoms & Endometriosis (chronicpainpartners.com)

In this interview, Dr. Jacqueline Wolf gives insight into her research on EDS and other connective tissue disorders and their correlation to GI symptoms and endometriosis. She also talks about colonoscopy safety, what she learned from her Ehlers-Danlos patients, and why she doesn’t want to hear doctors ever say, “Well, dear, it’s just your period.”

PT Elan Schneider on Neuroplasticity and New Approaches to Treat Chronic Pain (chronicpainpartners.com)

Widespread chronic pain is one of the main symptoms for people with any type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and can be debilitating. At the same time, many common treatment options, particularly with pain medication, lead to side effects. But what if we could reduce our pain without any negative consequences? Chronic Pain Partners' Editor-in-Chief Karina Sturm spoke with Dr. Elan Schneider, co-founder of the Retrain Pain Foundation and CEO of TrainPain, about neuroplasticity and how it can be used to develop new and innovative management options for chronic pain.

We Are Visible Too! Episode 1: Sarah Rightmire (chronicpainpartners.com)

We Are Visible (Too) is an ongoing mini-film series portraying people with EDS all across the globe. In this mini-documentary series, we will continue on the We Are Visible – a feature-length film about people with EDS – journey and add a variety of 5 – 10 minute videos of other people across the country that live with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome to our Chronic Pain Partners Production’ Vimeo channel. All films are produced by journalist and We Are Visible filmmaker Karina Sturm and sponsored by Chronic Pain Partners.

What Happened to Maya Kowalski (thecut.com)

When a 10-year-old girl complained of mysterious pain, a doctor suspected child abuse. How far would she go to prove it?

The Game - Film and Storytelling (seedandspark.com)

Playing football in the park becomes a new frontier for Ben but for his dad, John, who’s chronically ill, it’s an opportunity to perform a miracle for his son. As appearances start to fray and John falls, he is forced to face his mortality and accept help from his seven-year old son.

Filmmaker Suri Ellerton, Her EDS Journey & New Film Highlighting The Challenges Of Disabled Parents (chronicpainpartners.com)

Suri Ellerton is a filmmaker based in New York, has three children, and lives with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and various comorbid conditions. In this interview with Chronic Pain Partners' Karina Sturm, Ellerton shares her EDS journey, what it means to be a disabled parent, and how her own experiences relate to her latest film project, "The Game."

Ultimate Guide to Buying a Wheelchair (scootaround.com)

We have used our 20+ years of expertise to compile this detailed Wheelchair Buyer’s Guide. Get answers to your questions now!

Getting Disability Benefits for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (disabilitysecrets.com)

If you have vascular or regular EDS with severe symptoms that prevent you from working, you may be able to get disability.

The Road to Recovery Was Paved By Me and My Wheelchair: Q&A With Ryann Mason (chronicpainpartners.com)

Ryann Mason is a disability advocate and has been living with EDS since their* diagnosis at 16 years old. Originally from a small rural town in Virginia, they were crowned Miss Virginia Wheelchair in 2020 and 2021, and since then, Mason has been rolling forward with their continued nursing and sex education programs for people with disabilities. Read on to hear her patient story, how she came to use mobility aids, and the ways she is helping others destigmatize delicate issues, such as how she teaches other disabled people to experience sexual fulfillment.

Book Review: The Bendy Twisty Zebra by Kimby Maxson (chronicpainpartners.com)

Move over, Dr. Seuss! Make room on children's bookshelves for The Bendy Twisty Zebra written by Kimby Maxson and illustration by Ron Houchens. With colorful characters, catchy rhymes, and a heart-felt message, The Bendy Twisty Zebra brings to mind some of Dr. Seuss's famous books.

Pey Carter and Daughter Abigail Speak About Their EDS Children's Book (chronicpainpartners.com)

Pey Carter, a public speaker and author from Eau Claire, WI, and their daughter, Abigail Bailey, have a children's book about Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome in the works: Bendy Bones and Stretchy Skin: An Ehlers-Danlos Story. In addition, Pey just finished a Kickstarter for an Ehlers-Danlos coloring book and is working on a memoir of their own. In between literary pursuits, Pey spends the majority of their time speaking and spreading awareness about a variety of issues that they are passionate about. Pey and Abigail took a little time to speak with one of our volunteers, Kate Schultz, in mid-April about their children's book and Pey's other advocacy projects.

Kayla Hamilton (khamiltonprojects.com)

Kayla Hamilton is an artist, producer, and educator originally from Texarkana, Texas and now reside in Bronx, NY. Kayla earned a BA in Dance from Texas Woman’s University and an MS Ed in Special Education from Hunter College. She is a member of the 2017 Bessie-award winning cast of the Skeleton Architecture, the future of our world's curated by Eva Yaa Asantewaa. In addition to Skeleton Architecture, Kayla dance with Sydnie L. Mosley Dances and Gesel Mason Performance Projects, teach master classes around the United States, and the recipient of Angela’s Pulses’ Dancing While Black 2017 Fellowship. Under the name K. Hamilton Projects, Kayla self-produced numerous projects, organizes community events, and write arts integrated curriculum throughout NYC. When Kayla is not dancing, she's a special education teacher at the Highbridge Green School who loves to watch Law and Order on Hulu while sipping on peppermint tea.

John Slatin AccessU 2024 (knowbility.org)

Knowbility's annual conference on digital accessibility is May X-Y, 2024. Hands on exploration and in-depth instructional training - 21 years strong.

John Slatin AccessU 2024 • Powered by Knowbility (events.humanitix.com)

John Slatin AccessU 2024 - 21 Years of practical digital accessibility instruction, training, and networking.

Seychelles to improve lives of people with disabilities with Commonwealth assistance (thecommonwealth.org)

The Commonwealth Secretariat and the Government of Seychelles hosted a series of events in Victoria this month to boost progress on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which includes the right to live independently and education without discrimination based on disability.

Why you should stop for someone with a white cane (spectrumlocalnews.com)

New York law requires yielding to walkers with some canes.

The next Census could undercount the number of disabled Americans by 20 million (statnews.com)

About 20 million disabled people may be erased if the U.S. Census Bureau moves forward with changes to disability data collection methods.

5 Incredible Ways Technology Can Empower Disabled People (martynsibley.com)

In a recent interview with the head of accessibility at Google, Christopher Patnoe, I uncovered five remarkable ways technology is transforming the lives of disabled people. From enabling accessible navigation to enhancing gaming experiences, these innovations are making a significant difference.

Top 10 disability and accessibility TED talks and Videos (open.substack.com)

#9 isn’t about accessibility or disability at all, but still holds enormous value when thought about in an a11y/disability context

Migrant Ball of Thread by Sonia Gregorio (royalcourttheatre.com)

This is the story of four women, in a place very similar to an ant’s nest. Every year, a man leaves and promises to return with the prospect of a better life. Every year, a woman is left waiting. This is a community in rural Oaxaca.

New Experiences Abroad – Elisa Marino (enil.eu)

The Youth Leadership Programme (YLP) involves recruiting 4 young disabled activists to spend a week with an organisation advocating for independent living and the rights of disabled people in another European country for 1 week each. Today, you’ll learn about the story of Ivana Jankovic who is from Montenegro and going to Budapest, Hungary.

Maryland stumbles when autism and violent crime collide (thebaltimorebanner.com)

Joel Johnson-Liphart was ruled not competent to stand trial for manslaughter in the death of his grandmother six years ago. Now he’s back in court after assaulting his caregiver at a group home. It’s not clear if Maryland is equipped to deal with this.

Disability History Month: 'The Cripple Suffragette' (lucywebster.substack.com)

The story of Rosa May Billinghurst, a true disability icon.

10 of the Best Disability Books of 2023 (bookriot.com)

This year has had a lot of great disability literature to explore. Here are 10 of the best titles.

A CEO who struggles socially was diagnosed with autism aged 41. It's helped her understand herself and deepen her relationships. (insider.com)

As a teenager, Heather Florio read books to study social cues and understand behaviors like sarcasm. An autism diagnosis helped her past make sense.

What Happens to Disabled Students During School Shootings? (teenvogue.com)

“I always have this fear in the back of my head: Will I be left behind?”

Making Connection: Is Access an Issue of Ethics (events.humanitix.com)

Should we be tackling Australian ethical systemic beliefs or something else in supporting change in access to equality for disabled peoples?

Mentoring | Arts Access Victoria (artsaccess.com.au)

Mentoring Arts Access Victoria connects Deaf and Disabled artists with mentors to achieve individual artistic goals. Mentoring is a one–on–one relationship to support career development at all levels and across all artforms. The aim is to discover how to ‘do the right things’ to progress along your particular professional pathway. How does it work? We align artistic and NDIS goals with you.

Future Reset – Maker Space (artsaccess.com.au)

Future Reset – Maker Space is a series of online and in person visual and digital arts workshops. We will help you learn new skills and give you the resources to create new works and new friends! You will have the opportunity to showcase new works at the end.

Midsumma Festival - The Reclamation of Terra (midsumma.org.au)

Through social championing, the rainbow community has historically proven that together it has the power to enact great change. Right now, there is no greater change required than saving the Earth.

Unbelievable David Hoyle Cures Woman In A Wheelchair Live! (youtube.com)

Things take an unexpected turn when David Hoyle summons spirits to cure Liz Carr's need for a wheelchair.

A network of queer thinkers, makers, and performers (feralqueercamp.com)

Feral Queer Camp is a project that brings together a feral cohort who consider: how we learn (from each other) about what makes performance queer; how we talk about queer performance; how we make performance; and, above all, how we might develop a network of queer thinkers who can talk amongst ourselves and to others about queer performance.

Full Festival Bundle - The Other Film Festival (cinema3.acmi.net.au)

An all access pass to the 10 films included in The Other Film Festival in 2023.

When The Sky Was Blue (cinema3.acmi.net.au)

On a Sunday between meals and chores with her family, ten-year-old Leah re-lives a series of memories, not all pleasant. There’s a disturbing disquiet in this unremarkable on the surface family, while personal tensions simmer and boil beneath the banal preparations and family greetings and sharings. It’s a meditative and wistful glance into the intersectional identities of being Chinese-Australian.

Beauty is a Verb (books.google.com.au)

Beauty is a Verb is a ground-breaking anthology of disability poetry, essays on disability, and writings on the poetics of both. Crip Poetry. Disability Poetry. Poems with Disabilities. This is where poetry and disability intersect, overlap, collide and make peace.

Resistance Red Carpet Event (events.humanitix.com)

Join the Resistance! A red carpet event as part of The Other Film Festival's Resistance program, including the awarding of the Lesley Hall Scholarship.

The Other Film Festival (cinema3.acmi.net.au)

The Other Film Festival presents Resistance – streaming Deaf and Disability-led International feature documentaries and Australian shorts.

Gove rejects suggestion that disabled people not prioritised for support during pandemic – as it happened (theguardian.com)

Michael Gove asked about Boris Johnson suggestion package to protect people with disabilities should be prepared ‘in slower time’

Sai Kaustuv Dasgupta Receives Highest Diversity Leadership Award from Asia Pacific HRM Congress (mydiversability.com)

Sai Kaustuv Dasgupta Receives Highest Diversity Leadership Award from Asia Pacific HRM Congress.

£5.3M investment powers innovative projects for enhanced rail accessibility (disabilityinsider.com)

AI technology could soon see live staff announcements across train tickers to ensure passengers with hard of hearing do not miss vital updates, thanks to a government funding competition announced on 23 November.

Lancaster University's guide helps teachers understand special learning differences (disabilityinsider.com)

A comprehensive guide on how to teach languages to learners with Specific Learning Differences (SpLDs) has been produced by a Lancaster University professor.

Australian report urges inclusive domestic violence services for disabled women (disabilityinsider.com)

A new report from People with Disability Australia (PWDA) has highlighted the significant barriers women and children with disability face when accessing domestic and family violence services. The report, produced as part of the national peak body’s Building Access Project, outlines the roadmap forward to ensure these essential services are safe, inclusive and accessible to all women and children with disability.

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