Apple announces new accessibility features, including Eye Tracking
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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Thank you,
Raul
We wrote a children’s book (in german)
Hand-picked news about inclusion, accessibilty and innovation
Apple announces new accessibility features, including Eye Tracking (apple.com)
Apple today announced new accessibility features coming later this year, including Eye Tracking, Music Haptics, and Vocal Shortcuts.
National Museums of Liverpool recognises the benefit of welcoming disabled people (euansguide.com)
A blog post about National Museums of Liverpool has recognised the benefit of welcoming disabled people to their venues by sharing information on their disabled access. As well as listing with Euan’s Guide, they’ve added a series of guides and visual stories to their website on their autism friendly venues in Liverpool.
‘The level of hate was dangerous’: Michelle Terry on the backlash to her casting as Richard III (theguardian.com)
Artistic director of Shakespeare’s Globe says much of the anger about a non-disabled actor playing the role has been misogynistic
All of Me - a hot disabled love story premiering Off-Broadway (youtube.com)
Your classic romantic comedy! Boy meets girl. Girl likes boy. Their families push them a part as their love pulls them together. Don't miss this Off-Broadway at The Pershing Square Signature Center!
American Women Quarters™ Program (womenshistory.si.edu)
Staff at the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum helped bring this program to life.
On the Ancestral Plane: Crip Hand Me Downs and the Legacy of Our Movements (disabilityvisibilityproject.com)
My favorite boots are socks. Crip socks. Made out of brown leather to look like shoes, wearing them out in public as a wheelchair user is still socially acceptable. I loved these boot socks unabashedly, and wore them every day until two years ago, when I slipped in the bathroom at work. I fell because socks, unlike real actual shoes, do not have anti-grip soles (or soles in general). A nondisabled coworker had to check on me on the bathroom floor. No incident report filed, but it was disabled childhood humiliation relived all over again. I put the boots away, dismayed and furious at how much I let myself love shoes that could cause physical injury.
Alice Wong Redefines ‘Disability Intimacy’ in New Anthology (kqed.org)
The essays reflect on friendships, parent-child bonds, romantic relationships and disability communities.
Alt Text Selfies (alttextselfies.net)
An alt text selfie is any written self-portrait. This project takes a well-known practice—the selfie—and approaches it through a disability lens.
And They Lived… Ever After (risingflame.org)
Rising Flame and HarperCollins India have published a first-ever anthology of disabled women retelling fairy tales called ‘And they lived … Ever after’. This anthology has been written by 13 disabled women from across India and Sri Lanka. The writers are women with disabilities like deafness, blindness, autism, locomotor, dyslexia, ADHD, psychosocial etc. These writers range from lawyers, professors, entrepreneurs, special educators, marketing professionals and so on. These authors came together to see themselves in popular stories like Ugly Duckling, Rapunzel, Pinocchio, Cinderella, Snow White & Rumplestiltskin.
The Backwards Hand (nupress.northwestern.edu)
Told in lyric fragments, The Backwards Hand traces Matt Lee’s experience living in the United States for more than thirty years with a rare congenital defect. Weaving in historical research and pop culture references, Lee dissects how the disabled body has been conflated with impurity, worthlessness, and evil. His voice swirls amid those of artists, criminals, activists, and philosophers. With a particular focus on horror films, Lee juxtaposes portrayals of fictitious monsters with the real-life atrocities of the Nazi regime and the American eugenics movement. Through examining his struggles with physical and mental health, Lee confronts his own beliefs about monstrosity and searches for atonement as he awaits the birth of his son.
Disabled artists take to the stage amid concerns of under-representation (sbs.com.au)
Kirsten Busby is walking a path that few have gone down before her. The soprano is blind, and is forging a career as an opera singer. But she hopes her story helps to shift the mindset that's contributed to people with disabilities being under-represented in the arts.
TREMOR (theresponseproject.org)
A response to my recently-diagnosed neurological condition, essential tremor, which makes my hands shake. Commissions for piano, visual art, and multimedia exploring perceptions of ability/disability, personal expression in the face of misunderstanding, and belonging in a world ill-equipped to welcome.
Comics with Disabilities (kpfa.org)
Tune in to a special hour-long Pushing Limits program this Friday at 2 pm. We will be talking to Nina G, comedian and author of Stutterer Interrupted and Bay Area Stand-Up Comedy: A Humorous History.
Disabilities Beat: French disability rights leaders visit Buffalo (wbfo.org)
Recently, Buffalo hosted leaders from the Deaf community in France as part of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) through the US Department of State. Among them was a notable figure in the French disability rights movement: Jérémie Boroy. Boroy serves as the advisor to the Mayor of Paris on people with disabilities and is the chairperson of the National Advisory Council for Persons with Disabilities (Conseil national consultatif des personnes handicapées). Boroy, who is deaf, has also had a hand in the creation and revision of French disability rights laws. WBFO's Disabilities Beat Reporter Emyle Watkins sat down with Boroy during his visit to hear his thoughts on what our two countries could learn from each other in terms of disability rights and equity for deaf people.
British Council focuses on ASEAN creative economy (asianews.network)
British Ambassador to ASEAN Sarah Tiffin highlighted the potential for mutual exchange between the creative economies of Britain, Indonesia and other ASEAN member states.
The Tuba Thieves (pbs.org)
The experimental documentary The Tuba Thieves is about deaf storytelling and the very nature of sound and listening.
Device aids recovery of people with spinal injuries, trial finds (theguardian.com)
Improved strength, control and sensation from use of Arc-Ex device described as small but life-changing
ISTE and CAST Announce New Partnership to Elevate the EdTech Landscape (educatingalllearners.org)
Today, the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and CAST announced a new partnership aimed at enriching the educational technology landscape through enhanced support and training around the CAST Universal Design for Learning (UDL) certification. This collaboration was established under both organizations’ dedication to educational excellence, accessibility and inclusivity.
Augmented Body, Altered Mind’ as well as the national launch of ‘Divergently Together’ (disabilityaction.org)
Critically acclaimed artist AlanJames Burns with Creative Ireland and DCU presents an exciting interactive art experience in Cavan this June
‘Heartbreaking irresponsibility’ in pandemic political leadership at Covid Inquiry in Belfast (disabilityaction.org)
Disability Action Northern Ireland criticise ‘heartbreaking irresponsibility’ in pandemic political leadership at Covid Inquiry in Belfast
Industrial Tribunals and Fair Employment Tribunal Recruitment competition (disabilityaction.org)
Recruitment competition open for non-legal members of the Industrial Tribunals and Fair Employment Tribunal
Proposed Accessibility Laws Will Help Those 'being left behind,' Says Advocate (educatingalllearners.org)
The province has proposed laws to improve accessibility for public and private sector spaces, including standards and penalties for failing to comply.
Emergency (sproutflix.org)
‘Emergency” is the 2024 music video release from one of Australia’s most unique rock acts. “Smokin skies, Amazon’s burnin and the world is hurting – it’s the planet we call home.”
„Wir brauchen Wissen, damit wir als Minderheit überleben“ (fr.de)
Klimaforscherin Sasha Kosanic über die Auswirkungen des Klimawandels auf Menschen mit Behinderungen und die Lücke in der Wissenschaft. Ein Interview.
NHS’s leading wheelchair provider told to improve as people wait up to two years (theguardian.com)
Exclusive: ombudsman writes to AJM Healthcare after a sharp rise in complaints over delays for wheelchairs and parts
Budget falls short in restoring confidence to disability sector (disabilityinsider.com)
The 2024-25 Federal Budget was a missed opportunity for government to support quality disability services and provide much-needed confidence to a sector in crisis.
NZ government forms panel for disability services review (disabilityinsider.com)
The former diplomat Sir Maarten Wevers will lead the independent review into the disability support services administered by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha.
Disney unveils new Disability Access Service to improve guest experience (disabilityinsider.com)
Disney has unveiled changes to its Disability Access Service (DAS) to better accommodate guests with disabilities at its theme parks. The updated Disability Access Service (DAS) is now in effect and is exclusively available to guests with developmental disabilities such as autism. This change marks a shift in the accessibility services offered by the park, ensuring that those who genuinely need the service can benefit from it.
Share a Story Month: My experience with Epilepsy (disabilitydirect.com)
I had to have a sense of maturity immediately at a young age, having the responsibility of taking medication 2-4 times a day by age 13 and understanding I was not the same as my peers. Juxtapose that with being wrapped in cotton wool by my entire family until age 16.
Share a Story Month: The difference in our Autism experiences (disabilitydirect.com)
J was diagnosed at 4 years old after several traits were noticed by myself, his dad, my parents and his nursery workers, and these traits had been evident by the time he was 2 years old. J will grow up in a world where autism is more accepted and he will grow up knowing that he is autistic and getting the relevant support from family and school. He will understand autism to be a strength, that allows him to think differently, notice things others might miss, and store large amounts of complex information about his special interests. J is vibrant and unashamed and completely content with who he is, with happy hands and happy humming that haven’t repeatedly been told to keep still and keep quiet.
Government to investigate ‘fake disabled’ mystery shopper rail claims (disabilitynewsservice.com)
The government is to investigate claims that rail companies are using “mystery shoppers” who are pretending to be disabled as a way of providing data on the accessibility of their services.
A user's guide to video conferencing apps (businessdisabilityforum.org.uk)
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, video conferencing apps have remained in widespread use for remote and hybrid meetings. As such, it is vital that employers and users understand the accessibility features of the platform(s) they use.
Accessibility fundamentals (learn.microsoft.com)
At Microsoft, we understand the power of technology, and that’s why we continue to innovate, create, and design in a way that gives everyone the ability to achieve more. Trainings like this learning path, which covers accessibility fundamentals, are an important and necessary part of Microsoft’s accessibility strategy to support customers of all abilities. Don’t forget to share your awards on social media after completing each module!
Mystery Shopping: Why Genuine Experiences Matter in Accessibility (accessiblelink.substack.com)
Facing the reality is always a good start.
Disability representation in the media (disabilityhorizons.com)
Disability Horizons contributor Sarah Ismail writes about the portrayal of disability in the media and provides an analysis of the current state of affairs.
The week in TV: Better Off Dead?; Bridgerton; The Gathering; The Big Cigar – review (theguardian.com)
Assisted dying is shockingly unpacked by Liz Carr; Nicola Coughlan moves centre stage in Netflix’s Regency romp; Skins meets Euphoria in a Liverpool psychodrama. Plus, the trouble with a ‘mostly true’ Black Panthers drama
Fewer than one in 10 arts workers in UK have working-class roots (theguardian.com)
The cultural sector falls short on other measures of diversity too, with 9o% of workers white, says new report
Apple Announces New Accessibility Features: Eye Tracking, Music Haptics, and More (assistivetechnologyblog.com)
Apple unveils new accessibility features for iPhone and iPad, including Eye Tracking and Music Haptics, to enhance the user experience for people with disabilities.
Proud Flesh (meriahnichols.com)
Proud Flesh, "exuberant granulation tissue" the first stage in the creation of scar tissue. For me, more aptly stated as an end rather than a beginning
Eurostar reverses wheelchair policy that left user stranded, after Observer campaign (theguardian.com)
Passengers were left abandoned and humiliated after operator banned staff from providing assistance
Chris Redding Creates Album to Communicate With Nonverbal Autistic Son (hollywoodlife.com)
Chris Redding, a renowned recording artist, songwriter, and producer, is making headlines with his latest studio album, 'Visions of Sounds.'
Time, distance and staffing pose challenges to health care in rural North Dakota (heart.org)
North Dakota turns to telemedicine and community education to cope with heart and health care challenges in rural areas.
From 'Fresh Prince' Star to Entrepreneur: Tatyana Ali's Journey to Empowering Black... (youtube.com)
Ever wonder what the Fresh Prince star, Tatyana Ali has been up to since her iconic role in the hit tv show? Join us as we explore Tatyana Ali's background, her multifaceted career, and the heartfelt mission behind her most recent venture, Baby Yams.
Wisconsin researchers help expand Medicare treatment options for some cancer patients (wpr.org)
More than a decade of research support by the Medical College of Wisconsin led Medicare to cover stem cell transplants for patients with a bone marrow cancer.
More than 200 million seniors face extreme heat risks in coming decades, study finds (npr.org)
A new study warns that millions of people around the world who are 69 years or older will be at risk of dying in heat waves by 2050.
Accessibility Gaps in Gov Tech: Advice from a Blind Advocate (govtech.com)
Local governments are increasingly using technology such as kiosks, chatbots and online forms to streamline services, but are these tools accessible to everyone? Data reveals critical gaps that may have simple fixes.
Sacco: With new partnership, Scottsdale aims to become accessible tourism destination (yourvalley.net)
As the name implies, at Experience Scottsdale, we want everyone, from all corners and walks of life, to discover the wonders of our Sonoran Desert city. We hope visitors, no matter their background or abilities, not only feel welcome but also have the best possible experience in our community.
Accessible Beaches Australia (accessiblebeaches.com)
Created out of necessity. We work in partnership with councils, life saving clubs and organisations to make beaches accessible to all people.
Half of Kings Heath businesses not wheelchair accessible (bbc.com)
A community group is working with shops and other businesses in a Birmingham area to make adjustments.
Better disabled accessibility needed for B.C. taxi, ride-hailing industry, committee says (globalnews.ca)
Committee members say they are concerned people with disabilities face systemic barriers and discrimination when they try to access transport services.
Experts meet in Kenya to promote digital accessibility in Africa (english.news.cn)
Experts began a three-day meeting in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, on Tuesday to promote digital accessibility and assistive technology for people living with disabilities across the African continent.
Stakeholders call for digital accessibility to unlock job opportunities for PWDs (standardmedia.co.ke)
Philip Thigo, the Special Envoy on Technology said digital inclusion is an enabler for people with disabilities to access jobs and enterprise opportunities being presented by technology.
The invisible challenges of digital accessibility (thespec.com)
Denying individuals access to digital content and services because of their disabilities is a form of discrimination, plain and simple.
Jersey bus operator looking to improve accessibility (bbc.com)
LibertyBus published its Social Impact Report about improving its services.
Upwards Of 800 Million People With Vision Impairments Lack Access To Eyeglasses (healthpolicy-watch.news)
It’s one of the world’s oldest health technologies with recorded use by the Greeks and Romans – and modern eye glasses appearing on the noses of Venetian monks and scholars as early as the 13th century.
Why Pioneering Accessible Advertising Is an Exciting (and Lucrative) Opportunity (lbbonline.com)
Little Black Book, Speaking at Advertising Week Europe, P&G’s Matt Thomas and AMV BBDO’s Henrietta Corley sat down with The Valuable 500’s Kate Tilkowska to discuss the value of making advertising more accessible, writes LBB’s Alex Reeves
Producers push back on cinema accessibility guidelines (thehindu.com)
Film producers’ associations pushed back earlier this year on accessibility guidelines proposed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to make cinemas more accessible to the visually and hearing impaired.
Forget time or budget excuses - How can employers get up to scratch with e-learning accessibility? (hrgrapevine.com)
Given well over one in five workers have a disability, inaccessible e-learning content is not only illegal under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, but also puts a huge proportion of the workforce at a disadvantage.
Wasatch High School student who is blind explains her experience and her quest for accurate representation (parkrecord.com)
“I guess I would consider myself an activist for disability rights and being able to talk about that and to advocate for myself and other disabled people,” Mia Waker said. “My goal is to share my story and other stories so that people are more aware of disability.”
Disabled people demand to meet Gov. Abbott over low wages for personal care attendants (eu.statesman.com)
Disabled people and personal care attendants protest at the governor’s mansion to demand that Gov. Greg Abbott raise wages for the attendants.
How the EXPLORE Act is Promoting Accessibility on Public Lands (eesi.org)
America’s public lands, including national parks, forests, recreation areas, and more, have long been considered one of the nation’s treasures, full of stunning vistas and breathtaking recreational opportunities. However, navigating federal public lands is not always an easy task—especially for families and people with disabilities. Visitors and employees struggle with limited restrooms, spotty cell service, and parking shortages. Many trails and activities are entirely inaccessible to those with limited mobility. Meanwhile, the communities surrounding parks and public lands struggle to manage their role as gateways while dealing with issues like housing shortages and overtourism.
From virtual tutors to accessible textbooks: 5 ways AI is transforming education (weforum.org)
These case studies demonstrate how AI can benefit education by addressing the many complex challenges global education systems face.
Another step towards accessibility - Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy (gov.pl)
Today, the Sejm adopted the Act on ensuring that business entities meet accessibility requirements for certain products and services, known as the Polish Accessibility Act. The regulation, prepared by the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy, transposes the Directive on the accessibility requirements for products and services, known as the European Accessibility Act (EAA) into Polish law. Thanks to its provisions, people with special needs will have easier access to the most common products and services such as computers, phones, tablets, e-books, e-commerce, and digital information services in passenger transport.
Commentary: Greater infrastructure accessibility creates more connections for everyone (postandcourier.com)
The book “How Infrastructure Works” by Deb Chachra, a professor at Olin College of Engineering, shows that infrastructure is defined by connections it makes.
Adopt, Build, and Innovate for accessibility and disability inclusion (youtube.com)
Through the Microsoft accessibility horizons approach, partners can create a long-term value chain of inclusion with their employees and customers. Watch how Nexer, mhance, and WPP are leading to enhance colleague experiences, establish inclusive infrastructure, and transform industry and customer experiences.
Inside PBS Kids’ Decision To Add ASL Interpretation To Several Of Its Popular Shows (forbes.com)
The ASL initiative was a collaborative undertaking between PBS Kids, Bridge Multimedia, and the Described and Captioned Media Program.
Accessible Retail: The Benefits of Making a Welcoming Website for Everyone (retailtouchpoints.com)
Many retailers view compliance as a game of odds and bet they’ll slip under the radar, but identifying accessibility gaps isn’t difficult.
Guest blog: Supporting the creation of a level playing field for disabled drivers in motorsport (theengineer.co.uk)
Pupsi Phull, operations Director for RS UK&I, outlines how an inspiring engineering-led initiative is helping to make motorsport more accessible for all.
What Is Accessibility? Accessibility Examples in Business (youtube.com)
Learn more about what is accessibility in UX Design with Vitaly Friedman, brought to you by the Interaction Design Foundation (IxDF). This video explores not only the definition of accessibility but also its significant impact on businesses and organizations globally. Discover through real-world examples, like the innovative approach taken by Booking.com, how understanding and implementing accessibility can transcend traditional views and benefit various user scenarios—from permanent disabilities to situational challenges faced by travelers.
Xperia’s Accessibility initiatives – Drawing accessibility out of the dark (Eng ver.)(youtube.com)
As part of our goal to create accessible products that enable everyone to communicate freely, whatever their individual needs, Xperia has a range of accessibility initiatives.
The SEO and Web Accessibility power couple: Supercharged by AI (farzana-irani.medium.com)
How AI is revolutionising the way we optimise websites
Accessibility Is Sustainability—and It Can Be Beautiful, Too (architectmagazine.com)
Diversity, equity, and inclusion prop up the societal pillar of sustainable design.
How Elevator Modernization Ensures Accessibility and Compliance (buildings.com)
Accessible, ADA-compliant elevators are an indispensable part of multi-level buildings, ensuring equitable access for people with disabilities and safety for all passengers.
AMV BBDO on why accessibility is an unmissable opportunity (marketing-beat.co.uk)
Agencies have a key role in helping clients improve their approaches to accessibility, according to AMV BBDO business director Henrietta Corley.
What all of us should know about digital accessibility (sarahhortondesign.com)
In the spring of 2021, I was invited by Phil Laplante, editor of the What Every Engineer Should Know book series, to submit a proposal for a book on digital accessibility. I had connected with him previously about my opinion article, Empathy Cannot Sustain Action in Technology Accessibility, for the Web Accessibility Research Topic in Frontiers in Computer Science. I emailed him to let him know that I had been inspired by his IEEE Computer article on software professionalism and had quoted him in my article.
Inclusion, digital accessibility vital for mutual growth (nation.africa)
In today’s Digital Age, access to technology is synonymous with access to opportunity.
6 ways digital accessibility is good for business (modbee.com)
To identify the areas where digital accessibility efforts improved performance for most businesses, accessiBe analyzed 2023 survey data from Level Access.
Calls for more accessible facilities across Australia (abc.net.au)
Trusted and independent source of local, national and world news. In-depth analysis, business, sport, weather and more.
Stories from the Underground (youtube.com)
Tonight, we are thrilled to welcome to Stephanie Fenton from WebCraft! She's joining Laura and Nato LIVE in house! Stephanie is a disability advocate and accessibility pioneer who started WebCraft to make games that are accessible to every BODY.
Speakers Corner: Does Toronto have an accessibility problem? (youtube.com)
People who use wheelchairs to get around point out a glaring example of how Ontario is nowhere near its goal to be “fully accessible” by 2025.
Exploring nature in a powered wheelchair (news.motability.co.uk)
Disability creative, Pippa Stacey, shares her experience and top tips for exploring nature in a powered wheelchair.
Unique unites us (unlocked.microsoft.com)
We’re not all the same. Why should our tech be?
“Accessibility is a permanent task” (ethz.ch)
How accessible is ETH Zurich? On the occasion of the “Rights of Persons with Disabilities Action Days” taking place throughout Switzerland from mid-May to mid-June, Ulrich Weidmann, Vice President for Infrastructure, takes stock of the “Barrier-free at ETH Zurich” programme and explains what still needs to be done.
Accessibility fuels innovation (jpmorgan.com)
By John Jones, Managing Director, Digital Experience Design and Digital Innovation.
What 65 Is Like as Boomers’ ‘Silver Tsunami’ Crests (aarp.org)
As the boomers’ ‘silver tsunami’ crests, the age once synonymous with retirement means something very different.
Websites Are Not Books (onsman.com)
We speak of web “pages”, we “bookmark” websites, we use software to “browse” websites – we seem determined to pretend that the web is some kind of bookshop.
Bigger than the machine (disabilitydebrief.org)
Ida Putri's journey into activism and creating opportunities for others
University of Phoenix Shares Survey Findings on Accessibility Skills and Training Opportunities in the Workplace on Global Accessibility Awareness Day (morningstar.com)
Survey of people leaders in information technology, healthcare and education fields commissioned with The Harris Poll highlights strengths and opportunities for developing accessibility skills in the workplace.
Why US faith communities are prioritising inclusivity and accessibility (thestar.com.my)
Georgia's places of worship take steps to be more inclusive of people with disabilities.
Why children with disabilities are missing school and losing skills (npr.org)
A special education staffing crisis is raging through many U.S. school districts. It's taking a toll on students and families.
Helping Starbucks design stores that are inclusive for all (mckinsey.com)
The coffee company worked with McKinsey to create a design framework for more inclusive spaces for persons with disabilities
‘History is for everyone’: New emphasis of accessibility coming to Rock Co. Historical Society (wmtv15news.com)
The Rock County Historical Society will begin the expanded accessibility tours in June.
Disabled Kids Are All But Erased In TV And Film. Here's How We're Fixing That. (huffpost.com)
When parents see their families portrayed authentically, it fosters a sense of validation, empathy and belonging.
Some early voters deal with persistent accessibility issues at Macon’s new election office (aol.com)
A year after accessibility concerns were first raised about the Macon Mall early voting site, some voters are concerned the location still lacks sufficient accommodations.
The ALS Association Helps Secure Easier Air Travel and Benefits for People Living With ALS
Many Churches Aren’t Accessible—Here’s Why That’s a Problem for Voters (progressive.org)
Churches account for 20 percent of all polling places in the United States, but religious entities are exempt from the ADA.
I Was 'Supermom.' When I Suddenly Became Disabled, I Expected Empathy — Not This. (huffpost.com)
"In my darkest moments, school officials who used to applaud my parenting now wondered if I was up for the task."
Some older Americans splurge to keep homes accessible while others struggle to make safety upgrades (apnews.com)
Living at home as long as possible is preferred by a vast majority of adults over 50. But the real estate market and inflation has made doing so less of a choice.
Disabled Adults Shouldn’t Have to Pay This Price to Marry (nytimes.com)
Benefits programs force disabled adults who want to wed to choose between the support they need and the independence they deserve.
Global Disability Inclusion (globaldisabilityinclusion.com)
We are a boutique consulting firm offering disability inclusion strategies and solutions to Global 500 Companies and U.S. Federal Contractors.
CHALLENGE: Accessibility know-how needs to go mainstream with developers. NOW. (mysqltalk.wordpress.com)
Relatively, there isn’t a lot of great information about accessibility out there. You really have to seek it out. How many of you know what JAWS is? After popping up IE6/IE7/IE8 et. al. to ensure website compatibility, do you also check your content in a screen reader?
Global Accessibility Awareness Day is a good reminder of the importance of digital accessibility (news.uthscsa.edu)
May 16 is the 13th annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). At UT Health San Antonio, this day is an important reminder that digital accessibility benefits many people in our community.
The third Thursday of May each year is Global Accessibility Awareness Day to talk, think and learn about accessibility.
DeafBlind Ontario Services urges increased inclusion for Global Accessibility Awareness Day (ptbotoday.ca)
With Global Accessibility Awareness Day being marked this Thursday (May 16th), DeafBlind Ontario Services is urging us to talk, think and learn more about increased inclusion for those with disabilities and impairments.
Advocating for diversity and accessibility: reflections on a podcast (ids.ac.uk)
On Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Jigyasa reflects on the podcast ‘Intersections in Education: Disability, Development & Gender’.
Firms Prioritize Digital Accessibility But Investment Still Lagging, Survey Shows (forbes.com)
The results of a wide-ranging survey undertaken by user testing firm Applause reveal companies need to invest more heavily in digital accessibility.
Xbox Celebrates Global Accessibility Awareness Day With Updates, Resources, More (forbes.com)
Xbox highlights three core tenets: community, accessories, and updates.
‘AI for All’: Samsung Bespoke AI Takes Accessibility a Step Forward (news.samsung.com)
Samsung’s Bespoke AI appliances are equipped with various features that reduce challenges faced by people with disabilities or anyone with difficulties using
How to get started with accessible storytelling using ArcGIS StoryMaps (esri.com)
May 16, 2024, is Global Accessibility Awareness Day, or GAAD. The goal of this day is to raise awareness about the diverse ways people experience digital content. Digital accessibility is an important topic since many people experience impediments when accessing digital content. In fact, over one billion people worldwide have impairments affecting vision, hearing, motor skills, or cognition that interfere with using digital technology.
Accessibility Solutions and Universal Design Services (wid.org)
WID centers the lived experiences of people with disabilities as part of the vital process of making products and services accessible.
WID GIFs on GIPHY (giphy.com)
To build a more inclusive global society, the World Institute on Disability (WID).
User Experience Testing (youtube.com)
WID is your global expert on user experience testing. Learn how our User Experience team helps companies to make physical spaces, products, equipment, websites, apps, and services accessible to people with disabilities with WID’s Director of Operations and Deputy Director Kat Zigmont.
The Impact Of Employee Resource Groups In The Workforce (forbes.com)
In today's increasingly diverse and globalized world, organizations are recognizing the importance of fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within their wor...
Why UX testing is so important for your product in 2023 (uxdesigninstitute.com)
This is your complete guide to UX testing (aka usability testing). Learn what UX testing is, why it’s important and how to do it with a simple 7-step plan.
DEI in 2022: Key trends and findings (cultureamp.com)
What does the research say about the current state of DEI in 2022? Learn about six key trends and where companies should invest to drive structural change.
Companies (thevaluable500.com)
500 CEOs and their companies have put disability inclusion on the leadership agenda and made a commitment to action.
Benefits of Adopting Inclusive Technology in the Workplace (knowledgecity.com)
Explore how inclusive technology can foster a more diverse, accessible, and productive work environment.
What's Up WID: Why Digital Accessibility Matters (wid.org)
In honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Google User Experience Research Manager and WID Board Member Miguel Quiñones is sharing why digital accessibility benefits people with disabilities and why it should be prioritized.
15 Books to Celebrate Disability Pride (nypl.org)
In New York City, July is recognized as Disability Pride Month. Since 2015, this month-long commemoration has been held in honor of the landmark legislation: Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). In response to systemic discrimination and negative views on disability and chronic illness, Disability Pride is a movement that seeks to celebrate people with disabilities for who they are, as they are—no exceptions. While New York's Disability Pride Parade has been temporarily postponed until 2022 due to the COVID-19 health pandemic, you can still celebrate from home...with the help of a few great books!
HHS Finalizes Rule Strengthening Protections Against Disability Discrimination (hhs.gov)
Final Rule advances equity and bolsters protections for people with disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) (youtube.com)
Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), and we’re diving deeper into Implementing Mainstream Technology in Inclusive Ways in this hour long webcast.
Meet the founders of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) (youtube.com)
Jenny Lay-Flurrie, Chief Accessibility Officer at Microsoft, chats with Joe Devon and Jennison Asuncion, the co-founders of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) about the origin, purpose, and impact of GAAD, as well as what's trending in accessibility today.
Four new ways we’re partnering with the disability community (blog.google)
We’re excited to announce the Google Rising Influencers with Disabilities Program, a first of its kind program to support people with disabilities.
Our commitment to digital accessibility and inclusion (cvshealth.com)
We believe accessibility enables inclusion, and we work to provide meaningful access to everyone.
Accessibility is personal at Oracle (blogs.oracle.com)
Look inside Oracles ‘Accessibility is Personal’ program and see the difference it’s making to our people.
Three Easy Steps to Make Your Product More Accessible (aws.amazon.com)
Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD); a day of awareness intended to draw attention to accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities around the world. It is a perfect time to reflect on the importance of accessibility in the cloud. At Amazon Web Services (AWS), our guiding principle of customer obsession extends to our work in accessibility. We believe that cloud computing and other products should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities or disabilities.
Embracing Digital Accessibility at P&G: Empowering Everyone (us.pg.com)
Celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day at P&G: Our commitment to digital inclusivity for a more accessible digital world.
8 Things to Know about Samsung Accessibility Features (news.samsung.com)
Did you know that in the U.S., up to 1 in 4 (27%) adults have some type of disability? Samsung believes in the power of technology to create a more inclusive world. We’re not just talking the talk. We lead by example in developing accessible innovations, fostering inclusivity while also championing digital access and inclusion, empowering every user to fully engage in the digital world.
Digital accessibility in 2024 (A GAAD Post) (blog.usablenet.com)
What does digital accessibility means on Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2024? Find out and share your thoughts with us in the comments or on social.
Building Truly Accessible Workplaces (forbes.com)
Creating accessible digital products and services is just one piece of the puzzle. Businesses need to build inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive.
Barriers to Digital Inclusion 2 (afb.org)
Documenting digital accessibility challenges for people who are blind or have low vision.
Project that makes automatic speech recognition tech more accessible is now sharing data with organisations (attoday.co.uk)
The Speech Accessibility Project, which aims to make automatic speech recognition technology more accessible to people with speech differences and disabilities, is now sharing some of its voice recordings and related data with universities, not-for-profit organisations, and companies.
Engineering a more accessible world (seas.harvard.edu)
SEAS seniors work with disability advocate to design new adaptive tech
ACCESS: Accessible Course Construction for Every Student's Success|Paperback (barnesandnoble.com)
ACCESS: Accessible Course Construction for Every Student's Success is a practical guide to digital course design that incorporates and exceeds current accessibility practices for disabled and non-disabled students in higher education. Today's rapid proliferation of online, blended, and hybrid learning systems has alerted college and university staff to unforeseen yet urgent lapses in accommodating students' various learning needs and preferences. This book offers a wealth of learning design and delivery strategies that meaningfully address the notions of accessibility that move beyond compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). Each chapter explores accessibility in a situated context, making this an ideal resource for instructional design students and professionals, learning scientists, disability support personnel, and faculty developing their own digital courses.
UO disability support office sees marked increase in demand (around.uoregon.edu)
The number of students seeking support from the UO for their disabilities has risen sharply in recent years, and the university office that assists them is rising to meet the need.
Raikes School team designs writing aid for people with dyslexia (newsroom.unl.edu)
A team of Huskers is creating a practical writing tool that can also help form better education plans for students with dyslexia.
Digital accessibility should be driven by community input, say Brock experts (brocku.ca)
While the journey to making the online world more accessible requires forward thought and technological innovation, a key component for progress dates back well before the creation of computers.
Digital accessibility should be driven by community input, say Brock experts (thoroldtoday.ca)
Listening to input from the community — in this case, centring the voices of disabled community members — is critical to enhancing digital access and inclusion for persons with disabilities
“Accessibility Champions” Help Open the Campus to Everyone (bowdoin.edu)
The Accessibility Task Force recently honored three members of the Bowdoin community—a student, a professor, and a staff person—who have "gone above and beyond in their committment to accessibility and inclusivity."
May 2024 Rebel Accessibility Heroes (unlv.edu)
For May 2024, the UNLV offices of educational compliance and accessibility resources recognize three UNLV colleagues from the Lied Libraries as our Rebel Accessibility Heroes. Cory Tucker (Head, Collections, Interlibrary Loan & Acquisitions) Jason Vaughan (Director, Library Technologies) and Jonathan Sturak (Head, Library Systems), each and collectively facilitated the procurement processes with the Office of Accessibility Resources for the UNLV Lied Libraries.
Adapting texts and websites for neurodivergent students (cursus.edu)
Understanding what surrounds us requires the ability to decode what we see. Some students, known as "neurodivergent" or having a "dys" disorder, have to try every day to grasp texts and websites designed for typical profiles. How about improving their accessibility?
Celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day by opening a disability savings account (michigan.gov)
With the approach of Global Accessibility Awareness Day next week, the Michigan Department of Treasury is encouraging hundreds of thousands of Michiganders with disabilities to open MiABLE savings accounts as one way of gaining more financial freedom to improve digital access and inclusion.
XR Accessibility Report – Shows Only 17% of Global Advertisements Utilize Any Kind of Accessibility Features (morningstar.com)
XR Extreme Reach, a global technology company that powers the creative economy, today released its 2024 Global Advertising Accessibility Index & Trends. The report reveals new insights into advertising accessibility worldwide, and launches the first global index that breaks down growth and development by market. The analysis of more than 100 countries revealed only 17% of advertisements were optimized for accessibility—leading to a significant number of overlooked audiences and ad impressions.
Baby born deaf can hear after breakthrough gene therapy (cuh.nhs.uk)
A baby girl born deaf can hear unaided for the first time, after receiving ground-breaking gene therapy when she was eleven months old at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.
Vogue model and ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ actress reveals she is deaf: ‘Disability doesn’t have a certain look’ (nypost.com)
"Hiding my disability has been one of the most draining things I've ever done," Georgia Meacham, 30, said.
Statement from Chief Accessibility Officer Stephanie Cadieux on first-ever National Air Accessibility Summit (canada.ca)
On May 9, 2024, Canada’s Chief Accessibility Officer, Stephanie Cadieux addressed attendees at Canada’s first-ever National Air Accessibility Summit.
AI, but make it fashion; Can travel be more accessible?: CBC's Marketplace cheat sheet (cbc.ca)
CBC's Marketplace rounds up the consumer and health news you need from the week.
Palace Museum signs agreement to improve accessibility (english.news.cn)
China's Palace Museum and the China Disabled Persons Federation on Sunday signed a strategic cooperation agreement to improve the museum's visitor experience for people with disabilities.
Palace Museum to enhance accessibility for people with disabilities (chinadaily.com.cn)
The Palace Museum in Beijing pledged on Sunday to enhance visitor accessibility and showcase cultural items by artists with disabilities.
Sheffield study calls for better film captions for deaf audiences (bbc.com)
Poor captions can result in deaf audiences being excluded, researchers say.
'I will not give up on Autism awareness', says Taunton mum (bbc.com)
Accessibility campaigner Laura Brown, has been nominated for a National Diversity Award.
Providing accessible spaces is a moral imperative and a strategic investment, expert says (theglobeandmail.com)
From cognitive impairments to sensory sensitivities, the need for accessibility in public and commercial spaces is evolving beyond physical mobility to a much wider spectrum of challenges.
Disabled Londoners and visitors gain access to support regarding what cycling options are available (attoday.co.uk)
Sustrans is working with partners to create a London-wide accessible cycle loan scheme, to provide improved options for disabled people.
How ‘Cousin Hodie Playdate’ Is Trying To Make Empathy Accessible To Every Child (forbes.com)
According to Harke, the production team wanted to target "a different demographic" with the neurodivergent community, as she noted it represents 20% of the population.
Accessibility survey finds 79 percent of web developers build accessibility into their design plans (attoday.co.uk)
Applause's Accessibility and Inclusive Design survey found that companies prioritise digital accessibility more than ever.
The 5th Inclusive Africa Conference on digital accessibility kicks off (youtube.com)
The 5th Inclusive Africa Conference has kicked off with a clarion call for better funding models that enable digital inclusion for people living with disabilities. With a theme on breaking barriers: Advancing Digital Accessibility for a Disability Inclusive Future in Africa, the government through the Special Envoy on Technology, Executive office of the president, Philip Thigo, has vowed to implement policies that address existing glaring gaps.
Zille Media aims to enhance media accessibility with Audio Description Editor (tvbeurope.com)
The company has worked with Motion Picture Solutions (MPS) on the development of the solution, which sits in the cloud-native Zille Platform.
Limitless Travel partners with Celebrity to expand accessible cruise portfolio (cruisetradenews.com)
Disabled-friendly travel specialist, Limitless Travel, has expanded its cruise offering with the launch of four new sailings with Celebrity Cruises for 2025.
Partnering with United Spinal to host the Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy (news.airbnb.com)
Airbnb and United Spinal will develop a first-of-its-kind Academy designed to support members of the mobility community in accessing the economic benefits of hosting on Airbnb.
DREDF Successfully Advocates for Disability Inclusion on Abortion.ca.gov (dredf.org)
After nearly two years of advocacy by Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) and other disability rights organizations, the State of California’s abortion information portal (Abortion.CA.Gov), now includes information specifically for people with disabilities about how to access abortion care.
Newmarket celebrating accessibility with sports fun (newmarkettoday.ca)
The Town of Newmarket is inviting residents to celebrate and recognize the contributions of persons with disabilities through a free event this month.
Microsoft Unveils Xbox Mobile Gaming Store: A New Era of Cross-Platform Accessibility (medium.com)
Microsoft is set to launch its highly anticipated Xbox mobile gaming store in July, marking a significant expansion of its gaming ecosystem beyond traditional consoles and PCs. The announcement, made by Xbox president Sarah Bond at the Bloomberg Technology Summit, outlines a strategic move by Microsoft to harness web technology to sidestep the restrictive policies of established mobile app stores like those of Apple and Google.
Microsoft introduces new Proteus Xbox accessibility controller, preorders available now (windowscentral.com)
Microsoft announces a new suite of accessibility improvements on the way for Xbox games, as well as a new Xbox accessibility controller.
Hell Welcomes All: Celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day (news.blizzard.com)
Learn how the Diablo IV team partners with the accessibility community to ensure anyone and everyone can play.
Council Post: How To Design And Build Inclusive, Accessible Mobile Apps (forbes.com)
If mobile apps don’t meet the needs of users of all ability levels, they’re not achieving their full potential impact and effectiveness.
Android gets Project Gameface gaming accessibility tool (hardwarezone.com.sg)
The accessibility feature lets gamers use their face and head to control in-game movements.
Making Interactive Elements Keyboard Accessible (inclusion.hsbc.com)
Web site created using create-react-app
Where the human brain (still) has an edge over AI (fastcompany.com)
How curiosity, emotional intelligence, and the capacity to learn from mistakes could present an enduring advantage over AI.
Lenovo Creates Product Diversity Policy, Celebrates 5 Years of Accessible Innovations (news.lenovo.com)
On Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2024, Lenovo is proud to announce a new global policy supporting its Product Diversity Office (PDO) and celebrate its fifth anniversary.
Google’s new Ask With Video is an accessibility godsend for me — here’s why (tomsguide.com)
I can finally find what I've been looking for
Android 15 to Enhance Accessibility with Easier Screen Magnification Features (pc-tablet.co.in)
Discover how Android 15 is set to improve accessibility with new screen magnification features, enhancing usability for all users.
Apple adds new accessibility features across the senses, including eye tracking (mashable.com)
More control for more people.
CarPlay in iOS 18 will add these new accessibility features (9to5mac.com)
Apple today previewed a number of new accessibility features coming to the iPhone and iPad as part of iOS 18 this fall. Among improvements like Eye Tracking and upgrades to Vision Pro, Apple also has plans to bring some accessibility updates to CarPlay.
Social Media + Disability + Picture Books = Friendship (schoollibraryjournal.com)
Two authors, who met via social media in 2017 and have been friends since, both published books centering children who happen to be disabled. Here they are in conversation about the need to call disability what it is, and to allow those with disabilities to have the same story lines as everyone else.
ArtLifting Collection (jansport.com)
For unmatched style, turn to a unique backpack. JanSports Artlifting Collection showcases artsy backpacks from different creatives. Shop the selection online now.
GBTA Launches Accessibility Toolkit (businesstravelnews.com)
The Global Business Travel Association Foundation has developed a toolkit to help buyers address traveler accessibility in their policies and practices, the organization announced.
Accessible partying: The dos and don'ts of a wheelie great night out (bbc.co.uk)
This weekend, I’m all for getting glammed up with my friends and having a blast on the town.
Conference Overview — RampYourVoice! (rampyourvoice.com)
Vilissa Thompson’s overall mission is for this inaugural RYV! Conference: Illuminating the Richness of Black Disabled People to intentionally center Black-disabled voices and perspectives by providing a safe and affirming space for Black-disabled people to virtually commune.
ROCK OF HOPE - Help two female filmmakers woman who stutter get this film made! (youtube.com)
"ROCK OF HOPE" is a story about an underrepresented voice in the stuttering community. Jay Jordan uses his life lessons to advocate for criminal justice reform that leads to his own freedom. This film is for the millions of people who stutter, for those who ever felt misunderstood, dumb, or hopeless. You are not alone.
Black & Queer Mental Health with Dr. Jonathan Mathias Lassiter (theblackwallsttimes.com)
Meet Dr. Lassiter, a clinical psychologist who addresses social stigma while working to create a more inclusive therapy experience
Disability in the History of Science, Technology and Medicine (disabilitystudies.nyu.edu)
The NYU Center for Disability Studies announces a new book series “Disability in the History of Science, Technology, and Medicine” to be published through Johns Hopkins University Press. CDS Director Mara Mills joins Jaipreet Virdi and Wayne Tan as Series Editors.
How Care Homes are Keeping Residents Connected to the World (bluebadgestyle.com)
When it comes to the world of residential care, many people assume that the residents are entirely separate from the outside world. There is something of a myth that residential care homes exist in a vacuum.
Ministers clawing back £251m from carers hit by DWP’s allowance failures (theguardian.com)
‘Strikingly large’ sum being recouped from people who fell foul of system that did not flag overpayments
A Story of Othering, Part Two (Down syndrome and Camp) (meriahnichols.com)
This is a continuation of a personal story about 13 year old Moxie (who has Down syndrome) and camp crush experience. The first part of the story is linked here: A Story of Othering, Part
Zero Project Call for Nominations 2025 (zeroproject.org)
The Zero Project Call for Nominations 2025 (#ZeroCall25) calls on innovative, impactful, and scalable solutions from around the world to submit their nominations for a Zero Project Award. Becoming a Zero Project Awardee opens doors, opportunities, and promotional channels with the support of the global Zero Project Network of more than 10,000+ experts and through exclusive initiatives to advance innovations for disability inclusion.
Equal Rights in Action Fund (ndi.org)
Democracy is more likely to develop and endure when all segments of a society are free to participate without suffering discrimination or reprisal. Recognizing the fundamental rights of all citizens, NDI has launched the Equal Rights in Action Fund (ERA Fund) to provide small grants to local organizations around the world who work to promote and defend the human rights of marginalized groups. Assistance provided through the ERA Fund is dedicated to achieving.
Get to know the candidates for the CRPD Committee 2024 elections! (internationaldisabilityalliance.org)
For each election for the CRPD Committee, as part of the TB-Net and to enhance the visibility of the process, the International Disability Alliance invites all the candidates to respond to the TB-Net / IDA questionnaire, which includes relevant questions on their qualifications and interest on becoming CRPD Committee members. Additionally, candidates have been invited to produce a two-minute video introducing themselves and responding to two of the more relevant questions of the questionnaire.
LITI-GATE – Victim Support Europe (victim-support.eu)
The LITI-GATE project – Strategic Litigation as a Gateway to address the rights of Persons with Disabilities in the European Union – brings together 6 partners from 5 countries with the aim to promote enforcement of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights with strategic litigation activities to address breaches of the fundamental rights of persons with intellectual and/or psychosocial disabilities.
Global Coalition on Deinstitutionalization (gc-di.org)
Equal Rights, Diverse Needs: Protections for children and women with disabilities and other high-risks groups under the UN Guidelines on deinstitutionalization, including in emergencies.
Centers for Independent Living in International Cooperation: Disabled People Leading their Own Future (us02web.zoom.us)
This event will highlight existing initiatives to finance CILs in low and middle-income countries. It will aim to raise awareness among development actors of the benefits of CILs as an investment, and to push for further action to build CILs in a variety of regions and contexts. The event will gather experts on the topic, donors that are currently funding CILs, representatives of CILs across the world, including in low and middle-income countries, and disabled users of the services. The event will be organized as a webinar, ensuring live captioning in English, Spanish and Japanese, international sign interpretation, and Spanish and Japanese simultaneous interpretation.
Enforcing EU law: Petitions Committee, European Ombudsman and Equality Bodies (us06web.zoom.us)
The European Disability Forum will release its EU Enforcement Toolkit during the Annual General Assembly. This document aims at providing the disability community with an overview of the remedy mechanisms available when our rights, as contained in EU legislation, are not respected. In this webinar, EDF will give a general presentation of the toolkit and dive into three of the mechanisms therein: The European Parliament Petitions’ Committee, the European Ombudsman and Equality Bodies. Thanks to speakers from the Ombudsman team, Equinet, National Equality Bodies and EDF Members we will be able to better understand how these mechanisms can support persons with disabilities defending their rights.
When love returns. 2nd speed-dating with legislation – learn about five laws in just one event (us06web.zoom.us)
After the success of the first speed-dating with legislation, the EDF team is pleased to invite you for a second date – meaning an event about five legislations in which we advocated for disability rights, so in no time you can get to know them, what they do, what their intentions are, their charms and weaknesses.
Many disabled people cannot live out their sexuality or exercise their sexual citizenship without assistance. There is a lack of knowledge concerning experiences and needs related to personal assistance to live out one’s sexuality and how to support sexual citizenship when living with a disability and receiving personal assistance services in the Norwegian context. This study presents the experiences and attitudes of disabled people in Norway concerning personal assistance services and sexual citizenship. A cross-sectional quantitative survey was answered by 67 disabled people living with personal assistance services. The results show that 67.1% of the respondents would rather avoid sexual activity than receive assistance with these activities, 50% found it uncomfortable to talk about sexual health, and 76% feared that conversations about sexual health would make the personal assistant uncomfortable. Service providers and municipalities should acknowledge the sexual needs of disabled people and organize services to meet these needs without personal assistants feeling uncomfortable or exploited.
be accessible be .brussels (visit.brussels)
Accessible museums and tourist attractions in Brussels.
Accessibility: visiting Brussels with a disability (visit.brussels)
Brussels is setting itself up to be a city for everyone, with lifts in metro stations, floor guidance, audible signals at pedestrian crossings, adapted taxis and assistance in the metro and train. It is constantly improving access to transport, services, recreation and housing. Many hotels, restaurants, shops, attractions, museums and cultural sites have adapted their facilities so that people with less mobility can make the most of their visit to Brussels.
What executive administrators need to know about making events more accessible to people with disabilities (buttondown.email)
When I was growing up, my father always said, “If you want to know who runs the show, ask an executive assistant.” He is rarely wrong.
What great accessibility managers want from their leadership (buttondown.email)
Accessibility managers are frequently perceived as contentious troublemakers.
Redefining the boundaries of human capability requires pioneers (x.com)
If you have quadriplegia and want to explore new ways of controlling your computer, we invite you to participate in our clinical trial.
The Surprising Benefits Of Training Sign Language Interpreters As News Verifiers In Uganda (reframingdisability.substack.com)
Hello! Welcome to the fifteenth issue of Reframing Disability. Thanks for subscribing to this fortnightly resource on disability-inclusive approaches in content. Our meet-up last weekend in Bengaluru was fun, with enriching conversations about accessibility and other things. Hope to meet more of you next time!
What it’s like to be a liberal, female, disabled archery competitor (buttondown.email)
23 months ago, we had a group of teammates visiting from Austin and the Pacific Northwest. We wanted to do a group bonding event, only there were some spending restrictions in place and the event couldn’t involve food. Given my experience with a previous event that was not fully wheelchair accessible, I demanded that this event include wheelchair considerations.
What MacKenzie Scott is missing in her donations (buttondown.email)
Love Amazon or hate them, no one disputes that MacKenzie Scott is very well off, owning 4 % of Amazon stock. Ms. Scott has taken the huge step of committing to donating the vast majority of her wealth to non-profits.
Katie Piper Foundation – Kelly’s Story - Necrotising Faciitis 'The Hardest Was to Be A Mother Again' (katiepiperfoundation.org.uk)
In August 2022 Kelly developed a life-threatening infection called Necrotising Fasciitis known as a flesh-eating disease which was slowly eating away at her leg and caused a devastating injury and wound stretching from her ankle to the top of her leg. Alongside this, Kelly also developed Sepsis which put her into a coma for a few days.
Apple To Roll Out New Accessibility Features (disabilityscoop.com)
Apple is set to launch a range of new capabilities aimed at making life easier for people with disabilities including an option to control a phone or tablet using only a person's eyes.
What one wheelchair user thinks about being called “wheelchair-bound” (buttondown.email)
If you’re not disabled and you don’t have the lived experiences of your colleagues with disabilities, there’s a non-zero chance you’re going to make a communications mistake. Communication mistakes are incredibly common when you add cultural and geographic differences.
The Hardest Thing to Carry: On Disability and Grief (thesqueakywheelchairblog.com)
Dedicated to the disabled friends and community members who have died before me.
The monsters that made me: Growing up disabled, all of my heroes were villains (polygon.com)
Every monster needs an origin story. Here’s mine.
Another World Is Possible (disabilityvisibilityproject.com)
I woke up at 5:52am this morning, just two minutes before my first alarm. God, do I hate it when that happens. I didn’t get great sleep last night and admittedly went to bed way too late. Being away from my wife and daughter always screws up my sleep, but I wound up staying up pretty late glued to both the TV and social media. My feed was filled with videos of NYPD officers dressed in full riot gear and marching down the street onto the campus of Columbia University. My heart raced as I watched them approach the school, climb onto a crane, and enter the building through a window. Militarized police on college campuses. Scared but steadfast students holding the line. Parents, I imagined, at home, worrying for their children’s safety. All the while, thousands of miles away, bombs are actively dropping on Rafah in Gaza. Again, parents worrying about their children’s safety. Watching them die before their very eyes.
Lab Alumni Return to Provide Advice to New Cohort, Sharing Lessons to Make the Most of Lab (respectability.org)
During an orientation for the 2024 Virtual Cohort, four alumni shared that the Lab goes beyond gaining experience in their area of interest.
Learn essential digital skills for free in Cardiff (abilitynet.org.uk)
Attend in-person information sessions aimed at people over 65, and speak to advisors about your digital questions, at BT Group's Cardiff offices.
The power of access information (lucywebster.substack.com)
And what info to share
The Educating All Learners Alliance Community of Action: A Coach's Perspective (educatingalllearners.org)
The Educating All Learners Alliance Community of Action (CoA) brings together a diverse group of professionals twice a year to solve shared challenges affecting students with disabilities or learning differences.
What people should know BEFORE writing articles or creating products about accessibility (buttondown.email)
I read a lot of articles about accessibility. Some of them (and not just the ones I write) are very, very good. Others are cringe-worthy. These are the signs that I use to determine which to read to the end and which to close the browser tab on partway through.
Striving 'To Be Free': The Lives of Internally Displaced Girls with Disabilities (inkultur.org)
Since 2017, ‘Fight for Right,’ an organization dedicated to supporting Ukrainians with disabilities, has provided humanitarian aid, legal and psychological assistance, and opportunities to foster personal growth. With the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion, their emergency response team, titled ‘Support and Protection,’ began offering evacuation help along with targeted assistance in obtaining assistive technologies. Through a partnership between ‘Fight for Right’ and ‘Austausch,’ we continue to share the stories of internally displaced Ukrainian women and those with disabilities affected by the conflict.
The Importance of Inclusion in Education: A Principal's Perspective with Will Parker (mcie.org)
About the Guest(s): Will Parker hosts “Principal Matters: The School Leaders Podcast.” With a rich background in education spanning over three decades, Will Parker has established himself as a seasoned educator and an influential voice in school leadership. Having served as a high school administrator for over 13 years and then as an executive director for a state Principals association, Parker boasts an extensive understanding of the challenges and triumphs within educational leadership. In his current role, he dedicates himself full-time to Principal Matters LLC, offering consulting services to principals and leaders across schools in the United States and internationally. His podcast has reached an impressive milestone, boasting 1.4 million downloads and nearly 400 episodes.
The thing about mental health is you can't see it when someone is struggling (businessdisabilityforum.org.uk)
On Mental Health Awareness week this year I posted this selfie on LinkedIn in order to start a conversation. I figured it was time to be honest and talk about my other long term health condition; the one I waft away, or neglect to mention when I’m asked.
What people with disabilities hope to see in a Biden Presidency (buttondown.email)
My first presidential countdown clock started on January 20, 2017, the day President Trump took office. My expectations of disability rights stagnating during his administration were more than met when I was named a “serial plaintiff,” and my right to file 504 complaints on behalf of children who had been discriminated against in K-12 settings was suspended for 9 months. Unfortunately, my expectations were exceeded at a horrifying level after the pandemic started, which shifted people with disabilities to the back of the line for jobs, ventilators, and COVID treatment.
What’s in a name (sign)? (buttondown.email)
Books have always been an enormous part of my life. I’ve always been a voracious reader. Being in a wheelchair in the 70s for four years continuously in...
What’s more expensive than getting sued over inaccessibility? (buttondown.email)
One of the most interesting new findings in the annual Usablenet accessibility lawsuit report is that 21 % of accessibility lawsuits in 2019 were against companies that have been previously sued. This number depends a bit depending on the industry, retail is experiencing 40% repeat lawsuits. There are three likely sources for repeat accessibility lawsuits.
What types of media representation do people with disabilities want to see? (buttondown.email)
Media representation of people with disabilities is at an all-time high. But the numbers don’t tell a complete story. For starters, that “all-time high” means that now 1 in 4 characters with a disability are authentically played by an actor with that disability. This means 3/4 are being played by actors who are, well, pretending.
When does a disability accommodation become a personal benefit? (buttondown.email)
As I waited upfront for the pre-boarding with an airline notorious for not having assigned seats, a woman said *VERY LOUDLY* “I wonder what I have to do to get special treatment like THAT.” I didn’t turn around, but I suspect she was pointing at me.
You might be #Diversish if . . . (buttondown.email)
Cartoon with six identical white men with the first one saying to the second “Diversity is Good. Pass it Down”
Your first attempt at making anything accessible will be awful (buttondown.email)
My primary goal in life is to convince people to make things accessible, which is defined as making products and services work for people with disabilities. But to avoid the peaks and valleys of the accessibility emotional roller coaster, people just getting started on their accessibility journey need to accept the following statement at face value: Your first effort at accessibility is unlikely to be outstanding.
You should NOT be able to resell accessible seating tickets. (buttondown.email)
In the US, public shows such as sporting events, live theater, and concerts must set aside a certain number of tickets for people with disabilities. This is commonly called “Wheelchair seating” or sometimes “ADA seating.”
Where to go for accessibility help when you are stuck (buttondown.email)
It happens all the time, even to people as experienced in the field of accessibility as I am.
Where is the best organizational location for Accessibility? (buttondown.email)
Accessibility is the little red hen of the business world. Almost everyone wants the accessible experience, however, not everyone wants the responsibility of making that happen. Complicating matters is that not all potential locations for an accessibility team are the best fit. I have worked with people with disabilities for more than 15 years, and in each organization, the accessibility team has been in a different part of the company. Here are some of the places I’ve seen Accessibility located, along with pros and cons.
Who tests the ADA testers? (buttondown.email)
Testers are individuals who have no intention of ever buying the product or visiting the location the website revolves around.
Why accessibility bugs are a good thing and how to handle them (buttondown.email)
It is incredibly common when I do accessibility podcasts, I am asked, “What does accessibility success look like to you?” I, perhaps oddly, count beginning to get accessibility bugs reported as a sign of accessibility success.
Why COVID-19 contact tracing apps *must* be accessible (buttondown.email)
No one in accessibility was surprised by this headline. The contact tracing app launched last week in New Zealand cannot be used by people with disabilities. Here are the reasons why people in the accessibility field aren’t shocked.
Why doing an instant ADA website compliance review is a terrible idea (buttondown.email)
Three vendors’ instant ADA testing options, screenshot on December 21, 2021.
Why ERG volunteer work is both important and masochistic (buttondown.email)
It’s July. And if you aren’t in the US or don’t eat, live, breathe, and sleep disability as I do, you might not know that means it’s “ADA month.”
Why I seldom turn on my video for Zoom calls (buttondown.email)
I am Sheri Byrne-Haber, a wheelchair-using, no-nonsense, CS degree-holding geek who also has degrees in law and business. I hand out large servings of “accessibility tough love” to organizations that did not consider including people with disabilities in their product development and web presence.
Why US law effectively mandates all software design be responsive (buttondown.email)
Smashing Magazine defines “responsive design” as an approach where design responds to the user’s behavior and environment based on screen size, platform, and orientation. In responsive design, a breakpoint is the “point” at which a website’s content and design will adapt to provide the best possible user experience. Essentially, breakpoints are pixel values that a developer/designer can define in CSS. I can count on one hand the number of web pages I have bookmarked. Apple’s list of responsive breakpoints for iOS devices is one of them.
“Work as usual” after COVID-19 will be different. Get over it. (buttondown.email)
Even though I have the “not searching for work currently” flag switched on at every social media location possible, I still get 6–8 emails a week asking if I am looking for work. Presumably, this is remaining from when I updated my resume the last time I was job hunting. Once you are in a recruiting company’s database, there is no way to shut it all off easily.
You don’t get a “pass” to discriminate against people with disabilities in an emergency (buttondown.email)
At 2 pm yesterday, I got the expected call from PG&E notifying me of an impending power outage at 8 pm. In their long list of recorded instructions, someone reading from a script casually mentioned the need for cash (no socio-economic privilege showing there?!?!?). But I let that slide, charged all my devices, and waited.
Gen Z im Porträt: „Wir brauchen Visionen“ (taz.de)
Der Fotograf John Kolya Reichart zeigt die vielen Gesichter der Gen Z. Wovon träumen junge Volljährige? Was fürchten sie?
How to Make Your Mother Cry (disability-visibility-newsletter.ghost.io)
Congratulations to Sejal Shah author of How to Make Your Mother Cry: Fictions published by West Virginia Press. Sejal is also a contributor to my anthology Disability Intimacy available now. You can check out this video of my first book event where I am in conversation with Sejal, Dr. Khadijah Queen, and Yomi Young. I'm stoked to offer 3 paperback copies to you lovely humans. Details below.
My Experience with the Mirena Coil (teawithhb.com)
How many awareness months does it take to make sure people realise Endometriosis impacts as many people as diabetes and asthma? 170 million people and counting. Let’s hope it’s not that many months…
New innovations in assistive technology highlight Global Accessibility Awareness Day (disabilityinsider.com)
May 16, 2024, marks the 13th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), a day dedicated to promoting digital access and inclusion for persons with disabilities. This year's events have showcased several groundbreaking advancements in assistive technology, aiming to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities worldwide.
APEC pledges to empower persons with disabilities (disabilityinsider.com)
APEC member economies through the Human Resources Development Working Group endorsed the Arequipa Goals, aiming to advance impactful progress through policies that empower people with disabilities for sustainable and inclusive growth.
Get a discount on your team training (abilitynet.org.uk)
Can you help us take a temperature check on the training options we offer?
Why tech accessibility matters and the role we can all play in delivering it (businessdisabilityforum.org.uk)
Lucy Ruck, Business Disability Forum’s Technology Taskforce lead, tells us how our new free Technology Toolkit can support organisations in their disability inclusion journey.
Accessible QR Codes – The Ultimate Guide (axesslab.com)
You may think that QR codes are great for securing your login, or letting users read more online about a product marketed in a news paper ad. But there is a high risk you are creating barriers for people with disabilities, unless you use QR codes correctly. This article is your ultimate guide to accessible QR codes!
Always an adventure: Life and love with The Blind Woodsman (blindnewworld.org)
John and Anni Furniss have built a life of love, laughs and adventure together - and they're sharing it all in their book, The Blind Woodsman
“BITS” of Brilliance: Salesforce Org Jam Edition! (blindinstituteoftechnology.org)
The “BITS” of Brilliance: Salesforce Org Jam Edition is a friendly competition between the Blind Institute of Technology’s (BIT) certified Salesforce Administrators. Like a Demo Jam, six contestants will have just 5 minutes to share their mock Salesforce databases before a panel of three judges who are seasoned Salesforce Administrators. Prizes are awarded based on both technical and public speaking skills. After the presentations conclude, the judges will determine the winners and present awards. The judges will also offer valuable feedback to the contestants. Three winners will receive gift cards and Salesforce swag.
Meet appropriate singles in search of love in the keystone state (openinclusion.com)
Pennsylvania is a keystone state within the midwest region of usa. it really is bordered by nyc south, maryland towards the east, west virginia to your north, and ohio toward western. hawaii has a population of over 11 million people and it is the tenth many populous state in the united states. pennsylvania is an important center of industry, commerce, and transport. their state’s five biggest towns and cities are philadelphia, pittsburgh, allentown, erie, and reading. pennsylvania is circumstances with a rich history. the state was founded in 1681 because of a royal charter given to william penn by master charles ii of england. penn’s original intention was to establish a utopian society, however the colony quickly became successful. their state became a keystone regarding the us revolution, and played a crucial role inside growth of the usa. pennsylvania hosts the freedom bell, the nationwide constitution center, and usa capitol. pennsylvania is a state with a big and diverse population. hawaii is home to folks of numerous cultural and racial backgrounds. you will find people from all over the world residing in pennsylvania. their state can be house to individuals from all walks of life. you can find folks who are rich, individuals who are bad, individuals who are middle-class, and people that are poor. you can find individuals who are educated, people that are not educated, folks who are spiritual, individuals who are not spiritual, individuals who are gay, those who are not gay, individuals who are single, and people who are hitched. pennsylvania is a situation with lots of possible. the state has a lot of resources, and individuals in state have the ability to utilize those resources. the state has a lot of people who can use the individuals, and lots of individuals who are able to use those ideas.
A Story of Othering, Part One (Down syndrome and Camp) (meriahnichols.com)
This is an essay about an experience that I had with my daughter's camp last year. Last year my daughter attended a theatre arts camp. It was a day camp, and she was the only
Students petition to introduce American Sign Language major at UI (dailyiowan.com)
UI ASL club member Kate Hinz started a petition to get UI to start an ASL major to further educate students and improve communication with the Deaf community.
With agribusiness by her side, a Virginia Tech student aims to open an equine center for the deaf (news.vt.edu)
From the second she attended horse camp at 8 years old, Seneca Johnston knew exactly what she wanted to do: create the same experience for those in the deaf community.
Ryan J. Haddad World Premiere, Sarah Mantell's In the Amazon Warehouse Parking Lot, More Set for Playwrights Horizons (playbill.com)
The Off-Broadway company has unveiled its 2024–2025 season.
Matthew Schwab Listens (youtube.com)
Conversations with people in my life who are doing great things in the community
AFB Research Uncovers Staggering Time Lost from Barriers to Digital Inclusion (afb.org)
Researchers at the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) Public Policy and Research Institute just released results from the second Barriers to Digital Inclusion study, which show how often commercial websites and apps continue to exclude blind and low-vision customers. In November 2023, 20 participants kept diaries for 10 days, documenting how often they encountered digital accessibility barriers and what happened when they encountered such roadblocks.
Ask Amy: Why do people without disabilities choose use handicapped bathroom stalls? (oregonlive.com)
This disabled user has to wait when regular stalls sit empty.
PPA cracking down on illegal parking to help those with disabilities (fox29.com)
The Philadelphia Parking Authority is trying to curb illegal parking to help those with disabilities -- and it could cost violators up to $300.
Her speech using a voice app made history in Congress — and sparked a larger disability conversation (19thnews.org)
Some people with disabilities hailed Rep. Jennifer Wexton’s use of text-to-speech technology, but say there is work to be done to advance representation for those who communicate differently.
Paralympics boss Dave Clarke: the unwitting trailblazer (bbc.co.uk)
Dave Clarke joins us as he prepares to lead Paralympics GB at this summer’s Games.
Small actions that can make all the difference this Mental Health Awareness Week (businessdisabilityforum.org.uk)
Tips on what employers and managers can do to promote mental health and wellbeing in their organisations this Mental Health Week and beyond.
May Review Round Up (euansguide.com)
Welcome to the latest Euan’s Guide review roundup. We enjoy the chance to look through all the reviews that we have received and share some of the amazing reviews from April and May.
Learn How to List Your Accessible Property with United Spinal Association and Airbnb’s Entrepreneurship Academy (newmobility.com)
Thanks to a new partnership between United Spinal Association and Airbnb, it’s easier than ever for people with mobility disabilities to find out what it takes to list their properties and get involved in the booming hosting industry. United Spinal and Airbnb are developing a first-of-its-kind program tailored to teaching people with mobility needs how to showcase the accessibility features of their homes on their listing pages.
Telling stories (ablemagazine.co.uk)
Growing up with a learning disability, I never wanted to read, and I didn’t understand books. Now, I’m the voice behind three audiobooks, as part of efforts by Sweet Cherry Publishing to make stories accessible and enjoyable for disabled children.
Caring for disabled staff at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (ablemagazine.co.uk)
Pippa tells us about her role as the chair of the Disability Network.
A new beginning (ablemagazine.co.uk)
Photographer, Peter Lau, takes us around another of his favourite accessible strolls.
Thomas Pocklington Trust Works With NHS on Bowel Cancer Screening (pocklington.org.uk)
Thousands of people with sight loss in England will find it easier to participate in life-saving bowel cancer screening thanks to a new specially designed NHS tool.
Maxi Classic – Confidence through clarity (ablemagazine.co.uk)
Life is busy and bustling, and that means it’s too easy to miss some of the crucial details that we need to hear. The Maxi Classic is a simple device designed to mitigate some of those issues and keep you up to speed with what’s being said.
Is the global travel industry failing people with disabilities? (thenationalnews.com)
The word “holiday” is a trigger of grief for Delphine Watson. It’s a reminder of a time she will likely never experience again. That’s because her son Rio, 20, has a rare chromosome condition called 1q44 deletion de novo, which means he has seizures, intellectual disabilities, sensory sensitivities and he’s non-verbal, so she’s a full-time caregiver whether she’s in Dubai, Spain, Australia or America.
Debuting on April 20 — a day in Korea dedicated to celebrating people with disabilities — Parastar Entertainment's Big Ocean burst onto the K-Pop music scene to inspire and make waves as the first hard of hearing idol group. Now that they finally embarked on this journey, Chanyeon, Hyunjin, and Jiseok are ready to carry on and "sing hope in sign language."
Expanding accessibility: Jamaica’s Labour Day initiatives to focus on inclusivity (caribbeannationalweekly.com)
The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development is allocating over $50 million across Municipal Corporations in Jamaica to bolster Labour Day initiatives this year.
Easterseals Disability Film Challenge Announces 2024 Winners (variety.com)
The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge awarded prizes in several categories at a Thursday event on the Sony Pictures Studios lot in Culver City.
Must-know house accessibility tips for older, independent adults (foxnews.com)
Experts stress the importance of modifying houses for safety to allow adults to stay in their homes for longer as residents get older and mobility becomes restricted.
Lizz Carr: Disabled from the age of 7, 'frightening' stabbing attack, marriage to author, and reason she left Silent Witness (entertainmentdailyuk.com)
The actor and disability rights activist Liz Carr explores assisted suicide in new BBC One documentary Better Off Dead?
Institute for Disability Studies Awarded Ann Morris Grant through Pinebelt Foundation (usm.edu)
The Institute for Disability Studies, at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) was recently awarded an Ann Morris grant through the Pinebelt Foundation.
ajesh Kini, a 31-year-old with visual impairment, knows that true vision transcends the gift of sight. Despite his condition, he harbours a dream—to champion accessibility and empower individuals with visual impairment through digital literacy. Since joining Accenture in India in 2019, Kini has been a beneficiary of the company’s robust accessibility initiatives, which have only made his commitment towards inclusivity stronger.
Vogue model and ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ actress reveals she is deaf: ‘Disability doesn’t have a certain look’ (ca.style.yahoo.com)
"Hiding my disability has been one of the most draining things I've ever done," Georgia Meacham, 30, said.
Inclusion Is the Biggest Push in Special Education. Sometimes, it's Wrong. (goodmenproject.com)
How incentives and mandates can do students with disabilities a disservice.
Modern TV Shows & Films Embracing Crip In Its Titles (criplife.co.uk)
Continuing our Reclaiming The Word Crip series, we list a few modern TV shows and films that embrace the word “crip” in its titles and represent the disability community as positive, powerful, determined change-makers.
Diversity as the Norm (designforschung.org)
Can design do justice to a diverse society? How does it respond to the fundamentally different requirements of its users? Our designed world often fails to accommodate the varied requirements of all individuals, particularly those whose needs differ from the standard. Debates about inclusion and participation have been an important part of the design discourse since the 1980s at the latest. Contemporary design approaches extend the concepts of universal design or design for all and reinterpret them in a community-based and participatory design practice.
I'm non verbal, but that won't stop me from speaking Māori (renews.co.nz)
“For me, te reo adds another dimension to being Māori. It enables one to feel a sense of belonging and connection to their culture and I want to be able to experience that privilege.”
Virginia Democrat uses voice assist to give House floor speech: ‘An inspiration’ (thehill.com)
Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.) on Monday used voice assist to deliver a speech on the House floor, more than a year after she revealed her Parkinson’s disease diagnosis.
Accessibility and Whistleblower Lawsuits - Bashin v. Conduent settles (buttondown.email)
This Article describes the inception, legal theory, and conclusion of the Bashin v. Conduent lawsuit.
Accessibility and Open Source (buttondown.email)
More and more companies are either consuming or producing open-source software. However, very few of them are thinking about accessibility. That creates a problem for both the producers (people making open source) and consumers (people using open source).
Accessibility and Usability (buttondown.email)
I saw a post on LinkedIn this week that said “You can’t have usability without accessibility.” However, it is my belief that the converse — “you can’t have accessibility without usability” is also true. Here are my thoughts on how the two topics are interrelated using a metaphor that everyone can get behind — frozen treats.
Immersive Captions Community Group (w3.org)
The goal of this community group is to determine and publish best practices for access, activation, and display settings for captions with different types of Immersive Media - AR, VR & Games.
Better Off Dead? review – Liz Carr’s blistering film may well change your mind about assisted dying (theguardian.com)
As the UK edges towards legalising the right to die for those with terminal illness, the wickedly funny actor’s subversive documentary exposes the huge risks it poses for disabled people
WHEN YOU HIT A ROUGH PATCH IN LIFE (michellesmission.net)
Life is like a garden it is beautiful when the flowers blossom, but frustrating when you hit a rough patch and growth is stunted. How defeating it is when you plant a seed, tenderly care for it and nothing happens. Having a learning disability has caused me to hit many rough patches in my life. Many of these hard spots, have not been related to the disability itself, but rather the barriers created by others. I have learned how to manage having these patches, but other barriers create more difficulty. I have experienced tough patches in school, the community, and in the workplace.
Innovative Hands-Free Wheelchair PURE Revolutionizes Mobility for Disabled Users (assistivetechnologyblog.com)
Discover the revolutionary hands-free wheelchair, PURE, offering a new mode of mobility for those with physical disabilities. Developed by a multidisciplinary team, this lightweight device promises to transform lives.
Childhood maltreatment accounts to 40% of mental health conditions (disabilityinsider.com)
The mental health conditions examined were anxiety, depression, harmful alcohol and drug use, self-harm and suicide attempts. Childhood maltreatment is classified as physical, sexual and emotional abuse, and emotional or physical neglect before the age of 18.
New standard for mindful use of psychotropic medicines offers lifeline for people with cognitive disabilities (disabilityinsider.com)
The Psychotropic Medicines in Cognitive Disability or Impairment Clinical Care Standard outlines clear actions to ensure the responsible and appropriate use of psychotropic medicines, representing a significant step towards ensuring safer, more effective treatment practices.
Canada calls for proposals to expand production of alternate format materials for persons with print disabilities (disabilityinsider.com)
The Canadian Government is investing in programs that help remove barriers to accessibility, increase inclusion, and empower persons with disabilities to fully engage in their communities.
Sailing in Steerage and a Love Story for the Ages (wheelchairtravel.org)
How a ship's manifest unlocked a secret to my family history — and allowed me to answer my mom's lifelong question — where are we from?
The European Disability Card – What is in it? (enil.eu)
On the 24th of April the European Parliament adopted the proposal for a directive establishing the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities. To become a law, the legislation still needs approval by the national governments in the EU Council and translation into all 27 EU languages. Only then can it be published in the official journal of the European Union and enter into force.
Face Equality Week – My Face is a Masterpiece (carlyfindlay.com.au)
Art is a universal language, and it helps to dismantle stereotypes and stigma. I love this celebration of facial difference, rather than pitiful depictions and reliving of trauma.
How People with Disabilities Have Sex (vice.com)
For people with disabilities, sex and sex education remains an accessibility blind spot. Activists and educators are working to change that.
Doctor, lawyer, wheelchair user: It's the same person. And he's filing disability lawsuits by the bundle (startribune.com)
Suits over handicapped access show the issue is far from settled
Promoting Disability Culture beyond labels with our specialized training and consulting services (disartnow.org)
DisArt Academy is offering a new public webinar called “Moving From Disability Compliance to Culture”. The webinar will cover essential concepts of disability such as preferred terminology, evolving approaches, and common misconceptions. Learn about fostering inclusive, accessible environments and ask questions.
‘I’m fighting for the right to live’: Liz Carr on acting, friendship and her campaign against assisted dying (theguardian.com)
The star of Silent Witness and The Normal Heart was ‘the popular kid’ until an autoimmune condition turned her life upside down. She talks about her lonely childhood, her flourishing career and the battle she can’t abandon
Report: More than 6K instances of physical restraint in Wisconsin schools last year (wpr.org)
There were more than 5,300 instances of seclusion and more than 6,300 cases of physical restraint last year in Wisconsin schools, according to new data from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
A mystery illness stole their kids’ personalities. These moms fought for answers. (washingtonpost.com)
Their children’s decline was dramatic, with patients losing function in days or weeks, including the ability to talk, move or take care of themselves.