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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.

If you enjoy this newsletter, please forward this email to your friends! 🙏

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Feel free to drop me a line!

Thank you,

Raul

I wrote a book (in german)

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

The first readings are already scheduled and I can't wait to finally get back into dialogue with you!

---

Hand-picked news about inclusion, accessibilty and innovation

Special Ed Shouldn't be Separate (educatingalllearners.org)

In the fall of 2020, as my son and his neighborhood friends started to trickle back out into the world, my daughter, Izzy, stayed home. At the time, Izzy was 3 years old, ripe for the natural learning that comes from being with other kids. I knew by the way she hummed and flapped her hands around children at the playground—and by her frustration with me at home—that she yearned to be among them.

Schools hiring emergency teachers for special education, potentially violating federal law (educatingalllearners.org)

More than 130 emergency licensed teachers are filling in as special education instructors in Oregon this year, shortchanging thousands of students and potentially violating a federal law.

MS and Railcards - Dinosaurs, Donkeys and MS (dinosaursdonkeysandms.com)

There aren’t too many positives when it comes to living with MS, but Dizzy discovered just before Christmas that everyone with MS automatically qualifies for a Disabled Person’s Railcard. 🙂 It enables you to get a third of travel, even in peak times, and for the person who is traveling with you to get the same discount.

MS And The Fear Of Losing Independence (trippingonair.com)

A recent meltdown forced me to confront reality. MS is eroding my independence and being comfortable receiving help is easier said than done.

When Chronic Pain Leads to Suicidal Thoughts: 'I Thought About Giving Up' (themighty.com)

"You are not alone."

The Long Haul: Millions with COVID Face Chronic Illness as Biden Declares End to National Emergency (democracynow.org)

President Biden has declared an end to the COVID-19 national emergency, but people living with long COVID say the pandemic is far from over. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found nearly one in five people infected with COVID-19 go on to experience symptoms of long COVID. We speak to science writer Ryan Prior about the movement to expand research and resources for those with long COVID, and his own experience living with the chronic illness. Prior is the author of The Long Haul and writes the “Patient Revolution” for Psychology Today.

How a Virus Causes Chromosomal Breakage, Leading to Cancer (today.ucsd.edu)

UC San Diego researchers describe for the first time how the Epstein-Barr virus exploits genomic weaknesses to cause cancer while reducing the body’s ability to suppress it.

Michael DiDonato and Kyle Brodeur set to run Boston Marathon as Team Unstoppable (cbsnews.com)

DiDonato, who is competing in the Boston Marathon, built running chairs for duel athletes like Team Hoyt.

Peter Pan star with Down syndrome makes history (dailymail.co.uk)

The British teenager, 15, stars as Slightly, leader of the Lost Boys, in the new Peter Pan adaptation for Disney+.

New Covid variant 'Arcturus' emerges with compulsory masks returning after surge (mirror.co.uk)

The troubling 'Arcturus' Covid variant is more formally known as the Omicron sub-variant XBB.1.16 with most cases coming from India which has seen a recent surge in infections.

Kids Across the Spectrums (mitpress.mit.edu)

An ethnographic study of diverse children on the autism spectrum and the role of media and technology in their everyday lives.

How a Houston theater is giving blind patrons a new way to experience performances (youtube.com)

A theater in Houston is working to ensure that everyone can enjoy their performances by giving visually impaired guests the opportunity to tour the stage, try on costumes and touch the props, allowing them to experience plays in a new way. NBC News’ Maura Barrett has the story.

Japanese artist Katori donates EUR 100,000 to the IPC to create internship programme (paralympic.org)

The new IPC athlete internship programme aims to help Para athletes make the transition from an athletic career to a professional career.

Celebrating Black Maternal Health (youtube.com)

Laurie Bertram Roberts, Morénike Giwa Onaiwu, and Heather Watkins share the joys and challenges of Black disabled motherhood, and discuss their hopes for a more equitable future.

Greece Makes Hundreds of Beaches Wheelchair-friendly (greekreporter.com)

Greece is making hundreds of beaches wheelchair-friendly by installing the Greek-designed Seatrac system for wheelchairs.

Long COVID with Chimére Smith & Terri Wilder (youtube.com)

The conversation featured in this episode was recorded a few weeks before Judy Heumann passed away on March 4th, 2023. This is the second of 5 final episodes of The Heumann Perspective that will be published over the next few weeks. All episodes of The Heumann Perspective will remain available indefinitely at judithheumann.com.

Euthanasia: Wrong is wrong, even if people are doing it. (alexschadenberg.blogspot.com)

A blog about euthanasia, assisted suicide, elderly abuse, end-of-life care, disability rights, palliative care.

Three Years Later, Covid-19 Is Still a Health Threat. Journalism Needs to Reflect That (niemanreports.org)

Too much coverage minimizes the health risks researchers attribute to the virus.

Unlearning the Ableist Writing Workshop (medium.com)

Recently an editor who was publishing my work wrote, “Are you sure? Did this really happen?” in response to an essay about my life.

Nurse sounds a warning on hearing loss for COVID-19 patients (unisa.edu.au)

A University of South Australia nursing lecturer has used her own COVID-19 experience to inform research into a little-known side effect of the virus – sudden deafness.

Captioned cinema previews to continue with The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (limpingchicken.com)

Deaf cinemagoers will be able to attend captioned preview screenings for another film later this month, it has been confirmed, with The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry following in the footsteps of Dungeons and Dragons: Honour Among Thieves.

Supreme Court Briefly Preserves Broad Availability of Abortion Pill (nytimes.com)

The temporary stay is meant to preserve the status quo while the justices study lower court rulings, and it did not forecast how they would ultimately rule.

New (Itchy) COVID Symptom Reported as ‘Arcturus' Fuels NY Area Spread (nbcnewyork.com)

XBB.1.16, also dubbed Arcturus, is increasing quickly in prevalence worldwide, and it's causing at least one symptom not typically seen in other COVID variants and subvariants.

AXS Film Fund Announces Latest Grants Supporting Nonfiction Creators Of Color With Disabilities (deadline.com)

“Carlitos The Terrible” lost an arm as a child, but that hasn’t stopped the young man from pursuing his dream of competing in Muay Thai at the highest levels.

A Victory for Reproductive Rights for Indonesian Women and Girls with Disabilities (disabilityphilanthropy.org)

Supported by funding from the Disability Rights Fund and its sister fund, the Disability Rights Advocacy Fund, women in Indonesia fought to protect their reproductive rights.

Meet Zona Roberts: The grandmother of the disability movement turns 103 (universityofcalifornia.edu)

How Ed Roberts and his mother Zona changed the world.

The COVID virus has mutated so much since 2019 that some experts say it should be renamed SARS-CoV-3 (salon.com)

As the COVID public health emergency ends, experts say there's a real chance for a new variant to surge.

LASS MICH FLIEGEN - Trailer (youtube.com)

LASS MICH FLIEGEN begleitet vier junge Menschen durch den Alltag. Vier Menschen, die voller Leben sind und klare Ziele haben – Arbeit finden, politisch aktiv werden, heiraten, Kinder bekommen. Vier Menschen, für die das Erreichen dieser Ziele mit vielen Hindernissen verbunden ist und die von der Gesellschaft in eine Schublade gesteckt werden: Menschen mit Down-Syndrom.

Disability benefit changes putting people with mental health issues at risk, Government warned (inews.co.uk)

Mental health charity Mind said planned changes to the way disability benefits are assessed 'make little sense' and said it was 'extremely concerned for the safety and income of people with mental health problems'.

Giving a damn about accessibility (uxdesign.cc)

A candid and practical handbook for designers.

Long COVID is hurting business; workplace accommodations could help (lailluminator.com)

Millions of working age people still suffer from long COVID-19, and some say not enough is being done to protect their well-being and ensure they can continue to be employed.

'He's a human being': Kayban's visa uncertain because of his disability, mother says (abc.net.au)

Kayban was born in Australia with a disability. His parents want to extend their working visa but have been told his care costs too much.

$62,000 and three years later: Long COVID continues to upend this California couple’s lives (latimes.com)

Three years and $62,000 in medical expenses later, a musician and her caregiving partner struggle to navigate the financial, mental and physical challenges of long COVID.

Combating racist and ableist attitudes: Education is a cure (wypr.org)

We’ll go On the Record with three advocates from The IMAGE Center for People with Disabilities to hear about the realities that face people of color who live with disabilities: navigating both racist and ableist attitudes — and their work toward empathy and healing.

90s Fashion: Rose McGowan's MTV VMAs naked dress and iconic red carpet style (i-d.vice.com)

The scream queen is a master of both the naked dress and the tiny 90s sweater.

3 social triggers for behavioral health needs – and what to do about them (brookings.edu)

Stuart Butler and Nehath Sheriff explore how communities are addressing the connection between mental health and poverty, focusing on three public health issues: homelessness, food insecurity, and hygiene poverty.

Why the world is unprepared if new Covid variant proves deadly – in graphs (independent.co.uk)

Arcturus has led to a spike in infections in India, and experts are worried it could soon become the dominant strain.

Social Security may be failing well over a million people with disabilities – and COVID-19 is making the problem worse (theconversation.com)

More than half of working-age adults over 50 with a work-limiting disability didn’t receive any benefits from Social Security in 2016.

Models, muses and a rich cat: new film spotlights unusual life of Karl Lagerfeld (theguardian.com)

A BBC Two documentary looks at the late designer’s life and finances through the eyes of his friends.

How a Philly hoagie maker’s daughter became the ‘world’s first supermodel’ (billypenn.com)

Gia Carangi's life — and tragic death — was the subject of a 1993 book by journalist Stephen Fried and a movie starring Angelina Jolie.

A ‘very, very bad bill’: Why this Texas vaccine bill has health workers worried (star-telegram.com)

Doctors in Texas are worried about incorrect information that’s fueling anti-vaccine bills in the Texas Legislature.

American Sign Language videos keep going viral on TikTok — but you might not be learning the right signs (insider.com)

TikTok is a marketplace for skill-sharing. Now you can even pick up a sign or two in American Sign Language, but it matters who you pick it up from.

Tinfoil Hats: Stories by Mad People in an Insane World eBook (amazon.com)

Tinfoil Hats: Stories by Mad People in an Insane World is a collection of true stories by neurodivergent people who identify as being Mad, about what it's like to live Mad in a world that oppresses them because they think, live, and act differently.

China records world's first human death from H3N8 bird flu, WHO says (reuters.com)

A Chinese woman has become the first person to die from a type of bird flu that is rare in humans, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said, but the strain does not appear to spread between people.

Misinformation contributing to lower life expectancy in US, FDA chief says (thehill.com)

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert Califf says that misinformation about health matters has contributed to lower life expectancy in the United States.

Building a Community of Disabled Workers Changed My Relationship with My Union (jacobin.com)

Unions aren’t just for fighting for better pay and benefits. They can also be tools for disabled solidarity.

For Black social workers, anxiety and depression are on the rise (theconversation.com)

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the George Floyd murder, in 2020, Black social workers are finding they are alone in coping with their trauma.

When A Destroyed Wheelchair Doesn't Go Viral (betches.com)

Mobility devices are extensions of one's body. Why don't our laws recognize them as such?

Foundation Giving for Disability: A Conversation with Dr. Richard Besser and Sandy Ho (disabilityphilanthropy.org)

A conversation with Sandy Ho and Dr. Richard Besser on why it's essential that philanthropy applies a disability lens across all of their operations and grantmaking.

CDC: Strep throat cases on the rise amid liquid antibiotic shortage (longisland.news12.com)

Experts say this strain could cause you to feel more sick because the bacteria infection starts in the throat.

‘It’s Little People, You Got That?’: Danny Woodburn on Playing Mickey Abbott, the Most Explosive Character on ‘Seinfeld’ (cracked.com)

‘Seinfeld’s premier pugilist talks Mickey and Kramer’s many fights and his real-life friendship with Michael Richards.

Kate Larose: We’ve rebranded ‘staggering levels of illness’ as normalcy (newsbreak.com)

Kate Larose, pandemic equity coordinator with the Vermont Center for Independent Living, argues that despite the US government's announcement in June 2021 of ending the Covid public health emergency (with its benefits), the country and its people are still facing massive health concerns. Claiming that such conditions have been normalized, she warns that these changes should be addressed on a policy level to avoid enduring inequities among Vermonters, especially those who are disabled or have low-income backgrounds. Additionally, she indicates that no-cost access to vaccines, testing, and treatment has jeopardized, even with high rates of transmission.Wir müssen aktiv und planvoll auf eine gemeinsame Zukunft hinarbeiten. Commentaries sind Meinungsbeiträge von Lesern und Nachrichtenmachern. VTDigger veröffentlicht eine Vielzahl von Ansichten von Vermonters. Kommentare geben den Stimmen der Gemeindemitglieder Ausdruck und repräsentieren nicht die Ansichten von VTDigger.

First person: ‘There's no equality' for disabled students in prison (opencampusmedia.org)

Minnesota’s prisons have failed their disabled students, a federal investigation found.

Working Sick: Americans With Long COVID Struggle to Make a Living (capitalandmain.com)

Paid sick leave for COVID dwindles, impacting the most vulnerable employees.

AMA president warns of ‘more illness, more loss of life’ from Covid as cases rise (theguardian.com)

Gatherings over Easter long weekend expected to cause further increase in infections, with Victoria already 60% up in past fortnight.

‘NCIS’: How Kurt Yaeger Became the First Actor to Appear as Different Characters in All Four Editions (variety.com)

When “NCIS: Hawai’i” airs tonight, it will quietly make a bit of franchise history — via guest star Kurt Yaeger. The episode will complete Yaeger’s full sweep of all four “NCIS” editions, which is believed to be the first time that an actor has appeared on every version (“NCIS,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “NCIS: New Orleans” and “NCIS: Hawai’i”) in completely different roles.

Discover Popular Videos | Facebook (facebook.com)

Old flames Imani and Alex reconnect after being estranged for over two years. Imani has news that will change Alex’s life forever and together they must come to an acceptance of their new reality.

More Girls Are Being Diagnosed With Autism (nytimes.com)

Autism rates in girls have steadily risen in recent years. But as more women are diagnosed in adulthood, some wonder how many girls are still missed.

what3words and the Tech4Good Awards (abilitynet.org.uk)

AbilityNet’s Mark Walker spoke with Giles Rhys Jones, Chief Marketing Officer at what3words to discuss the story behind it, how it has been used across the world, and how winning a Tech4Good Award benefited the company.

Beyond 6 Seconds: Supporting mental health in Black autistic & disabled communities – with Janelle Johnson (sites.libsyn.com)

Janelle Johnson, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), is a wife, mother, and Founder of Bridges Family Life Center, a Systemic Therapy and Consulting group practice near Raleigh, North Carolina. An award-winning educator and innovative mental health leader, she is often sought out for her social justice advocacy regarding intersectionality of ableism, sexism, and racism.

France in breach of disability rights in European Social Charter, says Council of Europe (disabilityinsider.com)

The European Committee on Social Rights of the Council of Europe (ECSR)  has concluded that France has violated the European Social Charter with regards to the rights of persons with disabilities.

African Caribbean type 1 diabetics at greater risk of losing sight (disabilityinsider.com)

African Caribbean people with type 1 diabetes are at 39% greater risk of developing sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy, which if untreated can lead to blindness.

eiCOMPASS (cdnhomecare.ca)

Developing the knowledge, attitudes and skills needed to provide high quality home-based palliative care. The eiCOMPASS project is bringing together a network of home care providers and partners across the country to develop health care providers’ skills to deliver emotionally intuitive, competency-based palliative care in the home setting.

How AI Can Improve Accessibility in Gaming (ign.com)

With AI advancements in gaming, this week's issue of Access Designed imagines how the technology could be used to improve accessibility in games through dynamic difficulty and improved NPCs.

Shortage of wheelchair accessible taxis reaching 'crisis point' as minister set to review taxi licensing framework (amp-abc-net-au.cdn.ampproject.org)

Disability advocates say the shortage of wheelchair accessible taxis is reaching "crisis point" with the state's transport minister revealing the taxi licensing framework will be reviewed.

Man Gets 3D Printed Prosthetic Finger After Being Denied Insurance To Get One (assistivetechnologyblog.com)

When Adam Cutshall was in his mid 20s, he was building a mini golf course for his when a bit of carelessness with power tools caused an injury to his pinky finger which was ultimately amputated. Now 47, Adam has been repeatedly denied insurance over the years to get a prosthetic finger, which can cost up to $20,000 if paid out of pocket. As a last resort, Adam decided to get help from social media and a Good Samaritan offered to help.

ENIL is looking for volunteers (enil.eu)

As a European Solidarity Corps (ESC) volunteer, you will work in the ENIL Brussels office and gain experience in advocating for changes in European laws and policies, as part of a small international team. While volunteering for ENIL, you will also learn more about disability rights and Independent Living.

‘It Feels Good to Inspire’: A Conversation with Joey Jones (diverseabilitymagazine.com)

It felt good to inspire the other guys and so that's kind of initially a big part of why I was able to recover so quickly.

Government to target ‘criminal syndicates’ and ‘shoddy therapies’ in NDIS fraud crackdown (theguardian.com)

Bill Shorten wants to stop practices that treat people like ‘cash cows’ as he reveals taskforce had 1,700 tipoffs in a month.

How My New Job on the Other Side of the Criminal Justice System Impacts My Recovery (themighty.com)

A survivor of childhood sexual abuse shares her journey of healing and recovery.

Outrage sparks as video mocking persons with disabilities goes viral (disabilityinsider.com)

People with Disability Australia along with Advocacy for Inclusion condemns the repugnant, hateful and discriminatory video released on April 7 by One Nation mocking persons with disabilities through ignorant and uninformed commentary about the life-changing and community enhancing benefits of the NDIS for everyday Australians with disabilities.

Mel Baggs, Blogger on Autism and Disability, Dies at 39 (Published 2020) (nytimes.com)

Candid blog posts and a widely viewed short film sought to expand the very definition of what it means to be human.

(Mis)Reading the Image: Selections by Darrin Martin (eai.org)

RSVP here. Seating is first come, first serve. RSVP does not guarantee entry, but helps us track interest and send event updates and reminders.Image: Still from Shana Moulton, Whispering Pines 6, 2006. An incomplete jigsaw puzzle is presented on a green table marbled with black veins. A hand pressing pieces in place is pictured coming in from the side. Enough of the puzzle is complete to reveal a waterfall descending from a cliff that ends in a rainbow and mist into the forest below.Electronic Arts Intermix (EAI) is pleased to present a screening and discussion lead by artist and educator Darrin Martin, whose video, performance, and print-based installations have considered the synesthetic qualities of perception, and notions of accessibility through the use of tactility, sonic analogies, and audio descriptions. Beginning in 2010, Martin started to explore EAIs collection with two goals in mind: to search for disability representation, and in pursuit of experimental video work that considers disability access at its inceptioneven if it might not have been the impetus for its making. As an extension of this project, Martin has assembled a program of works by six artists whose practices span from early conceptual video to contemporary performance, each uniquely engaging the themes of perceptual difference, semiotic play, and embodiment. This event will feature open captioning and live ASL interpretation. A free, closed-captioned online streaming version of this event will be available in mid-April. Martin writes: The works in (Mis)Reading the Image are never what they appear to be at face value and/or have found new perspectives within and against each other in time. Their relationship to language, text, and image is built upon shifts in context whether through the performative work of Wu Tsang embodying the words of a late autism rights activist Mel Baggs, an attempt to audio describe images removed from newspaper clippings in John Baldessaris The Meaning of Various News Photos to Ed Henderson, or in the stuttering poetic plea of Cecilia Vicuas emotional summary of a film that rings the alarm over specific man-made environmental catastrophes. Woven throughout the program are selections from Phyllis Baldinos Absence is Present which manifests her experience with a blind spot and two works from Lawrence Andrews Selections from the Library, which take the approach of building an image within the viewer using text and sound that resists simple approaches to reification. Finally, Shana Moultons Whispering Pines 6 places the viewer as witness to the trajectory of her alter ego Cynthias attempt to find wholeness in a world of image fragmentation and missing pieces. Darrin Martin creates videos and installations that engage qualities of perception mediated through the lens of both obsolete and new technologies. His latest projects consider ways in which meaning is layered and performative using sonic analogies and audio descriptions. Through collaborations with artist Torsten Zenas Burns, they build speculative fictions around re-imagined educational practices and dystopian cosplay paradigms. Martin is a Professor in the Art and Art History Department at University California, Davis.Electronic Arts Intermix (EAI)s venue is located at 264 Canal Street, 3W, near several Canal Street subway stations. Our floor is accessible by elevator (63" 60" car, 31" door) and stairway. Due to the age and other characteristics of the building, our bathrooms are not ADA-accessible, though several such bathrooms are located nearby. If you have questions about access, please contact cstrange@eai.org in advance of the event.

Compensation and Transfiguration: Alison O’Daniel’s 'The Tuba Thieves' (documentary.org)

A caption in Alison O’Daniel’s film The Tuba Thieves (2023) refers to “quiet air”—a description of sound but also of sensation and (shared) substance, reattuning what it means to listen away from hearing and toward the material means by which listening occurs.

Cripping Breath: Towards a new cultural politics of respiration (sheffield.ac.uk)

Dr Kirsty Liddiard, Senior Research Fellow in the School of Education and iHuman, has just received a prestigious Wellcome Trust Discovery Award for a new co-produced project entitled, Cripping Breath: Towards a new cultural politics of respiration.

Isabel Mavrides-Calderón Is Breaking Down Systemic Barriers in the Fight for Disability Justice (seventeen.com)

Our latest Seventeen Voice of Change uses the power of her voice to advocate for equitable access for all people.

Silent Disco: Cultivating Access Ecologies: Closing Party (lincolncenter.org)

Building with what we have discovered in the Cultivating Access Ecologies series, this Closing Party acts as a beautiful experiment about what it means to share space, ideas, joys, and dilemmas. We will experience access as a set of possibilities and invitations. We will dance with Silent Disco headphones, vibro-tactile suits, alongside ASL song-signers, poetic captions, descriptions of many kinds, and more. This event will feature DJ Nico DiMarco and disabled artists activating our inventory of tools for building with access.

An Event Professional’s Guide to Neuroinclusion (uploads-ssl.webflow.com)

The Neu Project is a group of #eventprofs, divergent thinkers, leaders, planners, strategists, designers, creators, writers, parents, and advocates, working together to make the world more welcoming and productive for all neuro types.

The Neu Project: An Event Professionals Guide to Neuroinclusive Events (theneuproject.com)

The Neu Project is a community that began at Google, working to inspire safe, reflective events and environments that allow all people to thrive.

“Crip Ecstasy” Centers Accessibility in Nightlife (dancersgroup.org)

There is a sense of belonging felt deep in my bones that only the dance of a nightclub can bring.

Disability Justice and Accessibility Fellow (1 Year Fellowship) (idealist.org)

Fair Housing Justice Center is now hiring for the position of Disability Justice and Accessibility Fellow (1 Year Fellowship) in Long Island City. Apply today.

Seminar 5: Lupus as an Operating System (event.newschool.edu)

Poet Cyrée Jarelle Johnson explores the way anti-Blackness, trauma, and environmental degradation converge to create bodies that internalize overcorrection, resulting in disablement, debility, and disability.

Slow emergency siren, ongoing: Accessing Handsworth Songs (slowemergencysiren.org.uk)

An audio-documentary about the process is being made by Hannah Kemp-Welch. This will be available (with text transcript) via the LUX website in late 2022.

This is what it looks like to be colorblind (theverge.com)

Pro tip: when you meet a colorblind person, don’t repeatedly point to things and ask what color they are.

New Washington Post series examines technology’s impact on loneliness (washingtonpost.com)

A product of Help Desk, The Post’s personal technology destination, reporter Tatum Hunter will chronicle the role that technology is playing in the rise of loneliness across America, and guide readers through potential solutions to combat it.

Silent Disco: An Evening of Access Magic · Lincoln Center (lincolncenter.org)

When we say everyone is welcome on the dance floor, we mean every body! Closing out Lincoln Center's Big Umbrella Day and a highlight of Summer for the City's ongoing Cultivating Access Ecologies series, the Access Magic Silent Disco puts access ideals into action, rejecting stigma and presumptions of the possible. The Silent Disco unites multiple communities with and without disabilities to share in the manifold blessings of disability-centric nightlife, including fully integrated ASL song-signing, creative captioning, choreographic activations, access doula-ing, and all-senses musical offerings. This event will feature DJ Crip Time (Crip Rave) and Jerron Herman. Together with our community, the Access Magic Silent Disco creates a space for sharing experience, contemplation, and joy.

ROLL WITH IT! (film) disability, humor, hope and F-bombs. (eventbrite.com)

A true story! Disability is met with integrity, comedy, love, tears and perseverance. Katie shares her coping skills. (Profanity.)

Off-Kilter Podcast: Learning from Long-Haulers about Rest and Radical Pacing (tcf.org)

This week, Off-Kilter returns to our ongoing series of conversations with social justice leaders digging into why, in the famous words of Audre Lorde,

As Presenters Cut Back on Streams, Some Disabled Arts Lovers Feel Left Out (nytimes.com)

When shuttered venues embraced streaming during the pandemic, the arts became more accessible. With live performance back, and streams dwindling, many feel forgotten.

Chronic Illness Survey Adventure (meaction.net)

The Chronic Illness Survey Adventure (Symptom Cluster Characterization in Complex Chronic Disease) is a survey-based study to probe more deeply into ME/CFS, Long COVID, POTS, hEDS, and MCAS. Our survey began by examining the symptoms listed in sets of diagnostic criteria for each illness. Then, we incorporated validated surveys for complex symptoms such as pain or fatigue. But that was just the beginning.

Disability Desirability (arcpoetry.ca)

Disabled writers, writers with disabilities, writers who experience ableism—Arc 102 is calling you!

Submissions | The Disability Collective (thedisabilitycollective.com)

The Disability Collective is seeking submissions from queer and disabled performing artists for CripCab, a new variety show celebrating queer and disabled performers at a Pride 2023 event in June in Toronto!

2023 Wasserman Forum: Altered Access (listart.mit.edu)

The 2023 Max Wasserman Forum: Altered Access brings together artists, educators, and curators to discuss current disability discourse within the arts and museum institutions.

“Dinner for Six”: A Perfectly Cringe Short Film (respectability.org)

"Dinner For Six" tells the story of an overprotective family spying on their disabled daughter Zoey’s first date with an autistic boy named Chris.

Do Not Pass on Cory Reeder’s “Smash or Pass” Short (respectability.org)

Cory Reeder (he/him) wrote and directed a short on the trials and tribulations of being a female wheelchair user on the dating apps.

“Unlucky in Love” Depicts A Queer Disabled Love Story Through Song (respectability.org)

Rachel Handler’s “Unlucky in Love” is a prime example of the nuance and humor that can come out of the romance genre.

The Chronic Pain Couple - Really Helpful Book by Karra Eloff (despitepain.com)

This is a review of the book, The Chronic Pain Couple by Karra Eloff. I think this is a helpful book for any couple living with chronic pain.

Kalogon’s New Controller Adjusts and Monitors Your Wheelchair Cushion’s Air Pressure Via Smartphone (newmobility.com)

Just a year after launching what it called the “world’s first smart wheelchair cushion,” Florida-based mobility startup Kalogon is rolling out its new Air Management System, which will allow wheelchair users to manage, control and maintain the pressure of their existing air cushions.

"Coming Clean" Review (respectability.org)

"Coming Clean" follows an autistic woman in her late 30s as she attempts to navigate the balance between her professional goals and romantic interests.

Welcome to “Rick’s Café!” (respectability.org)

The 2023 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge Entry Rick’s Cafe follows a third date at a cafe that gets really intense.

Tuition. Housing. Books. And on top of that….a Disability? (themighty.com)

"You would not believe the total debt students with disabilities have in one year."

BDA Condemns “life-threatening communication failures” in NHS (bda.org.uk)

The British Deaf Association (BDA) has condemned the “life-threatening communication failures” experienced every day by Deaf British Sign Language (BSL) users in the NHS, after the latest tragic incident in which a Deaf woman from Derby found out by accident that her husband had died, as paramedics could not communicate with her and no BSL interpreter was provided.

“Kryptonite”: A New Love Story about Intersectionality, Imperfection, and Music (respectability.org)

Cameron S. Mitchell returns to the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge for his third year with “Kryptonite."

Role of the European Union in deinstitutionalisation and independent living (inclusion-europe.eu)

What is deinstitutionalisation and what is the role of the European Union? This video shows different ways the EU supports deinstitutionalisation.

Easy to understand videos about the European Disability Strategy and Deinstitutionalisation (inclusion-europe.eu)

Inclusion Europe produced three easy to understand videos about the European Disability Strategy and the role of the European Union in deinstitutionalisation.

The Council of Europe denounces the violation of the rights of people with disabilities by the French State (inclusion-europe.eu)

Following the collective complaint filed in 2018 to the Council of Europe’s Committee on Social Rights by Unapei, APF France handicap, Unafam and FNATH, France’s violation of the rights of persons with disabilities is established.

Women’s wheelchair racer stopped to fix wheel, still won Boston Marathon ‘by a mile’ (masslive.com)

Susannah Scaroni won the women's wheelchair division in impressive fashion -- despite a sudden pitstop.

Why Midjourney’s New Image-to-Text Generator Is an Accessibility Home Run (lifewire.com)

Instead of turning a text prompt into an image, AI image-creation company Midjourney can now turn an image into text, which experts say could be an accessibility win.

Midjourney V5 rolls out with new features promising accessibility (interestingengineering.com)

Midjourney V5 offers new features including image-to-text descriptions, permutations and repeats, promising better accessibility and time saving.

New Nonprofit Strives to Make Music Education Accessible to All (danapointtimes.com)

At 23 years old, Bryce Hansen launched his nonprofit, Arts for All, to make music education more accessible to disabled and underserved youths.

How Can Fashion Week Be More Accessible? (fashionista.com)

Whether it's several flights of stairs or a lack of wheelchair ramps, runway show logistics often don't consider those with disabilities.

The dream of wiping out polio might need a rethink (npr.org)

When public health specialists look at the annual case counts, some see a trend that raises questions about how realistic the goal of a polio-free world might be.

Always Looking Up: Laurel Lawson On Kinetic Light And What It Feels Like To Truly Fly (always-looking-up.libsyn.com)

In this week’s episode I sat down with Laurel Lawson. Laurel is a choreographic collaborator, dancer, designer, and engineer with Kinetic Light - an internationally-recognized disability arts ensemble. Working in the disciplines of art, technology, design, and dance, Kinetic Light creates, performs, and teaches at the nexus of access, queerness, disability, dance, and race. We discuss the founding and creation of Kinetic Light, the importance of designing an accessible artistic space for the artists and performers, and what it feels like to truly fly.

Kinetic Light's Laurel Lawson Shares Her Protein-Packed Custard Bites (dancemagazine.com)

Laurel Lawson, a choreographic collaborator, dancer, designer and engineer with Kinetic Light, grew up in the kitchen. Her family owned a restaurant in her native Atlanta­ and, as she got older, she made her way from working the cold station to baking bread to running the grill, squeezing in shifts before and after school.

DANCING WITH ALICE SHEPPARD (kinfolk.com)

Alice Sheppard fell into dance on a dare. Spurred on by a disabled dancer she met at a conference, the former English and comparative literature lecturer took her first lesson in 2004. Studying ballet, modern dance and wheelchair technique under the disability activist Kitty Lunn of Infinity Dance Theater, she became a touring member of the AXIS Dance Company within three years. By 2012, Sheppard was performing as an independent artist with Ballet Cymru, GDance and Full Radius Dance, among others, but soon she would take on a challenge of her own. Having founded the disability arts ensemble Kinetic Light in 2016, Sheppard’s vision as artistic director is to create work that connects with and draws from disability culture. Splitting her time between New York and San Francisco, two contrasting cities she considers home, the British choreographer and dancer says she goes “where the work is.”

IMPRESSIONS PLUS: Kinetic Light in “Under Momentum” Presented by Lincoln Center (dance-enthusiast.com)

Kinetic Light (KL), an internationally recognized disability arts ensemble, was conceived by the renowned, disabled dancer and choreographer, Alice Sheppard (she, her, hers). In 2016, Sheppard founded Kinetic Light as a place for disabled artists to create, design, and perform, working at the nexus of access, queerness, dance, and race.

Wheelchair aerial dance at center of ‘Wired’ at the MCA, a performance that centers disability (chicagotribune.com)

Throughout the piece, the dancers wrestle with this unwieldy, unforgiving object, their bodies enclosed by a tangle of wires and barbs.

Guide to Wired and Experience Accessibilities (kineticlight.org)

At Kinetic Light, we make work that is rooted in the nexus of dance, disability, access, race, queerness, and technology. We believe that access is neither an afterthought nor retroactive accommodation. Access is an essential aesthetic element of our creative practice. We know access is multiple, that it is never complete, and that some elements of access conflict. We also believe that in order to create an equitable experience, access and the art must be in alignment. As KL artist/engineer Laurel Lawson puts it: “equitable accessibility of art must be as complex and engaging as the work demands.” We invite you to experience the grace, beauty, and, yes, in-process-ness of access in Wired.

National Council for the Training of Journalists (nctj.com)

The NCTJ runs the premier training scheme for journalists in the UK, developing journalists for the demands of a fast-changing multimedia industry.

New book for disabled parents (posabilitymagazine.co.uk)

A new book for disabled parents has just launched. We’ve Got This contains contributions from 31 parents who identify as d/Deaf, disabled, neurodiverse or chronically ill, sharing their parenting journeys and highlighting the challenges that they have faced in society.

Just 6% of 1.4L buses fully accessible for disabled, 29% partially (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

Only 6% of public transport buses in India are fully accessible for disabled individuals, and only 29% are partially accessible, according to a report from the parliamentary standing committee on social justice and empowerment. The Accessible India Campaign had set a target for 25% of government-owned public transport to be converted to fully accessible by June 2022, but the deadline has now been extended to March 2024. The report also highlighted a lack of enthusiasm from states towards the programme.

Offences review aims to provide enhanced protection for vulnerable people (disabilityinsider.com)

The ACT Government is asking Canberrans to have their say on three criminal offences introduced in 2021 to better protect vulnerable people from abuse and neglect.

Report highlights importance of collaboration in supporting culturally and linguistically diverse people with disabilities (disabilityinsider.com)

The Royal Commission has published a commissioned research report written by researchers at the University of New South Wales and National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NDEA) titled "Towards best-practice access to services for culturally and linguistically diverse people with disability".

What Led To “What Do You Pray For?” (respectability.org)

"People with disabilities may pray differently, but their prayers are the same as people who are non-disabled."

How My Ex-Husband Used My Mental Health Struggles as Revenge Porn (themighty.com)

"He knew that posting a video showing the symptom which I carried the most shame about could hurt more than any naked pictures or sex tapes.

Letter: Lady Masham of Ilton obituary (theguardian.com)

Peter Lewis writes: I recall Susan suggesting to the Borstal inmates that some of them might like to play table tennis with her.

How Going Old School Helps My Chronic Conditions (themighty.com)

"Reconnecting to this form of self-expression immediately helped me mentally and emotionally."

Disability News and Mental Health, Magic money (bbc.co.uk)

Can Fergus the magician guess what Nikki is thinking?

The “Pure Magic” of Being Alive (respectability.org)

“Pure Magic” is a short film written by, produced by, and starring RespectAbility Lab alumnus John Lawson.

Meet The 6 Disability-Led Organizations Responding To The Needs of People with Disabilities in Türkiye and Syria (wid.org)

In the two months since the 7.8 magnitude earthquake devastated parts of Türkiye and Syria, residents have experienced 22,000 additional earthquakes and aftershocks. In the midst of this overwhelming and ongoing crisis, disability led organizations (DLO) continue to work daily to try and meet the needs of adults and children who are displaced from their homes, separated from their disability equipment and supplies, in need of medical services and basic living essentials; even while they, themselves are working to find safe places to convene and continue operations.

New Partnership Ensures Better Access For Football Fans (nimbusdisability.com)

A partnership spearheaded by Derby-based Nimbus Disability has enabled disabled football fans to benefit from easier access to tickets thanks to a pioneering partnership.

Hearing aids could help cut the risk of dementia, study finds (theguardian.com)

Study provides best evidence yet to suggest hearing aids could mitigate potential impact of hearing loss on dementia.

"Free As The Wind" Review (respectability.org)

RespectAbility Lab alumni Erika Ellis was a producer on the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge entry "Free As The Wind."

Scared of the Dark will help public understand sight loss, says blind contestant (theguardian.com)

Chris McCausland says Channel 4 show gave him the experience of ‘being the most able’ competitor.

Remembering Stephen Trumper (abilities.ca)

I write this piece to honour and remember a great man and colleague, Stephen Trumper. As his obituary suggests, “Stephen’s life was one punctuated by moments of intense joy and extreme sorrow. Alas, the best person to summarize his life would be Stephen himself: he would have the brevity and good sense to know what to highlight and what to leave out. Such was his tremendous skill with pen, keystroke and voice”… a gift he didn’t hesitate to share.

Tech4Good Awards 2023 now open for nominations (abilitynet.org.uk)

AbilityNet’s Tech4Good Awards are back, celebrating people and organisations across the globe who are using digital tech to make the world a better, more accessible place. Find out more and enter now!

in terms of accessibility, "the reality is not pretty" (breakinglatest.news)

Almost 500 days before the Paralympic Games, Patrice Tripoteau, deputy general manager of APF France handicap, warns of the current situation in terms of accessibility for people with disabilities.

"Unexpected Date" Tackles Disability Insecurity - RespectAbility (respectability.org)

In "Unexpected Date," Nader Bahu plays the role of Elijah, a young man with a disability who is nervous about a blind date.

Parents Have No Idea Where Son’s Dynavox Learned Curse Words (the-squeaky-wheel.com)

The parents of six-year-old Henry Baker were shocked to hear vulgar language from his recently purchased Dynavox, a speech-generating device he uses to communicate.

Council’s failures left disabled child in chronic pain for three years, watchdog finds (theguardian.com)

Local government ombudsman rules that delay in finding suitable accommodation for family occasioned serious health risks.

What are Epilepsy Rescue Medications? (themighty.com)

You'll find a community that has your back on The Mighty, no matter what health situation you're going through. We talk about what health is really like — mental health, chronic illness, disability, rare disease, cancer, and much more.

Cost of living crisis emerges as hurdle for accessing dementia social care: Study (disabilityinsider.com)

The first academic evidence of how the cost of living crisis is impacting people with dementia has been published in the journal Aging and Mental Health, showing people were forced to reduce how much they use social care and support services because of cost.

Busting the Myths of Human-Managed ASR Captions (3playmedia.com)

Tuned ASR helps producers curate relevant, accurate captions at a fraction of the cost of traditional ASR captions. But what kind of impact does managed ASR really have on video production workflows?

Lloyds Bank sets ‘ambitious’ disability targets in inclusivity drive (msn.com)

Lloyds Bank sets ‘ambitious’ disability targets in inclusivity drive - The UK’s biggest lender said it wants to double the number of people with a disability in senior management roles by 2025.

Consider accessibility in the workplace (monitor.co.ug)

People with disabilities continue to receive empty promises and insubstantial apologies with regards to accessibility in the workplace and employment opportunities.

False Memory OCD: Awareness and Hope (themighty.com)

"I didn't receive treatment until it was almost too late."

Luna Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools: A Win for the Disability Community (3playmedia.com)

The Supreme Court unanimously voted to allow a deaf student in Michigan to sue his school district for providing an inadequate education.

What is deinstitutionalisation and independent living (inclusion-europe.eu)

Easy to understand video about deinstitutionalisation and independent living.

When Flying Disabled Leaves You Grounded (respectability.org)

"More must be done to ensure that passengers with disabilities are treated with respect and equality."

Looking at Life through a Rose-colored Cane (blindnewworld.org)

Frankie Ann Marcille is a legally blind author, educator, and advocate whose "I can!" perspective shines through in every aspect of her work.

‘There’s no part we can’t do. That’s so empowering’: the CBBC drama revolutionising onscreen autism (theguardian.com)

Groundbreaking kids’ series A Kind of Spark is staffed by neurodivergent talent and treats its lead character like almost no other on TV. It’s cool, fun and powerful.

Innovation at CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, 2023 (abilitynet.org.uk)

The CSUN Assistive Technology Conference is an event for researchers, practitioners, exhibitors, end users, speakers and other participants to share knowledge and best practices in the field of assistive technology. 2023 saw its 38th annual event take place, which was attended by accessibility experts, advocates, people with disabilities, governments and businesses.

How to Assemble Allies for Your Autistic Child (themighty.com)

"My son's peers encourage, support, and enjoy him."

Independent Living Day: Info Session (youtube.com)

The European Independent Living Day - 5th May is just around the corner! Never heard of it? Well, in this video you will have the opportunity to: - Learn about the European Independent Living Day - 5th May - Get informed about the activities we are planning - Discover how you can be active on the day - Share your plans with us, if you know them already - Ask us any questions you want related to the day

How do we get the message out about the importance of closing institutions? (youtube.com)

The first in the series of the 2023 ENIL-ECCL webinars focused on getting the message out about the importance of closing institutions. One of the key arguments for keeping institutions open is that “the society is not ready” for this change. In other words, that we cannot expect all disabled people to live independently in the community. This webinar looked at ways in which we can raise awareness among the general public on the right to independent living and the harm of institutionalisation for the entire society.

Paralyzed by Polio at 17: My Time Inside an Iron Lung (youtube.com)

At just 17 years old, Adolf Ratzka contracted polio and became paralyzed. As a result, he spent three long, lonely months in an iron lung. In the first video of our new series, "My Time Inside an Iron Lung," Adolf recounts his experiences living in an iron lung, as well as his subsequent struggle with his physical and mental health, and his determination to live a life of helping others.

Study session 2023 (enil.eu)

The ENIL Youth Network, in cooperation with the Council of Europe, is holding a study session at the European Youth Centre Strasbourg (EYCS) from 12th June to 17th June. The title of the study session will be "Crip Camp: Disability Rights in Times of Conflict and Calamity", covering a wide range of themes such as disability rights in war and climate change.

IL Map (enil.eu)

The Independent Living Map provides general information about access to independent living of disabled people in 43 countries across Europe and detailed information about Personal Assistance schemes or systems.

Medical Marijuana's Impact on My Autistic Brain (themighty.com)

"I absolutely enjoy many of the traits bestowed upon me by autism, but I am happy for easing just this one area."

C/Krip Art Chats: Rest with Jerron Herman (moma.org)

Please join us for C/Krip Art Chats, a chance to build community among people interested in disability perspectives and aesthetics. No specialized understanding of art, art history, or crip theory is required. Each session is an opportunity for a small group of participants to view and discuss works from MoMA’s collection. Together we will generate ideas and conversation about these works, centering the lived experience of disability as a conceptual and creative framework.

Eco Somatic readings, conversations and movement (culturepush.org)

Eco Somatic readings, conversations and movement centering disability and LGBTIQA+ ecologies of pain and joy with the environment. Featuring Stephanie Heit, Petra Kuppers,Christopher “Unpezverde" Núñez, and moira williams.

Black Power Naps: La Biblioteca Is Open (moma.org)

Rest is a luxury for many. Black people in the United States are twice as likely to get insufficient sleep compared with white people. This “sleep gap” identified by researchers is worse for those who are undocumented, disabled, or at lower income levels. Black Power Naps is a project by artists Navild Acosta and Sosa that responds to these conditions and asks, “How can we dream when we don’t sleep?” The artists trace our culture of constant fatigue back to the use of sleep deprivation to control enslaved people in the US. They actively reject this legacy and claim power in rest, inviting you to imagine a world in which leisure, downtime, and quality sleep are available to all.

Dis/Rep Workshop (disrepworkshop.org)

Dis/Rep (Disability/Representation) is a yearly series of virtual dialogues focused on Disability, accessibility, and culture. It is currently co-produced by The Curiosity Paradox, Calling Up Justice, and Catalyst Consulting Associates LLC.

Disability Economic Justice Collaborative (tcf.org)

The Disability Economic Justice Collaborative, launched in April 2022 by the Century Foundation and the Ford Foundation, is a new initiative that aims to achieve economic security and justice for people with disabilities in the United States. The collaborative brings together over 40 leading disability rights and justice organizations to work together across economic policy making and understand the intersectionality of various identities in the lives of disabled people. The collaborative works across five pillars of activity, with the ultimate goal of advancing disability economic justice in America.

Write Us In: The Intersection of Disability and Queerness in Literature Tickets (simpletix.com)

Join us on Thursday, April 20th at 8 PM EDT to take part in this interactive event featuring authors Allison Blevins and Travis Chi Wing Lau, moderated by Dustin Brookshire.

WelcoMe (wel-co.me)

WelcoMe helps you deliver excellent customer service. The platform enables you to seamlessly understand, manage and assist your disabled customers via their accessibility profile. With WelcoMe you can enable your staff to be prepared in advance with the customers accessibility profile.

Assistive technology for inclusive development (media.un.org)

Taking into account the Global Report on Assistive Technology which recommends multi-sectoral engagement and mobilization of high-level political commitment to improve access to assistive technology for inclusive development for all, the proposed side event will highlight the relevance of assistive technology in amplifying progress on population, education and sustainable development thereby ensuring no one is left behind.

Inclusive Design for WordPress Websites: Tips and Strategies for Accessibility (microassist.com)

Learn how to make your WordPress website accessible and avoid legal issues by optimizing your content and development components.

Accessibility Overlays - What are they & why are they so bad? (youtube.com)

A web accessibility overlay is a plug-in tool that detects accessibility issues directly on a webpage and tries to ‘repair’ them in real time, instead of within the web code as is required.

Website Accessibility - 10 FAQs from our webinar with a blind shopper (blog.usablenet.com)

Read answers to real questions asked on a webinar about how a blind, screen reader user shops on an ecommerce website.

Innovative Approaches to Disability Inclusion in Corporate America (linkedin.com)

Leveraging Neurodiversity, Intersectionality, Adaptive Technologies, and Other Novel Approaches to Create an Inclusive Workplace Environment The landscape of corporate America is changing, and companies are beginning to realize the many benefits of disability inclusion.

The App Making 911 More Accessible for the Deaf Community (youtube.com)

‘What happens if my dad didn’t have me or his relatives that could hear?’ — This founder created an app that translates texts into 911 calls so her dad and others in the deaf community get support in an emergency.

(24) Why the Amazon “six-page meeting” process doesn’t work (linkedin.com)

Amazon is famous for its “six-page summary meetings,” with the first chunk of a meeting being reserved for silent reading of those summaries. These summaries are largely distributed on paper for in person meetings, and are never distributed in advance.

A History of the World Wide Web From 1989 to the Present Day (makeuseof.com)

The World Wide Web was created all the way back in 1989. Here's a look at the history of the web as we know it, up to the present day.

Changing Places: transforming NZ for the profoundly disabled (genevahealth.com)

Changing Places are public bathrooms designed for those with complex care needs who cannot use standard accessible bathrooms. These facilities include height-adjustable adult-size change tables and ceiling or wall-mounted hoists, and there are now five in New Zealand with two more opening soon, with 21 more planned. Changing Places is a registered charity that relies on donations and membership fees to expand its network of facilities across New Zealand.

Together, We are Building Tomorrow’s Technology Right Now (unitedspinal.org)

We collaborate with the right people to ensure tomorrow’s technology is designed and built to be accessible.

We can all help make ADA even better (durangoherald.com)

Think the Americans with Disabilities Act is working? Think again.

Creating an Accessible and Welcoming Workplace (askearn.org)

Learn more about all of the elements of accessibility in the workplace.

What's new in WCAG 2.2? (accessibleweb.com)

We get questions on a daily basis about 2.2 so we asked our WCAG expert Alaina Birney, CPWA, to discuss the upcoming changes. We’ve included her detailed notes below.

If I had a magic wand (disabilitydebrief.org)

Disability community and where the Debrief is going.

Beyond 6 Seconds: Intersections of Autistic, Asian American and Jewish Identities – with Ben VanHook (sites.libsyn.com)

Ben VanHook is an autistic master’s degree student studying public policy at George Mason University, with the hopes of reforming employment and education policy to make them more inclusive for neurodivergent individuals.

Podcast Episode 40 – Disability History in Eastern Europe: A Roundtable Discussion (dishist.org)

Guest host Isabelle Avakumovic-Pointon talks with Dr. Maria Bucur, Dr. Frances Bernstein, Dr. Maria Cristina Galmarini, and Dr. Magdalena Zdrodowska about the history of disability in Eastern Europe.

Advocating for Parent Involvement in Education (educatingalllearners.org)

This article was originally written by Cindy Long and published by neaToday on April 5, 2023. A new national report calls for educator preparation programs to include parent and family engagement in coursework as a first step toward making it an integral component to education.

"Uncomplicated" Review: Dating with a Chronic Illness (respectability.org)

Juliet Romeo’s short film, “Uncomplicated”, shows the complexities of dating and relationships while living with a chronic illness.

Paralympian Karni Liddell fears severely disabled swimmers are being edged out of the Games (amp-abc-net-au.cdn.ampproject.org)

A former captain of the Australian Paralympic swimming team says an athlete like her probably wouldn't make the squad today, because swimmers with milder impairments are getting opportunities ahead of those with severe disabilities.

If It Ain’t Broke (disabilityvisibilityproject.com)

Morning is not my favorite time for sex. I’m snuggled down and groggy under my electric blanket tucked perfectly over my right shoulder and ear. It blocks the air that puffs at me from the exhalation valve of my ventilator circuit. I loathe splitting open this cocoon. My mouth feels fuzzy, and drool is crusted across my left cheek after wearing my nose mask all night. I just don’t feel sexy. The voice of my libido is still there, but she is sleep-deprived and doesn’t like getting cold.

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

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

Hull to trial ‘smart’ crossings and bus stops to enhance accessibility (hullccnews.co.uk)

Smart technology designed to make bus stops and pedestrian crossings more accessible will be trialled in Hull next month.

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Liz Carr, actor and activist (bbc.co.uk)

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

The Euan's Guide Access Survey (euansguide.com)

UK's largest and longest running Access Survey.

Alachua County’s Human Rights Board has a new member, and she is seeking change (wuft.org)

Erin Field, who uses a wheelchair, is the newest Citizen at Large on the Alachua County Human Rights Board and the Citizens Disability Advisory Committee. She doesn't know everything about her new work but is trying her best to help.

E-scooters dumped on pavements ‘are tripping up blind people’ (telegraph.co.uk)

Charity warns that riders are causing hazards for the visually impaired by not parking eco-friendly vehicles properly.

Monitoring our health with smartwatches (knowablemagazine.org)

VIDEO: Wearable devices are increasingly used for tracking health data and identifying problems. Learn from health researchers about exploring the promise and pitfalls of personal tech.

For parents of children living with disability housing is a challenge. These new homes provide hope (abc.net.au)

The families of people living with disability can be met with challenges around providing their loved ones with the care they need as they get older. Accessible homes are bridging a much needed gap.

Compass Health Center to Launch Enhanced Summer Creative Arts Intensive Outpatient Program (newswire.com)

Creative Arts Therapies Help Children & Teens Improve Mental Health Post-Covid Pandemic.

Inclusion means everyone: five disability attitude shifts to end violence, abuse and neglect (newsroom.unsw.edu.au)

When we value and respect people with disability, they are less likely to be subjected to harm.

Tommy Edison (blindfilmcritic.tumblr.com)

Tactile Rubik's Cube For Blind People Tommy Edison, who was born blind, shows us his tactile Rubik's cube that he's had since the early 1980s.

Liebe mit Laufmaschen – Von Trennung, Partnerschaft, Liebe, Sex und Erotik (igel-inklusion-ganz-einfach-leben.letscast.fm)

Ach was haben die beiden sich denn da ausgedacht.Angelehnt an einen Buchtitel von Jennifer Sonntag, wird über die schönste Sache der Welt gesprochen.Liebe!Aber Liebe hat so viele Facetten.Trennung, Partnerschaft, Sex und Erotik!In der Wahrnehmung vieler nicht Behinderter Menschen, sind Menschen mit Behinderung nur mit Menschen mit Behinderung in einer Partnerschaft – Wie absurd das ist, darüber sprechen Jennifer Sonntag und Sascha Lang.Dürfen sich Menschen mit Behinderung auch trennen?Ist es verwerflich wenn ein Mensch mit Behinderung nicht mit einem Menschen mit Behinderung sein Lebensalltag bestreiten möchte?Werden Blinde von Pornos angeturnt?

Book launch for You’ll Be A Wonderful Parent by Jasper Peach (carlyfindlay.com.au)

Jasper is a non binary, trans and disabled parent, and has created this book so other rainbow parents feel less alone. What a generous gift.

Inclusivity Matters (livingwithdisabilites.blogspot.com)

Welcome to the Living With Disabilities Advocacy website. First and foremost. Self-published author Katrina Smith, a person of many accomplishments, has written six volumes in total: two cookbooks and four collections of poetry. Her favorite activities include reading and writing. Katrina would be described by one word: determined. Despite any challenges she may encounter, she does not let unkind comments decide her fate.

Roll Mobility App (rollappinc.com)

Know before you head out...

This is 44 (kamredlawsk.com)

Forty four and I like the vista of my life; all I’ve been through, seen and done, and all I’ve yet to see. I love what getting older and living life has done for my mind and vision. I’m at a place where I like who I’ve become and know where I’m going, more or less.

The Valuable 500 Global Trends Report (thevaluable500.com)

ESG, Environmental, Social and Governance, refers to the three key pillars which can be used to measure the sustainability and ethical impact of a company.

Are you ableist? Take our quiz to learn more about disability bias. (washingtonpost.com)

Can you recognize when you’re being ableist? Even well-meaning people can exhibit unconscious bias against people with disabilities.

Assistive Technology in Action (youtube.com)

The Family Center on Technology and Disability (FCTD) and PACER Center are pleased to announce the release of our new assistive technology awareness series, AT in Action. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), this fully-captioned video series is designed to strengthen awareness of AT devices that help individuals with disabilities participate fully in school, at home, and in the community. In this second video, you'll meet Elle O'Gorman, a young woman with cerebral palsy who, with the help of AT, is able to communicate with family, friends, and teachers. We invite you to view and share this video with your colleagues and the families you serve.

Unlucky In Love - 2023 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge Entry (youtube.com)

Following an unsuccessful stint on a TV dating show, Lisa bumps into Wendy and falls head over heels. Through the years, their passion for one another fades as a secret threatens their love.

New guidance published on interpreting disability histories (museumsassociation.org)

Everywhere and Nowhere shares how museums can research and present stories connected to disability in ethically informed ways.

The Butterfly Cage by Rachel Zemach (unrulyvoices.com)

Joy, heartache, and corruption: Teaching while Deaf in a California public school.

ACCESS 2023 Registration (go.3playmedia.com)

Register for ACCESS 2023 to learn, grow, and collectively create a better and more inclusive world for everyone.

What I learned about writing a memoir by writing a memoir (lucywebster.substack.com)

Hello! It’s been a little while, friends. How are you?Thanks for reading The View From Down Here! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. I took a little break from this newsletter to concentrate on the book and I am pleased (relieved) to say the first draft is

Episode 23.1: Wheelchair Bureaucracy and Daily Life (cripcrapmedia.com)

Justin and Kennedy discuss the struggles of obtaining and maintaining custom power wheelchairs.

A Reminder to Parents: We're Doing the Best We Can (themighty.com)

"We're all just doing the best we can."

To the Anxiety Monster Who Haunts My Life (themighty.com)

The last line is her battle cry.

21 Secrets of People Who Live With Social Anxiety (themighty.com)

"'I can't come' means it really feels impossible, not just 'I don't feel like it.'"

17 Things Significant Others Can Say to Someone With Anxiety (themighty.com)

“I am here if you need me.”

Pamella Johnson Goes the Distance for Equity and ESPs (educatingalllearners.org)

Strong advocates for public schools know how to pace themselves. Creating equity and lifting the voices of all students and educators takes time, patience and boundless energy. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and Rochester High School track coach and behavior interventionist Pamella Johnson is going the distance.

Five strategies for supporting students with special educational needs online (educatingalllearners.org)

As university educators, we should be aware that some students will have special educational needs. These can include a specific learning difficulty such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or a sensory impairment such as partial blindness, or a physical disability such as cerebral palsy. When teaching students with special educational needs in a traditional face-to-face class on campus, it is likely they will be accompanied by an assistant whose primary role is to aid them.

What We Can Do About Underemployment in the Autism Community (themighty.com)

"We know that neurodiversity is good for companies, resulting in higher productivity, higher retention, and reduced costs. It’s time to make sure every company is taking steps to recruit, hire, support, retain, and advance neurodivergent employees."

Top 4 Causes of Wheelchair Damage on Flights (wheelchairtravel.org)

Understanding why airlines damage wheelchairs is key to preventing it — these are the top 4 reasons why wheelchairs get damaged on flights.

Kids Meet a Guy with Muscular Dystrophy (facebook.com)

"Should we feel bad for you?" Kids meet a guy with muscular dystrophy.

We need better streets for disabled cyclists (bikeradar.com)

In active travel, disabled people continue to get a raw deal.

Critical Studies: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal (ojs.scholarsportal.info)

Critical Studies, formerly Women's Health & Urban Life (WHUL), is an international and interdisciplinary journal. The WHUL was founded by Dr. Aysan Sev'er at the University of Toronto Scarborough as a forum for critical social science research and commentaries on women's health issues. Critical Studies is a double-blind, peer-reviewed on-line journal now located at Ontario Tech University (Oshawa, Canada) in the the Faculties of Health Sciences and Social Science and Humanities. Continuing in this general tradition, Critical Studies: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal addresses a wide range of topics that directly or indirectly impact the socio-economic well-being and, physical, and mental health of social locations that lack influence and are marginalized or exploited by structural, institutional and discursive forms of organized power The journal promotes critical, and radical social science research and commentaries on political economy, sexual orientation and gender identity, social determinants of health, and health care and health systems, among related issues, and is particularly concerned with the relation and interaction between institutional and structural systems of control. The journal accepts quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods work as well as theoretical contributions. The aim of the journal is to continue to provide a vehicle for innovative critical analysis and action to promote social justice, and policy change and democratic transformation.

New Guidance Helps Employers Navigate End of the COVID-19 Emergency Orders (shrm.org)

As employers plan for the impact of the anticipated end of the two federal COVID-19 emergency orders, they have some important new clarity on test and vaccine coverage and on how to unwind COVID-19–era extended deadlines, including for COBRA continuing healthcare coverage elections.

ChatGPT can make websites more accessible for employees with disabilities (benefitnews.com)

Ran Ronen, CEO of Equally AI, explains how employers can avoid a lawsuit by making their websites more accessible.

Disability Accessibility Leads to Increased Profitability for Small Businesses (njbmagazine.com)

Q: I own a local pizza restaurant and I want to make sure my establishment is accessible to people with disabilities.

Podcast: Bringing Authentic Inclusion into Today’s Digital & Physical Workplaces (peatworks.org)

Zariah Cameron, Equity Centered UX strategist at Ally, shares how critical it is to embrace authentic inclusion in all aspects of work. She discusses how you can make your digital and physical workplaces more inclusive and more equitable by paying attention to the details such as inclusive alt text, mental health programs, and more.

How Professional Services Firm EY Is Making Government’s Online Presences Accessible To All Citizens (forbes.com)

[The report] surveyed 178 governmental leaders (federal, state, county, and municipal), customer experience, and IT professionals to uncover what, if any, strides are being made to amplify digital accessibility for the disabled contingent of the citizenry.

SCOTUS Will Hear Case About ADA Accommodation “Tester” Who Sued Business She Never Planned to Visit (fisherphillips.com)

The Supreme Court just agreed on Monday to weigh in on whether a private citizen can serve as a legal “tester” that goes from business to business looking for – and suing for – alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), even if they have no intent of patronizing the business. A hotel in Maine is challenging a federal appeals court ruling in favor of a so-called “accessibility tester” who has filed hundreds of such lawsuits against hotels even though she never planned to stay at their properties. Why is the case significant for hospitality, retail, and just about any other business with a physical location (and possibly just a website)? The ADA doesn’t require claimants to notify you of alleged violations that would give you a chance to fix the problem before a lawsuit is filed. That means many businesses are caught off guard when served with a lawsuit. Worse, they may spend thousands of dollars in attorneys’ fees to resolve a case – even when the cost of actual compliance is very low. What do you need to know about the potential impact of a SCOTUS ruling in Acheson Hotels v. Laufer?

Ensuring inclusive e-learning: reflections from UNSSC’s data analytics training programmes (unssc.org)

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 1.3 billion people in the world experience a significant disability. Living with a disability is more common  than you think!

Our mission has always been to make next-gen life skills accessible to the world’s 2 billion kids: RoboCHAMPS (timesnownews.com)

Our vision at BrightCHAMPS and RoboCHAMPS is to level the playing field for every child in the world, by making it more human, inclusive, accessible and personal. We hope to be the instruments through which the kids of today go on to lead fulfilled lives in whatever they choose to do. We also want to help kids be more empowered to make a change in the world when they grow up.

Free accessibility assessments for local businesses (sheppnews.com.au)

Finding accessible businesses in Deniliquin will be made easier over the coming months with the Access At A Glance program being delivered across the region.

There's no getting around — Alberta's lack of accessibility law is my ballot box issue (cbc.ca)

Chris Ryan has been unable to work as a lawyer because accessible transit made it impossible to get to work on time. His opinion piece is part of a series of personal essays the CBC is running ahead of the Alberta election.

The impact of COVID-19 on communicative accessibility and well-being in adults with hearing impairment: a survey study (bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com)

COVID-19 measures, such as face masks, have clear consequences for the communicative accessibility of people with hearing impairment because they reduce speech perception. As communication is essential to participate in society, this might have impact on their mental well-being. This study was set out to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 measures on the communicative accessibility and well-being of adults with hearing impairment.

Why accessibility is a crucial element in building design (timesnewsgroup.com.au)

Picture this: You’ve just designed a stunning, state-of-the-art building, but as you stand proudly admiring your creation, you notice that some people struggle to access it.

Mass. Commission for the Blind director resigns after no-confidence vote (eu.telegram.com)

A former secretary of state candidate, and currently the director of the state Commission for the Blind, was ousted through the combined efforts of workers, clients.

How a Maryland Lawsuit could Turn the Accessibility World Upside Down (linkedin.com)

Because the Americans with Disabilities Act did not provide for an inspection or certification process, Department of Justice complaints or lawsuits are the only recourse a person with a disability has when faced with something inaccessible.

Bill to expand some blind vocational services to a neighbor island advances (hawaiipublicradio.org)

The state has several programs through the Department of Human Services to assist those who are blind or visually impaired, and one measure moving through the state Legislature would create a pilot program and expand some of the services on Oʻahu to a neighbor island.

The EV industry is gaining momentum. But public charging is a long way from being accessible to all (cnbc.com)

CNBC's Sustainable Future takes a look at discussions surrounding the accessibility of electric vehicle charging points.

Chicago’s Failure to Make Crosswalks Accessible for Blind Pedestrians Broke the Law: Judge (news.wttw.com)

Chicago was hit with a lawsuit over its overwhelming lack of accessible crosswalks in 2019. The lawsuit in 2022 became a class action covering the estimated 68,000 adults in Chicago with a vision-related disability.

How Can Buildings Work for Everyone? The Future of Inclusivity and Accessibility in Architecture (archdaily.com)

Disabilities are more than a condition; they are a way of living according to human diversity that requires architectural solutions of equivalent multiplicity.

Autonomous transportation made more inclusive by Purdue (stories.purdue.edu)

Professors prioritize accessibility for people with disabilities as the future of vehicle design unfolds.

Kansas Senate passes bill aiming to curb ‘abusive’ ADA suits after initial backlash (kansascity.com)

The final bill was the product of negotiations between Kansas business groups and disability rights advocates.

Discover Adaptive Products - All Access Life "Live Your Best Life" (allaccesslife.org)

All Access Life helps people with various disabilities live their best life! They do so by showcasing adaptive products that can improve the lives of people with disabilities.

The Basics of Web Accessibility: What It is and Why It Matters (rebellionresearch.com)

Designing an effective website requires more than just a flashy interface, eye-catching graphics, or catchy copy. When building and maintaining your website, you need to focus on web accessibility at every stage of production to make sure your message is fully understood by everyone in your audience. If you are unfamiliar with web accessibility, this article will discuss more about what it is, why it matters, and how you can improve the accessibility of your website. If you are looking for additional assistance with web accessibility, the accessWidget from accessiBe is an AI-powered solution to help you evaluate and enhance your current accessibility levels.

4 pieces of advice for caregivers, from caregivers (npr.org)

1 in 5 Americans are acting as unpaid caregivers. The work can be meaningful but also stressful. Caregivers give advice about how to approach the job, find support and make time for yourself.

Accessibility Asked and Answered: What is a Web Accessibility Audit? (microassist.com)

A web accessibility audit evaluates a digital asset for accessibility to people with disabilities. The audit may be for a website, web application, mobile app, desktop application, or any product that contains a user interface. The audit typically involves reviewing the digital assets’ content, design, and code to identify any barriers that may prevent people with disabilities from accessing or using the site.

Where disability and climate meet (disabilitydebrief.org)

Disabled wisdom and an invitation to community.

Where to start with web accessibility (charitydigital.org.uk)

We explore the core elements of web accessibility and why charities need to embrace it now.

How Anti-Trans Legislation Hurts Disabled People (wid.org)

Conservative politicians in the United States are increasingly targeting and criminalizing the lives of gender-diverse people. Rising anti-transgender legislation represents one front of an alarming global trend towards fascism, which has deep roots in ableism.

The RNIB WhatsIn Store (youtube.com)

Everyone should have the right to know what they’re buying.

Accessible QR Code From Zappar Makes Packaging Talk To The Blind (forbes.com)

The new QR code activates voice descriptions of products.

U.S. Coast Guard introduces Sign Language View in Microsoft Teams (mycg.uscg.mil)

The “Sign Language View” capability is now available on Microsoft Teams.

Which are the Leading companies of Website Accessibility Software? (thesemweekly.org)

The Global Website Accessibility Software Market Report provides a comprehensive analysis of the market, detailed insights into industry trends, details on lucrative and marketplaces for buyers, as well as information on pricing strategies. To assist buyers in deciding when and where to invest in as well as what strategies to use when entering or leaving the market, the Market Report also provides estimates of Website Accessibility Software performance.

Android 14 could make Material You work with accessibility options (sammobile.com)

Material You design language has been one of the most impressive customization features that have been added to Android.

In Tech And Other Coverage Areas, Newsrooms Are Missing Big Stories By Ignoring Disabled Journalists (forbes.com)

What this latest "thanks, but no thanks" experience—it isn’t the first time to happen—puts in plain view is the majority of editorial powers-that-be and recruiters who run big newsrooms do not value diversity and inclusion as fully as they believe they do.

Corbett Joan O’Toole still fighting for self-determination, respect for disabled people (washingtonblade.com)

Author and activist on coming out, intersectionality, and a lifetime of advocacy.

High Inflation and Housing Costs Force Many Americans to Delay Needed Care (khn.org)

A recent Gallup Poll suggests that Americans are putting off medical care because of costs. Inflation and rising rents make it harder for people to make ends meet.

A federal judge suspends FDA's longtime approval of an abortion pill, but gives the government 7 days to appeal (nbcnews.com)

The decision by a Trump-appointed federal judge in Texas could upend access nationwide to the standard two-pill regimen for medication abortions.

Judge Approves MTA Deal to Make Subways 95% ADA-Compliant by 2055 (thecity.nyc)

Despite the distant due date, advocates mostly cheered the settlement, part of a long, multipronged push to make the transit agency comply fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

In Tech And Other Coverage Areas, Newsrooms Are Missing Big Stories By Ignoring Disabled Journalists (forbes.com)

What this latest "thanks, but no thanks" experience—it isn’t the first time to happen—puts in plain view is the majority of editorial powers-that-be and recruiters who run big newsrooms do not value diversity and inclusion as fully as they believe they do.

The Importance Of Engaging And Supporting Employees With Disabilities (forbes.com)

Every one of us could experience a disability – visible or invisible – in our lifetime.

Ontario's Ombudsman is investigating after family’s desperate plea for help (toronto.citynews.ca)

CityNews spoke last month to the parents of a 23-year-old son with autism who has been in a psychiatric ward for more than 8 months because there is nowhere else for him to go. The Ombudsman is now investigating this case and others like it.

How recognizing American Sign Language will serve Hawaiʻi's local deaf community (hawaiipublicradio.org)

Last week, the state Legislature made strides in advancing House Bill 834, which would recognize American Sign Language as an independent language in the state.

Mass. health officials defend decision to lift mask mandate for medical settings (wbur.org)

Gov. Maura Healey’s administration is standing by its decision to lift the state’s mask mandate for medical settings next month, despite calls from some health professionals to keep the COVID policy in place indefinitely. Plus: Boston opts in to a climate-friendly building code and Lowell police don body cameras.

Here's how an AI tool may flag parents with disabilities (apnews.com)

For the two weeks that the Hackneys’ baby girl lay in a Pittsburgh hospital bed weak from dehydration, her parents rarely left her side, sometimes sleeping on the fold-out sofa in the room.

NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship (aapd.com)

The NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship will provide eight (8) scholarships to be used in the fall semester of 2023. High school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students with disabilities who are pursuing careers in media, communications, or entertainment industries who will be enrolled in college or a university during Fall 2023 are eligible. Each recipient will receive $5,625 to help cover the cost of education at their college or university.

‘Like a blocked gate I can’t climb over’: a Windrush victim’s DWP impasse (theguardian.com)

After 13 years of being shut out of the workplace due to documentation problems, Joseph Mowlah-Baksh was denied benefits – and left unaware of assistance programmes.

State treasurers propose targeting men to work in care sector to boost productivity (theguardian.com)

Board of treasurers’ submission to employment white paper taskforce suggests making training flexible and promoting regional jobs.

The Complexities of Live Captioning: Takeaways from 3Play Live Experts Derek Throldahl and Josh Summers (3playmedia.com)

Live captioning experts discuss the challenges of captioning on broadcast TV, including what may have really happened during that viral captioning moment at the Grammys.

Clusiv -Professional Skills for the Modern Workforce for the Blind Community (openinclusion.com)

Clusiv is the world’s first E-learning platform built for the blind community to help remove barriers to employment through courses on occupational, technology and career skills.

The Fiverr Empower Program (openinclusion.com)

A Fiverr Program that supports people with disabilities build their professional experience and to provide freelance employment opportunities through the Fiverr Platform.

Fun Stuff For Wheelchair Users EU (funstuffforwheelchairusers.myspreadshop.net)

All great fun t-shirts sweaters hoodies and more for wheelchair users.

A Practical Guide to Educating Learners with Down Syndrome: Supporting Lifelong Learning (routledge.com)

Educating learners with Down syndrome can seem daunting at first, but this practical guide for teachers and carers to using evidence-based practices shows you how. Taking a unique lifespan, curriculum-based approach, Rhonda M. Faragher promotes the understanding that people with Down syndrome are a diverse group with vast potential and varied learning needs.

Lara is the next big thing in comedy. She's also deaf (sbs.com.au)

Comedian Lara Ricote has been winning awards overseas. Now audiences at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival are finding out why.

42nd College Television Awards: Loreen Arbus Focus on Disability Scholarship (emmys.com)

Gabriel Burch and Anna Rodman from Taylor University are presented the Loreen Arbus Focus on Disability Scholarship by Lauren Potter.

N.Y.C. Life Expectancy Dropped 4.6 Years in 2020, Officials Say (nytimes.com)

The coronavirus pandemic in 2020 caused the death rate in New York City to climb about 50 percent over the previous year, according to new data, a phenomenon not seen in nearly 200 years.

Undermining the ADA (wnycstudios.org)

The Americans with Disabilities Act is facing a critical juncture in our legislatures and in our courts.

'Sesame Street' Adds To Autism Initiative (disabilityscoop.com)

"Sesame Street" is ramping up its focus on autism with a collection of new resources and additional efforts at its theme parks.

A European initiative on Independent Living and inclusion in the community (enil.eu)

This event will take place on the occasion of the European Independent Living Day 2023. It is hosted by Member of the Parliament (MEP) Stelios Kympouropoulos. This event aims to hold a discussion between members of the European Parliament, members of the European Commission and various disability organisations about independent living in the European Union.

Tuned ASR: How 3Play is Advancing Live Automatic Speech Recognition for Closed Captions (3playmedia.com)

Tuned ASR is an enhanced automatic speech recognition captioning solution that pairs our speech modeling expertise with top-quality 3Play ASR.

Disability News and Mental Health, Is ChatGPT a disability ally? (bbc.co.uk)

The AI chatbot plays the disability card and tells a human it's 'visually impaired'

The Other Side of My “AUTHENTIC” Self – Behind the Scenes of being a C6 Quadriplegic (quirkyquad.com)

The text is about the challenges of being a quadriplegic who works many hours in a day. The author has nerve and neck pain, and hypersensitivity in their hands. They have created an unconventional routine of working from their bed, bundled up in heating blankets. They share this to show that people with disabilities can be just as efficient as anyone else if they re-imagine their lives a little differently.

This 22-Year-Old TikToker Uses Her Platform to Teach Black American Sign Language (afrotech.com)

Nakia Smith — also known as Charmay — is the 22-year-old TikToker teaching Black American Sign Language (BASL) one viral video at a time.

Study shows autoantibodies may spread pain after spinal cord injury (disabilityinsider.com)

A subgroup of patients recovering from severe spinal-cord injury can develop an autoimmune response directed against spinal cord proteins that may associate with pain development according to a new study by researchers at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and collaborators in Germany, Austria, Italy, Canada and Switzerland.

Therapy for infants with autism symptoms cuts long-term disability costs (disabilityinsider.com)

New research evaluating the potential cost savings of a therapy for babies displaying early autism signs has predicted a three dollar return to Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for every dollar invested in therapy.

Lithuanian scientists invent virtual post-stroke assistant to aid rehabilitation (disabilityinsider.com)

Some years ago, virtual reality (VR) systems were associated only with games and leisure in three-dimensional virtual space. Today, VR is used in various fields. The innovation created by the team of Lithuanian scientists is a VR-based rehabilitation system, a VR technology without the VR world and glasses.

UK's first Virtual Aviation Experience for disabled people launched (ablemagazine.co.uk)

Disabled people throughout the UK, can learn the fundamentals of piloting an aeroplane by flying a realistic flight simulator, under the guidance of an instructor, from the comfort of their own home as part of a unique new programme.

How Accepting Her Autism Diagnosis Made This Mom a Better Parent to Her Two Autistic Sons (cafemom.com)

Tiffany Hammond shares how her journey with a developmental disorder led to being a better parent.

Air pollution may raise risk of dementia, analysis says (washingtonpost.com)

Researchers examined 16 studies and found consistent evidence of a connection between toxic air pollutants known as PM 2.5 and dementia.

Long COVID Is Making Some People Choose Not to Have Kids (time.com)

'I really don't think my body could handle it'

Aussie travellers warned over increase in cases of virus with 90 per cent kill rate (7news.com.au)

There are no vaccines or antiviral treatments approved to treat the deadly virus.

‘Dark Disabled Stories’ Invites Audiences to an Experiment in Unapologetically Accessible Theater (hollywoodreporter.com)

The series of vignettes — written by and starring Ryan J. Haddad, directed by Jordan Fein and co-starring Dickie Hearts and audio describer Alejandra Ospina — dares American theater to reach the widest audience.

Disability advocates set to secure historic MTA settlement (ny1.com)

Only a quarter of 472 stations are accessible.

Epidemiologists Urge Travel Ban To Prevent Spread Of Marburg Virus (menafn.com)

Epidemiologists and health experts are urging authorities to ban travel from areas infected with the recent spread of the Marburg virus to Jordan, and are urging authorities to take all necessary measures to confront the spread of the virus within the Kingdom.

Aging and the ADA: Why You Should Care About the Americans with Disabilities Act (adainfo.org)

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law designed to protect people with disabilities from discrimination in several settings, including...

Sensory Shift: A Disability Arts Residency - Information Session (youtube.com)

Sensory Shift is the first phase of Creative Connector’s 2022 digital programs series. This 3-month virtual program includes a disability arts residency with guest artists, a mentorship program and public workshops and meetups that explore the theme of sensory experience in the digital realm.

Accessible procurement in the Public Sector, a Q&A with Susanna Laurin (abilitynet.org.uk)

AbilityNet surveyed more than 400 accessibility professionals about all aspects of accessibility.

Mind control: 3D-patterned sensors allow robots to be controlled by thought (interestingengineering.com)

The technology has tremendous potential in areas such as defense, sophisticated manufacturing, aerospace, and healthcare.

6 Tips for Managing BPD Symptoms During the Holidays (themighty.com)

Can you relate?

Is flexible working here to stay? (ablemagazine.co.uk)

As part of their ongoing work with the Disability Power 100, and linking to ideas regarding how to close the disability gap, Shaw Trust has released a number of thought pieces. The following video explains some of the pros and cons of remote working, as it relates to disabled people.

Ableism in Philosophy According to ChatGPT (biopoliticalphilosophy.com)

Ableism is discrimination against people with disabilities based on the belief that able-bodied individuals are superior. It can manifest in various ways and can affect people with all types of disabilities. Ableism can be produced in academic philosophy through the use of ableist language and exclusion of disabled voices, and in feminist philosophy through assumptions about bodily autonomy and reproductive rights. It's important to address all forms of ableism to create a more inclusive and equitable society.

3Play's Real Time Captioning Services for Higher Ed (3playmedia.com)

Real time captioning is one way educators can provide students with an accessible, welcoming, and engaging school experience.

What Anxiety Has Given Me (themighty.com)

"My anxiety has made me who I am. And I wouldn’t change myself for the world."

3Play Media and Brightcove Partner on Video Accessibility (3playmedia.com)

3Play Media announced an expanded partnership with Brightcove for customers to order services from within their video production workflow.

ACCESS 2023 (go.3playmedia.com)

Register for ACCESS 2023 to learn, grow, and collectively create a better and more inclusive world for everyone.

Housing Action Days in Portugal (enil.eu)

Portugal is facing the biggest housing crisis the country has ever experienced. While finding a house was not easy before, right now it is way worse and on a point that we can call “perfect storm”.

April 2023 Artist of the Month Valois J Vera (aka Crip Lyrical) (artsparktx.org)

While his journalism work can be found in New Mobility Magazine, Latino Rebels, and Rooted in Rights, his poetry has been published by Spoonie Press, Mollyhouse, and the soon-to-be-released anthology American Graveyard: Calls to end Gun Violence, Volume I (Read or Green Books). Their debut collection is “Crip Lyrics: the Unapologetic Poetry of Disability” (POOR Press).

Canada first to develop medical standards to keep kids from suffering from pain in silence (theglobeandmail.com)

The Health Standards Organization has released a new set of guidelines to help hospital workers manage children’s pain – particularly for those who can’t communicate when they’re hurt.

Guide to Investigating Disability Issues: Introduction (gijn.org)

The introduction to GIJN's reporting guide to investigating disability issues, which also provides a table of contents for the guide.

DEI Has Long Overlooked Cognitive Diversity. Unfortunately, Developmentally Disabled Black Women Suffer The Most (essence.com)

Black women at the intersection of race, gender, and developmental disability are nearly nonexistent in the workforce.

'No wheelchair': Advocate says laws governing mobility aids on flight not enough (toronto.citynews.ca)

Accessibility advocate Maayan Ziv is once again calling for change and for the air travel rights of people with disabilities to be respected.

How to Teach Your (Many) Neurodivergent Students (chronicle.com)

It’s easier than you think to make your classroom welcoming and accessible to students with autism and other diagnoses.

COVID-19 Infection Accelerates the Progression of Dementia (neurosciencenews.com)

Following COVID-19 infection, all subtypes of dementia, irrespective of a person's previous dementia type, behave like rapidly progressive dementia.

Jeremy Hunt will boast about benefit hikes, but his party knows it’s still not enough to live on (theguardian.com)

Despite the headline figure of 10.1%, the Conservative approach to welfare is such that they’re still keeping people in poverty.

Paramedics could not tell deaf Derby widow her husband had died (bbc.com)

Elizabeth Corbett, 43, is calling for ambulance crews to be taught basic sign language.

The Power and Art of AAC: Disrupting Racism, Ableism, and Oppression (communicationfirst.org)

On June 20, 2022, the evening after Juneteenth, CommunicationFIRST Policy Director Bob Williams, and CommunicationFIRST Advisory Council member Devva Kasnitz moderated this 90-minute online event called The Power and Art of AAC: Disrupting Racism, Ableism, and Oppression - A Conversation with Three Generations of Award-Winning Artists and Activists, joined by CommunicationFIRST Board member Lateef McLeod and Advisory Council member DJ Savarese. The event generated a lot of interest, with over 250 people registered from at least 29 different US states and 15 different countries, including Tanzania, Chile, Singapore, and Croatia.

Call for Panelists for OAH 24 (dishist.org)

The Disability History Association seeks participants for a solicited panel on teaching disability history at the Organization of American Historians conference in April 2024.

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