I Lost My Voice, So I Cloned It With Generative AI
I’m Raul Krauthausen the founder of SOZIALHELD*INNEN, an NPO and consultancy from Germany, focussing on Disability Mainstreaming. With this newsletter, I share hand-picked links from around the world.
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Thank you,
Raul
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.
Some readings are scheduled, and I can't wait to finally get back into dialogue with you!
Hand-picked news about inclusion, accessibilty and innovation
I Lost My Voice, So I Cloned It With Generative AI (medium.com)
The results blew me away.
The Past, Present, and Future of Adaptive Fashion (respectability.org)
Learn more about the history and future of adaptive fashion, clothing modified with certain features to fit the needs of disabled consumers.
Your first attempt at making anything accessible will be awful (accessability.substack.com)
Don’t use this as an excuse. Even awful is better than 98 % of what other people are doing.
Pepper spray could be used at young offender institutions in England and Wales (theguardian.com)
Exclusive: Whitehall sources say use of Pava to incapacitate children is under consideration amid sharp rise in violence.
Famous campaigner to host annual disability awards (smileymovement.org)
Samantha Renke is known for her television appearances and disabled rights advocacy.
New Campaign, "Ask, Don't Assume," Launched to Challenge Perceptions around Disabilities and Empower the Public (ablemagazine.co.uk)
A new campaign developed in partnership with disabled people is being launched this week, with the aim of empowering the public to become allies to disabled people.
Stephen King's "Holly" reframes his hero's mental illness as an asset (salon.com)
In the horror master's latest book, Holly Gibney's anxiety and OCD helps to solve problems, not create them.
Stephen King’s ‘Holly’ is admirably nuanced about autism (washingtonpost.com)
With his latest novel, King proves that he’s willing to keep evolving.
Fetterman chokes up during hearing on disability access (thehill.com)
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) choked up while talking about struggles that people with disabilities face during a Thursday hearing of the Senate Special Committee on Aging.
Criptech (leonardo.info)
Leonardo CripTech Incubator is an art and technology fellowship for disability innovation. Encompassing residencies, workshops, presentations, publication and education, this innovation incubator creates a platform for disabled artists to engage and remake creative technologies through the lens of accessibility. Employing a broad understanding of technologies, including prosthetic tools, neural networks, software and the built environment, CripTech Incubator reimagines enshrined notions of how a body-mind can move, look, communicate.
Announcing ‘Be My AI,’ Soon Available for Hundreds of Thousands of Be My Eyes Users (bemyeyes.com)
Be My Eyes’ AI assistant, powered by GPT-4, is rolling out to hundreds of thousands of iOS users over the next several weeks.
E.A.A.T. | CripTech Incubator (leonardo.info)
The letters E.A.A.T. are outlined in blue aside from the second A, representing Access, which is filled in with a bold blue. Under the acronym are the words Experiments in Art, Access & Technology. This text is underlined by sound waves of varying amplitude. Tinged in blue and orange, the waves reverberate and fade into the black background.
“A Protactile Version of ‘Tintern Abbey’ ” (newyorker.com)
“When I smelled the smoke, I knew / Where I was.”
USUALLY I'M ON TOP (speelscollectief.nl)
In a world in which perfect pictures blur the image of reality, Speels Collectief smashes the ideal image. USUALLY I’M ON TOP questions prevailing norms of femininity and sexuality. Vulnerable and grotesque, in word and body, seven women take you along in their experiences and desires. In a search for a new morality (or the absolute rejection of it) we arrive at ‘what she really really wants’.
Lay Down and Lift me up (speelscollectief.nl)
Everywhere you look, there are tables set for two, multiple beds are outnumbered, and even marriage is for two only. But more is possible. In this intimate performance about relationships, Speels Collectief asks Cupid all ins and outs. From dinners-for-three, monogamy and self-marriage to polyamory for better or for worse: every colour of the rainbow is covered in a performance that looks behind the front door and between the sheets. We celebrate the multiplicity that coexists. Mischievous and personal, swirling and sweating, we are guided by our curiosity about How Everyone Actually Does It.
To Remember Amid Dismemberment (orionmagazine.org)
A conversation with eco-artist Marina ‘Heron’ Tsaplina about Soils and Spirit.
Are You A Woman In Authority? (phoenixbrighton.org)
Broken Grey Wires and Phoenix Art Space present an exhibition of work by artists who explore empowerment, gender, and community. Are You A Woman in Authority? communicates the powerful rhetoric behind key social issues: mental illness, class struggles, race, queerness and feminist discourse, and how these intersect. It brings together established, critically acclaimed artists and provides a platform for emerging artists.
Announcing the 2023 Artist2Artist Fellows (artmattersfoundation.org)
Art Matters Foundation is proud to announce the third year of Artist2Artist, a program where our grant recipients—artists—act as grantmakers. In September, the Foundation awarded 225K in fellowships to 30 artists.
Why Hip-Hop Diplomat and HIV Advocate Toni Blackman Taps Into the Power of Music (thebody.com)
Hip-hop diplomat and HIV activist Toni Newman talks about her work, and how music can bring HIV awareness.
COVID.gov - Free at-home COVID-19 tests (covid.gov)
Every U.S. household is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests.
Solidarity Means Access (peopleshub.org)
Support the PeoplesHub Undoing Internalized Ableism Cohort for Disabled Movement Workers
Undoing Internalized Ableism Cohort (Fall 2023) (peopleshub.org)
We will lead a cohort of disabled people who are currently engaged in social justice work through a workshop series designed to develop knowledge and skills (peer support, self-advocacy, practicing access, and more) to navigate internalized ableism. This is not apolitical or completely individual. Participants will work with each other to find ways we can make the work of undoing internalized ableism a collective process and use what is learned in movement work beyond the cohort.
Fannie Lou Hamer Leadership Program (aapd.com)
The Fannie Lou Hamer Leadership Program is designed for young Black disabled advocates (ages 18 – 30) who are committed to the social, political, and economic issues surrounding the intersections of the Black and Disability communities.
Drafting an Access Statement with Finnegan Shannon (pioneerworks.org)
Drafting access statements is an important practice for anyone involved planning or hosting gatherings (concerts, meetings, artist talks, dinner parties, etc). Sharing what access provisions are available and not available is key for disabled attendees planning their participation.
Make the most of the web this Get Online Week 2023 (abilitynet.org.uk)
Upcoming free webinars on Dyslexia and attitudes to accessibility outline the power of the web and the benefits it can bring.
Is occupational health working for disabled employees or against them? (businessdisabilityforum.org.uk)
We’ve just had Occupational Health Awareness Week (18-24 September). This was, quite rightly, a time to stress the importance of employers having a good occupational health function in place. You might have seen some of our advice for employers released to mark the week. It comes back to a vital point: occupational health can, and should, play a vital role in supporting disabled employees and their managers.
John Fetterman Gives Emotional Speech on Disability Access (www-rollingstone-com.cdn.ampproject.org)
John Fetterman, who suffered a life threatening stroke, became emotional when speaking about the challenges people with disabilities face on Thursday.
You're not going to shut me up (disability-visibility-newsletter.ghost.io)
Adventures in public speaking Hello friends! To me, being a writer and activist means speaking truth to power, even if people don't want to hear it. With fall semester beginning at many universities and colleges, they are having numerous events and activities on campus. On September 14, 2023, I gave
Misconceptions can kill accessibility momentum (yatil.net)
Reflecting on accessibility misconceptions and how new standards and technologies can add to them.
Parents who lost allowance day after their child’s death call for change in law on ‘cliff-edge’ benefit cut (theguardian.com)
Charities and parents say legislation must be introduced to protect families from short-term financial hardship caused by immediate loss of disability living allowance.
German Digital Manufacturer Transforms Wheelchair Design with 3D Printing Innovation (assistivetechnologyblog.com)
Replique, a German digital manufacturing company, partnered with RehaMedPower, a medical supplier specializing in wheelchairs, to revolutionize wheelchair design and production using HP’s Multi-Jet Fusion (MJF) technology. Traditional manufacturing methods for wheelchairs involved high costs and long lead times, but with 3D printing technology, Replique and RehaMedPower found a cost-effective and efficient solution. They discovered that they could manufacture many more wheelchair parts using 3D printing, reducing the need for expensive molds.
Rights on Flights Unveils Policy Proposal for Accessible Air Travel (wheelchairtravel.org)
The proposed Assisted Air Travel Act suggests new regulations for disability-inclusive air travel that could be adopted worldwide.
Superfest 2023 Festival Page (superfestfilm.com)
Thank you for joining us for Superfest’s 37th festival! Our festival will be a hybrid of in-person (in San Francisco/Berkeley) and virtual (on Eventive).
How Will Rural Americans Fare During Medicaid Unwinding? Experts Fear They’re on Their Own (kffhealthnews.org)
As states review their Medicaid rolls after the expiration of a pandemic-era prohibition against kicking recipients off the government insurance program, experts say the lack of help available to rural Americans in navigating insurance options puts them at greater risk of losing health coverage than people in metropolitan areas.
ONE DAY WORKSHOP #ORIENTATION_to_DISABILITIES (youtube.com)
VOICE4ABILITY, previously known as ‘We The People India’ - A web channel, is a first-of-its-kind initiative dedicated to Disability and rehabilitation in India. Since 2014, the organization has worked towards generating awareness in society.
In Hospitals, Viruses Are Everywhere. Masks Are Not. (nytimes.com)
Amid an uptick in Covid infections, administrators, staff and patients are divided over the need for masks in health care settings.
What people with disabilities hope to see in a Biden Presidency (open.substack.com)
After four years of ridicule and inattention to PwDs being completely normalized, the future is looking slightly brighter.
A coalition of big Aussie brands work together to create the "Unignorable Adbreak", launching the Shift 20 Initiative via Special, Glue Society + PHD (campaignbrief.com)
Last night, during the Sunday Project, in an iconic and unignorable moment for Australian advertising, 10 of Australia’s most well known brands came together in support of disability representation with the “Unignorable Adbreak”. Swapping out key scenes in their advertising to include a person with disability to launch the Shift 20 Initiative. This initiative was conceived by Special and the Dylan Alcott Foundation over two years ago.
A day to talk about the importance of sign language (www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org)
Today is the International Day of Sign Languages, where people are recognising the importance of sign languages around the world.
Mourning My Losses (jesistracham.com)
My spinal cord injury is one of the greatest things that could have happened to me. It has given me perspective of what’s important, put incredible people in my life, taught me to love myself, and made my faith stronger than ever. The opportunities outweigh the list of things I can’t do but I just would like to take a moment to mourn my losses.
10 Tips For Flying With A Manual Wheelchair (jesistracham.com)
Flying is a pain without a disability, so after my injury I was pretty nervous about flying.
10 Things Wheelchair Users Don't Want to Hear (jesistracham.com)
Before you approach a wheelchair user think about how you would feel if you were on the receiving end of what is coming out of your mouth. Here are 10 of the most common things I've heard since being a wheelchair user.
9 Habits Abled-Bodied’s Need to Kick (jesistracham.com)
“I’m just a wheel girl in a walking world,” is one of my go-to lines when people ask me what life as a wheelchair user is like.
Understanding WCAG Guidelines (3playmedia.com)
In this blog, learn what WCAG is, why its guidelines are important, where it is referenced in the law, and gain access to free WCAG resources.
Moving Mountains (jesistracham.com)
This summer, I was entranced by Mt. Rainier while sailing on Lake Washington. After doing some research, it appeared that very few adaptive athletes have reached its summit. I am announcing my intent to attempt that climb during summer of 2019.
Video Relay Services | VRS | VRS Interpreter | VRS Apps (convorelay.com)
As a Deaf-owned company, we provide video relay services (VRS) and other deaf communication solutions.
Conference Registration - M-Enabling Summit (m-enabling.com)
Your conference registration includes admission to two full days of M-Enabling Summit sessions, luncheons, exhibit floor, coffee breaks, keynote presentations, networking events, professional meetups, and opening night cocktail reception. A three-day pass includes two-day all-access conference pass, plus a third day of Expert Forum or Workshop presented by IAAP held on October 12th.
The NDIS has a parent problem. Changes could involve parents more in disability support and reduce stress (theconversation.com)
Parents are their child’s first and most important supports. Parents and carers of children with disability need help to maximise this relationship – and the NDIS should provide it.
Network Rail admits: ‘We have no idea how many inaccessible bridges we’re building’ (disabilitynewsservice.com)
Network Rail has been forced into a “deeply troubling” admission that it has no idea how many inaccessible footbridges it is planning to build across Britain, while claiming it is too time-consuming and expensive to find out.
Bristol care proposals: Disabled people fear losing right to live at home (bbc.com)
Disabled residents in Bristol fear proposed changes to care could see them moved to care homes.
Covid Drug Paxlovid Now Less Effective Than In Early Trials—But It’s Still Great At Preventing Death (forbes.com)
The study found Paxlovid is now less effective at keeping patients out of the hospital, but still remains highly effective at stopping death.
As Covid-19 hospitalizations climb, rates among seniors and children raise concern (edition.cnn.com)
Covid-19 hospitalizations have been on the rise in the United States for months, with weekly admissions now more than triple what they were two months ago. Seniors have the highest rates of Covid hospitalizations by far, but hospitalizations among children — especially among those younger than 5 — are rising fast.
Americans trying to get new covid vaccine hit insurance snags, face bills (washingtonpost.com)
Insurers are supposed to pay for the updated coronavirus vaccine after the federal government stopped buying them. But some consumers are being turned away.
Lawsuit can proceed against New Jersey prison guards accused of refusing disabled man's needs (newjerseymonitor.com)
Prison staff showed "deliberate indifference" in refusing to give a disabled incarcerated man his cane for 10 days, a judge said.
NYC man’s fatal brain disease linked to COVID-19: ‘Highly likely’ (nypost.com)
Doctors from the Department of Internal Medicine at Mt. Sinai Queens believe it’s “highly likely” COVID contributed to the 62-year-old’s fatal prion disease.
Disabled people are suffering due to government neglect and contempt (bigissue.com)
Disabled people are suffering as a result of austerity and neglect. That's why disabled people's organisations are uniting for justice.
England’s Disabled People’s Organisations Demand Next Government Takes Radical Action to End Injustice Towards Disabled People (disabilityrightsuk.org)
Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) from across England are gathering in Manchester on 22nd September to demand that the next government takes fundamental and radical action to address the deep-seated inequalities faced by millions of Disabled people.
For People With Disabilities, Technology Needs to Do More (nytimes.com)
In “Against Technoableism,” Ashley Shew argues that it’s not the individuals who need “fixing,” it’s their environment.
Experts say CDC not getting right advice on hospital infection prevention (cidrap.umn.edu)
This week hundreds of industrial hygienists, healthcare worker union reps, epidemiologists, and aerosol scientists plan to send a second letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), asking the agency to hold public meetings to discuss the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee's (HICPAC's) proposal to update the CDC's Isolation Precautions guidance, last updated in 2007.
Type 2 diabetes rates in US youth rose 62% after COVID pandemic began, study suggests (cidrap.umn.edu)
Rates of new-onset type 2 diabetes climbed 62%—and type 1 diabetes increased 17%—among US youth after the COVID-19 pandemic began, especially in Black and Hispanic children, according to a study published yesterday in JAMA Network Open.
Fetterman chokes up during hearing on disability access (thehill-com.cdn.ampproject.org)
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) choked up while talking about struggles that people with disabilities face during a Thursday hearing of the Senate Special Committee on Aging.
Where Do I Start? (stephstwogirls.co.uk)
A review of a book intended to help parents of newly diagnosed autistic children
Meet Unhidden, the fashion brand changing the game for people with disabilities (theguardian.com)
In this week’s newsletter: Despite representing 24% of the population, people with disabilities are crying out for chic accessible style. One company is trying to change that.
‘I think it’s a new artform’: Chris Fonseca, the man bringing Deaf dance to the mainstream (theguardian.com)
With his primetime TV appearances, West End shows, tours and plans for a film, choreographer Chris Fonseca is using music and dance to explore his identity. But he rejects tokenism, and ‘it’s not a Ted talk’.
WEB APP Wheeleasy (accessibletravel.online)
WEB APP Wheeleasy. I want everyone to know that 'If 1 in 200 of us adds access info about 1 place, we can cover ALL OF AUSTRALIA".
Updated W3C Recommendation: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 (w3.org)
The update incorporates existing errata and adds informative notes to success criteria 4.1.1 Parsing.
Is Entrepreneurship An Accessible Path For People With Disabilities? (forbes.com)
While founder life is stressful for any entrepreneur, it is even more stressful when you navigate it as a founder with a disability. Here's why.
Perspectives: Accessibility a key driver for disability inclusion (newsday.co.zw)
Accessibility is the practice of ensuring that information, activities and environments are usable by as many people as possible.
Making golf accessible at the U.S. Adaptive Open (gcmonline.com)
Pinehurst hosted the second annual USGA tournament, which spotlights golfers with disabilities.
Transforming technology accessibility in digital marketing (mycustomer.com)
Greg Blazewicz delves into the evolving landscape of digital marketing, exploring the potential for removing barriers and transforming the sector.
Are Our Religious Spaces Accessible? (spokanefavs.com)
Is your religious space accessible? Is this a question you’ve ever even asked yourself?
Gardening can be both accessible and safe for seniors (thereflector.com)
Age doesn’t have to keep seniors from gardening, a hobby that can cultivate mental and bodily health in its participants. Though aging can make physical activities challenging, gardening is an adaptable pastime that can be made accessible to many. Finding the right type of garden and tools, and being aware of physical limitations, are critical for maximizing enjoyment and avoiding injury for seniors.
8-Step Plan to Remediate PDFs on Your Website (equidox.co)
Inaccessible PDFs on your website can put you at risk for a lawsuit. Here's a plan to remediate PDFs and make them ADA compliant.
Everyday Iowa - 319 Ramps & Accessibility (youtube.com)
Mike and Beth from 319 Ramps talk about ways to make your home more accessible (This segment sponsored by 319 Ramps & Accessibility).
Bullfighting, Barbie and Borges (disabilitydebrief.org)
Latest international disability news from nearly 60 countries.
Considering Accessibility for International Week of Deaf People 2023 (blog.usablenet.com)
The last week of September is International Week of Deaf People, a week to discuss how we can make the world more inclusive for those with auditory disabilities. You can learn more about the week, events, discussions, and other ways to get involved this week here.
It's time for Android to add dyslexia-focused accessibility options (androidpolice.com)
Depending on which medical institution you ask, dyslexia affects 10–20% of the population. Despite being discovered in 1877, then known as word blindness, the condition is still largely misunderstood and difficult to treat. Accessibility has been a major focus in the mobile space in recent years, rightly so, with important features like Live Caption and more. But there’s one feature missing in the mobile space, and that’s the use of a dyslexic font, something Android phones should adopt as soon as possible.
How We Approach Visual Storytelling Accessibility at The Markup (themarkup.org)
A Q&A with The Markup’s visual designer Gabriel Hongsdusit.
Let's Make Air Force One Wheelchair Accessible (wheelchairtravel.substack.com)
Delayed delivery of the next-generation Air Force One will allow Boeing to add a wheelchair securement space and other accessibility features.
Reasons, Rewards, and Tips for a More Accessible and Inclusive Web (healthcareittoday.com)
The end of September marks International Week of the Deaf, followed soon after by Blind Americans Equality Day. Both are reminders of the need to make online resources accessible to all. Supporting this is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), intended to protect the civil rights of persons with disabilities when it comes to areas like employment, government services, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications.
Washington State Sets Digital Equity Goals (benton.org)
Washington releases its Draft State Digital Equity Plan.
Volunteer-led project to make health accessible for blind and partially sighted people (nbt.nhs.uk)
West of England Sight Loss Council (SLC) developed a high impact partnership with North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) to make health accessible for blind and partially sighted (BPS) people. In this blog, West of England SLC member, Heather Armstrong, shares their lessons learnt, the impact of this work and an outline of their journey.
6 Items to Curate a More Accessible Home, According to Disabled Folks (architecturaldigest.com)
Because a disability-friendly space can be universally appealing too.
Accessibility & Diversity At New York Fashion Week: Here Are The Brands Critics Say Are Doing It Right (forbes.com)
This fall's New York Fashion Week reignited a discussion around body inclusivity at the highest levels of the fashion industry.
Hearing Services Program (health.gov.au)
This Compliance Update includes information on the support available, lessons learned from during 2022-23. The focus for compliance in 2023-24 is listed below. Providers should review their processes to ensure they remain compliant.
Toolkit: Submitting Comments in Support of HHS Rule To Improve Medical Equipment Accessibility (americanprogress.org)
This toolkit provides guidance for reproductive rights and disability rights organizations and others who seek to submit a comment on the Biden administration’s proposed rule on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Sooke and neighbours unite to foster inclusivity and accessibility (sookenewsmirror.com)
Local governments required by law to form committee to remove obstacles for people with disabilities.
France presents accessibility action plan for 2024 Olympics (euractiv.com)
France, which has for a long time been criticised for its lack of accessibility measures for disabled people, presented a ten-point action plan ahead of 2024's Paris Olympics to boost public infrastructure for those with impairments and access needs.
Transport bodies commit to improving accessibility in build-up to Paris 2024 (insidethegames.biz)
Three key bodies have committed to an action plan to make the public transport network more accessible in the build-up to next year's Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
Sam's disability campaign hits the high street (nationalstar.org)
Cheltenham’s business community is joining forces with National Star student Sam to make the town more accessible for disabled people.
App launched in Calgary to help pedestrians find accessible, barrier-free routes downtown (globalnews.ca)
Pedesting, which launched Wednesday, is designed to help differently abled pedestrians find the easiest and most accessible routes throughout Calgary's downtown core.
New Musical 'Celebrate All' Designed with Children and Accessibility In Mind (96five.com)
Australia's premier disability-led performing arts festival is back for 2023 and local songwriter Donna Dyson is debuting a new musical.
Design disability disaster: Thailand's online critique on wheelchair walkway accessibility (thethaiger.com)
Online outrage over disability walkway obstructed by pole prompts calls for local authorities to address the issue.
This Malaysian Wants To Make KL Accessible For People With Disabilities & Needs Your Help (says.com)
IncluCity by NakSeni is an inclusive crowdsourced map for accessible, safe venues and spaces.
CTV's Community Heroes: Meet a UBC student trying to make Vancouver more sustainable and accessible (bc.ctvnews.ca)
UBC engineering student Stephanie Quon has been making a positive difference in her community since she was 15 years old.
TTC won’t meet Ontario’s 2025 accessibility deadline, staff report says (thestar.com)
The documents states that the Toronto transit system won’t achieve the objective set out in 2005 legislation to make all its subway stations accessible.
Swanson ‘appalled’ by lack of accessibility for disabled kids (postguam.com)
Guam Department of Education Superintendent Kenneth Swanson said he was ‘appalled’ upon taking the helm of the local school system by the failure to provide accommodations for students with disabilities.
Advancing accessibility: Tactile stencils enable independent voting for visually impaired in Luxembourg (today.rtl.lu)
In a bid to ensure equal access to the democratic process, Luxembourg introduces tactile stencils ("Walschabloun" in Luxembourgish) for blind and partially-sighted citizens, enabling them to vote autonomously and eliminating the need for third-party assistance.
ICMR releases national list of essential assistive products for improved accessibility (telegraphindia.com)
Assistive products (APs) play a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of life and promoting independence among individuals with functional impairments.
How these Canadians with disabilities embrace their love of outdoor adventures (cbc.ca)
For years, Ben Chamberlain, who has been living with physical disabilities half his life, wasn't sure he'd return to a backcountry trail, but he now spends time each year in Ontario's wilderness. He isn't alone in pushing his limits to get into nature. A Windsor man who uses a wheelchair made it to Hardwood Lookout Trail summit in Algonquin Park.
A handbook for more accessible official documentation by the differently abled (thehindu.com)
Reshmi Mohan, a differently-abled employee, raised the issue of inadequate training programmes for the differently-abled. In response, Kerala's Local Self Government Dept. created a handbook, accessible via braille, audio, sign language video, large-sized font, etc. The book provides info on grass-root level governance, RTI Act, panchayati raj Act, civil registration, etc. It is a laudable, inclusive gesture, and a model for other departments to replicate. It ensures no one is left out, bringing joy to those excluded.
Brandon needs to improve 'awful' accessibility, says wheelchair user (cbc.ca)
Phillip Emmerson says over the last 30 years little has been done to make the streets of the city more accessible. He wants to see this change and the city better follow the Accessibility for Manitobans Act. The law provides a process to remove barriers affecting people with disabilities.
UEFA fails to respond to accessibility failures (mancunianmatters.co.uk)
UEFA is yet to respond to its repeated failures to accommodate disabled supporters three months on from the Champions League Final.
Osprey and Motability to trial accessibility of public charging for disabled people (airqualitynews.com)
Osprey Charging, one of the UK’s largest electric vehicle charging networks, has been selected by Motability Operations, the UK’s largest leasing company and the organisation that delivers the Motability Scheme to over 690,000 disabled people, as their first charge point operator (CPO) partner.
Osprey teams up with Motability on accessible charge points (electrive.com)
British charge point operator Osprey Charging has been selected by Motability Operations, the UK’s largest leasing company and the organization that delivers the Motability Scheme to over 690,000 people with disabilities, as their first charge point operator (CPO) partner.
Designing for Accessibility is a Social Responsibility (canadianarchitect.com)
The road to becoming an architect has been long for Harsh Mehra – both in terms of geography and professional growth.
Colwood defers decision on accessibility committee after hour of debate (goldstreamgazette.com)
Delay comes as process on how to comply with new provincial requirements criticized on West Shore.
All-Terrain Track Chairs Added to All Minnesota State Parks for Improved Accessibility (mymodernmet.com)
These all-terrain track chairs are total game-changers for people with mobility issues.
We need to mandate EV accessibility standards, RECHARGE UK urges (dpaonthenet.net)
RECHARGE UK, the EV division of the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA), is urging the Government to make public EV charging sites accessible to all.
This US destination is one of the world’s top places for accessible travel (cntraveller.com)
Journey to California, in the land of the ‘step-free’, where wheelchair access is mandatory, ‘handicapped’ toilets are often integrated, and the mental load of the physically disabled can be temporarily replaced with a breezier outlook.
Accessibility For Hawaii Flights | Here's What's About To Change (beatofhawaii.com)
On "most" flights to Hawaii this is a huge issue. But that is changing and here's where it will start.
How a tech partnership helped a credit union retool for accessibility (tearsheet.co)
Almost 20% of the world’s population is neurodiverse. But banking rarely serves the needs of this consumer when designing products.
Outdoor wheelchair program makes state parks and forests accessible (wpr.org)
Later this month the DNR will introduce its second motorized all-terrain outdoor wheelchair at Point Beach State Forest. A non-motorized all-terrain outdoor wheelchair is also coming to Kettle Moraine State Forest at Pike Lake.
Appeals panel says hotel allowed to collect legal fees after beating an ADA accessibility class action over website (norcalrecord.com)
A federal appeals panel has ruled Gateway Hotel can collect at least some legal fees from a plaintiff who lost a lawsuit accusing the company of skirting federal disability discrimination protections through its website reservation process.
Travelers with disabilities need this card for accommodations at some theme parks (eu.usatoday.com)
Before going to Universal Studios, Six Flags or other theme parks, here's what to know about their disability pass systems.
‘I’ve been able to access pretty much everything’: Virgin Voyages brings fun accessibility (eu.usatoday.com)
Personalized accommodations reign supreme for an enjoyable experience. Here's what travelers with disabilities can expect on a Virgin Voyages cruise.
Laws have changed around parking for disabled Texans over the years. Here’s how it looks today. (texastribune.org)
How have new laws changed accessible parking? How are violations enforced? Here’s what you need to know about parking for people with disabilities.
White Sox discrimination class action claims team refuses to sell wheelchair-accessible season tickets (topclassactions.com)
A class action claims the Chicago White Sox is guilty of discrimination because it does not sell accessible season tickets online.
New PROWAG Guidelines a Major Advance for ADA (and All Pedestrians) (strongtowns.org)
The culmination of a 24-year process, these new guidelines promise to make American towns and cities safer and more predictable for users of all abilities.
7 disability advocates talk about accessibility and ableism outdoors (wilderness.org)
People with disabilities often face obstacles or unwelcoming environments when they try to use outdoor spaces. A growing movement of disability advocates and online communities is actively working to challenge these barriers and promote inclusivity in outdoor recreation. We spoke with several people about their fight for a more inclusive and accessible outdoors.
Inside NYU’s Mission To Make Navigating New York City’s Subways Accessible To All (forbes.com)
In an effort to combat said fear and anxiety, and to make public transit more accessible to the disability community, Rizzo has been involved in developing an app call...
Sign of progress in push to get ADA-compliant restrooms at Virginia Beach public high school sports fields (wtkr.com)
Mr. St. Clair Jones, a baseball coach, claims he and others with mobility disabilities have “significant barriers” when accessing restrooms at many Virginia Beach Public School sports facilities.
CapMetro’s promises mission to improve accessibility around Austin (hilltopviewsonline.com)
CapMetro, the City of Austin’s public transit system, hosted a Zoom meeting on Sep. 12 to discuss the development of their Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan, a project aimed at exploring options to make CapMetro more accessible.
Why accessibility on social media can't be an afterthought (shots.net)
Despite a plethora of social media platforms, many of them get a thumbs down when it comes to accessibility tools and accessibility-oriented site policies. With 16% of the global population living with significant disabilities, Christina Miller, Head of Social at VMLY&R, says that brands can't afford to treat those people as an afterthought.
As 5784 begins, Jewish communities pushed to consider greater accessibility (ejewishphilanthropy.com)
Synagogues and other institutions are increasingly considering how to include people with disabilities ahead of the High Holy Days.
Increased accessibility on Capitol Hill should be a priority, not a joke (rollcall.com)
How the publication of a recent editorial cartoon and fallout has highlighted why we formed the Disabled Congressional Staff Association.
How to complain about inaccessible websites (abilitynet.org.uk)
Did you know that for every 10 disabled users encountering barriers online, on average only one will complain about issues they encounter, and the other nine will give up or take their business elsewhere? (Click Away Pound research).* This is often because the process of providing feedback can be complicated, involve inaccessible feedback mechanisms and can leave consumers feeling like they are not going to be listened to.
5 top tips for making nature and your websites more accessible (abilitynet.org.uk)
In this blog, AbilityNet’s Head of Digital Inclusion Robin Christopherson, MBE outlines some straightforward steps to making websites more accessible.
Accessibility for developers - ARIA and the Accessibility Tree (abilitynet.org.uk)
An introduction to the key aspects of web accessibility and inclusive design, relevant to web developers.
Sound And Silence (npr.org)
Sound surrounds us, from cacophony even to silence. But depending on how we hear, the world can be a different auditory experience for each of us. This hour, TED speakers explore the science of sound.
Three Wheelchair Users Announced as 2023 Winners of Neilsen Foundation’s $1 Million Visionary Prize (newmobility.com)
On Sept. 19, the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation revealed the 2023 winners of its annual Visionary Prize, given to individuals who are working to make the world a better place for people living with spinal cord injuries. This year’s awards go to Vincent Pierce, Carmen Daniels Jones and Victor Calise — who will each receive an unrestricted $1 million prize.
Booker T. Washington State Park opens new ADA accessible trail as part of efforts by state (newschannel9.com)
People come to Booker T. Washington State Park to have a barbecue, take refuge in the trails, and get out on the water.
Intel Celebrates AI Accessibility and Enables the Next Generation (martechseries.com)
Today, Intel announced the global grand-prize winners at its third-annual AI Global Impact Festival. The festival brings together future developers, and educators who are working to solve real-world problems using artificial intelligence (AI), with the support of policymakers and academic leaders.
Travel Oregon Staff & DMO Partners Attend TravelAbility Summit on Accessibility in Tourism (industry.traveloregon.com)
In August, Travel Oregon staff and DMO partners traveled to Savannah, Georgia to gain a deeper understanding of the emerging market of accessibility in tourism at the 2023 TravelAbility Summit. Oregon had the strongest state presence at the conference—a clear sign of how highly the tourism industry in Oregon values accessibility and inclusion. We want all visitors to be able to experience our state’s diverse tourism offerings—from outdoor recreation to sightseeing, wine-tasting, arts and history, agritourism and more.
Apple Watch Series 9's 'Double-tap' takes a popular accessibility feature to the next level (zdnet.com)
The new gesture feature lets you navigate the watch without you ever needing to tap the screen.
Take a tour inside one of Virgin Voyages accessible accommodations: Seriously Suite (eu.usatoday.com)
Virgin Voyages Seriously Suite is one of the cruise line's accessible accommodations for passengers with disabilities or mobility devices.
MTA Opens New Elevators Making Another Bronx Subway Station Fully Accessible (thecitylife.org)
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced the opening of two elevators at E 149 St 6 subway station in the Bronx, making the station fully accessible. This is the fifth accessible station to open this year, following Court Square G station in Queens, Dyckman St 1 station in Upper Manhattan, and 8 Av N station and Grand St L station in Brooklyn. As part of the ADA work, three stairways were replaced and the station is slated to receive additional renovations, including new lighting, platform edges, ventilation, water intrusion remediation, and other state-of-good-repair work.
CinemaNext France and Greta & Starks Apps GmbH Forge Accessibility Partnership (boxofficepro.com)
CinemaNext France has announced a strategic collaboration with Greta & Starks Apps GmbH, a pioneer in solutions for hearing and vision impaired moviegoers. Greta & Starks Apps GmbH has garnered acclaim for its innovative mobile application, enabling seamless access to audio descriptions and subtitles for the hearing and vision impaired. In addition, the application offers multilingual support, broadening the horizons of cinematic experiences.
Victoria group offers free trials of accessibility devices that generally cost thousands (cheknews.ca)
The non-profit Recreation Adaptive Society offered up a unique opportunity for the community to try out accessible bikes and other recreational equipment this weekend at Clover Point in Victoria.
Commission on Disability holds first meeting, sets goals for community engagement (hopkintonindependent.com)
The Commission on Disability held its first meeting Monday night, electing officers and outlining goals for community engagement and awareness of accessibility issues in town.
Your iPhone Has 24 New Accessibility Features You Shouldn't Ignore on iOS 17 (ios.gadgethacks.com)
Apple previewed new cognitive, speech, and vision accessibility tools for the iPhone back in May, and they've finally been realized with the iOS 17 release. But there are more accessibility features than that hiding in Apple's latest software update — and they're not just for users with disabilities.
Google reveals a revamped read-aloud feature in major accessibility update (techradar.com)
As Microsoft continues to enhance its user experience with new features, Google is playing catch-up and copying Edge’s homework by introducing a new-and-improved read-aloud feature to Chrome.
Amazon debuts Eye Gaze accessibility features on the Fire Max 11 tablet (engadget.com)
Amazon just unveiled new accessibility features, including an Eye Gaze for Alexa tool for the Fire Max 11 tablet.
Chrome tests 'read aloud' mode to shrink Microsoft's accessibility Edge (zdnet.com)
A new accessibility feature headed to Google's desktop browser may have a broader appeal, too.
Video New glasses help interpret the world for deaf and hard of hearing users (abcnews.go.com)
Xrai CEO Dan Scarfe and Carol Cover join ABC News to talk about the new glasses meant to help subtitle the world for people who are deaf and hard of hearing.
Web Design: A Confluence Of Art And Functionality (scoopearth.com)
Over the course of the internet's development, web design has undergone substantial transformations. This dynamic discipline harmonizes aesthetics with functionality, effectively uniting technology and art. Fort Lauderdale Web Design pursues a more profound goal than merely crafting visually appealing websites; it strives to deliver an extraordinary user experience.
Registration Open for Forum Spotlighting Invisible Disabilities (kingsvilletimes.ca)
The Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee is inviting elected officials, community groups and residents to join it in raising awareness of invisible disabilities and finding ways to be more inclusive.
Airbus Issues Statement In Response To Accessibility Petition (digitaljournal.com)
In response to an internationally circulating petition calling on major commercial aircraft manufacturers to make accessibility a priority, Airbus has issued a statement saying the company is currently reviewing “several ideas”, which it will release details about at a latter date.
Mississippi Aquarium offering sensory inclusive accessibility (wxxv25.com)
The Mississippi Aquarium is officially a Kulture City Certified Sensory Inclusive Venue.
Top three ambient apps to improve focus and help you work (abilitynet.org.uk)
Apps that deliver low-level ambient or ‘white noise’ can increase creativity, focus, and productivity, according to a study by the Journal of Consumer Research. These apps can combat digital distractions, such as that compulsion to check your smartphone, which we each do on average every 12 minutes, according to Ofcom.
Iconic Buffalo Park sees slew of accessibility improvements (azdailysun.com)
The city has put final touches on a slew of improvements to Buffalo Park.
Calls for Review into Accessibility on the Elizabeth Line (london-post.co.uk)
Calls were made in the London Assembly yesterday for the Mayor to launch a review into accessibility along the Elizabeth Line.
Janesville play to be performed in ASL with Deaf actors (nbc15.com)
Peter and the Starcatcher is a play about a young orphan on a ship with mysterious cargo. A young girl arrives, and realizes that the cargo holds a powerful secret.
It took Apple to make accessibility features look cool (androidcentral.com)
And I'm not mad about it.
Saskatchewan seeks champions of inclusivity (sasktoday.ca)
Apply to serve on the Accessibility Advisory Committee.
Forza Motorsport (2023) may be one of the most popular simulation racers ever for one reason: accessibility (windowscentral.com)
Approachable game design and endlessly customizable accessibility settings open Forza Motorsport to more players than ever.
How can you follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines for mobile design? (linkedin.com)
Mobile design is not only about creating visually appealing and user-friendly interfaces, but also about ensuring that everyone can access and interact with your content, regardless of their abilities or preferences. This is where the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) come in handy, as they provide a set of principles and standards for making web content more accessible to people with disabilities. But how can you apply these guidelines to your mobile design projects? Here are some tips and best practices to help you follow the WCAG for mobile design.
Meet the First Blind Individual to Complete Diablo 4 Without Sighted Assistance. (nordic.ign.com)
Ty beats the game by himself because of disabled ingenuity and accessible designs and features.
Blind Drive Assist in Forza Motorsport: A Game-Changing Accessibility Feature (gameishard.gg)
Blind Drive Assist, the revolutionary accessibility feature in the upcoming Forza Motorsport game, has been gaining attention recently due to a video released by blind gamer Steve Saylor. In the video, Saylor demonstrates how he utilizes the blind driving assist and other accessibility features to successfully win a race in Forza Motorsport.
How do you teach accessibility and inclusion to conference staff and volunteers? (linkedin.com)
Accessibility and inclusion are essential for creating a welcoming and engaging conference experience for all attendees, speakers, sponsors, and organizers. However, not everyone may be familiar with the best practices and principles of designing and delivering accessible and inclusive events.
Super Mario RPG's music options also work as an excellent accessibility option (gamesradar.com)
The upcoming remake allows players to switch between the original and new soundtrack.
What are the best strategies for solving web accessibility problems? (linkedin.com)
Web accessibility is the practice of making web applications usable and accessible for people with disabilities or impairments. Web accessibility problems can affect users who rely on screen readers, keyboard navigation, captions, transcripts, color contrast, and other assistive technologies.
How Often Should You Redesign Your Business Website? (uniquewebdesigner.com)
Unlock success with smart website redesign strategies. Find out the best intervals to invest in a website redesign for your growing business.
Four tips for improving web accessibility in marketing (fastcompany.com)
As new digital channels proliferate and marketers become more aware of the needs of people with disabilities, website accessibility is an even bigger priority.
Mortal Kombat 1's day-one patch is now available (eurogamer.net)
NetherRealm has deployed a day-one patch for Mortal Kombat 1 on consoles and Switch.
Starfield: Accessibility options we'd love to see (dotesports.com)
Ensuring that the cosmos are open for everyone.
5 Tips, 5 Books & 5 Movies that can Help Us Mainstream Deaf Individuals (mxmindia.com)
How many of you have watched the Academy Award winning movie CODA? A film that won the Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay at the 94th Oscars.
GOP faces pressure to reauthorize key HIV initiative held up by anti-abortion Republican (thehill.com)
Pressure is mounting on the GOP-majority House to pass a reauthorization of the U.S.’s long-term global HIV initiative, but the lawmaker holding up the legislation is showing no signs of moving.
Waiting for the Bus in Houston is Hot. And Dangerous. (sciencefriday.com)
Reporters at Houston Public Media found just how dangerous heat can be for public transit riders.
How psychedelic drugs help heal the brain from traumatic injury (nationalgeographic.com)
Psychedelic drugs such as DMT and Ecstasy may offer a unique treatment pathway for various brain injuries and diseases because of their potency, helping patients learn lost and new skills.
The Age of the Grift Shift (tante.cc)
For a book proposal I am currently working on (German, no proposal isn’t done yet because I keep reworking stuff, my agent hates me) I am thinking a lot about late stage capitalism and technologies, about how the kinda terminal economic system shapes the technologies it brings forward etc.
Disability News and Mental Health, ‘My worry is my care will be cut and I will end up in a care home’ (bbc.co.uk)
Bristol City Council consults on ending independent living for some disabled people.
Play with cast of disabled and autistic actors to open at London’s Royal Court (theguardian.com)
Imposter 22 will run for three weeks at renowned Sloane Square theatre and comes after series of workshops.
How psychedelic drugs help heal the brain from traumatic injury (nationalgeographic.com)
Psychedelic drugs such as DMT and Ecstasy may offer a unique treatment pathway for various brain injuries and diseases because of their potency, helping patients learn lost and new skills.
Ezra: Is Hollywood Getting Better at Autistic Representation? (thinkingautismguide.com)
In the new film Ezra, autistics were creatively involved in telling the story—strengthening not only autism representation but movie quality.
This Month in Disability History, Justice & Culture (mailchi.mp)
Historical Marker: Fannie Lou Hamer, a Civil Rights Activist with a Disability, Plays a Crucial Role in the Passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Nearly half of women with disabilities report experiencing sexual harassment or assault at work, poll finds (19thnews.org)
A new 19th/SurveyMonkey Poll is among the first to shed light on sexual violence faced by women with disabilities in the workplace.
Long covid: the doctors’ lives destroyed by an illness they caught while doing their jobs (bmj.com)
Unable to work or to play with their children, forced to sell their homes or facing insolvency—doctors with long covid deserve more support from the government and the NHS, writes Adele Waters.
Federal government to start providing free coronavirus tests once again (washingtonpost.com)
Americans can again order four free tests through covidtests.gov starting Sept. 25.
2 Massachusetts moms made adaptive clothing for kids with disabilities. They hope to bring it to the masses. (cbsnews.com)
Two Massachusetts mothers — inspired by Nikki Puzzo's daughter, Stella — hope to make adaptive clothing for people with disabilities mainstream through their brand, befree.
TLC Misses Deadline to Make Half of All Taxis Wheelchair Accessible, Again (thecity.nyc)
The Taxi and Limousine Commission has been struggling to meet a court-ordered quota of vehicles capable of carrying wheelchairs and motorized scooters for a decade — and coming up short.
Student's 'freshers' flu' turned out to be meningitis (bbc.com)
A student who ignored the symptoms of meningitis urges others to be aware of the signs.
Remote Work vs. Hybrid Work – Are we going backwards in inclusion for the Disability Community? (quirkyquad.com)
Over the last year I started to notice a shift in LinkedIn job postings, which seem to flood my inbox each day. I started to observe that many of these jobs are advertised as remote, but are really hybrid now.
#BringBackCaptions: The BBC just made a startling admission (liamodell.com)
As the BBC‘s ongoing defence of using Instagram’s inaccurate automatic captions continues to crumble, internal emails obtained under data protection legislation reveal that even its own members of staff understand that auto captions are of poorer quality than manual ones created in-house by humans.
The Real & Imagined History of the Elephant Man review – vigorous call for inclusivity (theguardian.com)
With excellent performances, Tom Wright’s play about the man who became a Victorian freakshow attraction is an at times uneasy mix of circus and polemic.
Engineering Careers to Consider (diversitycomm.net)
Engineering is a fantastic career, but many people don’t know that engineering is more than just computers and motherboards.
9 Tips for Nailing Career Fairs (diversitycomm.net)
Job and career fairs are a great way to connect with employers, learn about companies and find job openings that may be right for you.
Hispanic Heritage Month 2023 (diversitycomm.net)
Hispanic Heritage Month is assigned a theme and this year the theme is “Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power, and Progress in America".
Three Wheelchair Users Announced as 2023 Winners of Neilsen Foundation’s $1 Million Visionary Prize (newmobility.com)
On Sept. 19, the opens in a new windowCraig H. Neilsen Foundation revealed the 2023 winners of its annual Visionary Prize, given to individuals who are working to make the world a better place for people living with spinal cord injuries. This year’s awards go to Vincent Pierce, Carmen Daniels Jones and Victor Calise — who will each receive an unrestricted $1 million prize.
Rishi Sunak talks ‘lack of accountability’ during net zero speech without BSL interpretation (liamodell.com)
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he knows the public dislikes “the lack of accountability” from politicians, hours ahead of a government spokesperson failing to explain why the PM’s speech rowing back on net zero policies came without a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter.
Tactile model for blind people secures big win for young students (disabilityinsider.com)
A tactile model for the blind has scooped top prize at the NIWA Waikato Science and Technology Fair.
Music matters: Choosing the violin over walking (bbc.com)
The 3ft violinist who chose music over life-changing surgery.
Cruise Shows Origin Robotaxi With Wheelchair Ramp; Many Disabled Options Possible (forbes.com)
Robotaxis offer great benefit to the disabled, and the option to vastly reduce the cost of paratransit for public agencies.
Ed Department Offers Up Nearly $199 Million To Improve Outcomes For Students With Disabilities (disabilityscoop.com)
The federal government is investing big bucks to tackle the needs of young people with disabilities as they transition to adulthood.
Passenger demanding "lazy child" gives up disabled seat on train slammed (newsweek.com)
The older woman refused to believe that the teen needed a priority seat on the train and demanded she stand up.
Paralympian and Retired Army Vet Christy Gardner Forges Her Own Business Path Through Service (si.com)
After serving overseas, Gardner has shifted her focus to helping others through her passion for athletic competition and community service.
Tech and Teasers (preview.mailerlite.io)
In this episode, we chat with Louise Hickman, a renowned Disability, Tech, and Work Research Associate. Louise has been at the forefront of exploring the intersection of disability and technology, and her insights are invaluable as we embark on this enlightening journey throughout October.
We Cannot Achieve Housing Equity Without Accessibility (disabilityphilanthropy.org)
Dessa Cosma, the Executive Director of Detroit Disability Power, reflects on her experiences with housing inaccessibility and urges policymakers and funders to take action toward a more equitable housing sector.