Lego releases braille bricks – here's how five other brands could make their toys more accessible
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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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
Lego releases braille bricks – here's how five other brands could make their toys more accessible (theconversation.com)
A concerning range of digital games played by children are still failing to build in progressive representations of disability and diverse bodies.
The View From Down Here (dk.com)
Women's lives are shaped by sexism and expectations. Disabled people's lives are shaped by ableism and a complete lack of expectations. But what happens when you're subjected to both sets of rules?This powerful, honest, hilarious and furious memoir from journalist and advocate Lucy Webster looks at ...
London Literature Festival: Celebrate The Power Of The Written And Spoken Word (criplife.co.uk)
London Literature Festival is the longest-running celebration of the written and spoken word of its kind in the capital and this year marks its 16th edition, with prestigious literary names alongside rising stars.
How technology can help people with intellectual disabilities (inclusion-europe.eu)
A translation of Olga Berrios' article on how technology can help people with intellectual disabilities do daily tasks, followed by an interview.
KEITH JONES - "Disability Right & Justice" (youtube.com)
A multipart video series with disability advocate Keith Jones discussing key concepts and topics pertaining to the disability community and advocacy.
I got a restraining order against my COVID-denying next-door neighbor. (accessability.substack.com)
I am significantly immune-compromised and was just forced to go through this process to ensure my safety.
Disability Voting Rights Week (aapd.com)
Join us September 11-15, 2023 to make sure disabled voters in your community are registered and ready to vote.
Paul Simon says he is ‘beginning to’ accept his hearing loss (theguardian.com)
Having a disability ‘changes how you interact with life’, singer-songwriter says, months after revealing he has almost completely lost hearing in his left ear.
CTA: Air Canada Must Fly Larger Aircraft to Carry Wheelchairs (wheelchairtravel.org)
The Canadian Transportation Agency says that airlines must swap-in larger aircraft to transport passengers' wheelchairs and mobility devices.
A Japanese City is Installing Robots in Classrooms so Kids Who are Worried About Attending School can Tune in Remotely (educatingalllearners.org)
Kumamoto, a city in Southwest Japan, plans to install robots in some of its classrooms to help home-based pupils feel more included and less anxious.
Train company assessments provide fresh evidence of ticket office closure concerns (disabilitynewsservice.com)
Documents published by train companies show how their plans to close hundreds of ticket offices across England will risk the safety of disabled passengers and make it harder for them to obtain assistance and buy tickets.
New Blood Test For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Has 91% Accuracy (sciencealert.com)
It can take years for people living with chronic fatigue syndrome to receive a formal diagnosis, and they are a favored few.
Letters with Smokie (uofmpress.ca)
Blindness and More-than-Human Relations, by Rod Michalko (Author), Dan Goodley (Author). Leave it to a dog to put the “human” back in “humanities.”
Texas parents who care for their disabled children full time will lose money after pay raise (texastribune.org)
Texas Medicaid caregivers’ wages were already near the poverty level. But parents whose sole income came from taking care of their disabled children have now lost their ability to work overtime hours.
'Gross negligence': Judge gives go-ahead to COVID-deaths lawsuit against Ontario (nationalpost.com)
Governments saw broad immunity against COVID civil suits, but the class-action suit could have an impact throughout the country.
FDA signs off on updated Covid-19 vaccines to target circulating variants (edition.cnn.com)
The US Food and Drug Administration on Monday gave the green light to updated Covid-19 vaccine booster shots from Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech. The updated vaccines are each approved for people 12 and older and are authorized under emergency use for 6 months through 11 years old.
What does this symbol actually mean? (facebook.com)
You may know it as the wheelchair symbol. Its formal title is the International Symbol of Access. But what does the symbol actually mean? And what is its purpose?
18 Things People Need to Learn on World Rare Disease Day (themighty.com)
“The disease is rare, but the human needs and dreams are common."
Why Microsoft's Satya Nadella and Lowe's CEO Marvin Ellison Care About Disability Inclusion (inc.com)
Workplaces and products that are accessible to people with disabilities are good business.
Welcome to Bridge the Gap (bridgethegap.consulting)
Let's make tech accessible for everyone, together.
Cracking the code my struggle with opening combination locks (michellesmission.net)
I can remember one of my greatest fears of moving through school was using a combination lock on the locker The school recommended that students lock their belongings and the only approved lock was a combination one. . I feared not being able to figure out the code to unlock my locker. Many people assured me that I would be fine and I needed to practice. I was not surprised when I put the lock on and was unable to unlock my locker. I had to have the lock cut off by the school janitor. For my remaining years of school, I was able to store my belongings without a lock. Not carrying valuables and decorating my locker prevented me from having items stolen, yet I always feared this.
Art et al. X Ketemu Catalogue — Art et al. (artetal.org)
Welcome to Art et al. X Ketemu: Exchange / Engage – a year-long collaboration between Art et al. and Ketemu Project. British Council funding enabled six unique, international, digital collaborative projects between artists and arts professionals that identify with and without disabilities, living within the United Kingdom and Indonesia. Focusing on inclusivity and innovation, Art et al. X Ketemu celebrates diversity and creativity without borders.
NBC10, TELEMUNDO62 AND COMCAST NBCUNIVERSAL FOUNDATION AWARD $225,000 IN UNRESTRICTED GRANTS TO SEVEN LOCAL NONPROFITS (nbcphiladelphia.com)
NBC10, Telemundo62 and the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation today announced that seven local nonprofits will receive a total of $225,000 in unrestricted “NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants.” The winning organizations are addressing the needs of their diverse local communities through the lenses of one of three grant categories, Next Generation Storytellers, Youth Education & Empowerment, and Community Engagement.
Acting Without Boundaries (actingwithoutboundaries.org)
Acting Without Boundaries aims to transform lives and build self-esteem in an empowered community of people with physical disabilities through theater that celebrates ability.
HHS proposes stronger anti-discrimination rules for disabled patients (axios.com)
Health care providers would be explicitly prohibited from making medical decisions that discriminate against people with disabilities.
Moving the Needle Toward Equity: What NIH Is Doing to Promote Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Research on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (meridian.allenpress.com)
Abstract. As a major funder of research on intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), NIH has a broad view of the profound impact of cultural and structural barriers on the characteristics of IDD study populations and the composition of the IDD research workforce. While long overdue, multiple efforts are currently underway across NIH aimed at addressing these barriers and increasing meaningful representation in biomedical and behavioral research.
American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (meridian.allenpress.com)
Read the current issue of American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
MIND Director Demands Equity in Autism, Fragile X Research (miragenews.com)
UC Davis MIND Institute Director Leonard Abbeduto is calling for a major shift in the way research into autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities is conducted. He co-authored a paper titled "Toward Equity in Research on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities" that was the basis for a special issue of the American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The issue was published today.
Toward Equity in Research on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (meridian.allenpress.com)
Abstract. Lack of diversity in IDD research is typically conceptualized only in terms of (1) recruitment of samples that do not appropriately represent the sociodemographics of the population, or (2) the limited number of researchers from historically marginalized backgrounds. Critically, the field also suffers from over-reliance on perspectives and social systems of dominant culture—both in how disability is regarded and in relation to other dimensions of identity and culture. These lenses lead to research findings that reinforce, rather than reduce, social inequities. We propose a framework that minimizes reliance on diagnostic categories, shifts from deficit- to person-centered models, acknowledges people’s multiple identities, and includes self-advocates and diverse communities as partners in the research enterprise. The systems change necessary to support this framework is described.
13% of Americans have a disability—what this means during the job application process (cnbc.com)
For the over 40 million Americans with a disability, choosing whether or not to self-identify can be daunting. Here is what you need to know, says an expert.
Re:Generation 2024 (monumentlab.com)
Monument Lab Re:Generation supports teams of two or more individuals working together to create a new or expand an existing public-facing project. Each selected Re:Generation team will receive a total of $100,000 in unrestricted funding towards their commemorative campaign or project.
Educational Resources (cripritual.com)
Check out these educational resource to help you and your community explore the #CripRitual exhibition to think about disability art and the concept of ritual in disability culture.
Creative Connector (creativeconnector.art)
Your go-to source for accessible arts and culture.
Annual Grants For Artists With Disabilities (jrgsocietyforthearts.com)
JRG Society for the Arts is a registered Canadian charity devoted to making a difference in the lives of artists with disabilities. JRG assists Deaf, Disabled and MAD artists to create beautiful art, pursue their goals and share their talent with the world.
Mindscapes Unveiled, an exhibition by Chanika Svetvilas (arts.princeton.edu)
Artist Chanika Svetvilas presents an accessible exhibition centered on experiences of AAPI people who have a mental health difference.
HAU4 - Frances Breden & RA Walden (hau4.de)
With Saioa Alvarez Ruiz & Katrin Bittl, Khairani Barokka, Zinzi Buchanan, Brothers Sick, Chloe Pascal Crawford, Venesse Guy, April Lin 林森, Seo Hye Lee, Laura Lulika & Hang Linton, RA Walden, Misra Walker.
The Disability Carceral State Institute (fundersforjustice.org)
This 2-part series uses small group break outs, informal political education conversations, and stakeholder stories, to engage participants around the following key themes.
Rural Disability Justice: The role of mutual aid, power building and connecting across community (nfg.org)
Rural Disability Justice – The Role of Mutual Aid, Power Building, and Connecting Across Community We are delighted to invite you to join us September 12th at 10am PT for this webinar hosted by NFG’s Integrated Rural Strategies Group, in collaboration with Ceres Trust and Borealis Philanthropy’s Disability Inclusion Fund.
Disability Inclusion Fund (borealisphilanthropy.org)
The Disability Inclusion Fund (DIF) at Borealis supports U.S. groups run by and for people with disabilities leading transformational change. Its principles and practices draw from the disability justice movement and aim to build power and a society that is free of ableism and other discriminatory barriers. The DIF is committed to disability justice movement-aligned funding including a participatory grantmaking process that involves members of the disability community to guide funding decisions.
Ceres Trust (cerestrust.org)
Ceres Trust, whose name honors the ancient goddess of agriculture, provides grants that support: healthy and resilient farms, forests and communities; and the ecosystems upon which we all depend.
Integrated Rural Strategies Group (nfg.org)
NFG’s Integrated Rural Strategies Group (IRSG) is developing a shared understanding among funders at a national scale of what it takes to build community-led capacity to advance justice and equity for rural communities. Using a place-based approach, IRSG is bringing funders together to address local needs and gaps in rural organizing infrastructure and develop shared agendas to support rural organizing and justice-advancing efforts.
Invictus Games 2023 in Düsseldorf (theactiveamputee.org)
Between September 9-16, Düsseldorf will be hosting the 2023 Invictus Games. Düsseldorf is just about one hour by public means from where I live. So this looks like another great opportunity to see some of the world's best athletes live and in action, to have some sneaky peaks behind the scenes, and to chat with people from the industry, support organisations, and other people with a disability. And while we are waiting for the games to begin, here is a bit of background information about the Invictus Games. Straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak (all, from the Invictus Games press briefing package).
UK Civil Aviation Authority launches Airline Digital Accessibility report (thiis.co.uk)
A new report commissioned by the UK Civil Aviation Authority and undertaken by Hassell Inclusion, reviewed the websites of the 11 largest airlines operating in the UK, rating them in terms of their technical accessibility and ease of use for making bookings.
Dane was paralysed in a freak accident. It led him to a new purpose (7news.com.au)
‘It was a life-changing moment, but it wasn’t life-ending.’
Forwards Festival trials headset to aid visually impaired (bbc.com)
A world-first trial is helping visually impaired people experience the sights of a festival.
Kilambakkam bus terminus built as per barrier-free and inclusive design norms, says CMDA official (thehindu.com)
The Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers (Taratdac) and the Disability Rights Alliance (DRA) had flagged the issue of lack of amenities for persons with disabilities.
Forwards Festival trials headset to aid visually impaired (bbc.com)
A world-first trial is helping visually impaired people experience the sights of a festival.
Accessibility top of mind for local communities (columbiavalleypioneer.com)
The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) is looking for volunteers to join the new East Kootenay Accessibility Advisory Committee.
Guest article: Sunrise Medical on championing accessibility with Morph’s Epic Art Adventure Trail (thiis.co.uk)
Morph’s Epic Art Adventure Trail was a revolutionary art trail which opened in London from 19 June to 20 August 2023, championing accessibility in the community, inspired by the iconic children’s cartoon character Morph. Here, Sunrise Medical’s Marketing Manager, Lucy Evans, discusses why the company decided to sponsor two of its own Morphs in the trail and get behind the initiative.
Bnei Brak opens new accessible synagogue for disabled worshipers (jpost.com)
Tailored with innovative features such as entrance and exit ramps, accessible elevators, a lowered Ark of the Covenant, the Accessible Synagogue sets a benchmark for religious inclusivity in Israel.
We are Focused on Driving Digital Accessibility, Innovation – Alex Okosi, MD, Google (brandcrunch.com.ng)
Google who will be responsible for driving Google’s vision of inclusive digital accessibility and innovation, said Alex Okosi, the new Managing Director, Africa, Google who revealed the tech giant determined efforts to improve access to technology on the continent.
Council Post: Accessibility On E-Commerce Websites: Best Practices For Improving Online Shopping Experiences (forbes.com)
To thrive and meet the diverse needs of customers, you must ensure every visitor can effortlessly engage with your online store.
How architects can help when an occupant’s accessibility needs change (architecture.com)
Producing personalised, accessible and well-designed spaces is crucial when a person’s circumstances change dramatically.
How Technology Offers New Levels of Accessibility to People with Disabilities (cpapracticeadvisor.com)
For people with disabilities, technology has grown to a level that allows them to live, work, play, and communicate with greater accessibility.
WebAIM: Decoding WCAG: “Alternative for Time-based Media” and “Media Alternative for Text” (webaim.org)
There are several places in Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) where two terms are commonly used together—label/name, contrast/color, change of context/content, and bounding box/perimeter are examples. While these pairs may share some properties, understanding the differences between the terms in each pair is essential to understanding the requirements of success criteria in which they are used.
Building an Inclusive, Accessible Jewish Community - Jewish Federation of Greater Washington (shalomdc.org)
What does it mean to feel comfortable and included in the Jewish community? What does it mean to be part of a Jewish community that is inclusive and accessible? For some, these questions arise periodically as they seek to engage in new ways. For others, they are a constant concern leading to trepidation and, at times, disengagement. For both reasons, we must continue to focus on inclusion and belonging in all we do as a Greater Washington Jewish community.
UK Civil Aviation Authority launches Airline Digital Accessibility report (thiis.co.uk)
A new report commissioned by the UK Civil Aviation Authority and undertaken by Hassell Inclusion, reviewed the websites of the 11 largest airlines operating in the UK, rating them in terms of their technical accessibility and ease of use for making bookings.
Report calls for airlines to improve WCAG compliance and the digital user journey (attoday.co.uk)
A new report has reviewed the websites of the largest airlines in the UK, rating them in terms of technical accessibility and the ease of use.
Visually impaired demand e-voting in Switzerland (swissinfo.ch)
The Swiss Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired calls for electronic voting to eliminate discrimination against the blind in exercising voting and election rights.
Full digital accessibility may come down to one line of code (editorandpublisher.com)
Patrick Merlihan, who runs digital strategy for the Woolwich Observer in Elmira, Ontario, thought he was about to tackle a monumental task in a quest to make the website fully accessible for the 15,000-circulation newspaper in September 2021. “I thought I was going to have a lot of challenges to make our site accessible, and then it was, like, 10 minutes,” he said.
This Is the First Accessible Dive Center on Australia's Great Barrier Reef (travelandleisure.com)
Quicksilver Dive in Port Douglas, Australia is the first PADI Adaptive Service Facility in the state of Queensland and one of just four certified facilities in Australia.
Greater Anglia creates online virtual tours of all its trains to help people travel with confidence (greateranglia.co.uk)
Train operator, Greater Anglia, has launched online virtual tours for its entire new train fleet to help people travel with confidence.
How can HR and employers support vulnerable employees working exclusively from home? (peoplemanagement.co.uk)
As MP Mel Stride announces a consultation to reform the welfare system, People Management asks how to properly enable people to do their job, happily and healthily, from where they live.
Dolveck promises key Paris 2024 stations will be "100 per cent accessible" (insidethegames.biz)
A leading French transport official has promised 67 railway stations serving Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics venues will be "100 per cent accessible" in time for next year's Games.
As the Olympics loom, Paris’s transport grid worries wheelchair users (globalbankingandfinance.com)
With just under a year to go before the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, campaigners are worried would-be spectators using wheelchairs could feel left out of the Games as only a small number of metro stations are accessible without using stairs.
Ahead of 2024 Paralympic games, how accessible is Paris? (edition.cnn.com)
Lots of stairs and broken lifts. CNN's Jim Bittermann looks into the accessibility of Paris.
Brussels tourism increases accessibility for people with reduced mobility (traveltomorrow.com)
Visit Brussels, the Belgian capital’s tourism office, has partnered with non-profit organization Access-i to certify an increasing number of sites, including tourist attractions and accommodation establishments, for accessibility for people with reduced mobility.
Hotel Intel: Therapy dolphins, total accessibility mark this resort duo in Curaçao (montrealgazette.com)
“Having fun is paramount, but it’s also a very intense, very personalized program.”
“Touch” New Opera Interprets Helen Keller in Accessible Production - Over the Mountain Journal (otmj.com)
A neew opera commissioned by Opera Birmingham about the life of Alabama native Helen Keller will make its world premiere in January at RMT Arts Campus.
Walmart class action alleges website not equally accessible to blind, visually impaired consumers (topclassactions.com)
Walmart has failed to design its website in a way that would make it fully accessible to and independently usable by individuals who are blind or visually impaired, a new class action lawsuit alleges.
How Houston’s Museums Can Make Art More Accessible (houstoniamag.com)
Free admission, public art, exhibits welcoming to people with disabilities, translated reading materials, and more are all important for the community.
After his SUV and wheelchair were stolen, St. Paul man living with ALS gifted accessible minivan (cbsnews.com)
A St. Paul man battling ALS has received a stunning show of support since a thief took his SUV this summer.
How an elite music school is increasing access for students with disabilities (pbs.org)
In a series of reports, Jeffrey Brown has looked at the intersection of arts and health. Recently, he traveled to the Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education in Boston to see a program bringing music into the lives of people with disabilities. It's for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.
Estée Lauder applies AI, AR for cosmetics accessibility (cio.com)
The cosmetics giant has released its Voice-enabled Makeup Assistant, which leverages artificial intelligence and augmented reality to help visually impaired people use cosmetics.
First wheelchair-accessible hot air balloon ride at Labor Day Lift Off 'out of this world,' passenger says (gazette.com)
Ginger Gustafson of Colorado Springs became the first wheelchair-bound rider of a hot air balloon during Monday's Labor Day Lift Off. The specially designed balloon is piloted by Mike "Heff" Heffron of Albuquerque, N.M., and made an inaugural appearance at this year's 47th annual hot air balloon festival.
Disability-rights activists protest Lyft practices at White Plains courthouse (eu.lohud.com)
The rally was to call attention to a hearing inside the courthouse in a nationwide class action lawsuit filed against Lyft by the Westchester group.
Healthcare Accessibility for the Deaf (cambridge.org)
Access to healthcare profoundly impacts the health and quality of life of Deaf people. Automatic translation tools are crucial in improving communication between Deaf patients and their healthcare providers. The aim of this chapter is to present the pipeline used to create the Swiss-French Sign Language (LSF-CH) version of BabelDr, a speech-enabled fixed phrase translator that was initially conceived to improve communication in emergency settings between doctors and allophone patients (Bouillon et al., 2021). In order to do so, we start off by explaining how we ported BabelDr in LSF-CH using both human and avatar videos. We first describe the creation of a reference corpus consisting of video translations done by human translators, then we present a second corpus of videos generated with a virtual human. Finally, we relate the findings of a questionnaire on Deaf users’ perspective on the use of signing avatars in the medical context. We showed that, although respondents prefer human videos, the use of automatic technologies associated with virtual characters is not without interest to the target audience and can be useful to them in the medical context.
Sommer Panage - Building accessibility into your company, team, and culture (youtube.com)
We often talk about how we as individual developers can make our apps and software more accessible–how to use the correct labels, colors, keyboard shortcuts, etc. However, very few of us actually work in isolation, owning the end to end production of our own apps. Frequently, rather, we work within companies–from smaller startups to large corporations. This talk discusses what it means for a company to build an accessible product, what models exist for accessibility teams, and how you as an individual developer can go beyond your own code to bring accessibility more deeply into the culture of your workplace.
Building An ADA Compliant Website: Bridging The Digital Divide (macsources.com)
In today’s digital age, websites have become the gateway to information, services, and opportunities. Yet, for millions of people with disabilities, this gateway can be locked or poorly maintained. Enter the ADA compliance website – a beacon of inclusivity in the digital landscape. In this article, we’ll explore the basic principles of website accessibility and how they benefit users with disabilities.
How to protect your ears and avoid hearing loss: An illustrated guide (npr.org)
Go easy on the Q-tips. Watch your phone volume. And if you're experiencing hearing issues like muffled sounds or tinnitus, see a professional. This comic offers advice on how to care for your ears.
Inclusive and accessible event guidelines (cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au)
Provides event organisers with minimum requirements and a best practice framework to enhance access and inclusion across a diverse range of events.
Exploring Portugal and America's Oldest Subway (wheelchairtravel.substack.com)
Recapping the 2023 Wheelchair Travel Group Trip to Portugal and celebrating the anniversary of America's oldest subway system.
How unified communications tools address accessibility (techtarget.com)
Unified communications accessibility features can benefit everyone. Learn how UC vendors and organizations alike support accessibility.
DIY Home Modifications for People With Disabilities (primeweld.com)
Creating a truly accessible home requires understanding the needs of each person who lives there, which can change over time. Read on to learn about the different ways you can make your home more accessible for people with disabilities.
Accessibility is at the Intersection of Employment (globaldisabilityinclusion.com)
As a writer/planner/educator/activist focused on the intersection of urban design and universal design, I often get into heated debates with architects, engineers and planners that create designs that segregate people with disabilities.
What a Cool Syllabus…But is It Accessible? (facultyfocus.com)
Making a syllabus that reflects your interests can make that hard work more enjoyable for you and offer many benefits to your students. Happy creating!
The Business Imperative of Web Accessibility (blog.usablenet.com)
Your business can benefit from creating a sustainable accessibility program. Add these to your talking points to build accessibility champions. Read now.
Accessible writing is for everyone (artshub.com.au)
Accessible writing can be divided into two categories: plain language and Easy Read. Nicole Smith interviews Laura Pettenuzzo.
The Market Case for Accessible Events, Meetings and Conferences (corada.com)
While the U. S. Department of Labor estimates that individuals with disabilities control more than $200 billion in discretionary spending, this figure is likely much less than the true market power of all individuals with functional needs to be accommodated. This is due to vast under-reporting on official surveys, census documents, and employment documentation (where it is voluntary to disclose a disability).
The Marketer's Guide to Accessibility (info.usablenet.com)
How can businesses ensure accessibility in marketing? Here are a few ways to get started.
It's a cultural fight: challenging perceptions of difference (disabilitydebrief.org)
Christian Tasso uses photography to tell new stories about disability.
Fleet Management: Creating an Inclusive Campus Through Accessible Transportation (campussafetymagazine.com)
By providing accessible transportation services such as wheelchair-accessible shuttles and on-demand transit solutions, universities can remove barriers for students with mobility challenges.
Voter ID in England led to racial and disability discrimination, report finds (theguardian.com)
Exclusive: All-party report on rules governing 2023 local elections calls voter ID system a ‘poisoned cure’.
LEGO Braille Bricks: Building a Brighter, More Inclusive Future for Learning! (assistivetechnologyblog.com)
LEGO recently launched Braille Bricks, an innovative educational product aimed at helping blind and visually impaired children learn Braille. These specialized LEGO bricks are part of a broader educational initiative that seeks to make the process of learning Braille more engaging and accessible.
Revealed: covert deal to cut help for pupils in England with special needs (theguardian.com)
Government contract aims to reduce the number of specialist care plans by a fifth.
Dancing Around the Oak Tree: Empowering San Diego's Disabled Artists (assistivetechnologyblog.com)
Vickie Lawrence, the founder of Dancing Around the Oak Tree Art Studio, is on a mission to provide arts education and support to San Diego’s disabled community. Established in 2014, this nonprofit organization offers a safe and supportive space for individuals with disabilities to explore their creative sides. Vickie’s inspiration for starting the studio came from her own positive experiences with art and the belief that everyone, regardless of their abilities, should have the opportunity to express themselves creatively. The studio’s name, “Dancing Around the Oak Tree,” reflects Vickie’s passions for nature, dance, and art, encapsulating the essence of her life journey. Her commitment to serving the disabled community in San Diego stems from a desire to fill a gap in arts education for this underserved group. Vickie believes that art can be a powerful outlet for personal expression and healing, which is why she focuses on offering free art classes and workshops to disabled individuals.
7 things I've learned as a sighted social media manager of blind team members (lifeofablindgirl.com)
My brilliant colleague Becky, shares some things she’s learned being a sighted manager to blind team members.
Neighbours: A New Chapter review – fans will be left shouting at their screens (theguardian.com)
The Ramsay Street reboot reunites Susan and Karl, Paul Robinson, Toadie and more, but the opening episodes are disconcerting – full of surreal moments, bizarre twists and (why oh why?) Mischa Barton.
UK government allocates additional £50M for home adaptations (disabilityinsider.com)
An additional £50 million pounds has been designated to local authorities, to facilitate safer and more independent living for older people and those with disabilities.
HHS announces new rule to bolster disability protections under Federal law (disabilityinsider.com)
The US Department of Health and Human Services unveiled a proposed rule aimed at bolstering initiatives to combat disability-based discrimination on Thursday. This proposal emphasizes the necessity of offering services in settings that are as integrated as possible, catering adeptly to the unique needs of persons with disabilities. “It’s 2023, yet for many Americans accessing … Continue reading "HHS announces new rule to bolster disability protections under Federal law"
Free Fares NZ calls for discounted transport for people with disabilities (disabilityinsider.com)
Free Fares NZ is urging both the National Party and the Labour Party to recommit to providing half price fares to Total Mobility users travelling on public transport. Labour mistakenly promised to provide half price public transport to disabled people through the Community Connect scheme, as highlighted by Free Fares in July. A National Party spokesperson reported to RNZ that National do not plan to scrap the existing discounts.
Unveiling the Future of Captioning with AI-Media at IBC 2023 (ai-media.tv)
AI-Media proudly presents our cutting-edge technology at IBC 2023, Amsterdam, from Sep 15-18, Booth #5.C31.
Nearly half of working UK musicians earn less than £14,000, new census finds (theguardian.com)
Musicians’ Census of nearly 6,000 professionals shows many rely on multiple jobs, with notable pay inequalities around disability and race.
Statement of the European Network on Independent Living on the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities (enil.eu)
The European Network on Independent Living – ENIL welcomes the European Commission’s Proposal for a Directive establishing the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card (2023/0311 (COD). Both cards will reduce barriers to tourism and travelling for disabled people, improve access to the freedom of movement and reduce discrimination. In addition, the Directive represents a limited mutual recognition of disability status and assessment procedures between countries. The proposed cards have an important symbolic value for increased European integration in the area of disability policy.
From quadruple amputee to much-loved DJ: ‘Resilience is a buzzword that annoys me’ (theguardian.com)
After contracting meningococcal at 19, Tom Nash spent 18 painful months in hospital having his limbs amputated. Two decades later, ‘DJ Hookie’ explains why his experience left him better off.
Review: JetBlue's Mint Suite Risks Serious Injury to Disabled Travelers (wheelchairtravel.org)
Is JetBlue's Mint business class "suite" the world's most inaccessible airplane seat? I tested it out on a flight from Boston to Los Angeles.
I learned to love my disabled body – why can’t my non-disabled friends love theirs? (theguardian.com)
For years I blamed my disability for my adolescent unhappiness. Then, as an adult, I learned to embrace and celebrate my body. I wish others could do the same.
The Nondisabled Gaze in Film (thewheelchairteen.com)
A post discussing the nondisabled gaze in film which, similar to the male gaze, dehumanises Disabled characters through camera shots and story beats.
Disability News and Mental Health, Disability benefits: How they could change (bbc.co.uk)
This week, out-of-the-blue, the government released a consultation on changes to the Work Capability Assessment, which it had previously announced it would scrap. Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey unravel what it could mean for you with James Taylor, executive director of strategy at the charity Scope.
Back to school! (michellesmission.net)
The theme for September is Back to School. This summer has flown by so quickly for me. I had many fun adventures and it truly went by fast. It is also hard to believe that I have been back to work in the classroom for a week! During our back-to-school theme, I will be writing about some of the challenges that students with disabilities face. I will talk about the difficulties I faced in school and some of the challenges that the students I work with face as well. I also want to hear about your experiences in school. My forum will be focused on education-related topics.
Chrome Can Add Live Captions to ALL Videos! Here's How (meriahnichols.com)
Chrome browser has a setting that adds live automatic captions to all content containing sound (- video, audio, songs, movies) viewed on Chrome.
Accessibility issues: ADA Operators across campus down for months without repair (arbiteronline.com)
In May 2023, multiple Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) operators across the Boise State campus were down, some down for months on end. The ADA operators are used to automatically open the entrances to buildings for those who are unable to open it themselves. This prompted the Arbiter to individually check ADA operators across campus and look into the process for maintaining them.
Useful Information You Should Know About Digital Accessibility In Education (fluxmagazine.com)
Digital accessibility for learning is a key component of creating an equitable and inclusive environment for all learners. Whether you’re a student or faculty member, school administrator, or IT professional – this post has something for everyone. By reading through the content here, educators can get practical advice on how to create improved access to educational materials and resources as well as understand what their students need when it comes to digital accessibility best practices. This blog post will provide useful information about why digital accessibility matters within the context of education, common barriers faced by those with disabilities who are trying to participate in online learning, and steps you can take today toward making educational contact more equitable for ALL students. Let’s dive into the important topic of digital accessibility in education!
OurBus Routes Expand, Increasing Accessibility for Students (cornellsun.com)
OurBus announced additional routes to New York City, Buffalo and wineries across the Finger Lakes, expanding transportation access to students.
Research into Accessible Virtual Reality and Quantum Information Processing (kit.edu)
Early-stage Researchers Kathrin Gerling and Philip Willke from KIT Receive Starting Grants from the European Research Council.
Unlocking the Power of Accessibility in the Digital Era (medium.com)
Accessibility isn’t just about ramps anymore — it’s a digital must! One of our product designer, Eloy, dives into why this matters for all digital innovation.
LG Universal UP Kit home accessories and add-ons support accessibility and sustainability (thegadgetflow.com)
Make your kitchen more accessible with the LG Universal UP Kit home accessories and add-ons. These aid kits offer accessibility.
Tucson's Molly Holzschlag, known as 'the fairy godmother of the web,' dead at 60 (tucsonsentinel.com)
Molly Holzschlag, whose pioneering work in online design standards led to her being dubbed "the fairy godmother of the web," has died at age 60.
Steinbach Arts Council receives $25,000 to expand programs and accessibility (steinbachonline.com)
The Steinbach Arts Council (SAC) received $25,000 to support their building revitalization project through the Arts, Culture, and Sports in Community Fund.
RTT Calling on Android: A Helpful Accessibility Feature for Android Users (editorialge.com)
Discover what RTT Calling on Android is and how it's revolutionizing communication for the deaf and hard of hearing. Learn how to enable and use this feature.
Eye-tracking technology facilitates communication for older people with dementia (disabilityinsider.com)
Over 50% of residents in Australian aged care facilities are grappling with dementia, a trend echoing globally. In anticipation, aged care systems worldwide are fortifying their resources, expecting the population of those aged 65 and older to double in the next three decades.
Sydney unveils guide to making inclusive and accessible events (disabilityinsider.com)
To assist event organisers in crafting gatherings that are both inclusive and accessible, Sydney has launched guidelines that focus on providing equal opportunities for persons with disabilities. These comprehensive guidelines are designed not only to facilitate enjoyment and participation for all attendees but to also foster a sense of belonging and engagement.
How to make work from home more effective (abilitynet.org.uk)
Working from home can be a great way to improve your productivity and work-life balance, but it can also be challenging to stay focused and motivated. This blog post will discuss some tips on how to make remote working more effective with cost-effective, or even free, software solutions.
Are you deprived of your right to political participation? Let us fight for your right! (enil.eu)
In 2024, the European Union will hold elections to select Members of the European Parliament across all 27 EU Member States. And yet, millions of persons with disabilities continue to face legal, institutional and accessibility barriers, denying them the right to take part in the democratic process.
Huawei Literacy Skills Project (bda.org.uk)
We are pleased to share the outcome of the BDA's Huawei Literacy Skills Project in partnership with Frank Barnes School for Deaf Children.
Relaxing My Expectations for My Body (retrospectivelily.wordpress.com)
We pressure ourselves to fit in a certain ideal, able to do certain things. For each of us, the standards vary. For the highly athletic person, perhaps it’s running X miles a day. For the average person who exercises, it may be the ability to lift X pounds on certain machines. For a NON-gym rat,…
Reasons For and Against Cruising as a Wheelchair User (theworldisaccessible.com)
Kelly Mack takes us through the pros and cons of cruising as a wheelchair user. Is it really all plain sailing?
Retired Paralympic medalist Sophia Gibb is still in training, for life (gazette.com)
Sophia Herzog Gibb is a four-foot dynamo slicing down the far lane of the city’s indoor pool.
COVID patients exhale up to 1,000 copies of virus per minute during first eight days of symptoms (news.northwestern.edu)
First direct measure of SARS-CoV-2 viral copies exhaled over course of infection.
Deaf Cultural Festival (cart.nelson-atkins.org)
You're invited to the 9th annual Deaf Cultural Festival at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art! Encounter and learn about Deaf Culture and American Sign Language through hands-on art activities and performances from distinctly d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing perspectives. ASL interpretation and voice interpretation provided.
Autistic man to receive £20,000 from NHS after refusal of job interview adjustments (disabilitynewsservice.com)
An autistic man will receive £20,000 compensation after a “discriminatory” refusal to make the reasonable adjustments he requested for a job interview with the government agency responsible for NHS digital technology.
Seattle playwright Aimee Chou shares Deaf culture through humor (crosscut.com)
A spooky house, a Ouija board and the suspected ghost of Alexander Graham Bell appear in Chou’s horror-comedy, premiering tonight with Sound Theatre.
Centering Disability in Design: A Conversation (cooperhewitt.org)
What does it look like when disabled people are viewed not as edge cases or afterthoughts in the design process, but as the default users? What happens when, instead of flattening disability into an indistinguishable group of “all abilities,” we understand and design for the unique and varied experiences of disabled people? How can we prioritize, honor, and celebrate disability in our design practice? Join our panelists in conversation to answer these questions about designing FOR and WITH disability.
New Study Suggests Underestimated Long COVID Cases (workerscompensation.com)
In the face of increasing COVID cases, a new study led by Northwestern University suggests that we may have been grossly underestimating the numbers of people with Long COVID.
Dee feels like a prisoner in her own body and wants more people to know the truth about her illness (abc.net.au)
People with myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, say society has long underestimated and downplayed their struggles. They share what their lives are really like.
Canadian Paralympian: I asked for a disability ramp - and was offered euthanasia (telegraph.co.uk)
Christine Gauthier accuses Canadian official of making comments while enquiring about making her home accessible.
Deaf actors make this 'Romeo & Juliet' a truly bilingual love story (eu.jsonline.com)
With its warring families and star-crossed lovers, Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet" wouldn't seem like the place to look for a vision of a more inclusive society.
How 'Since August' Disrupts the Hollywood System (hollywoodintoto.com)
ASL drama challenges status quo, connects directly with movie-going public.
‘Fitness for work’ test changes are ‘horrendously dangerous’, activists warn (disabilitynewsservice.com)
Disabled activists have raised serious concerns about “cynical” and “horrendously dangerous” government attempts to introduce new cuts to spending on out-of-work disability benefits by tightening its “fitness for work” test.
American Streets May Soon Get Their First Accessible Design Standards from the Feds (usa.streetsblog.org)
The ADA has been the law for 33 years. Why has it taken this long to write strong guidelines to implement it on U.S. streets?
CommunicationFIRST Welcomes Long-Overdue Disability Rights Rule Proposal (communicationfirst.org)
CommunicationFIRST, the nation’s only civil rights organization led by and for people with speech-related disabilities, welcomes today’s release by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) of the long-awaited proposed update to its regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, one of the nation’s first civil rights laws explicitly protecting people with disabilities.
Online Learning (protactilelanguageinterpreting.org)
DBI webinars, modules, and other online learning resources can be accessed on demand via DBI Moodle, our virtual classroom space. No other registration is required. Sign in or sign up today to get started!
Rising cases in Southeast could be start of U.S. RSV season, CDC warns (washingtonpost.com)
The CDC urged medical professionals to prepare to use the new treatments approved this year for RSV, the leading cause of hospitalization among U.S. infants.
Three Shots for Fall: What You Need to Know (nytimes.com)
The F.D.A. approved a new shot to protect infants from a deadly respiratory virus. And here’s what we know about who should get the flu, Covid and R.S.V. vaccines, and when.
The Create Fund: An Interview with Omid Razavi (shutterstock.com)
Photographer and filmmaker Omid Razavi discusses his artistic path—and past—delving into his intimate relationship with art.
I Am (Not) This Body (artshouse.com.au)
I Am Not This Body is a memoir and exploration of being under 4 foot in a 6 foot world. Book now at Arts House.
Covid hospitalizations spike with new variant as school returns, U.S. readies vaccines (cnbc.com)
The late summer Covid spike comes after a quiet year in which hospitalizations and deaths had declined week after week since January.
Ableist Language & Disability Professionals: Commonly Used Language (c-q-l.org)
We examined what ableist language disability professionals used and saw as problematic.
Lego's next release screams girl power and we're totally here for it (mashable.com)
This is what a scientist looks like.
AI and Digital Transformation: New Paradigms for Accessibility and Inclusion Strategies (m-enabling.com)
Join disability advocates, corporations, government agencies, academia, and accessibility executives at the 11th M-Enabling Summit, the leading all-inclusive conference and showcase dedicated to fostering innovations, solutions, and strategies for digital inclusion.
Tokyo keeps its inclusiveness promotion through Para sport events (paralympic.org)
Tokyo celebrated the two-year anniversary of the 2020 Paralympics with Para sport competitions and exhibitions.
How Sex Tech Is Helping Folks With Disabilities Get Off (thedailybeast.com)
Meet the companies showing that sex toys can be inclusive, diverse, and horny as hell.
Hospitals are killing patients because they don't feel like doing infection control (thegauntlet.news)
We now know COVID is fully airborne. We also know how to control airborne disease. So why are vulnerable people still dying of hospital-acquired COVID?
Progress? What progress? Inclusion in Hollywood is limited and lacking (annenberg.usc.edu)
The COVID-19 pandemic may have changed the moviegoing experience in significant ways, but it did not result in greater inclusion for marginalized groups. A new report maps where there has been progress—and where there hasn’t—across the most popular films from the last year.
The disability paradox: ‘I want to get bogged at a beach in my wheelchair and know people will help’ (theguardian.com)
I could go around all day with a support worker and be safe, but I don’t want to be confined to my own little lifeboat. The NDIS needs to lead cultural change.
Covid’s back, you say? As disabled and vulnerable people know all too well, it never went away (theguardian.com)
The government’s policy is to pretend we’re getting ‘back to normal’. The result is millions of us live in fear of losing our lives, says Guardian columnist Frances Ryan.
Infection expert calls for return of free Covid tests (bbc.com)
Prof Rowland Kao said it was important to track the new Covid variant and some people cannot afford the tests.
International Day of Sign Language (abilitymagazine.com)
International Day of Sign Languages is celebrated on Sept. 23rd. 300 different sign languages are used by 70 million Deaf/deaf people in the world. The following highlights one language.
Disability Inclusion: Required - Episode 6 - Disability & Philanthropy Forum (disabilityphilanthropy.org)
A conversation with Dom Kelly, Co-Founder, President & CEO of New Disabled South, and Jalyn Radziminski, Founder of Count US IN; Commissioner and Vice Chair for Indiana Disability Rights’ Protection and Advocacy Services, and Director of Engagement at the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, on why it's essential to incorporate disability into all civic and political engagement work.
Scottish government reopens Independent Living Fund after ‘human catastrophe’ warning (disabilitynewsservice.com)
Disabled people’s organisations (DPOs) have welcomed the Scottish government’s decision to open the Independent Living Fund (ILF) to new claimants for the first time since 2010*.
Android Gets a New Logo and Some AI-Powered Accessibility Features (themessenger.com)
The latest updates to Google's Android OS include AI-powered accessibility improvements, plus the ability to take work meetings in the car.
Apple execs speak about convincing Vision Pro developers to make apps (appleinsider.com)
The Apple Vision Pro needs to convince developers to create apps for the headset, as well as get consumers to buy into the platform when it is released, with accessibility a big part of Apple's plan to make the device a success.
The Disability Screen Office announces upcoming events (finance.yahoo.com)
The Disability Screen Office (DSO)—a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving accessibility and disability representation in Canada's TV and film industry—is excited to announce its first two events since announcing its inaugural executive director, Winnie Luk, in June.
US Open Tennis: Deaf Fan Accessibility (stadiumjourney.com)
USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center offers excellent accessibility for deaf and hard of hearing tennis fans.
Animated Film and Disability (disability-visibility-newsletter.ghost.io)
Sometimes social media isn't total garbage. As I scrolled my timeline on Twitter, someone shared a Tweet by Slava Greenberg about his book Animated Film and Disability: Cripping Spectatorship published by Indiana University available now. I was immediately intrigued and am happy to offer 1 paperback and 1 e-book to you gorgeous subscribers. Details below.
Autistic women are often misdiagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Here are 4 ways to spot the difference. (insider.com)
Women are generally under-diagnosed with autism and over-diagnosed with BPD. Both have some overlapping symptoms like mood swings.
The 5 Ps of Inclusive Education with Dr. Shelley Moore (shows.acast.com)
Originally from Edmonton, and now based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Dr. Shelley Moore is a highly sought-after teacher, researcher, speaker, and storyteller and has worked with school districts and community organizations around the world, in supporting and promoting equity for all learners. Her first book, “One Without the Other” is a best seller and her new book is scheduled to come out in 2023. Shelley completed her undergraduate degree in Special Education at the University of Alberta, her masters at Simon Fraser University, and recently received a PhD from the University of British Columbia.
These Hearing Aids Are Big and Cheap—but the Audio Quality Is a Miss (wired.com)
The Linner's Nova over-the-counter hearing aids are inexpensive, but the low price comes with too many trade-offs.
Unconfined (primevideo.com)
Confined to his room during Covid, Victor Pineda, an urban planner, activist, professor and filmmaker that uses a breathing machine 24/7, continues his search for what makes a life worth living.
'We have become so cruel that disabled people losing benefits are celebrated' (mirror.co.uk)
Mirror columnist Rachel Charlton-Dailey is urging people to look beyond.
Outside the Lines (substack.com)
Five artists on the autism spectrum express what independence means to them.
Please stop touching my wheelchair without my consent - it makes me feel violated and dehumanised (substack.com)
“Why do non-disabled people feel they have the right to invade personal space and control our bodies simply because we may have a physical difference?”
New Research from Financial Health Network Shows 90% of Working-Age People with Disabilities are Not Financially Healthy (substack.com)
Report also finds that 93% of people with disabilities are unfamiliar with ABLE Accounts, the primary tool offered by the government for building and maintaining assets without losing public benefits.
Innovating for Inclusion (go.3playmedia.com)
Learn from a leader in accessibility who has dedicated his career to making technology and workplaces more inclusive for all.
Trust (Official Lyric Video) (youtube.com)
"Trust (Official Lyric Video)" is a lyric video for an EDM track - performed by Linus Music and Lachi.
Lachi - Lincoln Center Keynote Performance (youtube.com)
Lachi, recording artist and disability inclusion advocate, closes out the night with a short, funny speech on Disability Culture and an acoustic performance of "Dis Education" on the Keyboard at Lincoln Center.
The Problem with Bond… (labledpodcast.co.uk)
In this article, the author discusses the problem with the portrayal of disabled characters in James Bond films, specifically focusing on the latest installment, No Time to Die. The author points out that the trope of the disabled villain has been present in Bond films for decades, with characters like Blofeld embodying various villainous stereotypes. The article criticizes the one-dimensional characterization of the disabled villain and argues that it perpetuates harmful stereotypes. The author calls for more nuanced and authentic representation of disabled characters in film and expresses disappointment in the lack of progress in the Bond franchise.
The hero of a new picture book is a girl in a red wheelchair (hollandbloorview.ca)
'How many books do we have where a non-verbal child who uses a wheelchair is the one who saves the day?'
“We’re Not Invisible”: Disabled SAG-AFTRA and WGA Members on Accessibility Challenges — and Solutions — at the Picket Lines (hollywoodreporter.com)
From record-breaking temperatures to environmental hazards, performers and writers with disabilities discuss what they're facing on the line and how they're working to create a more inclusive strike.
Moderna’s Updated Covid Vaccine Is Effective Against Pirola Variant—As Concern Over New Strain Grows (forbes.com)
Experts are worried the highly mutated variant, a relative of omicron formally called BA.2.86, could trigger a new wave of cases.
WEI Responds to the COVID-19 Pandemic (womenenabled.org)
In August 2020, WEI partnered with UNFPA, UN Women, and seven women-with-disability-led organizations to document and respond to the lived experiences of women, girls, and gender non-conforming persons with disabilities during the COVID-19 crisis.
Moderna’s Updated Covid Vaccine Is Effective Against Pirola Variant—As Concern Over New Strain Grows (forbes.com)
Experts are worried the highly mutated variant, a relative of omicron formally called BA.2.86, could trigger a new wave of cases.
The Northern Hemisphere Just Lived Through Its Hottest Summer Ever Recorded (time.com)
Earth has sweltered through its hottest Northern Hemisphere summer ever measured, with a record warm August capping a season of brutal and deadly temperatures, according to the World Meteorological Organization.
Humza Yousaf says his opposition to assisted dying plan has hardened (dailyrecord.co.uk)
The First Minister said people with disabilities feared they would be the “thin end of the wedge” if the proposals became law.
Disability workers: unregulated, unregistered, unacceptable (watoday.com.au)
I am aged 61 and what happens to my daughter when I can’t care for her drives me to build her independence.
Are you a disabled teen who likes to write? Numberless Dreams may be for you! (numberless-dreams.org)
Numberless Dreams is a series of online creative writing workshops especially for teens with disabilities. Open to young writers in Grades 9-12. Thanks to partners, the YMCA of central NY's Downtown Writers Center and the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University, and with generous funding and grants, THIS ONLINE WORKSHIP IS FREE OF CHARGE TO ALL PARTICIPANTS!
Just 5% of people with a learning disability are in employment. Every time I read this statistic, I’m reminded of how lucky I am to have a job that I really like - and it’s only getting better! (ablemagazine.co.uk)
I’ve just moved back into the Communications, Advocacy and Activism Directorate team at Mencap. I’ll be helping the team think about how they can engage people with a learning disability more effectively in their work. In fact, I’ve already started talking to team members about new ways they can make their work more inclusive and involve people with a learning disability.
Older people invited to improve their digital skills over a cup of tea (abilitynet.org.uk)
More and more everyday activities, such as booking a doctor’s appointment, shopping, banking, and paying bills, are becoming more reliant on the Internet.
Unlocking Independence: Wheelchair skills training (ablemagazine.co.uk)
When I received my first wheelchair, I was provided with basic instruction on how to move forwards, backwards, turn, navigate ramps and open doors. However, there was so much more to learn. Even after 15 years, I still feel like I haven’t mastered all the skills I need, especially when I see younger wheelchair users effortlessly overcoming kerbs and steps. A wheelchair is not just a mobility device; it becomes an extension of the person using it.
Unlocking Achievement Through Curriculum Modifications: A Path to Inclusive Education (theinclusiveclass.com)
Curriculum modifications play a pivotal role in ensuring that every student, regardless of their unique needs and abilities, has the opportunity to thrive academically and socially. In an educational landscape that seeks to foster inclusivity, equity, and individualized learning, understanding and implementing curriculum modifications have never been more critical.
Driving Mobility - the charity to get you mobile, with or without a car (ablemagazine.co.uk)
Supported by the Department for Transport, Driving Mobility believes that everybody should be as independent as possible. Whether you drive, travel by public transport, or use mobility equipment, this charity is 100% focused on enabling everyone.
Top Tips for Disabled Jobseekers Re-entering the Workplace (ablemagazine.co.uk)
Amelia Peckham, co-founder and CEO of Cool Crutches & Walking Sticks, knows all too well the difficulties of finding suitable and accessible employment.
Understanding the challenges facing disabled people around the world (ablemagazine.co.uk)
The University of Leeds is opening its doors to students around the world with a ground-breaking new online MSc Disability Studies, Rights and Inclusion course.
Carrie-Ann Lightley (axschat.com)
CarrieAnnLightley.com is one of the UK’s leading accessible travel blogs, sharing accessibility reviews, disability travel guides and wheelchair travel tips. The blog aims to encourage and inspire disabled people to travel to, explore and discover new places.
My Story - Amy Thompson – Making things better (ablemagazine.co.uk)
Amy Thompson was enjoying life as a university student before seeking medical advice for symptoms that led to a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). The clumsy way she was treated prompted her to create a new support charity, MS Together.
My Story (ablemagazine.co.uk)
When Ellie Mason was born she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and her mum was told that she’d never speak. Now she’s determined to show what disabled people are capable of through her work on stage and TV.
EU Commission to introduce Disability and Parking Card (disabilityinsider.com)
The European Commission delivered a legislative proposal that will facilitate access to the right to free movement for persons with disabilities, by making sure they can, on an equal basis, access special conditions, preferential treatment, and parking rights when visiting another Member State. The Commission's proposal introduces a standardised European Disability Card and enhances the current European Parking Card for persons with disabilities. Both cards will be recognised throughout the EU.
Thursday briefing: The damage done by 13 years of Conservative welfare cuts (theguardian.com)
In today’s newsletter: As the Department of Work and Pensions looks to ‘tighten’ work capability assessments, we look at the impact of a decade of welfare policies.
Autistic people tend to be treated as if they are the ones who are broken (ablemagazine.co.uk)
Those around them and the society they form are given a free pass for making life needlessly difficult for those on the spectrum. Because of this, autistics are judged by neurotypical standards and not their own. They are viewed through the prism of their weaknesses and not their strengths. Even their strengths tend to get portrayed as weaknesses. For example, hyperfocus, which can come in very handy when it comes to developing skills and getting things done, is portrayed as ignoring something else. Attention to detail and an insistence on getting things right, are seen as pedantic. Even when their strengths are acknowledged as positives, it is often done in a patronising manner.
Sign up to this year’s Disability Journalism Forum (ablemagazine.co.uk)
The Disability Journalism Forum (DJF) is hosting its second event at the BBC’s London Broadcasting House on Wednesday 20th September, 2023 – and we would love for you to tune in virtually.
A New Must-Have for TV and Movie Shoots: Therapists (Published 2021) (nytimes.com)
Working on set can be challenging. In Britain, many productions are hiring trained counselors to help casts and crew cope.
10 New Children’s and YA Books with Disability Representation (publishersweekly.com)
These books for young readers explore a variety of disabilities and chronic illnesses, showing characters adapting to their differences and thriving.
A basic interpretation of the models of Disability (disabilityarts.online)
Having been asked to produce a short piece explaining the basics of the Social Model understanding of disability I ended up producing this slightly longer essay which I thought I'd share with DAO readers. Baring in mind I'm no academic, I hope the more serious students amongst you will accept this as my attempt at a slightly more accessible explanation.
Joint Report by the Brennan Center for Justice and Disability Rights New York Finds Rampant Violations of Accessibility Standards for Voters With Disabilities at Early Voting Polling Places in New York State (brennancenter.org)
Authors make recommendations to the legislature, the state board of elections, and local boards of elections to ensure equal access to the ballot for all.
Work capability test changes ‘could cost some claimants £400 a month’ (theguardian.com)
Campaigners say move could lead to many disabled people having to seek work when they are not well enough.
Recognising disabled people’s achievements (ablemagazine.co.uk)
In June, I received my Diana Award. A few weeks prior I had received an email from my pastoral care teacher (or guidance teacher) that he had put me forward for a Diana Award and that I had been selected to receive it.
The Missing Voices? Disability Inclusion in the Africa Climate Summit 2023 (advocacynetwork.blogspot.com)
The first ever Africa Climate Summit is ongoing in Nairobi, Kenya and indeed an opportune moment to also consider what the disability space is within this hugely important summit.
Elevators at Most Subway Stations? ‘I’ll Believe It When I See It.’ (nytimes.com)
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has vowed to make the city’s public transit system easier to navigate, but said it will take 32 years. For disabled New Yorkers, the subway is still a nightmare.
Children with disabilities stuck needlessly in hospital for up to a year as parents can’t access vital services (independent.ie)
Children with complex disabilities are being left in hospitals for up to a year despite there being no medical need as their parents cannot access vital services.
Things Not To Say to Someone Who Uses A Wheelchair (facebook.com)
"Can you have sex?" and other things not to say to someone who uses a wheelchair.
What if Diversity Training Is Doing More Harm Than Good? (nytimes.com)
It might even make things worse.
What if Diversity Training Is Doing More Harm Than Good? (nytimes.com)
It might even make things worse.
UK unveils plans to boost employment for people with disabilities (disabilityinsider.com)
People with disabilities and those with health conditions, who have been previously restrained from enhancing their lives through employment, will receive increased support to fulfill their potential, as per the government initiatives revealed on September 5.
Travel tips for people with disabilities (michellesmission.net)
Traveling is one of my favorite activities. My husband is my favorite travel companion. I love to explore new destinations and old favorites with him. Summer is our busiest time of vacationing. I enjoyed going on many journeys during my summer off from work. The one thing that I carry with me on my trips is my disability. I cannot leave it at home and have to find ways to be able to work with it on my adventures.
People with vision disabilities demand e-voting in Switzerland (disabilityinsider.com)
The Swiss Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (SBV) is advocating for the swift implementation of electronic voting systems, aiming to eradicate existing disparities faced by people who are blind or have low vision when participating in voting and electoral processes.
Bumper Recognition For Evenbreak With Accreditation and Award Shortlists (ablemagazine.co.uk)
Evenbreak, the world’s first global disability job board run by and for disabled people, has seen a landslide of summer award shortlists and a prestigious accreditation, culminating in four potential trophies and national recognition for their dedication to being the very best in inclusive employment.
European Committee on Social Rights: Finland did not violate the Charter by locking people with disabilities in institutions during the pandemic (enil.eu)
On 25 August 2023, the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers decided that Finland did not violate the European Social Charter by isolating people with disabilities in institutions during the coronavirus pandemic. The decision initially prepared by the European Committee on Social Rights can be found here.
People caught in possession of laughing gas could face up to two years in jail under new Home Office plans – as it happened (theguardian.com)
Home Office to introduce new measures as part of plan announced earlier this year to ban nitrous oxide.
From MIA to TMI: I'm Back Spilling MS tea (and everything else for that matter) (trippingonair.com)
September is all about (dairy-free) pumpkin spice and getting my shit together. A Tripping On Air blog podcast update. Life with MS.
New Research from Financial Health Network Shows 90% of Working-Age People with Disabilities are Not Financially Healthy (finhealthnetwork.org)
Report also finds that 93% of people with disabilities are unfamiliar with ABLE Accounts, the primary tool offered by the government for building and maintaining assets without losing public benefits.
Navigating Financial Trauma as a Disabled Neurodivergent Non-Binary Person (tcf.org)
In this commentary, Coe Colette reflects on being a disabled, neurodivergent, non-binary person who is experiencing generational financial trauma.
Ableism and Misogynoir in Employment Put Me at Risk of Being Unhoused (tcf.org)
In this commentary, Ariel offers an honest look at the domino effects that workplace ableism and misogynoir can have on financial and housing security.
He Admired Her ‘Grit and Grace.’ She Was Struck by His Kindness. (nytimes.com)
Bri Scalesse, model and disability advocate, knew Sheldon Nguyen was different right away. “We knew we could spend forever together,” she said, after quarantining together during the pandemic.
How oral storytelling helped a blind man see the Montgomery brawl (washingtonpost.com)
Andy Slater put out a request on TikTok that someone create an audio narration of the viral footage of the Alabama riverfront fight, and hundreds stepped up.
The Radical Promise of Truly Flexible Work (hbr.org)
Is it possible for companies to protect employee autonomy, engagement, and well-being, as well as job flexibility while also ensuring efficiency and productivity through a period of economic uncertainty and slower growth? The author’s research into how organizations unlock the productivity of neurodivergent and disabled workers points to a way forward — one that allows leaders to accommodate the unique needs of every team member. Comprehensive flexibility supports stronger engagement and performance, not just on a case-by-case basis but at scale. True, sustainable flexibility is about more than just work location and hours. It encompasses which tasks people do and how they get them done. It’s about making work “fit” people, not the other way around. When organizations center the design of work on humans, values, and long-term success in this way, they become productive, resilient, inclusive, and equitable.
Joint Report by the Brennan Center for Justice and Disability Rights New York Finds Rampant Violations of Accessibility Standards for Voters With Disabilities at Early Voting Polling Places in New York State (brennancenter.org)
Authors make recommendations to the legislature, the state board of elections, and local boards of elections to ensure equal access to the ballot for all.
U.S. Moves to Improve Airplane Bathrooms for People With Disabilities (nytimes.com)
New regulations announced by the Transportation Department will mandate that more new planes have accessible lavatories, though the requirement will not take effect for years.
Cultural Bridge celebrates bilateral partnerships between the UK and Germany (cultural-bridge.info)
Cultural Bridge celebrates bilateral artistic partnerships between the UK and Germany through the collaboration between Arts Council England, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, British Council, Creative Scotland, Fonds Soziokultur, Goethe-Institut London and Wales Arts International / Arts Council of Wales.
Disabled first responders are shifting priorities in disaster relief (prismreports.org)
Disability inclusion in emergency preparedness and response doesn’t just mean supporting disabled victims of extreme weather—it also means including disabled communities in disaster relief strategy.
How Disabled People Are Left Behind in Climate Disasters (newrepublic.com)
Disabled people are two to four times more likely to die or sustain critical injuries during a disaster.
This 1930s Law Still Allows Disabled People to Earn Less Than the Minimum Wage (teenvogue.com)
"People with disabilities should be treated as equal to other people.”
Sista Creatives Rising Presents: Art & Mind - I Know Who I Am! (givebutter.com)
“Art & Mind: I Know Who I Am!" is a virtual Zoom documentary & fundraiser event showcasing women of color & femmes of color finding healing in art. Hosted by Black disabled mother-daughter duo Sista Creatives Rising, & led by Black therapists & activists.
Fireweed Collective (fireweedcollective.org)
Fireweed Collective Groups are virtual spaces where folks can connect, and offer mutual aid with others who share similar life experiences and struggles.
Upcoming: Understanding and Transforming the Medical Industrial Complex (healthjusticecommons.org)
The pandemic is not over. Our healthcare system is not merely broken; it is functioning as intended, to control, punish, and profit, not to heal. Rising ableism, the normalization of eugenics, and mounting attacks on bodily autonomy and reproductive rights define our times. All these are carried out by the Medical Industrial Complex (MIC). The Health Justice Commons believes we need to build a movement to disrupt and transform the Medical Industrial Complex and create alternatives to the current healthcare system for our futures to be possible. To do these we need to unite disabled, sick, neurodivergent, and chronically ill people, with healthcare workers, healers, and artists and activists from all movements and backgrounds.
forms of healing: a conversation with devynn emory and Yo-Yo Lin (danspaceproject.org)
This intimate conversation between Danspace Project 2021-2023 Research Fellow, devynn emory, and 2022-2023 Renewal Residency Artist, Yo-Yo Lin, emerged organically and iteratively—first in a New York City hospital room, then followed by my curious nudging, and ultimately across the world over Zoom. This is an ongoing conversation between emory and Lin, that will continue “for as long as we both have bodies and need healthcare,” writes Lin. Together, they dream about more integrative health care, scores for organs, and what healing asks of us.
Beholding Relations (unitlondon.com)
An exploration of disability, oppression and liberation, 'Beholding Relations' considers the transformative potential of human connection.
Designing Care Futures Into Being (tfbwl.substack.com)
Reflecting on August’s Open Heart Clinic by Yaa Addae.
Glass Ceiling Arts Collective launches Spark! (glassceilingartscollective.com)
Spark; our new sensory experience for audiences with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD) took to movie theatres in May as we introduced this epic new work at TAPAC and Matakana Cinema.
Opinion | Disability Justice Is Key to Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (commondreams.org)
As long as people with disabilities are excluded and denied their human rights, the promise of the global goals is doomed to fail.
The Intersection of Ableism and Christian Nationalism (redletterchristians.org)
According to Christians Against Christian Nationalism, Christian Nationalism is an ideology that “seeks to merge Christian and American identities, distorting both the Christian faith and America’s constitutional democracy.” The definition also states that this ideology overlaps with, and has been used to condone white supremacy and racial subjugation. Ableism is not specifically addressed in this definition, though I don’t think this is intentional. White supremacy and racial subjugation need focused attention right now as systemic racial injustice, and violence against racial minorities continues to make news headlines, and people in positions of power are working tirelessly to sugarcoat our country’s history of racial oppression. But I believe Christian Nationalism overlaps with ableism as well.
Student Loan Forgiveness Just Got Easier For These Borrowers (forbes.com)
New regulations that went into effect last month transform several student loan forgiveness programs, expanding access and simplifying the application process.
The centrepiece of Revive, Creative Australia is now launched (arts.gov.au)
Creative Australia will ensure the implementation of Revive’s aims and will include the new bodies Music Australia and Creative Workplaces.
Mapping the future for Disability Arts in Australia (artshub.com.au)
A week-long residency hosted by Arts Access Victoria and DADAA provided potential pathways for Deaf and Disability arts in Australia.
Criticism in Finland Over Country’s Selection Process for the Venice Biennale (hyperallergic.com)
The commissioning body’s decision to bypass an open call for next year’s edition of the Biennale has been met with mixed feelings by the local art community.
Making Space for Deaf and Disabled artists and audiences (creative.vic.gov.au)
The Victorian Government has launched a new program to improve accessibility in creative workspaces and venues, backing the careers of Deaf and Disabled creative workers and ensuring more Victorians can participate in and enjoy creative experiences.
UK and International Open Awards (weareunlimited.org.uk)
These awards give disabled artists the chance to develop and present work across the country and/or internationally. They’re open to all disabled artists based in the UK with projects at any stage of development, across artforms, to bring their ideas to life.
Dance and Social Justice Fellowship Program 2023 (dance.nyc)
Made possible by the generous support of the Ford Foundation, Dance/NYC invites disabled dance workers to submit applications for awards through the third iteration of the Disability. Dance. Artistry. Dance and Social Justice Fellowship Program.
Do you have a disability if you don’t have an official diagnosis? (accessability.substack.com)
The short answer is “absolutely.” The long answer, of course, is more complicated than that.
It's Publication Week! (lucywebster.substack.com)
I can't believe we're here.