Mattel Announces 80% of Global Games Portfolio Will be Colorblind Accessible by End of 2024 to Support Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Communities
I’m Raul Krauthausen the founder of SOZIALHELD*INNEN, an NPO and consultancy from Germany, focussing on Disability Mainstreaming. With this newsletter, I share hand-picked links from around the world.
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Thank you,
Raul
We wrote a children’s book (in german)
Hand-picked news about inclusion, accessibilty and innovation
Mattel Announces 80% of Global Games Portfolio Will be Colorblind Accessible by End of 2024 to Support Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Communities (actionfigureinsider.com)
Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) announced today that 80 percent of its global games portfolio will be colorblind accessible by the end of the year, and 90 percent in 2025, as part of its commitment to create more inclusive play experiences. This shift will include the UNO® brand, the world’s #1 traditional game1, and many more fan-favorites such as Phase 10®, DOS™, Blokus®, and Tumblin’ Monkeys® games.
Disability Pride Month: 10 Perks Of Being A Disabled Person (criplife.co.uk)
Being disabled does come with many challenges and barriers but on many occasions, it does have its benefits and advantages. This Disability Pride Month, Emma shares her 10 perks of being a disabled person.
Spoonie & Chronic Illness Podcasts (chronicpainpartners.com)
Our Chronic Pain Partners’ Team is collecting their favorite books, podcasts and films on EDS and its comorbid condition in a series of listicles you will find on our website over the next months. We have shared our favorite books in our special newsletter issue in May for EDS Awareness Month, as well as EDS and rare disease podcasts in another post. Now, we’ll continue with a list of podcasts about chronic illness and being a spoonie!
Podcasts on Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (chronicpainpartners.com)
With growing awareness about the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, varying resources in different types of media developed over the last years. Our Chronic Pain Partners’ Team is collecting their favorite books, podcasts and films on EDS and its comorbid condition in a series of listicles you will find on our website over the next months. We have shared our favorite books in our special newsletter issue in May for EDS Awareness Month! Today, we’ll continue with a list of podcast on the Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes and rare disease podcasts.
Meet Jessica Elaine Blinkhorn | Artist, Activist, Curator, Educator, and Founder of SPANKBOX. ATL (shoutoutatlanta.com)
We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Elaine Blinkhorn and we’ve shared our conversation below.
The Sistas Uprising Fund ‘24 Microgrant Winners - Supporting BIPOC Artists (youtube.com)
"The Sistas Uprising Fund" is a charity project to help marginalized women & marginalized genders gain financial support through microgrants. These microgrants aid these underrepresented creatives who’ve gone through immense hardship, ensuring they can continue their passion and build upon their dreams.
Researchers find ChatGPT biased against CVs with credentials that imply disability - The Statesman (thestatesman.com)
In the study, when the US-based University of Washington (UW) researchers sought clarification about the rankings, the system showed biased perceptions of disabled people.
Milk River Arts: A Sanctuary of Creativity for Disabled Artists (rvamag.com)
After losing his parents and retiring from the military, Aly Costanzo found purpose at Milk River Arts, a studio for artists with disabilities founded by Sally Kemp. The studio pairs these artists with professional mentors, helping them develop, exhibit, and sell their work while fostering community integration and personal fulfillment.
Access Intimacy for Disability Justice (slowfactory.earth)
This class is part of Sulaiman R. Khan’s fellowship with The Slow Factory which explores the idea of Disability, sex, and relationships for new ways of being and moving towards a just, liberated and regenerative future and processes.
CSUN Professor Ellen Stohl on Posing in Playboy (youtube.com)
News report from CBS-LA. Nearly twenty-five years ago, after an auto accident made her a quadriplegic, Ellen Stohl became the first woman with a disability to pose for Playboy magazine. Now a professor at Cal State Northridge, she lectures on sexuality and body image and how they relate to physical disabilities.
Ellen Stohl hasn't looked much lately at July's issue of Playboy magazine, the one with the eight-page "Meet Ellen Stohl" pictorial.
Disabled Woman Looks Back At Posing Nude For Playboy, Challenging Stigmas (cbsnews.com)
Nearly 25 years ago, a local woman opened an arena of debate on disability by posing nude for Playboy magazine.
Why and How to Celebrate Disability Pride Month (thearc.org)
Disability Pride Month is celebrated every July and is an opportunity to honor the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of the disability community. Why July? It marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), landmark legislation that broke down barriers to inclusion in society.
Masks Are a Symbol of Solidarity. Don’t Let Democrats Take Them Away. (thenation.com)
Mask bans are ostensibly about public safety. The result would be disastrous for public health—but it goes beyond that, too.
Jules Edwards advocated for her autistic kids — then learned she’s autistic, too (mprnews.org)
As an Anishinaabe mom, Edwards knows Native people disproportionately experience disabilities but often have the least access to resources.
Community heroes shortlisted alongside Sam Thompson, Carol Vorderman and Alex Scott for 2024 National Diversity Awards (ablemagazine.co.uk)
An astonishing 90,000 people were nominated this year for the 13th National Diversity Awards in association with HSBC UK. From these, 125 individuals, groups and organisations have been shortlisted in recognition of their dedication to advancing equality, diversity and inclusion.
New Disability-Inclusive Pride Flag unveiled at London Pride (ablemagazine.co.uk)
Global social enterprise, Evenbreak, collaborated with the creator of the Intersex-Inclusive Pride flag, Valentino Vecchietti, to incorporate the disability flag in the shape of a heart into the Inclusive Pride flag.
Make AI Literacy a Priority With These Free Resources (educatingalllearners.org)
Leading school systems are incorporating AI tools such as tutoring, chatbots, and teacher assistants, and promoting AI literacy among teachers and students to adapt to the evolving role of AI in education.
Disability Divest: We Demand the Disability Establishment End Its Relationships with War Profiteers (disabilityvisibilityproject.com)
We are a collective of disabled individuals who have joined together to call for a free Palestine and the end to the U.S. disability establishment’s partnership with war profiteers and complicity with genocide and colonialism. Some of us are affiliated with organizations in the U.S. disability advocacy space and some of us are not. We come together as comrades and reject the elitist and ableist idea that critiques from disabled people who are affiliated with disability advocacy organizations carry more validity than critiques from disabled people who are not affiliated with them.
InnovateEDU at Ten: Pioneering Education Innovation and Launching a Portfolio Approach (educatingalllearners.org)
In just a few short months, InnovateEDU will celebrate ten years of impact in accelerating education innovation toward an equitable, inclusive, and radically improved future for all learners. Reaching this milestone evokes a desire to reflect on our journey.
Easing the Burden on Schools: Five Quality Indicators for Edtech & AI Products (educatingalllearners.org)
Today, it is far too challenging for schools to determine if an edtech product is of sufficient quality to be used by teachers and students. Every school system must independently conduct a detailed review process for any app before it can be approved for use. This is a massive duplication of effort that wastes time for school leaders who are already overwhelmed with other critical responsibilities. This burden is only increasing with the surge of new AI tools hitting the market. The 2024 National Educational Technology Planhighlights the need for intentional and critical decision-making to harness the power of edtech in teaching and learning. To fulfill this vision, we must urgently seek strategies to reduce the lift for school systems to identify quality digital learning tools.
Disability Thinking Weekday - June 2024 Recap (disabilitythinking.substack.com)
Here’s a look back at June’s Disability Thinking Weekday links. The links are sorted into three broad topic categories — Disability Life & Culture, Politics, Policy & Activism, and Practical Information
Accessibility movement helps Minnesota bird-watchers flock together (startribune.com)
Increasing outdoors availability is a growing focus.
Introduction to wheelchair basketball at Paris 2024 (paralympic.org)
Eight men’s and eight women’s national teams will compete at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, which open on 28 August.
Colleges offer career support for students with disabilities (insidehighered.com)
As the number of college students with disabilities grows, more institutions are investing in individualized programs and initiatives to support their career development and workforce readiness.
For Liv Bender, adaptive mountain bikes allow for a return to the trails (rmpbs.org)
Liv Bender returned to the mountain bike trails in recumbent-adaptive mountain bike.
Health insurers cover fewer drugs and make them harder to get (npr.org)
Insurance companies are covering fewer drugs than they used to, and patients have to jump through more hoops to get many of them. When shopping for insurance, check for coverage of the drugs you need.
European Accessibility Act (EAA) – What you need to know (axesslab.com)
June 28, 2025. That’s the deadline for all banking services and e-commerce in the EU to be fully compliant with the European Accessibility Act (EAA). Here’s a straight-to-the-point summary of what you need to know!
European Accessibility Act (EAA) – Kiosks, touch screens and physical devices (axesslab.com)
In June 2025, the European Accessibility Act will be enforced. Most of the buzz is around websites and apps, but many physical devices will also be covered by the new legislation. Let’s look at that more closely and create some buzz around the accessibility of touch screens and other physical devices!
Hacking An Adaptive Cross-Country Skateboard (newmobility.com)
The last time I skateboarded, I was 16 years old. It was preinjury and I wasn’t any good. I would mess around on the concrete behind the Harley Davidson shop where I sold expensive T-shirts to tourists and tried to do ollies until neighboring business owners tired of the racket and yelled over the fence for me to stop.
Through In-Depth Characters with Strong Performances, 60 Miles North Explores Complexities of Chasing Dreams and Confronting Medical Gaslighting (respectability.org)
A coming-of-age feature film about a man at a crossroads in his career, and a woman battling a medical illness with doctors who do not believe her symptoms.
Quad Gods (youtube.com)
Max is the culture-defining entertainment service for every mood. With a variety of genres that include your favorite series and movies from iconic brands and treasured franchises, it delivers irresistible stories every time. From reuniting with life-long favorites to uncovering new ones you haven’t discovered yet, there's something for every moment, every feeling, every you.
Is an “identity model” replacing the charitable, medical, and social models of disability? (buttondown.email)
Part one of a three-part article. See part two on language choices associated with disability/accessibility here.
Interview Questions Accessibility Professionals should ask (buttondown.email)
A couple of months back, I wrote an article listing questions and behaviors that I thought were important for hiring managers to look for in accessibility candidates. In this article, I am going to turn the table and talk about questions that accessibility testers/managers should ask their potential future employers.
International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) position statement on overlays (buttondown.email)
Last fall, IAAP established an Overlay Task Force after increased concern from their membership about the activities of Overlay companies in the context of their membership in IAAP.
“Informal accommodations” are worth the paper they are printed on (buttondown.email)
In an earlier article, I wrote about how mental health conditions have to be accommodated like any other disability.
The Latest Shoulder Options (newmobility.com)
Our “blow out” guide shares everything you ever wanted to know about shoulder surgery and beyond.
Figuring Out What to Say (newmobility.com)
Pop quiz: Your wheelchair broke while you are on vacation and you’re currently lying in a hotel bed, battling a UTI. Your phone rings; it’s the person you’ve been dating for the last three months.
The Latest in Shoulder Surgery: Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement for Wheelchair Users (newmobility.com)
Here’s how it works and what recipients are finding.
Mattel's Uno and other popular games will become colorblind accessible (cnbc.com)
Mattel announced that it plans to make 80% of its games colorblind accessible by the end of the year, before raising that amount to 90% in 2025.
Mattel plans to make 80% of games catalog colorblind accessible by the end of 2024 (polygon.com)
Uno, Blokus, and more popular Mattel games will now be colorblind accessible.
Mattel is making games like Uno more accessible for colorblind players (theverge.com)
Even more players will be able to rage quit a game of Uno.
Colorado parks expand accessibility to those who are blind or low vision (denver7.com)
In compliance with the accessibility law and Gov. Jared Polis’ “Colorado for All initiative,” state agencies have expanded Aira’s service to include our state parks.
US Supreme Court to decide if retirees can sue for disability bias (reuters.com)
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday agreed to decide whether retired workers retain the ability to sue their former employers for disability discrimination after they leave their jobs, a question that has divided federal appeals courts.
Bell County settles with feds over voter accessibility (fox44news.com)
Bell County Commissioners have authorized County Judge David Blackburn to enter into a settlement agreement with the federal government over accessibility of voting facilities for people with disabilities.
Breaking Barriers: Texas Firefighters Learn ASL to Better Serve Deaf Community (piercemfg.com)
An encounter with a deaf student encourages a fire department to learn ASL to improve communication between firefighters and the community's deaf children.
Yelp makes it easier to find businesses that meet your accessibility needs (zdnet.com)
Yelp is launching new accessibility features ahead of Disability Pride Month in July.
Yelp Executive Akhil Kuduvalli Ramesh Talks Making Yelp Accessible To All In Interview (forbes.com)
In a blog post published on Tuesday, the San Francisco-based company’s vice president of consumer product Akhil Kuduvalli Ramesh detailed Yelp’s plans to “help people with disabilities connect with local businesses” by announcing new features aimed at making the platform more accessible to and inclusive of the disability community.
Accessibility Resource Hub: new Yelp attributes, tools for businesses, and more (blog.yelp.com)
Get resources and tools to help you learn about and implement inclusive practices for customers with disabilities.
Yelp updates app with AI-powered alt text for images and new accessibility identifiers for businesses (techcrunch.com)
Yelp is rolling out an app update to include more accessibility identifiers for businesses, improved screen-reader experiences, and AI-powered alt text
Designing Accessible AI and Data Science Solutions (analyticsinsight.net)
Designing accessible AI and data science solutions for a diverse digital landscape
Airlines Are (Slowly) Embracing Inclusivity and Accessibility. Here’s How. (afar.com)
From Braille signage to lanyards for unseen disabilities, these new amenities and programs aim to make the flying experience a little less stressful.
The brain makes a lot of waste. Now scientists think they know where it goes (npr.org)
The brain appears to rely on synchronized waves to wash out waste products, including toxins associated with Alzheimer's disease.
The ADA Accessible Great Sauk Trail (travelwisconsin.com)
The 10.5 mile accessible and paved Great Sauk State Trail is a Wisconsin gem available for all to enjoy.
Tourism initiative: Accessible La Romana Destination (dominicantoday.com)
The La Romana Bayahibe Hotel Association (AHRB) has unveiled the action plan for its “Accessible La Romana Destination” project, aiming to showcase the project’s progress to date and outline future steps for expanding its accessible offerings.
Residents at new social housing development lodge complaints over defects, lack of promised features (abc.net.au)
There's growing scrutiny over a $104 million social housing development promoted as being accessible for people with disability, after a resident complained promised features were never built.
Accessibility advocates fear possible delay in adding more elevators in Montreal's Metro stations (montreal.ctvnews.ca)
Disability advocates are warning that plans to make the Metro more accessible may be delayed or dropped altogether as they feel caught in the middle of a funding battle between Quebec and the STM.
Alberta woman with cerebral palsy threatened with $5,000 fine for using mobility scooter (calgary.ctvnews.ca)
An Olds, Alta., woman with accessibility issues is speaking out against the town after local bylaw officers informed her she would receive a $5,000 fine if she was caught using her mobility scooter on any street, sidewalk or pathway in town.
Ray White’s inclusive auction sets a new standard for accessibility (therealestateconversation.com.au)
Ray White Noble Park made history last night by providing an Auslan interpreter to sign the live auction call of 28 Jacana St, Noble Park.
Mobility mapping: Shedding light on accessibility in our communities (councilmagazine.com.au)
Accessibility is a major concern for thousands of Australians who struggle with mobility issues. A trip that might be only a short walk for an able-bodied person could be a seriously daunting journey for somebody in a wheelchair, in order to avoid stairs, steep curbs or other impediments. That’s why Fraser Coast Council has developed a mobility map to help pedestrians to better navigate the footpaths in Maryborough and Hervey Bay.
Detail in image that changes the way Dane can travel (travel.nine.com.au)
In 2001 Dane Cross was playing in a seemingly 'harmless' game of touch football when an accident left him with severe spinal cord damage.
General election: Polling day is dehumanising, says blind voter (bbc.com)
Elin Williams does not expect to be able to vote independently - like every election so far.
State Commissioner seeks report on accessibility for PwDs in ULB election (morungexpress.com)
The State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities has sought report from the State Election Commissioner on the measures taken to ensure accessibility to Persons with Disabilities in the forthcoming Urban Local Bodies (ULB) which is scheduled on June 26.
UK boy has brain implant fitted to control epilepsy seizures in world first (theguardian.com)
Oran Knowlson, who could suffer hundreds of seizures a day, had neurostimulator fitted at Great Ormond Street.
Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame will undergo major upgrades to make it more accessible (atlantic.ctvnews.ca)
The Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame will be getting a major facelift thanks to $2.5 million in funding from the province.
How The Paris Paralympics Are Driving Engineering And Accessibility Innovation (worldcrunch.com)
Since 2021, engineers at the aerospace group Airbus have been working with the French National Sports Agency to build better equipment for disabled athletes.
Sight loss charity calls for accessible voting (the-gazette.co.uk)
Blind and partially sighted voters are urging for improvements in voting accessibility ahead of the upcoming general election.
Accessibility upgrades for two NSW stations begin the planning process (railexpress.com.au)
Kotara and Cockle Creek will be among the next group of stations to receive accessibility upgrades under the Government’s program.
Accessibility at the Philharmonie de Paris: Allowing Everyone to Experience Music (icom.museum)
The Cité de la Musique – Philharmonie de Paris (France), a cultural centre like none other in the world, houses four concert halls, the Museum of Music and its remarkable collection of instruments from the Middle Ages to today, the Philharmonie des Enfants, where children can play, explore, listen to, experience and feel music, spaces for exhibitions, lectures and music workshops and a media library. Since it opened in 2015, the Philharmonie has made sharing music and welcoming everyone one of the cornerstones of its mission.
The "threshold" of accessibility at the Comrat Court of Appeal (undp.org)
"In 2018, when I joined the Comrat Court of Appeal, the first difficulty I encountered was the high doorstep at the main entrance. It was difficult for me to step over that doorstep without getting off balance and without help," recalls Olesea Topal, a senior specialist in the Interpreters and Translators Section at the Comrat Court of Appeal, a court that tends to become a model for ensuring accessibility.
Some parties still failing on accessible manifestos (disabilitynewsservice.com)
Some of the main political parties fighting the general election have still not published accessible versions of their manifestos, with just a week to polling day.
Removing accessibility requirements will not result in additional taxis (vote.sinnfein.ie)
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Transport and Communications, Martin Kenny TD, has expressed his disappointment at calls made to remove the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) requirement for newly-registered taxis in light of continued taxi shortages.
New accessibility and safety rules for Iqaluit cabs a first step for advocates (cbc.ca)
Iqaluit city council passed a new bylaw which requires cab companies to have at least one vehicle available at all times, which meets disability standards, and stricter vetting of drivers.
Patterns and determinants of health care utilization among people with Parkinson’s disease: A population-based analysis in Ontario, Canada (journals.plos.org)
In Ontario, despite the increasing prevalence of Parkinson’s disease (PD), barriers to access-to-care for people with Parkinson’s disease (PwP) and their caregivers are not well understood. The objective of this study is to examine spatial patterns of health care utilization among PwP and identify factors associated with PD-related health care utilization of individuals in Ontario. We employed a retrospective, population-based study design involving administrative health data to identify PwP as of March 31, 2018 (N = 35,482) using a previously validated case definition. An enhanced 2-step floating catchment area method was used to measure spatial accessibility to PD care and a descriptive spatial analysis was conducted to describe health service utilization by geographic area and specialty type. Negative binomial regression models were then conducted to identify associated geographic, socioeconomic, comorbidity and demographic factors. There was marked spatial variability in PD-related service utilization, with neurology and all provider visits being significantly higher in urban areas (CMF1.20; p0.05) and family physician visits being significantly higher (CMF 1.20; p0.05) in more rural areas and remote areas. More frequent visits to family physicians were associated with living in rural areas, while less frequent visitation was associated with living in areas of low spatial accessibility with high ethnic concentration. Visits to neurologists were positively associated with living in areas of high spatial accessibility and with high ethnic concentration. Visits to all providers were also positively associated with areas of high spatial accessibility. For all outcomes, less frequent visits were found in women, older people, and those living in more deprived areas as years living with PD increased. This study demonstrates the importance of geographic, socioeconomic and individual factors in determining PwP’s likelihood of accessing care and type of care provided. Our results can be expected to inform the development of policies and patient care models aimed at improving accessibility among diverse populations of PwP.
Apple’s ‘Help Me Choose’ Mac Buying Tool Drives Accessibility As Hard As It Does Capitalism (forbes.com)
I have several qualms over the ever-popular editorial choice to use “quietly” in describing events, particularly in story headlines. It’s… fine in the grand scheme of tech journalism things, but I remain steadfast in my belief that “quietly” is an oft-abused adverb to describe new things that occur but don’t get championed in a company’s press releases.
iPhone Mirroring, SharePlay Screen-Sharing Show Yet Again That Accessibility Is Everywhere (forbes.com)
According to Juli Clover at MacRumors, Apple on Monday released new betas of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia which feature the iPhone Mirroring and SharePlay screen-sharing functionality the company showed off during its WWDC keynote earlier this month.
The Intersection of AI and Accessibility: How AODA Is Shaping Inclusive AI Development? (analyticsinsight.net)
As you navigate the fascinating world of AI, consider the influence of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) on AI development.
Breaking Barriers: How the Travel Industry is Evolving to Become More Accessible (luxurytravelmagazine.com)
As the global population ages and the number of individuals with disabilities increases, the demand for accessible travel options is growing significantly.
Labour and Lib Dems share BSL manifestos as Tories and Reform lack accessible versions (liamodell.com)
Labour and the Liberal Democrats have made their general election manifestos accessible to Deaf voters this week, while both the Conservatives and Reform UK are yet to produce one accessible version of their policy documents since unveiling them on 11 and 17 respectively.
How to... Improve Accessible Parking (accessiblelink.substack.com)
It's not just about painting lines on the ground.
IMPRESSION RESEARCH REVEALS 75% OF AIRLINE WEBSITES ARE NOT ACCESS FOR DISABLED USERS (travolution.com)
75% of UK, European, and American airlines fall short of website accessibility requirements, according to new research from digital marketing agency Impression.
Promoting accessibility, inclusion, equity, and diversity (ptboard.bc.ca)
The Passenger Transportation Board (Board) is committed to promoting accessibility for persons with disabilities, and the principles of inclusion, equity, and diversity.
Maryland Launches Push to Widen Accessibility to State Tech (govtech.com)
The state has brought together agency leaders to figure out ways to make its website and digital services more accessible to people with disabilities. The work reflects wider trends in gov tech, including public safety.
Online training programs for adults with disabilities: a systematic review (nature.com)
In the last decade, there has been an increase in online or digital technology-based training. Online training offers promising, accessible learning opportunities for everyone. However, few studies have specifically evaluated the scope of this training for adults with disabilities. The primary aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review of this topic. This involves evaluating the literature, including the methodology used, the variables analyzed, and the characteristics of the training program, as well as identifying gaps in the research. Our findings show that the number of publications is low, although there has been an increase in recent years. Furthermore, it is critical to highlight the importance of an intervention methodology grounded in scientific research and the evaluation of implementation fidelity. In general, online programs improve a variety of trained skills. Expanding interventions within this population, mainly targeting adult women with disabilities, is essential to promote equity and inclusivity in lifelong learning.
A Swedish Hotel Welcoming Blind & Sighted Guests: Almåsa (habengirma.com)
Hotels embracing accessibility win more customers. The Almåsa Sea Hotel owned by Sweden’s Visually Impaired Foundation has multi-sensory experiences enjoyed by both blind and sighted guests.
Podcast highlighting accessibility challenges in Vancouver (globalnews.ca)
A new Vancouver-based podcast play premiering this summer is highlighting how inaccessible the city can still be for wheelchair users. As Darya Zargar explains, the problems are both big and small.
Role of FM in fostering an accessible and inclusive environment (fmj.co.uk)
Creating an accessible and inclusive workplace environment has become a hot topic in recent years. As described by Verna Myers, diversity is “being invited to the party: inclusion is being asked to dance”. In short, diversity refers to empowering individuals by accepting, respecting and appreciating their differences.
Almost all European web sites fail accessibility test (techzine.eu)
The accessibility of websites in Europe is in bad shape. At least, that is the conclusion of a study by the Belgian consulting firm Craftzing.
Comment: Accessible travel is worth the investment (travelweekly.co.uk)
Travel Weekly’s Lucy Huxley says there is a clear commercial rationale for placing greater focus on inclusive holidays
Deafblind Awareness Week: Everyone has a Voice (habengirma.com)
Helen Keller’s birthday and Deafblind Awareness Week mark the perfect time to follow more Deafblind influencers. Here are some I follow, and if you know more tag them in the comments.
What kind of world do we live in (disabilitydebrief.org)
Guide to recent disability news from 50 countries
New videos on the topic of accessibility (ethz.ch)
How can I make my lessons and learning materials accessible? What challenges do neurodivergent students face? Various videos answer questions about accessibility in a creative way. A new video from the ETH Library is also available in sign language for the first time.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources Expands Outdoors Beyond Barriers Initiative - Enhancing Outdoor Experiences for All Visitors (allongeorgia.com)
This initiative aims to grow accessibility options across the state, ensuring that all visitors, regardless of physical limitations, can fully enjoy the natural beauty and recreational opportunities of Georgia's state parks and outdoor spaces.
New tactile sign at Waterfront Park improves accessibility for visually impaired visitors (vermontbiz.com)
City of Burlington and Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired Celebrate Installation of Waterfront Park Tactile Map.
Apply now for the 2025 Access City Award (ec.europa.eu)
The 2025 Access City Award competition is now open for applications. This European award recognises cities which have undertaken outstanding work to become more accessible for persons with disabilities.
Two districts awarded $1.5M in grants for pre-K students with disabilities to be included in classrooms with non-disabled peers.
Metro is Looking For Members For Advisory Board That Advocates For Customers with Disabilities and Senior Citizens - The MoCo Show (mocoshow.com)
As advocates for customers with disabilities and senior citizens, Metro’s Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) is looking for new members that will continue to help shape accessibility throughout the Metro system. […]
The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) announced that the Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) has renewed their Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation at all three locations. This recognition signifies the museum’s commitment to providing an inclusive space for autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors and their families. The team completed a comprehensive training and recertification process to better understand and welcome every visitor that comes to the museum.
LEGOLAND® Japan Resort Leads the Way in Accessibility as the First Certified Autism Center™ in the Country (yourcentralvalley.com)
The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) is proud to announce LEGOLAND® Japan Resort as the first Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) in the country, pioneering the accessibility and inclusion movement in the Japanese theme parks and resorts industry. This achievement underscores the resort's commitment to creating a supportive environment for autistic and sensory-sensitive guests and their families. The CAC designation is awarded by IBCCES to inclusive organizations whose guest-facing workforce has completed specialized autism and sensory awareness training and certification and has committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible experience for all guests regardless of abilities.
Lawsuit Accuses NASDAQ-listed AudioEye CEO and its Executive Chairman of Stock Manipulation (prnewswire.com)
The law firm of Walden Macht & Haran LLP filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court of the State of New York today on behalf of former AudioEye executive David Kovacs against AudioEye, the company's, Chief Executive Officer David Moradi and Executive Chairman, Dr. Carr Bettis, amongst others. Kovacs was wrongfully terminated after refusing to participate in a stock manipulation scheme developed by Moradi and supported by Bettis.
Charity funding aim of £100k for assistive technologies that make the outdoors more accessible (attoday.co.uk)
A charity race up Snowdon that aims to raise money for assistive tech, has hit a milestone in their mission to raise £100K for SMA UK.
Amsaan Accessible Tours adds new travel spots for deaf travellers in Spain and Greece (travelandmarkets.com)
Amsaan Accessible Tours (AAT) is a pioneering company in inclusive tourism for Deaf and hard-of-hearing travellers, with offices in both the UAE and the UK. They specialise in providing tailored tours for Deaf individuals from around the globe. With approximately 1.5 billion people globally living with partial or complete hearing loss, the company’s core mission is to build an inclusive tourism ecosystem that addresses the specific needs of Deaf travellers, ensuring a barrier-free and enjoyable travel experience.
Ascott enters long-term partnership to set new standards for accessible accommodation (ttgasia.com)
Singapore-based hospitality firm, Ascott, has signed an MoU with SG Enable, the focal agency for disability and inclusion in the country, that will see both forging a long-term partnership to elevate disability inclusion and set new standards for accessible accommodation in the hospitality industry.
Steve Gleason to receive Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at 2024 ESPY Awards (nola.com)
Steve Gleason, the former New Orleans Saints standout who was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in 2011, will receive the award at the nationally televised ESPY Awards ceremony July 11 in Los Angeles.
Ictect Releases New Software for automated Alt Text with AI (ICS for Alt Text) (tech.einnews.com)
Ictect, Inc. announces the release of their Intelligent Content Server (ICS) for Alt Text product with a FREE TRIAL. The software can be used as a stand-alone subscription and is designed to be integrated with their icTools software for a completely “Born Accessible” solution. ICS for Alt Text automatically creates alternative (alt) text for images using Large Language Models (LLMs) and Ictect’s patented Intelligent Content software. It can be used for all graphics within entire Word documents as well as for single images.
TestParty raises $4M to help automate the coding for accessible websites (techcrunch.com)
As of today, nearly all of the world’s most popular website homepages are not compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
Mattel to Launch Colorblind Accessible Versions of Uno, Phase 10 (toybook.com)
The company plans for 80% of its gaming portfolio to be colorblind accessible by the end of the year.
Mattel to make 80% of games color-blind accessible by end of 2024 (fastcompany.com)
Mattel will make slight design changes to its card games so that gameplay is accessible for people with color blindness, too.
Triumph over dyslexia in adulthood (spectrumnews1.com)
Councilwoman Serena Owen wasn't diagnosed with disease until she was an adult. But she didn't let it hold her back from her goals.
What to know about the private firms illegally profiting from veterans’ disability claims (pbs.org)
In the two years since the PACT Act brought about a landmark expansion of veterans’ benefits, more than 1 million disability claims have been approved. But a number of for-profit companies are also reaping benefits, even though what they do is against the law. Patrick Murray, legislative director at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, joins Lisa Desjardins to discuss.
Loneliness can increase stroke risk by up to 56%, finds research (theguardian.com)
People who feel chronically lonely over long period of time at higher risk, finds first study of its kind
Social Security says it's improving a major practice called unfair by critics. Here's what to know. (cbsnews.com)
Social Security said it will stop relying on outdated information to determine whether someone qualifies for disability.
SIIA warns schools and ed tech to prepare for costly, time-consuming Title II compliance (k12dive.com)
The Justice Department estimates conforming to the new requirements will cost $1.134 billion for K-12 courses and $5.5 billion for postsecondary courses.
AARP Backs Plan to Improve Air Travel for People in Wheelchairs (aarp.org)
Proposed rule would fine airlines that damage or lose assistive devices
Minneapolis seeking community input to improve accessibility (mndaily.com)
While Minneapolis continues to work with communities to help suit people with disabilities, more work needs to be done.
Woodbury disability advocate boosts airport accessibility nationwide (mprnews.org)
Woodbury resident Linda Hood has been advocating for adult changing tables in public restrooms for years. Recently, her efforts led to a change at the federal level that increases airport bathroom accessibility.
Supreme Court outlawed segregation of disabled people 25 years ago. But change has come slowly (statnews.com)
In 1999, the Supreme Court said forcing people with disabilities into institutional care violated the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Resource Page: Digital Asset Accessibility Under ADA Title II (microassist.com)
This page is a resource on the recent Department of Justice (DOJ) ruling regarding Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Palestine X Disability Justice Syllabus (disabilityvisibilityproject.com)
One of my goals an editor, writer, and activist is to speak out about the genocide carried out by the Israeli Defense Forces against the people of Gaza. I remember how scary it was to speak out in the days after the October 7th attack by Hamas. I was heavily criticized by disabled acquaintances accusing me of antisemitism. It is not antisemitic to be against genocide and the dehumanization of an entire people. There are many in the disability community who claim disability justice yet overlook the principle of collective liberation. The silence from major disability-led organizations and disabled leaders in the United States denotes their complicity in a mass disabling event and the deaths of thousands of people. And this is why I use the platform I have to center disabled perspectives.
My Search for the Best Treatment Option When My Shoulders Went South (newmobility.com)
Bob Vogel chronicles his personal experience with shoulder breakdown.
Quad Hands (newmobility.com)
How people with quadriplegia relate to their quad hands and what they truly mean to them.
Roadmaps: Finding Balance Between Work And Self-Care (newmobility.com)
Rebekah Taussig and Hannah Soyer use their personal experience to explore some of the messiest questions that living with disability presents.
Gear Guide: Lifts (newmobility.com)
All the info to help you make the right purchase.
Recovering From Total Reverse Shoulder Replacement: A Week-by-Week Diary (newmobility.com)
Carol Spiker, 76, underwent a total reverse shoulder replacement – often referred to as RTSA – on her left shoulder on March 7, 2024, and has been documenting the lengthy recovery process in a journal.
Mouthsticks and Beyond (newmobility.com)
What the future holds for those who rely on mandibular manipulation.
Connecting With Peers (newmobility.com)
It has never been easier connecting with peers with similar disabilities than it is right now. Whether you live in a remote location or a bustling city, the rise of the internet and social media means you are only a few clicks away from sharing your story and learning from others. And there are just as many options if you’re not the internet type and prefer face-to-face interactions.
Orthobiologics: Biologic Shoulder Repair Instead of Surgery? (newmobility.com)
How orthobiologic injections work and hear from recipients and doctors.
Ways To Help Prevent Shoulder Damage (newmobility.com)
Although my shoulders are achy and damaged, they still have full range of motion and function. Considering my 39 years of travel, sports and adventure, they’ve stayed healthy a lot longer than in many of my peers’ cases. I owe a lot of this resilience to day-to-day tips I’ve picked up from clinicians and peers. If I’d learned some of these tips earlier, and if certain assistive devices had been available, my shoulders might be 100% healthy. Here’s what I’ve learned that has helped, and what I wish I’d known or had on hand earlier.
Social Media and Autism (life-with-aspergers.blogspot.com)
A blog about living with Asperger's Syndrome and Parenting Children with Asperger's Syndrome.
Deaf community celebrates milestone as South Africa's 12th official language (youtube.com)
For many years sign language was not standardised, resulting in different communities living with hearing impairments adopting a home language - unofficial communication that enabled them to communicate amongst themselves.
See Us. Hear Us. - Bob Williams (English) (youtube.com)
This open-captioned short documentary film, generously supported by the DC Developmental Disabilities Council and HumanitiesDC, features prominent disability leader Bob Williams.
Tales from the train (bbc.com)
On a day when a House of Lords report suggests, amongst other things, that transport remains significantly inaccessible to disabled people, the Ouch team share stories about their regular travel experiences and more interesting journeys.
Complicated — Open Eye Pictures (openeyepix.org)
Kids with complex, invisible illness and their families face unimaginable hurdles as they confront failing medical and child protective systems.
Making transport inclusive globally (share.snipd.com)
Charlotte Vuyiswa McClain-Nhlapo, Global Disability Advisor at the World Bank, discusses the challenges faced by people with disabilities in accessing inclusive transport globally. She explores the World Bank's efforts to support disabled individuals through technology and legislation. The podcast also touches on promoting disability inclusion through Sustainable Development Goals and social justice in city planning.
The Superman model of Disability? (youtube.com)
Have you heard of the social model of disability?
More Swiss railway stations to be made accessible for disabled travellers (swissinfo.ch)
As a target to finish adaptations by the end of 2023 was not met, the conversion of dozens of stations and stops is continuing this year.
Yelp unveils new accessibility features to help people with disabilities connect with local businesses (blog.yelp.com)
We’re rolling out searchable accessibility business attributes in partnership with disability advocate groups; AI-powered alternative text for photos; an accessibility resource hub for business owners; and more
7 Ways to Champion Accessibility in Your Company (accessiblelink.substack.com)
...when it's hard.
13 Disability Dating Sites To Help You Find Love (criplife.co.uk)
Here, we’ve put together a list of free and premium disability dating sites out there. So whether you’re looking for love, friendship or something in between, here’s the lowdown on the top disability dating sites online today.
10 Influential Disabled Fathers (criplife.co.uk)
Today is Father’s Day in the UK and to mark the occasion, we want to celebrate some of the many incredible, resilient, adaptable and nurturing disabled fathers proving to society that people with disabilities can be hard-working, wonderful and loving parents too.
The symbol of the Paralympic Movement installed on the Arc de Triomphe (paralympic.org)
The Paralympic symbol has been installed in the iconic monument in Paris, the first host city to display it before the start of the Olympic Games
“You’ve Got to Put in the Time”: Neoliberal-Ableism and Disabled Streamers on Twitch (mdpi.com)
This concept paper builds upon nascent research analyzing disability and the practice of videogame livestreaming on Twitch.tv. While a growing amount of scholarship analyzes the structure and organization of Twitch as a platform more broadly, with some attending to the platform’s marginalization of women and BIPOC streamers, few studies investigate the challenges that Twitch’s features and structures present to disabled streamers. This paper addresses this gap in the literature, considering the ways in which Twitch offers disabled streamers unique economic and community-building opportunities through its monetization and identity tag features while simultaneously presenting barriers to disabled streamers through these very same features. Utilizing a critical disability studies perspective and drawing upon forum posts made by disabled streamers and interviews with disabled streamers from online gaming news websites, I argue that Twitch reifies forms of neoliberal-ableism through its prioritizing of individual labour, precarious forms of monetization that necessitate cultures of overwork and ‘grinding’, and targeted harassment, known as hate raids, against disabled and other marginalized streamers to ultimately create a kind of integrative access where disability is tolerated but not valued.
‘Sex work is decriminalised – and my time with Samuel is subsidised by the government’: This is how we do it in Australia (theguardian.com)
Susan is paraplegic and Samuel is her support worker. His support comes in the shape of four-hour sessions in a motel room
Believ working with London boroughs to implement accessible charging (transportandenergy.com)
Two London boroughs will pilot electric vehicle (EV) charge points specifically designed for disabled residents that are being provided by charge point operator Believ.
Utah planetarium striving to increase accessibility (kslnewsradio.com)
The Clark Planetarium has partnered with two organizations to offer reduced fares and specialized sensory items to increase accessibility.
New PA ABLE Website Launched to Enhance Accessibility (fcfreepresspa.com)
Treasurer Stacy Garrity has announced the launch of the redesigned PA ABLE Savings Program website, paable.gov. The updated website aims to simplify the process for individuals learning about the PA ABLE program, opening new accounts, and accessing existing accounts. This redesign enhances accessibility with a focus on streamlined navigation and the inclusion of a Google Translate option for Spanish translation.
Global platform adopts accessible ticketing technology (marketingderby.co.uk)
A global ticketing platform for venues such as The O2 has adopted accessible ticketing technology developed by Nimbus Disability.
Local shops score highly on accessibility features (betterretailing.com)
The research is based on Independent Achievers Academy findings.
New plan to improve accessibility at museums (ajuntament.barcelona.cat)
Work is to be carried out at 31 museum sites in the city to improve their physical, communicative and cognitive accessibility. The goal is to ensure maximum inclusion in the range of culture offered by museums and the participation of all sectors of society. The plan has a budget of 525,000 euros.
Kaukauna unveils first accessible playground (fox11online.com)
The city held a ribbon cutting for the new playground at La Follette Park.
Free toolkits for tourism operators to be more accessible (dts.qld.gov.au)
Queensland tourism operators can now access free, practical tools to make their businesses more accessible and inclusive, thanks to the completion of five projects under the Accessible Tourism Enablers Grant program, developed by Guide Dogs, Braille House, Autism Queensland, CPL – Choice, Passion, Life, and Spinal Life Australia.
Pioneering Path To Accessibility for All (khaleejtimes.com)
Transforming lives with innovative assistive technology, Key2Enable champions inclusivity and independence for all abilities
Soul Tourist (kamredlawsk.com)
While looking at the Detroit skyline from my tiny studio apartment, I made the impetuous decision to visit Korea. This would be my first time back in 20 years, since my adoption at age 4 by a white family in Michigan. It was the summer of 2003, and I booked my ticket two weeks before departure. This was also the period when the mysterious weakening of my legs had begun (the first signs of my genetic neuromuscular disorder that made me a full-time wheelchair user), and this hastened my sense of urgency, despite feeling nervous about traveling alone.
Architecture’s Disability Problem (routledge.com)
Architecture’s Disability Problem explores the intersection of architecture and disability in the United States from the perspective of professional practice. This book uncovers why, despite the profound effect of the Americans with Disabilities Act on the architectural profession, there has been so little interest in design for disability in mainstream architecture. To counter this, the book investigates alternative approaches to designing with disability, through three case studies.
Glidance, a new era of independence for the visually impaired. (glidance.io)
Glidance | Glide, a groundbreaking leap in assistive technology, is the first self-guided mobility assistant designed for individuals with sight loss.
New PS5 System Update Beefs up Social, Accessibility, and Search Features (msn.com)
Sony is rolling out a new PS5 system update today as a beta release available via invite, with a true global launch slated for later this year. The software includes updates to search, accessibility, social, and more. As for search, there’s finally an actual way to peruse titles in your library based on keywords.
Disability Reference Group (disabilityreferencegroup.org)
Reference Group on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action Reference Group on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action Join the group Key resources Join the group Learn more Our Core Objectives The Disability Reference Group (DRG) brings together organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs),
Conference of State Parties to the CRPD: coming together for Disability Rights (edf-feph.org)
A delegation representing the European Disability Forum attended the 17th session of the Conference of States Parties (CoSP), an annual gathering dedicated to discussing the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Our delegation had a productive week, with key contributions from Catherine Naughton, Executive Director, and Marion Steff, International Cooperation Manager. The event also saw the presence of representatives from our members, other European organisations and European policymakers – including the European Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli. Representatives from our members from Belgium, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden were present, including our Vice-President, Gunta Anca, as part of the Latvian delegation.
Jamie and the impact of Artificial Intelligence on persons with disabilities. (youtube.com)
Meet Jamie. Jamie is a digitally savvy person with disabilities who enjoys using new technologies. But what is Artificial Intelligence’s place in their life? How is it helping or excluding them?
Disability rights activists fight for access to cities’ Pride events (politico.eu)
People with disabilities who face barriers accessing Pride events and LGBTQ+ spaces say they’re made to feel like a ‘double minority.’
Report: LGBTI+ persons with disabilities face disproportionate violence, harassment, barriers to healthcare (edf-feph.org)
A new report by ILGA Europe – exploring data from the Fundamental Rights Agency – shows that LGBTI persons with disabilities face the highest levels of violence and harassment. Specifically, intersex people, trans women and non-binary people with disabilities experience particularly high rates of harassment. Discrimination is also rife: trans individuals, ethnic minorities, and trans women with disabilities face the highest levels of discrimination reported in the survey.
Interview with ILGA Europe: “We need a renewed Disablity and EU LGBTIQ Equality strategy that work hand-in-hand” (edf-feph.org)
To celebrate Pride Month, we conducted this interview with ILGA-Europe. They share with us their advocacy for LGBTQI+ persons with disabilities, delve into the impact of their initiatives, and discuss the future of policy. We also explore the path forward for achieving full equality and inclusion in the next EU mandate.
European Regional Disability Summit 2024 (edf-feph.org)
Following the model of the Global Disability Summit 2022 (GDS2022), the co-hosts of GDS2025 have recommended the organisation of regional pre-summits. These gatherings aim to stimulate international collaboration and place emphasis on region-specific dialogues that will ultimately lead to the establishment of commitments.
In conversation with… Mary Keogh, Mahbub Kabir & Gordon Rattray (sensing-climate.com)
Mahbub Kabir and Mary Keogh at CBM Global, and Gordon Rattray at the European Disability Forum, will share their brilliant work around climate and disability across contexts worldwide.
From preparedness to response: The EU Civil Protection Forum 2024 (edf-feph.org)
We participated in the Civil Protection Forum 2024, a key event for the European civil protection community. The event aims to address critical policy and operational issues, inspire future developments in the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), and create networking and collaboration opportunities in disaster risk management.
Historic first: EU candidate elected to UN CRPD Committee (edf-feph.org)
We warmly congratulate Inmaculada Placencia Porrero on her election as a member of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This was the first time that the European Union—acting as a regional integration body—presented a candidate to a United Nations human rights treaty body.
Manifestos of European Political parties and disability (edf-feph.org)
The Good Lobby and the European Disability Forum’s joint analysis of the manifestos of European political parties, released today, shows that most political parties pay limited or no attention to disability issues in their manifestos.
For Pride Month 2024, we spoke with IGLYO, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Youth and Student Organisation. This influential advocacy group is dedicated to supporting and empowering LGBTQI youth across Europe and beyond.
Graduate Excluded at Ceremony Sparks Fight for Inclusion (mcie.org)
Ashlynn Rich is a recent high school graduate with Down syndrome. She graduated with honors and earned the title of scholar-athlete for her involvement in the school’s swim team. She also owns her own small business, Pop Queen Baked Goods. Ashlynn advocates for including students with disabilities in school and the community.
Impostor Syndrome, Stereotype Threat and Disabilities (buttondown.email)
Haven’t heard of “Stereotype Threat” before? Me neither until a few weeks ago. The impact of understanding how stereotype threat shapes my actions on a regular basis has fundamentally changed my life.
Inaccessible Third-party Content and Code — Why it is Important, and How to Address it (buttondown.email)
In the United States, various parts of the federal government have made it painfully and consistently clear in its rulings that the federal government doesn’t care who created inaccessible content or code, if it’s on your site, then the site owner is responsible for making it accessible.
Inaccessibility is a disease. Why aren’t we doing more to cure it? (buttondown.email)
In the carbon-based lifeform world, herd immunity is achieved when the majority of a population is immune (either through infection or vaccine) to an infectious disease. This state conveys indirect protection (i.e., “herd immunity”) to those in the herd who are not immune.
Disability Inclusion: Required - Episode 15 - Uplifting the LGBTQIA+ Disabled Experience (open.spotify.com)
In this episode of Disability Inclusion: Required, host Emily Ladau welcomes Gabriel Foster, Co-founder & Executive Director of the Trans Justice Funding Project. Foster shines a spotlight on the importance of centering the leadership of trans people in funding decisions, particularly in relation to intersecting oppressions such as ableism. Foster emphasizes the need for funders to move beyond symbolic gestures and provide meaningful support to LGBTQIA+ communities year-round. He specifically amplifies many of the current challenges faced by the trans community, and calls on philanthropy to prioritize inclusion and collaboration across marginalized communities. Foster urges listeners to consider the risks of inaction and to actively work towards disability inclusion.
ONE LITTLE FINGER, MALINI CLIB : Malini Chib (amazon.in)
One Little Finger is the story of a woman who defied all odds to emerge victorious in spite of crippling physical disability and an insensitive society; a woman who dragged herself out of the limitations that her condition had imposed on her. This is the story of Malini Chib's search for independence and identity, and her zeal to live a full, meaningful life despite lifelong disability. Malini suffers from Cerebral Palsy, an impairment of the brain that makes body movements extremely difficult. In this inspirational autobiography, Malini recounts her experiences from childhood to adulthood-her struggles as a child, her challenges and disappointments as a youth, and her achievements and joys as an adult. Malini gives a moving account of her struggles with motor skills and communication, with managing day-to-day activities, and with apathy of people towards the disabled. She educates herself, earning double masters. She learns to type with her little finger and speak through the Lightwriter. Finally, she works through unfavorable social systems and attitudes to get a career as an event manager. Malini tells us the story of her struggles against adversity and her determination to succeed at any cost, to search for her own identity in a contrary world. And in the process of finding herself, she becomes a beacon of hope for everyone Table Of Contents: ROOTS Proving the Doctors Wrong Birth of a Movement The End of the Beginning A Family with No Bounds? Boarding School Life-Ugh GROWING UP Why do You Want to do the BA? Introduction to Port Wine: Goa with Nicky Entre-vous to Adulthood Oxford: A Love Affair A SLICE OF FREEDOM Moving Again to London A Bold French Holiday Empowerment in Academia Living on One's Own What? A Second Masters'-Unbelievable! I Get Employed! Reflections Special Features: One Little Finger
GENDER EQUALITY AND DISABILITY INCLUSION (adb.org)
GUIDELINES TO ADDRESS THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS WITH DISABILITIES.
Disability and Development Report 2024 (social.desa.un.org)
Accelerating the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals by, for and with persons with disabilities.
Embodying Accessibility: Six Tips for Incorporating Access Into Your Filmmaking (documentary.org)
Since Pedro and I first started filming unseen in May 2016, I’ve always told him that my main audience for our film is no one else but him. After all, unseen is about his life and his decade-long journey to become a social worker. What makes the pursuit of this goal not so straightforward is the fact that Pedro is blind. If Pedro is truly my main audience, how can I make a film (arguably a primarily visual medium) not only accessible for him but, more so, enjoyable? How can our film embody accessibility, so that enjoying it can be equitable for sighted and low-vision audiences alike?
Reimagining Accessibility As An Aesthetic (reframingdisability.substack.com)
In this eighteenth issue, hear from Set Hernandez about his filmmaking process with his documentary, unseen, and find tips on accessibility in filmmaking, events, and recommendations.
Improving Native App Accessibility via Haptics (buttondown.email)
If you are interested in haptics, you might also be interested in the predecessor article on Accessible Motion
What the Arrival of A.I. Phones and Computers Means for Our Data (nytimes.com)
Apple, Microsoft and Google need more access to our data as they promote new phones and personal computers that are powered by artificial intelligence. Should we trust them?
America’s best decade, according to data (washingtonpost.com)
When pollsters asked Americans when America had the best economy, most moral society or best music, one variable best predicted their answers. It wasn’t race, gender or politics.
I’m Broken and It’s Beautiful (buttondown.email)
I was in Canada for the summer. The Maritimes is not one of the big population centers (the largest city in the entire province of New Brunswick is the size of Sunnyvale California, and I’m not in the largest city). The choices on the radio in my loaner car are.
TvFILM: An Independent Film Showcase From WMHT (wmht.org)
Watch short films, filmmaker interviews and documentaries online; films are culled from filmmakers in Upstate New York.
Chicago Native On Finding Love In Netflix Series (youtube.com)
She's a Chicago native, a self-taught pianist, vocalist and painter, AND she's one of the stars on season two of the Netflix docu-series "Love On The Spectrum U.S." Here with more on her journey to find love is Journey Early.
HOW TO DANCE IN OHIO is Headed to the UK (broadwayworld.com)
It was announced last night, at the How to Dance in Ohio original cast reunion concert, that the musical is headed to the UK! Producer Ben Holtzman took to the stage to make the announcement in front of an excited audience.
Good Omens for Disabled People. (diaryofadisabledperson.blog)
Series 2 of Good Omens released on Amazon Prime to much acclaim in July 2023, providing a solid follow-up to the first series, which was based on the book of the same name by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. The second series took the characters we know and love, creating an equally humourous and compelling story told over six episodes, with an ending that left many people clamoring for more, myself included. It also has an excellent depiction of disability.
“Boy Kills World” movie has deaf character, but cast by hearing person (youtube.com)
A new movie is released in theaters called “Boy Kills World” and the main character is deaf, but the actor is hearing- acting like a deaf person. What do you think? Should a deaf person have been cast for this role? Watch the video and leave a comment!
Take Care of Maya (youtube.com)
When 10-year-old Maya Kowalski was admitted to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in 2016, nothing could have prepared her or her family for what they were about to go through. As the medical team tried to understand her rare illness, they began to question the basic truths that bound the Kowalskis together. Suddenly, Maya was in state custody – despite two parents who were desperate to bring their daughter home. The story of the Kowalski family – as told in their own words – will change the way you look at children’s healthcare forever.
At SFMOMA, Disability Artwork Makes History (nytimes.com)
After 50 years, Creative Growth in Oakland celebrates as its artists enter the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s collection.
‘I felt seen and understood’: Irish teenage actor with cerebral palsy Niamh Moriarty on starring in new BBC drama (irishtimes.com)
The Dublin actor stars alongside Sharon Horgan and Michael Sheen in Best Interests
‘I hope I can encourage other disabled actors’ – Dubliner Niamh Moriarty on her new BBC series with Sharon Horgan (independent.ie)
At the age at three, Dubliner Niamh Moriarty was diagnosed with a form of cerebral palsy in her legs called spastic diplegia – and didn’t think the right role for her would ever exist.
Best Interests review – Sharon Horgan is magnificently ferocious as a mum in agony (theguardian.com)
Horgan and Michael Sheen star in this masterly and profoundly moving series about the terrible reality of having a disabled child in a world where you must fight constantly for them to live
Best Interests (bbc.co.uk)
When your child is desperately ill, who decides what happens next?
Mise En Place (sproutflix.org)
Charlie works as a dishwasher in one of Sydney’s most high end restaurants, where one of her coworkers regularly ridicules and belittles her creativity. When her vindictive colleague is struck by karma, Charlie finally has a chance to express herself and showcase her talent for artful plating.
Hunger, debt and anguish: all are there at a Midlands baby bank after 14 years of Tory rule (theguardian.com)
The Conservatives want us to think child poverty is somehow normal. When you vote next Thursday, remember that chilling fact, says Guardian columnist Frances Ryan
Creating Safe(r) and Brave(r) Spaces in Strasbourg (enil.eu)
On 10-15 June, in cooperation with the CEJI – A Jewish Contribution to an Inclusive Europe, and the support of the Council of Europe (CoE), we co-hosted in the European Youth Centre Strasbourg, France, the study session titled “Creating Safe(r) and Brave(r) Spaces”.
We All Learn Differently: Empowering Neurodivergent Middle Schoolers (mcie.org)
Episode Summary: In this episode of the Think Inclusive Podcast, host Tim Villegas interviews Bari Levin, a seasoned special educator and advocate for neurodivergent students. The discussion dives into the We All Learn Differently campaign, an initiative that leverages storytelling to eliminate the stigma around learning differences in middle school students. Bari shares his insights on the importance of understanding and empathy in fostering a supportive learning environment for all students.
We speak to the Green Party and Plaid Cyrmu and hear about Reform UK’s plans
General Election voting is it accessible for Disabled people! (kerry-thompson.com)
With the general election looming, it’s not just got me thinking just how accessible will the polling stations be for voting.
Unpaid UK carers ‘face financial hit that can last decades’ (theguardian.com)
Loss of income, curbs on benefits and soaring bills are piling pressure on people caring for family members
Spanish actress and director María Valverde and superstar conductor Gustavo Dudamel are making El Canto de las Manos (Song Of The Hands). The feature documentary will tell the remarkable story behind a deaf choir’s unique production of the Beethoven opera Fidelio.
The Art of the Pitch (cbspwdinitiative.splashthat.com)
The Art of the Pitch - How do you set your project up for success? During this webinar, Emily Best (Founder and CEO of Seed&Spark) will take you through a set of exercises and best practices to prepare for any pitch to any audience - and how to understand what audience you most need to be pitching to today. You’ll leave with practical steps for telling and selling your story while building authentic and lasting relationships to support your entire creative journey. No filmmaking experience required!
Long Covid & Grilled Cheese (disabilityrightsflorida.org)
A conversation about chronic illness and our favorite meals when sick.
Paris 2024 Paralympic Games: One million tickets sold (paralympic.org)
With two months to go and momentum building for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony, the symbolic milestone of one million tickets sold has been reached.
Award-winning poet, Blade contributor Kathi Wolfe dies (washingtonblade.com)
‘Tireless in her pursuit of justice for queer disabled people’
Infant deaths spiked 13% in Texas following law restricting abortion, study finds (salon.com)
States with abortion access did not experience the same increase, emphasizing the fallout of attacks on abortion
90 disability organizations call on CNN to make the presidential debate more accessible (19thnews.org)
A letter to the network requests American Sign Language interpreters and that moderators ask about topics relevant to the disability community, like COVID-19 and special education.
Safeguarding Students' Food Safety (disabilityrightsflorida.org)
Denying Zeijen his necessary meals and IEP accommodations violated his right to a free and appropriate public education.
Ancient bone shows how Neanderthals cared for the vulnerable, study says (edition.cnn.com)
New research suggests a fossilized ear bone reveals the oldest known case of Down syndrome: a Neanderthal child who lived more than 146,000 years ago.
Kinetic Light: DESCENT (zoellner.cas.lehigh.edu)
Kinetic Light, an innovative disability arts ensemble, is globally acclaimed for its immersive, accessible approach. Led by disabled artists, the ensemble creates, designs, and performs work that is a thrilling blend of movement, light and sound. Their creations speak to and emerge from disability aesthetics and culture. This connection to the rich traditions and contemporary conversations of disabled artists in all artistic fields makes Kinetic Light's work a powerful, intersectional creative force.
Process and Presence: Contemporary Disability Sculpture (youtube.com)
An amazing exhibition from multiple artists on display now at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in partnership with DisArt!
Meijer Gardens' fall exhibition celebrates contemporary disability sculpture (therapidian.org)
The group exhibition Process and Presence: Contemporary Disability Sculpture features 16 international artists.
Para Climbing Added to LA 28 Paralympic Games (sportsnspokes.com)
Los Angeles is set to make Paralympic history in 2028. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has given the green light to add Para Climbing to the LA28 Paralympic Games. This marks the first time an organizing committee has successfully pitched a new sport for the Paralympics.
Protesters continue pushing for more protections for NC residents with disabilities (abc11.com)
On Tuesday -- for the third straight day -- protesters continued to hold demonstrations in Raleigh calling for better, more accessible housing, greater access to essential care, and more state funding to support North Carolina's disabled communities. Adapt -- a national, grassroots disability rights group -- has coordinated several protests this week, including at the State Capitol, and the Department of Health and Human Services.
Two Years On, the Harm of the Dobbs Ruling Is Particularly Felt By Marginalized People (womensmediacenter.com)
People who are marginalized on the basis of race, gender, gender identity, disability, socioeconomic status, and other factors need policies to support our ability to make decisions about our own reproductive lives.
NBCUNIVERSAL ENHANCES ACCESSIBILITY FOR ITS COVERAGE OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES PARIS 2024 (nbcsports.com)
NBCU to Offer Closed Captioning, Audio Description, and Web Content Accessibility.
Books – ArtsAbly (artsably.com)
In this section, you will find links to digital accessible and paper versions of books. Kindle offers reading applications and tools that work with assistive technology and propose settings for all users. The digital version is usually cheaper than the paper version.
Special Education Enrollment Hits All-Time High (disabilityscoop.com)
There are a record number of students with disabilities in the nation's schools, new data shows.
With Growing Demand, Yelp Adds Accessibility Details To Business Listings (disabilityscoop.com)
Yelp says it is dramatically increasing information about accessibility in listings on its site for restaurants and other locations, while also pushing businesses to become more inclusive.
We speak to Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, and Marion Fellows from the SNP
‘A disability is a characteristic like the colour of your eyes’ (swissinfo.ch)
Marah Rikli talks in an interview with SWI swissinfo.ch about inclusive education, social roles, injustice, diversity and her hopes.
Inclusive Leadership Fuels the Fight Against Disability Exclusion (forbes.com)
By embracing the principles of inclusive leadership, companies can unlock the full potential of their workforce and drive change for employees and customers alike.
How to Stop People from Filing Repeat ADA Lawsuits (buttondown.email)
Last year, the US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced a change to its case-processing manual which encouraged investigators to dismiss complaints without investigation if multiple complaints had come from the same filer, even if those complaints were on behalf of different individuals or against different organizations.
I am an accessibility badass (buttondown.email)
After I stopped laughing, I realized that the requester paid me the highest compliment possible given that Urban Dictionary defines a badass as “a person who is the best of the best at what they do professionally and/or personally.”
If somebody can use it, somebody can misuse it (buttondown.email)
There is a portion of the American legal system under the category of negligence called “strict product liability,” also referred to as SPL. Under SPL, anyone in the product chain (seller, distributor, or manufacturer) of a defective product can be liable to anyone injured by that product, regardless of whether the defendant did everything possible to make sure the defect didn’t occur.
I got a restraining order against my COVID-denying next-door neighbor (buttondown.email)
I will call my assailant, “Mr. Covid.” His actions had already generated two separate police calls (from others) for assault in the previous three months. My situation was a little more subtle.
I love Electric Cars. But I will never, EVER buy a Tesla (buttondown.email)
If someone in California were going to do something stupid like this, it would be Elon Musk. He relishes his label as a bad boy, renegade, and maverick.
Disabled woman trapped in apartment for months due to broken elevator (komonews.com)
A woman in Oregon who is disabled has been unable to leave her apartment for months without help due to a broken elevator.
Healing is not linear (disability-visibility-newsletter.ghost.io)
It’s hard to believe but exactly two years ago on June 6, 2022, I had a series of medical crises that led to several weeks in the hospital leaving me without the ability to speak or eat by mouth. Time is hazy. I feel like it was just yesterday that I got back from the hospital. My memory of what happened was filled with gaps and the last two years have been full of adjustments and unpleasant experiences navigating new medical needs of my radically altered body.
How to lose a customer in 10 seconds (buttondown.email)
In the modern digital age, where so much of our lives revolve around online platforms, ensuring accessibility for everyone is critical. However, widespread issues prevent more than 90 % of assistive technology users from having an equal online experience.
Fridays at the Collective (artsaccess.com.au)
Celebrating 50 years of Arts Access Victoria (AAV) For 50 years, AAV has championed disability justice and the human rights of Deaf and Disabled people through art. The Collective digs deep into the AAV archive, highlighting projects across the decades. Witness the huge social shift from incarceration to liberation, across 50 years of practice.
The Collective – Opening (artsaccess.com.au)
For 50 years, Arts Access Victoria (AAV) has championed disability justice and the human rights of Deaf and Disabled people through art. The Collective digs deep into the AAV archive, highlighting projects across the decades. Witness the huge social shift from incarceration to liberation, across 50 years of practice.
Our Language (artsaccess.com.au)
Our Language Arts Access Victoria respects how Deaf and Disabled people choose to define disability in their own way.
Arts and Disability Initiative (creative.gov.au)
These grants provide support for significant projects to extend arts practice, networks, skills, and ambition.
How to identify a Toxic Accessibility Culture, and what you can do about it (buttondown.email)
In an immature organization, accessibility can unfortunately be both. Please interpret the below as the collection of my 15 years of experience working exclusively with people with disabilities, several decades of being a person with a disability, and the parent of someone who has a different disability than I do. I am not casting aspersions on my current or previous employers.
Digital Accessibility Experts Live (eventbrite.co.uk)
Monthly webinars to help leaders with digital accessibility challenges to find solutions as they accelerate digital projects.
How to make organizations aware of an accessibility issue (buttondown.email)
You’ve found an accessibility problem, in a website or app from someone we are going to refer to below as “OffendingCompany”.
How the Gig Economy impacts People with Disabilities (buttondown.email)
For those of you who have been living under a rock for the last five years, a gig economy engagement is defined as a full-time or part-time contract as independent workers for short-term engagements.
How to discuss accessibility during a design/UI/UX interview or portfolio review (buttondown.email)
Portfolio reviews are the penultimate step in the design/UI/UX interview process. It’s a chance to show your work, defend your decision-making, explain your creative process, and allow your work to speak for you.
A New Path for the PIF (touretteshero.com)
In early 2021, we launched our Practical Intervention Fund (PIF). The idea behind it was to provide a straightforward way for disabled, deaf and neurodivergent people to request small, practical items related to wellbeing or relaxation. This was especially important during the height of the pandemic, when accessing these kinds of items was particularly difficult for many disabled people. In the following three years there’s been a clear continued need for the PIF – but this year, we’re doing it slightly differently. This post will explain the changes and give details on how you can apply.
India: Calcutta HC rules disability no bar to bank promotion (disabilityinsider.com)
The Calcutta High Court, in favor of an employee of a nationalized bank, reaffirmed that physical disability should not impede career advancement. After being promoted and transferred, the employee faced demotion. Justice Rajasekhar Mantha ordered the bank to reinstate the promotion, pay arrears, and adjust the salary within three weeks, reported Times of India.
Osiris 39 examines disability's influence on the history of science (disabilityinsider.com)
Disability studies has gained prominence in recent years, transforming fields ranging from design to literary studies with insurgent approaches to access and representation. The newest volume of Osiris, “Disability and the History of Science,” extends this movement to ask how disability has been a central, if unacknowledged, force in the scientific disciplines and the history of science. The volume examines the many roles that disability and disabled people have played throughout the history of science, calling attention to the shaping of scientific knowledge production by disability.
Fun and Inclusion at the Abilities Expo with #Fun4theDisabled! (fun4thedisabled.com)
Join us at the Abilities Expo, where people of all ages and abilities can experience a world of adaptive activities and resources! Watch Lola conquer the adaptive climbing wall and explore the wide range of inclusive exhibits available. Vanessa Harris from Fun4theDisabled joins us to highlight the exciting offerings at the expo, from adaptive sports to specialized kitchen gadgets.
‘Max is my eyes’: Paralympian says post-Brexit rules stop him flying with his guide dog (theguardian.com)
Mar Gunnarsson, swimmer and Manchester student who is due to compete at the Paris Games, says his career is at risk
Sam Drazin Discusses Building Inclusive Schools with Changing Perspectives (mcie.org)
About the Guest(s): Sam Drazin is the founder and Executive Director of Changing Perspectives, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering inclusive educational practices. A former elementary school teacher, Sam brings firsthand experience and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in creating inclusive school environments. His organization works with schools nationwide and internationally, providing […]
iCreate: Choreographic Showcase (dancesyndrome.co.uk)
iCreate: Choreographic Showcase will comprise of 7 new dance pieces which have been created by members of the DS Collective performance company, who each wanted to gain experience of being a Choreographer.
The General Election Manifestos (pocklington.org.uk)
Ahead of the 2024 General Election, we have looked at the main party manifestos for the key policies for blind and partially sighted voters.
“Disabled” Isn’t the Only Word That Describes Me (retrospectivelily.wordpress.com)
It’s not an exclusive adjective, ya know. I’m disabled AND… Fit. Outgoing. Adventurous. Talented. Pretty. Funny. Called by God. Also… Selfish. Prideful. Emotional. etc. (I’m not totally arrogant; I’ve learned to love myself. There’s a difference.) ~ Recently, a well-meaning friend had the audacity to say to me in conversation, “I’m sure YOU don’t know…
Disability News and Mental Health, Election interviews: The Conservative Party’s disability policies (bbc.co.uk)
We speak to Mims Davies, from the Conservative Party
Disability News and Mental Health, Election interviews: The Labour Party’s disability policies (bbc.co.uk)
We speak to Angela Rayner, deputy leader of the Labour Party
Meet the Wheelchair User Making Google Maps More Accessible (newmobility.com)
Wheelchair-using engineer Sasha Blair-Goldensohn is working to make Google Maps more accessible.
Elevate Your Designs: The Why and How of Designing for Accessibility (abilitynet.org.uk)
Integrating accessibility into the design stage of your development life cycle is a game-changer. It ensures that accessibility is woven into the very core of your product, making it a fundamental part rather than an afterthought. This approach also helps to bridge the gap between design and development, reducing conflicts and minimising the need for extensive revisions. It's a win-win for both usability and aesthetic integrity!
Yelp Boosts Accessible Search Options (newmobility.com)
Yelp is launching new, searchable accessibility features to help people with disabilities connect with businesses that best meet their needs and preferences.
Yelp Enhances Accessibility for Users with Disabilities: New Features and Resources for Businesses (assistivetechnologyblog.com)
Discover Yelp's latest accessibility features designed to help people with disabilities easily connect with inclusive local businesses.
Montana allocates $15.8M in grants to boost behavioral health and developmental disabilities services (disabilityinsider.com)
The state of Montana is increasing its support for community-based residential providers offering behavioral health care and developmental disability services, with $15.8 million in one-time grants, as announced by the Governor’s Office on Monday.
Make this the last inaccessible election for blind people in UK, campaigners demand (theguardian.com)
RNIB calls on all parties to commit to remove barriers that prevent people with sight loss voting on their own
Why do we give robots female names? Because we don’t want to consider their feelings (newstatesman.com)
How we gender robots is not an abstract, academic issue: the link between how we treat "fembots" and human women is real.
AI can turn text into sign language – but it’s often unintelligible (newscientist.com)
Researchers have developed an AI model that can translate text into sign language, but experts in Deaf culture and sign language say the translations range from semi-comprehensible to “really unintelligible”
Despite Covid surge, Los Angeles mayor considers mask ban at protests (theguardian.com)
Announcement comes in response to pro-Palestinian protest at synagogue that made global headlines
11 Adaptive Athletes Shaking Up Sports & Fitness (muscleandfitness.com)
This group keeps proving doubters wrong while inspiring the adaptive community.
ChatGPT is biased against resumes with credentials that imply a disability — but it can improve (washington.edu)
While seeking research internships last year, University of Washington graduate student Kate Glazko noticed recruiters posting online that they’d used OpenAI’s ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence tools to summarize resumes and rank candidates. Automated screening has been commonplace in hiring for decades. Yet Glazko, a doctoral student in the UW’s Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, studies how generative AI can replicate and amplify real-world biases — such as those against disabled people. How might such a system, she wondered, rank resumes that implied someone had a disability?
The Present (amazon.com)
When a brilliant boy discovers he can manipulate time using an enchanted family heirloom, he and his siblings team up to go back to the eve of their parents’ separation in hopes of changing the outcome. As their schemes become more elaborate, the siblings will learn about family bonds and what they can and can’t control.
How Stuart and Jackie use Be My Eyes to receive Accessible Visual Assistance from Sky (bemyeyes.com)
Discover the story of Stuart and Jackie, two Be My Eyes users who have contacted Sky on Service Directory to receive specialized assistance for a wide range of tasks
Coming this fall: ASL and Deaf studies to be offered as a minor (katc.com)
For the first time in university history, a minor in American Sign Language (ASL) is being introduced to the curriculum starting this fall.
Special Education Enrollment Hits All-Time High (disabilityscoop.com)
There are a record number of students with disabilities in the nation's schools, new data shows.
10 Disabled Drag Queens To Follow (disabilityhorizons.com)
Disability Horizons shares 10 glamorous, stylish and empowering disabled drag queens you should follow on social media.
Ford UK launches groundbreaking campaign in partnership with the British Deaf Association (bda.org.uk)
Ford UK launches a new marketing campaign to shine a light on British Sign Language and Ford's BlueCruise hands-free assisted driving technology. Developed in collaboration with the British Deaf Association, the social-led campaign "#FordBSLCovers" highlights the future of driving and the Deaf community via Ford's BlueCruise feature on its Mustang Mach-E, the UK's first and leading assisted driving technology.
A Day in the Life Sportscaster Maria Serrao (newmobility.com)
Maria Serrao sits front-row at some of sport’s biggest events. As the only female TV sports broadcaster in the country who uses a wheelchair, she’s covered Super Bowls, World Series, Stanley Cup Finals and more. “There are so many moments that you just kind of pinch yourself and say, ‘Wow, I can’t believe I was there,’” she says.
Episode 123: The Accessible Stall x Freedom Concepts (theaccessiblestall.com)
Do you know how to ride a bike?
25 years after their big win, states are still letting disabled people down (thehill.com)
The Supreme Court established that we deserve to live in communities rather than in institutions. But many states with ample budget surpluses are making it very hard to do so.
How the focus on Digital Employee Experience is leaving out People with Disabilities (buttondown.email)
As organizations focus more and more on cost-cutting at least in part by replacing employees with mundane repeatable jobs with automated processes involving software, the number of digital interactions that employees have with their employers is on a steep, upward slope. Here are just a few areas where the race to fully embrace the digital employee experience without consciously bringing everyone along for the ride has become seriously problematic.
How Tech has Changed Disability (buttondown.email)
Occasionally, when I find myself in one of those “dammit why is my life so hard” holes and am trying to struggle my way out of it, I think about how if I had lived only 50 or 100 years earlier how much harder my life would have been (if I even would have been alive after all). This is just looking at the perspective of someone with a disability, I suspect if I added in gender or any of my other intersectional identities it might be too overwhelming to think about.
How people with disabilities can be ableist (buttondown.email)
Greg Abbott is a wheelchair user, only the third wheelchair-using governor in United States history. What happened that caused him to need to use a wheelchair is clearly outlined in a very inspiration porn-like page on his personal website, touting his victory over pain through “perseverance” and “triumph over tragedy.”
How long do people with disabilities have to sue over inaccessibility? (buttondown.email)
Warning: This article is NOT intended to be taken as legal advice by any reader. Go find a real lawyer if you need a legal issue analyzed.
How Open Floor plans Discriminate against People with Disabilities (buttondown.email)
A recent article in the NY Times about “secret spaces” made me think about floor space layouts in business settings. I am NOT suggesting you copy any of the implementation details or style from the NY Times article. I merely cite it for the proposition that companies are recognizing the need for spaces away from the usual chaos of the open floor space area. The rooms pictured in the article are depressingly inaccessible to wheelchair users from the way the doors are exposed and activated to the way the furniture is laid out.