No Climate Action Without Us Toolkit
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
No Climate Action Without Us Toolkit (juliesbicycle.com)
As well as revealing the key barriers that disabled people experience within initiatives that tackle sustainability, the toolkit outlines practical ways in which venues, events and festivals can implement accessible solutions in climate change There are also three case studies from Green Man, Forwards Festival and Shambala from assessments carried out by A Greener Future. These festivals volunteered to be transparent about their own difficulties and commitments to find solutions that are inclusive to all.
New proposals on passenger rights: what is in it for us? (edf-feph.org)
The European Commission presented a legislative package to strengthen the rights of passengers in the EU at the end of 2023. The package, which will still have to be discussed by the Parliament and the Council, consists of four legislative proposals. Two of them are especially relevant for persons with disabilities.
Malta becomes the 10th EU country to criminalise forced sterilisation of persons with disabilities (edf-feph.org)
We welcome Malta’s change in law that finally criminalises the forced sterilisation of women and girls with disabilities. After its approval on 23 February, Malta becomes the 10th EU Member State to explicitly criminalise forced sterilisation.
Voters of Europe: Tamara Byrne (edf-feph.org)
Tamara Byrne is a self-advocate working for Inclusion Ireland and representing persons with intellectual disabilities in the EDF Youth Committee. In this testimonial, Tamara talks about her experiences with voting and explains how important it is for Europe to listen to the voices of persons with disabilities.
Use your vote (If you have one). Right to vote of people with intellectual disabilities and European elections 2024 (inclusion.eu)
There are still voting restrictions in several EU countries, especially for persons with intellectual disabilities.
Inclusion indicators (inclusion.eu)
Inclusion indicators reveal what Europe looks like for 20 million people with intellectual disabilities and their family members.
EU shamefully fails to ban forced sterilisation (edf-feph.org)
We are deeply disappointed with the European Institutions’ decision not to criminalise forced sterilisation under the agreement reached regarding the Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence.
Ending gender-based violence (commission.europa.eu)
Actions combating gender-based violence, research and campaigns, statistics on gender-based violence.
Spain amends its constitution to promote disability rights (edf-feph.org)
Great news from Spain: Last week, the Spanish of Constitution was amended to align it with the rights of persons with disabilities. The amendment to article 49 of the Spanish Constitution to align it with the rights of persons with disabilities is a result of a long campaign by CERMI. Article 49 still used medical approach, mentioning “handicapped” instead of persons with disabilities. In addition, the proposed change will specifically mention women and children with disabilities.
Belgian Presidency of the Council: high expectations from the disability movement (edf-feph.org)
Following the Spanish Presidency, Belgium took over the torch on 1 January and now chairs all the meetings of the different Council configurations during the first semester of 2024.
Evaluation of Spanish Presidency of the Council: renewed focus on disability rights (edf-feph.org)
After holding the Council of the EU’s Presidency for six months, Spain closed its term on 31 December 2023 and handed over the position to Belgium. In those six months, some significant progress was made on disability issues.
Ukraine: Best practice in deinstitutionalisation for children and young people with disabilities and high support needs (edf-feph.org)
In the early weeks of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, EDF undertook a rapid survey of the situation of children with disabilities affected by the crisis. The result was clear: children living in residential institutions were at the highest risk of harm.
New declaration: disability-inclusive recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine (edf-feph.org)
Today, we launched a new Declaration on a disability-inclusive recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine, drafted in cooperation with the members and partners of the Ukraine programme (phase 2)
EU funding plan for Ukraine reconstruction: Disability rights (mostly) included (edf-feph.org)
The compromise agreement on setting up the Ukraine Facility Regulation, a new dedicated instrument to support Ukraine’s recovery, reconstruction, and modernisation, was approved by the European Parliament this week. The European Disability Forum, with our Ukrainian members, strongly advocated for the Facility to include meaningful participation of organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), accessibility, and the transition from residential institutions to community-based living for persons with disabilities.
Interview with Deaf “Echo” writers Josh Feldman and Shoshannah Stern (youtube.com)
In an interview with Deaf writers Josh Feldman and Shoshannah Stern of the "Echo" series, they provide insights into their collaborative process in the writers' room, emphasizing the adaptation of dialogues for ASL translation. Stern highlights the emotional significance of representing Deaf characters and her contributions to the authenticity of the series. Feldman shares his groundbreaking experience of seeing Deaf characters and ASL in a Marvel series, marking progress in the media representation of Deaf individuals.
I Didn't See You There (play.google.com)
As a visibly disabled person, filmmaker Reid Davenport sets out to make a film about how he sees the world, from either his wheelchair or his two feet, without having to be seen himself. The unexpected arrival of a circus tent outside his apartment in Oakland, CA leads him to consider the history and legacy of P.T. Barnum's Freak Show and its lingering presence in his daily life in the form of gawking, lack of access, and other forms of ableism. Informed by his position in space, lower to the ground, Davenport captures indelible images, often abstracted into shapes and patterns separate from their meaning. But the circus tent looms in the background, and is reverberated by tangible on-screen interruptions, from unsolicited offers of help to careless blocking of ramps. Personal and unflinching, I Didn't See You There forces the viewer to confront the spectacle and invisibility of disability. Offering both a perspective and stylistic approach that are rarely seen, Reid brings an urgently needed storytelling eye to filmmaking with a documentary that is powerful and emotional, thoughtful and raw, intimate and political.
Emily Ladau Speaking (youtube.com)
One in four adults in the U.S. has some type of disability. That number continues to grow. There's more than a billion people around the world with some type of disability. That's a lot of people. It's not a niche issue, so why hide something that is such an intrinsic part of the fabric of our society?
Watch the “Most Likely Not To...” Musical Comedy! (youtube.com)
Take your seats! We partnered with Genentech to help create “Most Likely Not To...”, a first-of-its-kind musical comedy created by the spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) community. Watch Samantha, an accomplished fashion designer living with SMA, as she navigates a budding romantic relationship, her own internalized ableism and plenty of ridiculousness while traveling cross-country to her 20-year high school reunion.
Overlooked No More: Henry Heard, Tap Dancer and Advocate for People with Disabilities (nytimes.com)
With one arm and one leg, he upended assumptions that disabled people could not lead fulfilling lives, and his artistry had audiences clamoring for more.
New York Is Failing to Meet Wheelchair-Access Goal for Cabs, Suit Says (nytimes.com)
Officials had committed to making sure that 50 percent of the city’s taxi fleet could accommodate wheelchair users by 2023. A lawsuit says they have fallen short.
Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Brooke Ellison (ablenews.com)
Brooke Ellison of Stony Brook, NY, an accomplished disability advocate and the frst person with quadriplegia to graduate from Harvard, passed away on February 4, 2024 at the age of 45. She leaves an immense, world-changing legacy behind.
The Transportation Department proposes new rules for how airlines handle wheelchairs (npr.org)
Airlines often damage or lose wheelchairs. Now the Biden administration is proposing new standards for how airlines accommodate passengers with disabilities.
Secretary Buttigieg Announces Proposed Rule to Ensure Passengers Who Use Wheelchairs Can Fly with Dignity (transportation.gov)
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg today announced a new proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) that would ensure airline passengers who use wheelchairs can travel safely and with dignity.
Thomas & Friends™: Let's Roll coming this April during Autism Awareness Month (mailchi.mp)
Mattel, a leading global toy company and owner of one of the strongest portfolios of children’s and family entertainment franchises in the world, today announced Thomas & Friends™: Let’s Roll, a fun, new mobile app, created in partnership with StoryToys and designed under the guidance of neurodiversity consultants. The app is slated to be released during Autism Acceptance Month in April, with pre-orders now live via Google Play and the App Store.
Disability and Palestine Teach-In with Sawsan Zakaria, Marina Salman, and Allie Cannington (youtube.com)
A conversation on how the ongoing attack on Palestine relates to disability communities and disability justice.
Reimagine Virtual Candlelight Vigil with Lachi and Jim LeBrecht (letsreimagine.org)
This is a digital event. You should receive information in your ticket or from the host about how to join online.
Andrea Oliver Roberts: Sickroom (umanitoba.ca)
Andrea Oliver Roberts’ Sickroom is a sound and sculpture-based installation bringing together ideas about healing and protection, property and bodily autonomy, care and control. Taking formal cues from garden architecture, the artist has crafted sculptures that resemble wrought iron gates, trellises, and a domed gazebo, as well as miniaturized forms that recall amulets or talismans. Potent words and phrases related to health and illness are arranged to form decorative pattern work: an iron garden gate, for instance, offers both CURES and a CURSE to the reader who can decipher its incantations. Another heavily abstracted design reveals the word DIAGNOSIS in the grillwork of a filigreed metal screen, fence, or room divider – fittingly, both are thresholds that must be passed in order to respectively treat or retreat. Mere suggestions of walls and ceilings, these garden structures indicate that a little piece of nature has been tamed, but offer little to no shelter or protection from the elements. And they offer security from trespassers only if tacitly-agreed upon notions of property ownership and privacy are upheld. Drawing on personal experiences of navigating and accessing support as a person with chronic illness, Roberts’ installation reveals the magical thinking that reinforces the permeable, indistinct, and ultimately temporary boundaries between chaos and order, between sickness and health, and between what is yours, what is mine, what is shared, and what can never be owned.
Reparative criticality in the work of artist, AO Roberts (thisispublicparking.com)
When rewatching old artist talks of AO Roberts in preparation for our conversations I came across a quote of theirs “I have so much to say but I don’t want to tell you anything at all.” There's a tension within Roberts’ work between revealing and obscuring, a generosity to the viewer as well as a distrust. AO Roberts is a Winnipeg-based multidisciplinary artist working in sculptural installation and sound. They have also performed in numerous noise projects and punk bands such as Wolbachia, Kursk, Hoover Death, and VOR. During the winter of 2022, I chatted with Roberts several times on Zoom, myself in Toronto, and Roberts in Winnipeg. Throughout these conversations, we touched on many of the diverging threads in Roberts’ work: medieval histories, anti-capitalist frameworks, chronic illness, and the tactile and sonic qualities of language.
Addressing Bias in the Guardianship Process (justiceinaging.org)
Guardianship can strip an older adult of their autonomy and should be a mechanism of last resort. This issue brief examines the guardianship system and offers recommendations to reform the system to promote equity in aging.
Justice for Tribal Elders: Issues Impacting American Indian and Alaska Native Older Adults (justiceinaging.org)
This issue brief introduces legal and aging advocates to the health and economic challenges faced by nearly one million American Indian and Alaska Native people over the age of 65.
Deaf, gay actor on gripping, funny ‘Private Jones’ (washingtonblade.com)
Musical makes premiere at Signature with Obie winner Dickie Drew Hearts
Acsexybility (theopenreel.com)
Acsexybility is a documentary that tells stories about the sexuality of people with disabilities. Through the characters and their stories, the film aims to deconstruct the stereotype of the disabled person as fragile and devoid of sexuality.
Object Sensations - Tangled Art + Disability (tangledarts.org)
In this show, New York based artist Emilie Gossiaux, and London, UK based artist Seo Hye Lee present various sculptural objects. Through a partnership with VibraFusionLab, these pieces offer conduits into experiencing the senses of sound or vision through tactile translation.
Haptic Voices - Tangled Art + Disability (tangledarts.org)
Haptic Voices brings VibraFusionLab’s haptic technology to an interactive hybrid-online venue. “Haptic” or the science and technology of transmitting and understanding information through the sense of touch, is expanded into large scale through a ten channel vibrotactile wall, installed inaugurally at InterAccess, Toronto and Centre[3] for Artistic and Social Innovation, Hamilton. Visitors are invited to stand against the wall to experience vibrations that are controlled by online participants. Online participants can vocalize into the microphones on their computers as the sound is played through the vibrotactile transducers in the walls in real time. Online participants are able to control the position and location of the vibrations, manipulating through intensity, frequency components of the voice, or through the interface controlled by the participants’ mouse.
How the Hong Kong Festival of Arts with the Disabled changed my life (scmp.com)
Ida Lam worked on the first Festival of Arts with the Disabled, in 1986, and was moved by the way it championed people with mental and physical disabilities, who often faced discrimination in the city.
New Changing the image of disability campaign research launches (businessdisabilityforum.org.uk)
How might it feel to rarely see yourself represented in the images you see in the media, marketing and advertising? Would you want to work for an organisation, buy products or access services from a business where you feel invisible, overlooked or misunderstood?
Left Behind: HIV/AIDS and the Deaf Community (nationaldeaflifemuseum.omeka.net)
AIDS may no longer be considered a national crisis, but for many years it had a devastating impact on the LGBTQ+ community, deaf and hearing alike. Today, many people don't realize that during its peak years, AIDS destroyed an entire generation. Even as shows like Pose depict the traumatic experience of the hearing community, the deaf community's suffering - due to lack of access to information, accommodations, and stigma - continues to be overlooked. Little research has been done on the deaf community and HIV/AIDS, forcing deaf activists to figure out prevention, treatment, and care on their own.
New department of disability rights could knock down bureaucratic barriers, supporters say (wesa.fm)
State Rep. Jessica Benham is trying to create the Department of Disability Rights, Employment, Accessibility and Mobility after a previous attempt never made it to the floor.
Inevitable Foundation Reveals Winners Of Elevate Collective Grants & Winter 2024 Cohorts (deadline.com)
The Inevitable Foundation has revealed the winners of its Starz #TakeTheLead Elevate Collective Grants and the Winter 2024 Elevate Cohort, both of which support disabled TV writers to level up their careers.
Disability Rights California is Excited to Lift Up the 2024 Reparations Priority Package Introduced by the California Legislative Black Caucus (disabilityrightsca.org)
Last week, The California Legislative Black Caucus released the 2024 Reparation Priority Bill Package. The 14 reparations bills are meant to be the initial phase of a multi-year effort to implement policy proposals that were outlined in the historic Reparations Task Force Report released last summer.
Medicare-Medicaid Integration Alliance (medicaremedicaidintegration.org)
Improving Care. For People Enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid.
Museum of Somerset buys self-portrait by Victorian artist Sarah Biffin (bbc.com)
Sarah Biffin became a highly-regarded artist in her lifetime despite being born without arms or legs.
Pandemic Solidarity for the Long Future (pandemicsolidarity.org)
A Virtual Convening for Black, Brown, Indigenous, Asian, and Pacific Islander Kin Who Give a F#ck.
Image Description and the Critical Blind Gaze (showclix.com)
The photography division of the The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs houses many photographs of anonymous blind people. They inspired M. Leona Godin to undertake a project that considers image description as both an opportunity for access and an aesthetic practice. What is lost and what is gained in translating a visual object into a verbal one?
Le Freak! (adelaidefringe.com.au)
'Le Freak' is sideshow as you've never seen before - told from the inside!
Crip'd Ecologies Convening Participation Guide (docs.google.com)
ID: A playful group of 13 handmade letters spelling out Crip’d Ecologies.The letters dance, sit and wobble across the page. They range from cloud-like shapes with poufs of light blue, juicy orange slices with hot pink tape, shiny and stacked sequence, bright paintings on dark colored kombucha to delicately drawn letters. Below the large playful letters are smaller, thin, black, wavy letters saying Unfurling Expanded Ecologies. Letters are made in collaboration with Indira Allegra, Alexa Dexa, Octavia Rose Hingle, Juliet Loiuse Johnson, Anuj Larvaid, Jordan Sky Oestreicher, Maia Scott, moira williams.
Disability, Revolution? Access, Intersectionality, and Resistance in Disability Culture (eventscalendar.umanitoba.ca)
Funded by the 2023 Robbins-Ollivier Award for Excellence in Equity, this series will feature leading disability scholars and activists, working at the intersections of critical disability studies, Indigenous studies, Black studies and Queer studies.
After 14 years of Tory cruelty, here are three ways Labour could use the benefits system to bring about good (theguardian.com)
Keir Starmer’s party could end child poverty, ditch cruel work capability assessments – and replace the failing DWP.
Being Loud and Proud at the ZeroCon24 (enil.eu)
From 21-23 February, we were in Vienna (represented by our Policy and Movement Officer, Kamil Goungor, and our ESC volunteer, Fionn Crombie Angus) for the Zero Project Conference 2024 (ZeroCon), dedicated this year to inclusive education and ICT. The ZeroCon is an annual gathering of the international disability movement, with over 1000 participants on site and even more online, organised by the Essl Foundation at the United Nations Office in Vienna, Austria. It is a three-days event with parallel session around disability innovation and the theme of the year each time. Its highlight is the awards ceremony of the projects from all over the world that excelled in the field.
Hungarian court finds grave human rights violations at the Topház institution (enil.eu)
In 2017, our associated member Validity Foundation visited the Topház institution in the town of Göd, only 30 kilometres away from Budapest, Hungary, and released a report based on their visit. This report is nothing short of a horror story: this 220-bedded institution, housing disabled adults and children, was hiding terrifying abuse and neglect behind its doors. The staff from Validity Foundation reported residents were victims of multiple forms of inhumane and degrading treatment such as deprivation of basic needs, forced medication, and the use of cages and cloths for restraint, and observed several residents suffering from injuries.
Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity affirming community (sites.libsyn.com)
Katie York (aka The Distracted Autistic) is a late-diagnosed Autistic who also has ADHD. They are currently program coordinator at the Community College of Baltimore County in Baltimore, Maryland. Katie is also an advocate and community organizer. In 2022, they founded Harford County Neurodivergents to build a network for neurodivergent adults & provide neurodiversity-affirming resources and education. Katie is a member of Harford County Public Schools Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee and a proud board member of Upper Chesapeake Bay Pride. During this episode, you will hear Katie talk about: How they discovered their neurodivergence later in life Creating the Harford County Neurodivergents group, and the local peer support and community it provides What it means to be “neurodiversity-affirming,” and how that can be important for neurodivergent people The impact that Harford County Neurodivergents has had on their members so far What inspired them to get into local politics and advocacy, and their advice for people who want to become more involved in their communities Learn more about Katie on their website at and on.
Sexual Self-Advocacy for Women with Disabilities (youth-disability.org)
Sexual Autonomy is a hushed topic in the East African regions and the denial to sexual autonomy and experiences is even further intensified for Women with Disabilities (WwD). During the online session, Bijal Lal will present about the inherent right to sexual autonomy for WwD in East Africa, especially Women with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Bijal will discuss the barriers to experiencing sexual autonomy, and present recommendations within East African contexts. This session will discuss the intersection between gender and disability, focusing on key human right treaties that most governments have signed (CRPD, CEDAW) but gaps in its implementation. The barriers highlighted will include cultural misconceptions, differential access to social rights, violence and abuse, and capacity to consent. The recommendations will include building cross-movement alliances, empowering through sexual self-advocacy skills, government accountability in disability specific data collection and building an inclusive sexual health curriculum.
The designer of the Black Disabled Lives Matter symbol on zines, parenting and solidarity (19thnews.org)
Jen White-Johnson was always an artist, but her son inspired her to break free — furthering her mission of using art to combat injustice.
American Sign Language Reveals Wordplay Beyond Sound (nytimes.com)
In a visual language, a subtle hand movement can help you get the joke.
You Can't Ask That (facebook.com)
Setting the record straight about what it's really like to be short statured.
4 Wheel City Shines in new Apple TV Series “Dear…” Celebrating Influence of Stevie Wonder (4wheelcity.com)
Stevie Wonder means the world to many disabled and black entertainers, 4 Wheel City shares this influence in a new Apple TV docuseries about his life.NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES, June 9, 2020 /EINPresswire.com/ — Ultra-talented and inspirational hip-hop entertainers who give a voice to people with disabilities of all lifestyles have recently stepped into the spotlight in a very exciting way. In exciting news, 4 Wheel City’s story was recently featured in a docuseries about the life of music icon Stevie Wonder, titled “Dear..”. “Dear…” presents people whom Wonder’s work has impacted reaching out to the star with a letter sharing their experience. Namel from 4 Wheel City was one of the letter writers reading a letter to Wonder sharing his story directly. Namel lets Wonder and the audience know in a very moving way what Wonder’s work as a blind artist means to him and how it helped him realize that anything was truly possible after his injury left him in a wheelchair. This set the foundation of what would become 4 Wheel City, an acclaimed group that advocates for people with disabilities while also educating about important community issues like gun violence.
On Vulnerability as a Disabled Person (autostraddle.com)
I need to call my "vulnerability thing" what it was: ableism. Internalized, sure, and deliberately kept that way (like it would only cause harm if it got out), but all the same. It made itself at home in me without any right to be there. And it stayed for so long because it looked like other things: perfectionism, intelligence, work ethic, high standards.
Accessibility Widgets Are Not Enough for Screen-Reader Users (Video) (nngroup.com)
Website accessibility widgets add little value in making your site accessible to users with partial or no vision.
Something's Wrong with Micah (disability-visibility-newsletter.ghost.io)
Greetings you golden gods, the last giveaway was a YA memoir by Walela Nehanda and this time I am fortunate to offer a giveaway for Something's Wrong with Micah, a YA novel by Jamison Hill. Jamison is a great writer. One of my favorite pieces by him is "Love Means Never Having To Say....Anything" in NYT's Modern Love column. And be sure to check out his memoir When Force Meets Fate.
Disability Research Diary (drdiary.blog)
My name is Anica Zeyen. I am a blind academic in a UK Business school. I enjoy teaching and research , am a passionate traveller, guide dog user, mum of two, elephant enthusiast, foodie and disability activist. I am also a passionate public speaker on topics of disability inclusion, inclusive education & research, blindness, guide dogs and accessibility.
#AltTextPalestine: Showing Solidarity By Creating Access (disabilityvisibilityproject.com)
Images and videos coming out of Gaza show the horror of the genocide every single day. Bombs rain down on the densely packed neighborhoods of Gaza. Palestinians of all ages are injured and killed by bombs and snipers, as well as by communicable diseases, starvation, cold, and the loss of medical treatments for their medical conditions due to the blockade. Doctors, nurses, and paramedics treat injured Palestinians in overwhelmed hospitals with few medical supplies. Palestinians search for water and food, even using animal feed to make “bread” in northern Gaza.
Peek inside the Autumn/Winter 2024 issue of Travel Without Limits (havewheelchairwilltravel.net)
In between trying new things, enjoying summer days at the beach, getting up-close-and-personal with wildlife in Port Douglas, and the usual day-to-day craziness of the Jones household, I’ve been working hard with the Travel Without Limits team to bring the Autumn/Winter 2024 issue to life!
Institutionalization About Us Without Us: California’s Proposition 1 (disabilityvisibilityproject.com)
Proposition 1 on California’s March 5 primary ballot exploits widespread prejudice against people with mental health disabilities to lock up victims of California’s affordable housing crisis under the guise of care, while cutting funding from effective, voluntary, community-based mental health services. Replacing voluntary community services with involuntary institutionalization disregards evidence-based practices in mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, increases mistrust of medicine, and facilitates discrimination against the most marginalized among us. As a scholar with mental health and physical disabilities conducting research in health equity and disability studies at the University of California, I urge you to reject Proposition 1.
Enhancing AAC with AI: Sam Sennott Discusses Predictive Text, Voice Banking, and Cutting-Edge Technologies (assistivetechnologyblog.com)
Explore the impact of AI on augmentative communication as Sam Sennott reveals how tech advancements enhance speech abilities and user interaction.
The Black List (blcklst.com)
Our Diversity Lists showcase the most outstanding scripts from various underrepresented communities. See below for our active Diversity Lists.
Putting the 'cool' in disability culture with Day Al-Mohamed (downtothestruts.com)
What is disability culture? Qudsiya is joined in conversation by author, filmmaker, and policy expert Day Al-Mohamed. They talk about Day's approach to transforming social and cultural attitudes about disability. Day sees this as a central tool that goes hand-in-hand with advancing policies that ensure rights and legal protections for disabled people. Day wants people to see disability culture as cool -- and Qudsiya thinks that’s a worthy objective too.
Are Shows Like 'The Good Doctor' and 'Love on the Spectrum' Helping or Hurting Autism Awareness? (rollingstone.com)
'The Good Doctor' and 'Love on the Spectrum's' success has prompted some researchers to question the show's impact.
Netflix's 'Fool Me Once' Did A Quietly Revolutionary Thing For Disabled Actors (www-huffpost-com.cdn.ampproject.org)
When I saw the wheelchair in the opening episode of “Fool Me Once,” I assumed that this would factor in to how the mystery played out. I was wrong.
The Social Justice Collaborative to host a two-part disability accessibility workshop series (berkeleybeacon.com)
To facilitate conversations about disability justice and accessibility on campus, Erin Robins, accessible design specialist in the office of the Vice President for Equity and Social Justice, is hosting two virtual workshops.
Next stop: Destination Accessibility (abqjournal.com)
Seat belts were fastened, overhead baggage was secured and table trays were placed in their upright positions. Everything was set for Destination Accessibility’s liftoff on Thursday morning at Give ABQ in Albuquerque.
Woman with disability gets results after firing off email to Airport Authority about seating (wxyz.com)
On Instagram, it's clear Alexandra Ayaub not only loves fashion but also being an advocate for people with disabilities.
Accessibility is at the forefront in Inclusive Arts Vermont's new 'CYCLES' exhibition (vermontpublic.org)
The show displays the work of 25 artists with disabilities. The exhibition, currently on display at the University of Vermont in Burlington, will also travel to Brattleboro, Montpelier and St. Johnsbury between now and December.
Silent brain changes precede Alzheimer’s. Researchers have new clues about which come first (fortune.com)
Alzheimer’s quietly ravages the brain long before symptoms appear and now scientists have new clues about the dominolike sequence of those changes — a potential window to one day intervene.
Visit Albuquerque (visitalbuquerque.org)
At the heart of New Mexico beats the pulse of a vibrant city. In Albuquerque, diverse cultures, authentic art and dynamic traditions have helped shape our centuries-old story. No matter your interests, the city has countless opportunities for you to explore.
Troy Kotsur says accessibility in Hollywood has improved after Coda success (standard.co.uk)
The deaf actor presented an award with Greta Lee at the 30th annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards.
Kenneth Mitchell, ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ and ‘Captain Marvel’ Actor, Dies at 49 (variety.com)
Kenneth Mitchell, known for his multiple roles on 'Star Trek: Discovery,' has died from ALS complications. He was 49.
'Star Trek' Actor Kenneth Mitchell Dead At 49 (huffpost.com)
Mitchell, who starred in "Star Trek: Discovery" and "Captain Marvel," died Saturday at the age of 49 from ALS complications.
Star Trek actor Kenneth Mitchell is dead after battle with ALS (dailymail.co.uk)
Star Trek actor Kenneth Mitchell has died at 49-years-old after a five-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, his family has confirmed.
For city's new ADA coordinator, passion for accessibility hits home (aol.com)
As a boy, Daniel Lopez collected eyeglasses for the Lions Club. It was the just the beginning of what's become a lifelong effort to make the world more accessible for people with disabilities.
Maryland School for the Blind Accessibility Resources. (foxbaltimore.com)
February marks low vision awareness month and millions of Americans live with some form of low vision.
Congestion Pricing Must Move Forward to Pay For Accessible Transit Upgrades (bkreader.com)
State Senator Gounardes, Assemblymember Simon gathered with accessibility advocates to call for the implementation of congestion pricing.
'Lacrosse My Heart': High schoolers band together to make sports accessible for people with disabilities (foxnews.com)
'Lacrosse My Heart Worldwide' charity group members told 'Fox & Friends Weekend' about their organization's goal to help athletes with disabilities play the sport they love.
How Amazon MGM Studios is writing the playbook for representation – on-screen and off (bbc.com)
Latasha Gillespie, head of global DEI and accessibility at Amazon MGM Studios, enters the BBC's Executive Lounge to talk about inclusivity in entertainment.
Broken wheelchairs plague disabled air travelers (gazette.com)
When Julie Reiskin took off from the Denver International Airport to Kansas City for a business meeting in October 2022, she did not know she was headed to disaster. She said she was greeted by a snapped wheelchair joystick at the end of her Southwest flight.
MTA unveils new elevators, renovated staircases at Tremont Avenue subway station (bxtimes.com)
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced that the Bronx’s Tremont Avenue subway station, running B and D trains, is now fully accessible in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with the addition of three new elevators, two reconstructed staircases and new platform edges.
How drinking coffee may lower your risk for diabetes (msn.com)
Your likelihood of developing diabetes decreases about 6 percent for each cup of coffee you consume daily — but only up to about six cups.
Impact Progress Report 2024 (emmys.com)
The report highlights areas where the Television Academy has made progress on its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) commitments and areas where the Television Academy should next focus its efforts to continue to improve.
Television Academy Releases Impact Report On Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Initiatives (shootonline.com)
The Television Academy, in partnership with ReadySet--a leading culture change consulting firm--released its 2024 Impact Progress Report.
Portland Settles Lawsuit, Commits to Improved Sidewalk Accessibility for Disabled Residents (hoodline.com)
Portland agrees to a settlement to improve sidewalk accessibility for people with disabilities following a lawsuit.
Accessible Tourism (supports.failteireland.ie)
Accessible Tourism offers a means of unlocking potential of your business to grow, while future-proofing your business to be more inclusive for all.
Accessible Beach Opens in Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast (ticotimes.net)
Manzanillo opens Costa Rica's newest accessible beach using recycled plastics, opening the tropical destination to visitors with disabilities and mobility issues.
Revealed: Europe’s most accessible capitals (timeout.com)
Can you guess which city ranked highest?
How Visually Impaired Engineers Are Guiding China’s Accessibility Efforts (sixthtone.com)
A team of partially sighted software programmers in Shenzhen is improving information accessibility by helping developers eliminate the many obstacles facing disabled users.
Accessibility still lacking in town (ca.news.yahoo.com)
Kahnawake’s accessibility group Connecting Horizons has seen a lot of progress over the years when it comes to making buildings more accessible in town – but there’s still a lot left to be desired, said Iris Phillips, the group’s coordinator.
Halifax looks to improve accessibility rules around construction sites to avoid pedestrian injuries (cbc.ca)
Halifax is moving ahead with improvements to its accessibility design guidelines around construction sites to better protect vulnerable pedestrians.
Smart tourism destination through accessible built environment (macaubusiness.com)
Smart tourism has become a buzzword nowadays. Many people have associated smart tourism destinations with those that adopt advanced technologies (e.g. big data, Geographical Information System (GIS), and artificial intelligence (AI)) to collect data on visitors’ behaviors and predict future patterns, to assist in service delivery (e.g. robots), and to facilitate visitors in retrieving information more easily (e.g. Apps).
Transport should work for everyone — but that's currently not the case for millions of Australians (abc.net.au)
For people with disability, it doesn’t matter what condition you have, where you live, or what mode of transport you take, getting from A to B is much harder than it needs to be, write Evan Young and Nas Campanella.
Revolutionizing Braille: A Leap Forward in Accessibility for the Visually Impaired (bnnbreaking.com)
Explore how Professor Song Yanlin and his team are revolutionizing education for the visually impaired with their groundbreaking Braille printing technology, offering new avenues for learning and interaction.
Croatia Leads EU in Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (thedubrovniktimes.com)
In a significant stride toward inclusivity and accessibility, Croatia has emerged as a pioneer in the European Union regarding public documents for persons with disabilities. This achievement follows the successful realization of the project "Improvement of the System for the Use of Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the Field of Mobility (MOSI)," facilitated by the Ministry of the Sea, Transport, and Infrastructure.
Everyone should be able to watch TV — including those with disabilities (indianexpress.com)
Notifying accessibility standards for TV can pave way for similar policy in film.
Ableton’s Accessibility Specialist Adi Dickens and blind musician Andre Louis speak to us about Live 12 and Note’s improved accessibility for the visually impaired.
Talking fast linked to better brain health in old age (studyfinds.org)
It turns out that talking slowly and clearly may not be so great after all.
Laura Wharton: The accessibility advocator fighting for an equal Jerusalem (jpost.com)
Jerusalemite of the Week: Ahead of municipal elections, In Jerusalem sat down with Laura Wharton and discussed her positions and goals she hopes to advance as part of Yossi Havilio’s Jerusalem Union.
Calls for better beach accessibility for people with disabilities (thesenior.com.au)
From beach wheelchairs to matting, Aussie beaches could be more inclusive.
Comment: Floating bus stops go against accessible design (timescolonist.com)
Consciously creating unsafe barriers to essential public services violates the Canadian Charter and human rights-based legislation.
‘Enhanced accessibility’ as online application launched for pensioners, persons living with disabilities (newsroom.gy)
In a bid to ensure the vulnerable groups can access their benefits with ease, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security on Tuesday launched an online application portal for pensioners and persons living with disabilities.
One in five Ukrainian state websites now sufficiently accessible to people with disabilities [EN/UK] (reliefweb.int)
The web accessibility of state online resources has increased for the second year in a row, with one in five sites now judged sufficiently accessible to people with disabilities. In 2023, 22% of the government websites analysed were found to be sufficiently and highly accessible. Compared to 2021, this was a rise of 9%.
69 of the 70 websites of Vinnytsia local authorities have accessibility issues (imi.org.ua)
The information on these websites may be inaccessible for disabled or elderly people in part or in full. Only one of the 70 studied websites scored the maximum accessibility grade (10 points).
White Rock approves pier accessibility report (peacearchnews.com)
Advocate terms council questions ‘disappointing’.
One in five Ukrainian state websites now sufficiently accessible to people with disabilities (undp.org)
In 2023, 22% of the government websites analysed were found to be sufficiently and highly accessible.
‘Unfair practices and outdated attitudes’ – how can HR make recruitment accessible to people with autism? (peoplemanagement.co.uk)
Experts offer advice after government review finds hiring processes are detrimental to many autistic candidates.
'Accessibility' is for everyone (newsroom.co.nz)
From the University of Auckland: International Wheelchair Day is not only about what is relevant to a select group of people; what makes life easier for a minority is likely to make life easier for everyone else as well, writes Bill McKay.
In today’s swiftly evolving technological sphere, the pivotal role of AI/ML software architects in propelling digital transformation initiatives across various sectors cannot be overstated. With an extensive background spanning over 18 years in Information Technology, Mr. Naga Simhadri Apparao Polireddi has emerged as a prominent figure in this field, spearheading innovative projects and fundamentally reshaping business methodologies, having served global customers such as Verizon Wireless, American Express, Nokia Siemens Networks, Singapore Airlines, and Saudi Telecom worldwide.
Update to State of Minnesota Digital Accessibility Standard Launches July 1 (mn.gov)
In this edition of the “WCAG 2.1 - Improving Digital Accessibility” series, Chief Information Accessibility Officer Jay Wyant answers questions about the update to the State of Minnesota’s Digital Accessibility Standard effective July 1, 2024.
The curb-cut effect and how building for accessibility creates value for banks and its employees ft. Bank of America (tearsheet.co)
Designing for accessibility brings value to the bank -- explore the role UX research and inclusion of disabled employees play in this work.
AMS Presenter Accessibility Recommendations (ametsoc.org)
General accessibility tips and recommendations for in-person and virtual oral and posters presenters.
Difference between the accessibility page and the accessibility statement (evengrounds.com)
The difference between an an accessibility page and accessibility statement.
BMC Audit of City Footpaths for Accessibility of Differently Abled (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
BMC will soon carry out an audit of footpaths in Mumbai to determine if they are accessible to persons with disabilities. The audit will be conducted with the help of NGOs, who will assess the safety aspects of existing and new footpaths.
Empathy In Design: Making Our Surroundings More Accessible To Everyone (ndtv.com)
Beyond ramps: Designing inclusivity into our infrastructure. Tune in to a special discussion on Universal Design - a process of creating products or environments that can be accessed, understood, and used by all people.
Krishna Tyner on Inclusive Design Principles for Digital Accessibility (ocnjdaily.com)
Adopting a commitment to inclusive design and a robust practice to implement it is not the way of the future; it is now.
Speaking with a Pilot from Avatar Robot Cafe DAWN (accessible-japan.com)
Meet a remote pilot from Avatar Robot Cafe DAWN, working from home to change society's view of people with disabilities and isolation - and take your order!
CAPTCHA is still most problematic issue on the web | Bogdan on Digital Accessibility (A11y) (cerovac.com)
Even with improved CAPTCHA user experience in the last couple of years we still stumble upon CAPTCHA challenges that are difficult to impossible. The situation is even worse for screen reader users and hasn't changed in more than a decade. How can we help?
Accessible Engagement (omssa.com)
Developed in partnership with the Ontario Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility, these resources are designed to support public sector, non-profit, and private sector organizations conduct accessible community engagement.
Website Development Best Practices & Trends for 2024 (techopedia.com)
Discover the key website development best practices to create exceptional sites and enhance your business performance. Learn the future trends in web design.
Five assistive technologies you should be aware of (nomensa.com)
An explanation of the five assistive technologies you should be aware of. Includes mouth wands, speech enabled websites, screen magnifiers and much more!
My WebAIM 10th SR User Survey Takeaways (adrianroselli.com)
A rambling collection of thoughts from reading through the WebAIM Screen Reader User Survey #10 Results. Most of this was in a Masto thread, but I opted to post it here so I can laugh at myself later.
Kara Technologies: Signing up for accessibility (uniservices.co.nz)
At UniServices, we partner with the University of Auckland to transform ideas into real-world solutions that impact globally.
Black History Month: Lifelong Perspectives (blog.dol.gov)
Soul Train, Rosa Parks and a legacy of advocacy: An employee in our Office of Disability Employment Policy shares her perspective on the importance of Black History Month.
Leadership Spotlight: Dr. Heidi M. Lambert (orilearning.com)
Learn about Dr. Lambert's innovative leadership in special education, her approach to overcoming challenges, and the impact she's making on students' futures.
What I've learned in conversation (disabilitydebrief.org)
Weaving together disability and climate justice.
The latest trends in user accessibility (charitydigital.org.uk)
We explore how you can broaden your audience base with these tips
WebAIM: Screen Reader User Survey #10 Results (webaim.org)
The results of WebAIM’s 10th Screen Reader User Survey are now available. This survey was conducted in December 2023 and January 2024 and had 1539 respondents.
Why Accessible UX Matters (ipsos.com)
Tips for delivering a great user experience.
Howe Innovation Center (perkins.org)
At the intersection of innovation and disability, Howe Innovation Center works with the DisabilityTech community for a more accessible world.
Diversity and Inclusion Vice President Mary Grace A. Almandrez to Host Campuswide Forum March 4 (news.syr.edu)
The University community is invited to a campus forum on Monday, March 4, to learn about Universitywide diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) efforts. Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Mary Grace A. Almandrez will provide key updates about DEIA work in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and across the University.
Revolutionizing Accessibility: KSU Professor Spearheads MABLE Project for Disabled Navigation (bnnbreaking.com)
Explore the innovative 'Mapping for Accessibility in Built Environments' (MABLE) project led by Siny Joseph, aiming to enhance indoor navigation for individuals with disabilities through collaboration and advanced technology.
Introducing GW’s New Director of Disability Support Services (gwtoday.gwu.edu)
Rochelle Mills brings years of passion for working with individuals with disabilities to her position at GW.
History student Hannah Thieryung uses 3D scans to improve museum accessibility (usf.edu)
Hannah Thieryung has harbored a love for history since she was young, frequently visiting museums on weekend trips with her family.
The Goals of Universal Design (buffalo.edu)
The University at Buffalo’s Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access developed the 8 Goals of Universal Design, expanding universal design’s original focus to include social participation and health and wellness.
Campus Accessibility Initiatives Foster Safety and Success for University Community (pepperdine.edu)
Read about the accessibility measures and continuous updates that help to make the Pepperdine campus accessible for all students.
Student Government holds disability advocacy, accessibility panel for student organizations (thedailytexan.com)
UT Student Government’s Disabilities Inclusion Agency hosted a panel on Tuesday discussing inclusivity and accessibility within student organizations.
What Students With Physical Disabilities Should Look for in a College (usnews.com)
Carefully research colleges that provide services to accommodate your needs.
March 2024 Accessibility Training (unlv.edu)
The UNLV Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR) has scheduled the following online trainings and workshops for March 2024.
Accessibility issues facing the East Annex move (mainecampus.com)
On the north side of campus, nestled cozily between Shibles and Neville—and within eye range of the newly constructed Ferland Engineering, lies a white building crumbling into obscurity.
Why the College needs an accessibility map (williamsrecord.com)
In an op-ed, Pauli Voelkel argues that the College should provide a public resource for building accessibility.
Smart glove teaches new physical skills (csail.mit.edu)
You’ve likely met someone who identifies as a visual or auditory learner, but others absorb knowledge through a different modality: touch. Being able to understand tactile interactions is especially important for tasks such as learning delicate surgeries and playing musical instruments, but unlike video and audio, touch is difficult to record and transfer.
Investing in your City: More Buses, Drivers & Updated Burlington Transit Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (mariannemeedward.ca)
Over the course of the next few months, we’ll be running a "Investing in your City" series to highlight some of the significant investments being made in Burlington and that our community will benefit from.
Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme: Empowering Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (timesbull.com)
The Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme, initiated by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the Ministry of Social Justice &, accessibility, claim process, disabilities, eligibility, healthcare coverage, inclusivity, Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme, renewal Latest News.
Academy Museum Promotes Accessibility, Inclusion at 2nd Annual Community Celebration (hollywoodreporter.com)
The museum offered free admission, refreshments and an array of activities to local community organizations on Sunday.
Commission on Disability focuses on website accessibility, goals gleaned from public forum (hopkintonindependent.com)
The Commission on Disability at its meeting Monday night learned important tools for website accessibility from commissioner and Select Board member Amy Ritterbusch.
Level Playing Field: Celebrating the relaunch of the Disabled Supporters Association (mancity.com)
In recent months, the Disabled Supporters Association (DSA) has been relaunched here at Manchester City.
Destination Accessibility: New program provides wheelchairs, scooters to visitors (kob.com)
Destination Accessibility is a new program in Albuquerque that will rent out scooters or electric wheelchairs to visitors who may not be able to bring their own.
Kathleen Harvey Recognized as Accessibility Champion by TravelAbility (destinationbc.ca)
Destination BC’s Manager of Visitor Services, Kathleen Harvey has been recognized by TravelAbility as one of the 24 Accessibility Champions to watch in 2024. This recognition honors those who have made inclusion and accessibility fundamental principles in their work and who continually seek solutions to obstacles and practices that prevent full and equal access for those who identify as having a disability.
Arkose Labs Earns WCAG 2.2 Compliance for Digital Accessibility (businesswire.com)
Arkose Labs, a trusted leader in bot management and account security, has earned WCAG 2.2 compliance for its enforcement challenges.
New accessible voting machines to debut in March village elections (ithacavoice.org)
Tompkins County is getting new voting machines next month. The new machines, which will debut during upcoming village elections on Mar. 19, will replace units that are now over 15 years old.
Lac Seul First Nation to host Emergency Accessibility Vehicle (siouxbulletin.com)
Obishikokaang (Lac Seul First Nation) will host one of four Emergency Accessibility vehicles aimed at providing the First Nation citizens of Treaty #3 with accessible transportation options.
NJ students develop app to track accessibility of businesses (youtube.com)
Access Wayfinder, an app designed to inform people about accessibility to businesses in Westfield, was created by 17-year-old Krishav Singla and developed by 16-year-old Ethan Lung.
accessible state parks (sierraclub.org)
The House passed a bill that requires DNR to research and develop recommendations for the accessibility of people with disabilities in state parks and public recreation.
Supporting accessibility through Unite for Access (southamptonfc.com)
We're supporting Level Playing Field's 'Unite for Access' campaign, celebrating and promoting the importance of accessibility at sports venues.
Committee drafts Kent’s first accessibility plan (agassizharrisonobserver.com)
Residents can view, give feedback on plan now
Council leaves door open to ADA discussion (minotdailynews.com)
The Minot City Council may take up ideas for encouraging improved disability access in the community after getting an overview of the issue last Tuesday.
Making beginner birding more accessible (maineaudubon.org)
This spring, we are increasing the accessibility of our birding programs with Accessible Beginner Birding at Gilsland Farm. If you’ve been unsure about joining a bird walk in the past, this is the one for you! Once a month, starting on March 9, from 10 am to noon, we will meet for an outing intended to be more accessible to more people, with less emphasis on walking, standing, and using binoculars. We will walk a slow loop around the buildings here, stopping only in locations where there are places to sit, and focusing a bit more on birding by ear.
Delta receives accessibility grant (delta-optimist.com)
The city is one of five recipients from the Rick Hansen Foundation
Accessibility and fancy footwork with GLYDR's John Warren (gamedeveloper.com)
On this edition of the Game Developer podcast, we chatted with John Warren of the new foot-operated control system GLYDR, all about accessible controller options and the importance of being 'feet legal.'
Media Molecule unveils accessibility-focused studio program for future games (gamedeveloper.com)
The Accessibility Champions Program will help Media Molecule's future projects be more accessible and inclusive to all players.
Which accessibility features are available on my Fitbit device? (support.google.com)
Learn about accessibility options and how to contact the Google Disability Support team.
A couple of screenreader / accessibility issues I noticed (gbatemp.net)
I'm a screenreader user who recently registered on this forum. There's some feedback I have regarding accessibility, most of the site is navigable but somewhat inconvenient so I will list some things that might be of the interest of the admins so that you can make the site better for blind users if you wish.
EA adds more patents to its accessibility pledge (gamesindustry.biz)
The additions include an automated player control takeover and a route navigation system
Accessibility Is More Than Just ‘Easy Mode’ (kotaku.com)
Or, why gaming's most important trend is also its least understood
Reasonable Wcag Additions (melsumner.github.io)
I’ve been reading the WCAG Success Criteria on a nearly-daily basis for…well, for a really long time now, and I have come to the opinion that some no-nonsense, reasonable additions would be useful. Note that all of these are based on my own personal experience and don’t reflect anyone else’s opinions but my own, unless they share this blog post with you and tell you that they explicitly think these things are a good idea. Which they are, of course.
Use Reading mode (support.google.com)
With Reading mode, you can personalize your screen reading experience on Android. You can customize the contrast, color, and font size of text without changes to the content. You can also use the read aloud feature to have the content read out for you.
Pilot program reviews New Haven businesses for accessibility (ctpost.com)
Sarah Spear recalls the frustration of trying to find recreational activities for her daughter, who has multiple disabilities related to a rare genetic disease. They ended up finding a martial arts program that suited her, but that was after a lot of trial and error.
Windows 11 Gets its First Big Update of the Year With Copilot and Accessibility Improvements (thurrott.com)
Microsoft is releasing the first big Windows 11 update of the year today with several improvements for its Copilot AI assistant and other new features.
TOMRA begins market testing for reverse vending machine designed for accessibility (packagingeurope.com)
TOMRA's new R2 reverse vending machine for drinks container recycling, designed for inclusivity and accessibility, has begun in-store market tests in four European countries, coinciding with the Leap Year's 'Leap Day' on 29 February.
ChromeOS has a hidden automatic click accessibility feature that's super convenient (pocket-lint.com)
With auto clicker enabled, ChromeOS can automatically click for you when your mouse is idle for a set amount of time. Here's what you need to know.
Google Maps’ best accessibility feature just got an upgrade at MWC 2024 (tomsguide.com)
Google Maps can scan the world around you and tell you more about it.
Google brings AI to Google Messages, Android Auto, Wear OS and more (techcrunch.com)
Google’s Gemini implementation for AI image generation is facing a lot of criticism. But that isn’t stopping the search and mobile giant from riding the AI wave and rolling it out to more of its services. Today, Google announced a new set of features for phones, cars, and wearables — using Gemini to craft messages and AI-generated captions for images, summarize texts through AI for Android Auto, along with access to passes on Wear OS.
Microsoft Improves Windows 11 Voice Accessibility (pcmag.com)
Also updated are sharing, snap layout, casting, and Windows 365 cloud PC features.
Going (un)noticed (lucywebster.substack.com)
On the hyper- and invisibility of being disabled.
Stories from the Stage (worldchannel.org)
Sharing extraordinary tales of what it means to be human.
Blind singer-songwriter Lachi makes her name by raising canes as an activist (eu.usatoday.com)
"Hello, my name is Lachi. Like Versace," says the woman in the fabulous dress and the beaming smile. Then the New York-based singer-songwriter takes more time to describe herself than most people.
Empowerment and Leadership - Third EDF Manifesto on the Rights of Women and Girls with Disabilities (edf-feph.org)
It is estimated that women and girls with disabilities constitute 25.9% of the total population of women in the European Union and around 60% of the overall population of 100 million persons with disabilities in Europe. While they are a large and diverse group, they face systemic marginalisation and attitudinal and environmental barriers, and their voices have often been marginalised or silenced, leading to a lack of progress in addressing their needs.
Accessibility, expectations, and a nebulous teaser (steadyhq.com)
It looks like the cold and uncomfortable months are over here in the Northern Hemisphere. I’m excited about more hiking and getting around in the coming weeks.
This Month in Disability History (mailchi.mp)
From the Disability History and Culture Collective, February 2024.
Social Media (teawithhb.substack.com)
Free! Because you pay with your time.
Lachi | Official Website of Recording Artist and Cultural Activist (lachimusic.com)
Music, News and Event Info of Recording Artist, Speaker and Cultural Activist Lachi
Reimagine (letsreimagine.org)
Our purpose as a nonprofit organization is to host a public conversation that transforms our approach to life. Reimagine is a community-wide exploration of death and celebration of life through creativity and conversation. Drawing on the arts, spirituality, healthcare, and design, we create weeklong series of events that break down taboos and bring diverse communities together in wonder, preparation, and remembrance. We envision a world in which we are all able to reflect on why we’re here, prepare for a time when we won’t be, and live fully right up until the end.Reimagine was initially prototyped in 2016, inspired by OpenIDEO’s End of Life Challenge as part of an effort to investigate the intersection of art, community, and end of life.
The American Association of People with Disabilities (aapd.com)
The American Association of People with Disabilities is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities.
Free mental health clinic in Minneapolis prioritizes accessibility (minnpost.com)
Walk-In offers a Licensing Diversity Award, which helps recipients cover the costs of becoming licensed to practice in Minnesota.
New Musical ‘Most Likely Not To...’ Aims To Put The Disability Community Center Stage (forbes.com)
Today is Rare Disease Day. To commemorate the occasion, there will be a one-night-only performance of a musical called Most Likely Not To... at New York City’s Times Center. The show is intended to amplifying awareness of spinal muscular atrophy, or SMA, a rare progressive neuromuscular disease. The production, sponsored by Bay Area-based biotech company Genentech, features actors from the SMA community such as Shannon Devido, as well as cameos by YouTubers Shane and Hannah Burcaw, the husband-and-wife duo who run the popular Squirmy and Grubs channel with over a million subscribers. The storyline involves a fashion designer who creates adaptive clothing who, after winning a raffle, begrudgingly attends her 20-year high school reunion. The show chronicles her life’s journey and dealing with ableism.
A disability advocate preserves his voice with iPhone (apple.com)
For professor and disability advocate Tristram Ingham, Personal Voice provides a new type of reassurance.
Meet the woman behind some of the biggest changes for disabled travelers in over 30 years (19thnews.org)
Though few people know her name, Emily Voorde helped shape Secretary Pete Buttigeg’s views on disability long before he was advancing policy for the Department of Transportation.
Pilot program reviews New Haven businesses for accessibility (nhregister.com)
Sarah Spear recalls the frustration of trying to find recreational activities for her daughter, who has multiple disabilities related to a rare genetic disease. They ended up finding a martial arts program that suited her, but that was after a lot of trial and error.
Harris finds alignment through NHL Player Inclusion Coalition role (nhlpa.com)
Through his role on the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition, Jordan Harris is helping open doors for kids who may not have the resources to benefit from all that hockey can provide.
European disability card: travelling across the EU to become easier for persons with disabilities (consilium.europa.eu)
The Council has agreed its negotiating stance on the directive establishing the European disability card and the European parking card for persons with disabilities.
More Books on Diversity and Inclusion for Every Age (jewishboston.com)
An updated list of recommended reads for ages 0-18.
Alaqua Cox: Deaf and Amputee Actress Shines in Marvel's Echo, Defying Odds with Training and Personal Growth (assistivetechnologyblog.com)
Alaqua Cox trained rigorously as the first Native American lead for Marvel's Echo, mastering combat skills and bringing authenticity to her amputee, deaf character. Overcoming personal adversity, her portrayal in Hawkeye earned her a Disney+ series.
Murderer, manipulator… or not that bad at all? The reframing of Richard III (theguardian.com)
Five hundred years after his death, the monarch most reviled by Shakespeare is still courting controversy. A new play and documentary aim to change how he is seen
Being In A Wheelchair Is (Kind Of) Like Being Famous (uproxx.com)
There are at least two ways that being in a wheelchair is like being famous.
Feeding the Disability Justice Revolution (eater.com)
Crip love, mutual aid, and pots of immune-boosting soup on the stoop.
New York Is Failing to Meet Wheelchair-Access Goal for Cabs, Suit Says (nytimes.com)
Officials had committed to making sure that 50 percent of the city’s taxi fleet could accommodate wheelchair users by 2023. A lawsuit says they have fallen short.
Hospital admits to 'failings' in care of autistic boy who died of sepsis (itv.com)
The parents of Mattheus Vieira, 11, told ITV News they hope an upcoming inquest into his death will prevent further hospital errors.
On Nielsen's ideas about generative UI for resolving accessibility (axbom.com)
"Accessibility has failed as a way to make computers usable for disabled users." Thus begins a newsletter by Jakob Nielsen. And had it not been written by someone a great many people take seriously in the UX industry I likely would just have dismissed it.
Being lowercase deaf (thedailytexan.com)
Columnist Arista Rail shares her experience as a deaf student on campus, navigating communities.
Older US adults should get another COVID-19 shot, health officials recommend (dallasnews.com)
Older U.S. adults should roll up their sleeves for another COVID-19 shot, even if they got a booster in the fall, U.S. health officials said Wednesday.
Write helpful Alt Text to describe images (accessibility.huit.harvard.edu)
Alternative (Alt) Text is meant to convey the “why” of the image as it relates to the content of a document or webpage. It is read aloud to users by screen reader software, and it is indexed by search engines. It also displays on the page if the image fails to load, as in this example of a missing image.
13th World Down Syndrome Day Conference (events.ds-int.org)
Join us live from the United Nations HQ in New York as we launch a call for Health Equity for People with Disabilities.
Early Intervention Made Me Feel Like I Needed To Be “Fixed” (romper.com)
When my son was born with my disability, I wanted a different narrative for him.
Youth basketball team turned away from restaurant due to disabilities (wbrc.com)
The restaurant said the team of seven players and their parents presented a fire hazard.
‘Margarita with a Straw’ puts queer, crip love story on screen (washingtonblade.com)
Rare to see such characters depicted without stereotypes
Disability & the Criminal Legal System (respectability.org)
Join NACDL and RespectAbility for an engaging webinar that will include a discussion of the basics of disability etiquette, language, and inclusion.
Empowering Futures: Microsoft Disability Scholarship (assistivetechnologyblog.com)
Unlock a world of possibilities in tech with the Microsoft Disability Scholarship. Open to high school seniors with disabilities, this $5,000 award supports higher education.
Events in March 2024 (substack.com)
free upcoming events in the online accessibility bubble.
Disability Thinking Weekday - February 2024 Recap (substack.com)
Here is a look back at February’s Disability Thinking Weekday links. The links are sorted into three broad topic categories — Disability Life & Culture, Politics, Policy & Activism, and Practical Information
The catwalk with a difference: adaptive fashion comes to Azerbaijan (theguardian.com)
An enterprising student and a designer want to make attractive clothes that disabled people can wear – and model too.
Quad Snow Plowing (newmobility.com)
I don’t hate snow. I just hate what a pain in the ass it is. Pushing through it is either hard or impossible. And if you can push through, snow coats your wheels, pushrims, casters and any surface it touches, and then despite your best efforts to knock and towel it off, it inevitably follows you inside, leaving a trail of puddles as it melts.
Making Peace with My Spinal Cord Injury (newmobility.com)
An excerpt from Seven Secrets of a Sedentary Stoic: Pursuing a Path to Post-Paralysis Peace.
Trapped in the Kitchen (newmobility.com)
Huddled by the gas fireplace in the corner of my kitchen, I worried the winter storm had broken me.
Nathalie McGloin: A Driving Force for Inclusion in Motorsports (newmobility.com)
Meet the first female quadriplegic driver to compete in sanctioned auto races.
Day in the Life: Pastry Chef Jessica Kruger (newmobility.com)
Jessica Kruger doesn’t mind when people call her stubborn. Stubbornness has given her strength in moments of uncertainty, ever since falling from a ladder at age 15 and becoming an incomplete quadriplegic.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Medical Checkup (newmobility.com)
Tips on how to get more out of your medical exams.
8 Steps to Understanding and Improving Your Emotional Health after Disability (newmobility.com)
My journey with a C6-7 spinal cord injury began when I was 16 years old. Like most of us, I entered the world of disability without training on how to survive. Yes, we have medical professionals who check in on our physical health, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg. What about our emotional, mental and spiritual well-being after the onset of a disability?
Curaprox Samba Robotic Toothbrush (newmobility.com)
For those of us with limited or no hand function, keeping our teeth clean and healthy can be problematic. So, I was intrigued when the Swiss brand Curaprox rolled out its new Samba Robotic Toothbrush, designed specifically for people with limited dexterity.
How To Make Your Transfers Easier (newmobility.com)
I’m a C6 quad and I can do simple transfers independently using a sliding board. That’s fine at home, but I hate having to lug a board around when I go anywhere. Similarly, I drive a ramp-equipped van, but I’d love to be able to transfer into a car independently to make rentals and transport easier when I’m traveling. What are some things I can do to get stronger with my transfers?
Funding an Expensive Vehicle (newmobility.com)
Sticker shock doesn’t begin to describe the emotions that come with finding out the accessible van you need may cost a small fortune. We can save the bigger discussion about how broken the system is for another time, because when you get out of rehab or are ready to be out and about, the only question that matters is “How do I pay for this?”
How To Choose the Best Wheelchair Cushion for You (newmobility.com)
What type of cushion to use is one of the most important decisions you make when setting up your wheelchair. The right cushion can keep your skin safe, improve your posture and enhance your stability.
Museum Hopping in Downtown Detroit (newmobility.com)
Exploring the many attractions of Detroit’s enjoyable, compact and accessible urban core.
Independent Living Reading List (enil.eu)
The IL Reading List is created and maintained by the European Network on Independent Living (ENIL) and reflects ENIL’s mission, values and priorities. The list may also contain references to papers that criticise the ideas and practices of Independent Living because we believe that being aware, willing and able to respond to such critiques makes the IL movement stronger.
Building an AI Table to Solve the 80%: A CEO’s Story and Vision for Transforming Education (educatingalllearners.org)
While the AI boom of the last year and a half continues to be novel for many of us, there are pioneers in the field who’ve thought about AI in education for decades.
Beth Leipholtz: Advocate for Inclusion and Accessibility (mcie.org)
Beth Leipholtz is a multifaceted professional and mother, known for her transparent sharing of personal life experiences on social media. She is the author of the children’s book, “The ABCs of Inclusion,” and previously penned “Hello, Holland,” aimed at parents navigating their children’s hearing loss. Beth’s journey through motherhood, managing her son’s deafness, cochlear implants, and use of sign language, forms the crux of her advocacy for inclusion and accessibility. With a significant following on social media platforms, including a presence on TikTok, Beth leverages her story to make lesser-known conditions more familiar to the general public. She is also a website designer, owns a photography business, and is a voice for sobriety, having been alcohol-free for a decade.
Dating While Disabled: The Dos and Don’ts (cripplemedia.com)
Valentine’s Day is approaching us, my friends. So, in the spirit of love, I thought I’d share what I learned from my experience with online dating as a disabled person. I’ve had good experiences and bad ones as well. Nevertheless, each experience taught me more about myself and what I want from a romantic relationship. Here are a few dos and don’ts that may help you navigate the dating world.
How to Become a Disability Advocate (cripplemedia.com)
It wasn’t until I attended Muscular Dystrophy camp in my freshman year of high school- embracing my disability hasn’t been the easiest of journeys or something I accepted right away. It took me time to find the strength and the courage to understand my differences and love my body for what it was and what I could do. At camp, I could fully embrace my differences without having to fear that I was going to be judged or misrepresented.
5 Ways I Find Joy While Bedridden (cripplemedia.com)
For the last six months, I’ve spent the majority of my time horizontal, laying in bed. It isn’t by choice — three years ago, I was diagnosed with post-viral myalgic encephalomyelitis, or M.E., after a series of viral infections left me with bouts of muscle weakness, severe breathing difficulties, tachycardia, and persistent flu-like symptoms. It became a challenge to walk, stand, and sometimes even sit upright. During difficult episodes — like the one I’ve been in lately — I spend full days just resting.
Remembering the Legacy of Judy Heumann, Mother of the Disability Rights Movement, One Year Later (cripplemedia.com)
Judy Heumann, also known as “The Mother of Disability Rights,” passed away on March 4th, 2023. She was one of, if not the most, influential people in the disability rights movement. Judy helped pass the ADA, IDEA and was a leader in the historic 504 sit-in. She is legitimately the reason we, as disabled people, have a lot of the rights that we do.
10 Celebs You May Not Know Have Disabilities (cripplemedia.com)
Many disabilities are not visible to the naked eye, so raising awareness about them is essential. There are actors and singers with disabilities who act in your favorite shows and sing your favorite songs. Disability advocacy and awareness are crucial to promote understanding and support for people with disabilities.
SLC introduces enhanced allowance service for students with disabilities (disabilityinsider.com)
The Student Loans Company (SLC) has introduced its enhanced Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) service model.
Announcing the 8th annual SOUND OFF: A Deaf Theatre Festival! (facebook.com)
Taking place live in Edmonton, as well as online, SOUND OFF brings Deaf artists from across Canada to celebrate their stories, their culture and the beauty of sign language on stage.
INTIMACY | Rachel Ungerer Artist | Disabled Queer Artist (rachelungerer.com)
Rachel Ungerer is a San Francisco Bay Area local, disabled, contemporary artist. Her paintings explore intimacy and our human connection, through our numerous differences. Rachel Ungerer's paintings are inspired by German Expressionism and she uses gestural brush strokes to convay emotion.
ATLA Live Action Disappoints with Disabled Mimicry (filmdis.com)
There are lots of things to love about the Avatar The Last Airbender live action adaptation. Unfortunately, the disability representation isn't one of them.
SOUND OFF Festival (soundofffestival.com)
SOUND OFF is Canada’s national festival dedicated to the Deaf performing arts.
This Month in Disability History (mailchi.mp)
Four years ago in February 2020, the World Health Organization announced the official name for the disease that is causing the 2019 Novel Coronavirus outbreak: “COVID-19.”
Apple Vision Pro – with 1% vision (axesslab.com)
I got a chance to try out the Apple Vision Pro for an hour. Having a vision impairment myself, I obviously dove straight into the accessibility settings to find out if this new, hyped technology would work for me. Let’s go through how it went.
I’m glad the debate on assisted dying is forging ahead. But few understand why it frightens so many (theguardian.com)
Everyone deserves the right to a good death. Yet fears disabled people have about being coerced into euthanasia are justified, writes Guardian columnist Frances Ryan
Want to learn about accessibility but have a limited budget? (abilitynet.org.uk)
AbilityNet's new training course helps boost accessibility best practices within small organisations of 20 or fewer employees.
What the data says: Provide accessibility and inclusion training for (abilitynet.org.uk)
Results from AbilityNet's latest Attitudes to Digital Accessibility survey highlights the benefits of providing training in accessibility to your staff. Get ideas for ways you can expand your skills.
Study session - Creating Safe(r) and Brave(r) Spaces (enil.eu)
The study session will take place in Strasbourg, France from the 10-16 June. This includes 6 full days of programmes (10-16 June 2024) and 2 travel days.
Measuring Captioning Accuracy: Why WER and NER Analyses Differ (3playmedia.com)
In this blog, we dive into the differences between NER vs. WER, two different models used to measure the quality of closed captions.
The debilitating impact of tinnitus, and how a new app could help (theguardian.com)
It’s thought that about 15% of us are affected by tinnitus, and despite its potentially debilitating impact on mental health and quality of life, there isn’t any cure for the condition. Madeleine Finlay speaks to John, who has used CBT techniques to learn to live well with his tinnitus, and Dr Lucy Handscomb, a tinnitus researcher who is involved in trialling a new app that could hold promise for sufferers.
#NotYourProp (facebook.com)
Here's another video that uses a person with a disability as a prop, this time with four seconds out of five minutes and 44 seconds! Please keep sharing videos you find that talk about us without us using the hashtag
How Aphasia Affects Speech And Communication (criplife.co.uk)
Wolfgang Wolf, a disabled blogger and counsellor living in New Zealand, shares his experience of living with the neurological conditions aphasia and apraxia that affect speech and communication.
The Evolution of Smart Home Technology for People With Disabilities (homecaremag.com)
Advances in technology over the last four decades have come a long way. Today, smart home devices are more affordable and offer seamless integration between various compatible products. Also, the paradigm shift away from facility care as the most likely alternative for housing to aging in place in the home has heightened the demand for a wide range of in-home technology to keep individuals connected, healthy and safe.
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