Startups Redesign Canes to Improve Accessibility for the Blind
I’m Raul Krauthausen the founder of SOZIALHELD*INNEN, an NPO and consultancy from Germany, focussing on Disability Mainstreaming. With this newsletter, I share hand-picked links from around the world.
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Raul
Hand-picked news about inclusion, accessibilty and innovation
Startups Redesign Canes to Improve Accessibility for the Blind (nextunicorn.ventures)
While much of the tech industry has focused on enhancing accessibility for the blind and visually impaired, the traditional white cane has remained largely unchanged. However, a new wave of startups is aiming to modernize this vital tool with cutting-edge features designed to assist users more effectively in everyday life.
The Guardian view on incapacity benefit: the Treasury should not be calling the shots (theguardian.com)
Editorial: Liz Kendall needs a policy to match her rhetoric on helping claimants back into work
Adaptive Skiing Taught Me to Embrace the Evolving Nature of My Disability (newmobility.com)
When I was learning to ski as a child in Eastern Washington, my parents would put me in lessons so they could go ski more advanced terrain. Like anyone new to the sport, I fell a lot and struggled with the equipment, but I also made some core memories. I still remember the wooden cartoon animal signs along the trail and finding motivation in trying to spot all the critters as I weaved down the mountain. The feeling of being on the mountain, the independence I had, and how it felt to push my boundaries as an athlete still resonates today.
DOT Announces “Landmark” Expansion of Accessible Air Travel Rights for Wheelchair Users (wheelchairtravel.org)
Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Transportation released a final rule that will require airlines to meet more rigorous standards for accommodating wheelchair users and passengers with disabilities. This rule, together with the historic $50 million fine levied against American Airlines for mistreatment of disabled flyers, will be key pieces of Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s legacy at the Department of Transportation.
The financial time bomb facing special educational needs – podcast (theguardian.com)
Richard Adams reports on the Send funding cliff edge affecting children and their development
What Do K–12 Educators Need to Know About Literacy in the Digital Age? (educatingalllearners.org)
As a former high school English teacher, I constantly find myself looking for the stories in the world around me. Whether they happen through social media platforms or face-to-face conversations, our stories define us. They help us understand ourselves and learn from each other.
Osaka High Court awards equal compensation to family of disabled girl (disabilityinsider.com)
The Osaka High Court ruled on January 20, 2025, that the family of Ayuka Ide, an 11-year-old girl with hearing disabilities who was killed by heavy machinery in 2018, is entitled to the same compensation as families of nondisabled victims. The court overturned a previous ruling that reduced the compensation due to her disability, awarding the family approximately ¥43 million (around $227,000).
University of Glasgow faces criticism over accessibility issues for disabled students (thetab.com)
'The lift is always full, even though there are stairs and escalators. People just push in front of you – there’s no awareness'
Office of Accessibility Services changes name, location (enews.wvu.edu)
The WVU Office of Accessibility Services will now be known as the Office of Student Accommodations, a name change designed to better reflect its role on campus. The office has regularly fielded calls and emails about a variety of topics that do not fall under its purview, and the name “student accommodations” aims to eliminate unnecessary confusion among campus and community stakeholders.
Oswego faculty member to facilitate SUNY-wide accessibility (oswego.edu)
SUNY Oswego’s Rebecca Mushtare will play a key role in a new SUNY-wide effort supporting digital accessibility, State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. announced on Jan. 8 with the launch of the inaugural fellows for the SUNY Accessibility Advocates and Allies Faculty Fellowship Program.
SUNY Accessibility Advocates and Allies Faculty Fellowship Program (suny.edu)
11 Fellows will Promote and Grow Accessibility Practices Across SUNY that Build in Flexibility and Support for Students.
West Wales Students Develop Multimedia Projects to promote Accessibility in Adventure. (newsfromwales.co.uk)
Students from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s BA Adventure Filmmaking course have been developing multimedia work that raises the awareness of accessibility in adventure.
University announces initiative to ensure digital accessibility (record.umich.edu)
The University of Michigan has announced the public phase of its Digital Accessibility Strategic Initiative, an effort designed to ensure digital accessibility and compliance with federal requirements across all university campuses and Michigan Medicine.
Faculty, Students, City and Community Advocates Form Unique Accessibility Collaboration (news.syr.edu)
In disability advocacy circles, the City of Syracuse has gained a national reputation as one of the most progressive cities in the U.S. for incorporating the ideas and feedback of users with disabilities when creating new handicapped-accessible spaces, according to two prominent disability advocates.
Making Learning Possible for All Students (provost.utexas.edu)
It’s a crowded space. Conversations overlap. Voices collide as friends, colleagues, and classmates compete to be heard. In one corner of the room, a student opens a video lecture and struggles to hear their professor’s voice above the noise of everyday life at the university—even with earbuds. Captions on, class can continue.
Zhenjiang Christian Charity Recruits University Students to Develop Accessibility APP for Visually Impaired (chinachristiandaily.com)
Reed’s Home Volunteer Service Center in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, has partnered with universities in the province to launch a development project for a technology-driven APP designed to assist the visually impaired.
Virtual Interviewing Guidelines & Best Practices (dae.utk.edu)
Virtual interviews should be conducted similarly to in-person on-campus interviews. Communicate clearly before and during the interview so applicants/candidates know what to expect and can plan accordingly and are as comfortable as possible throughout the process.
Five takeaways from GSA’s latest Section 508 assessment (federalnewsnetwork.com)
Agencies are dedicating more time and staff to digital accessibility efforts, but acquisition is still a key hurdle when it comes to Section 508 compliance.
Federal Agency Outlines Recommendations for Accessible AI (govtech.com)
The U.S. Access Board highlighted its initial findings on the risks and benefits of artificial intelligence for people with disabilities, offering recommendations to promote responsible use.
Workplace Accommodation and Accessibility Policy: A Disability Inclusion Toolkit (askearn.org)
Explore valuable policy assessment information, actionable steps, sample policies, and resources on accommodations and accessibility in this toolkit developed by EARN and the Job Accommodation Network (JAN).
GSA has Section 508 concerns, Idemia touts accessibility advantage for Login.gov (biometricupdate.com)
Idemia North America has incorporated accessibility and usability design feedback from Applause to ensure conformance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
Expanding Agency Partnerships to Improve Reporting and Participant Services: A State Case Study and Resources (leadcenter.org)
Multiple agencies and organizations serve participants under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). To serve these participants effectively, agencies and organizations need to coordinate effectively—and one of the keys to doing so is collecting data regarding common customers.
Magic corners (disabilitydebrief.org)
Supporting creators making disability media
aria-description Does Not Translate (adrianroselli.com)
A major risk of using ARIA to define text content is it typically gets overlooked in translation. Automated translation services often do not capture it. Those who pay for localization services frequently miss content in ARIA attributes when sending text strings to localization vendors.
Talking about access should be part of every day... (artshub.com.au)
... and improving access just as often.
Accessibility of emojis for list bullets – potential issues (cerovac.com)
Sometimes they can be a huge burden and sometimes just a small annoyance. A quick reflection on what to think before using...
Accessibility audit of the Met Office app: outcomes and learnings (accessibility.blog.gov.uk)
We explore how the Met Office responded to an accessibility report. We also trialled tandem testing and highlighted the lessons we learnt in understanding mobile apps.
Enhancing Workplace Accessibility: Strategies for Inclusive Design (socpub.com)
Creating accessible and inclusive workplaces is essential for modern businesses aiming to thrive in a competitive industry. Prioritizing this aspect ensures employees of all abilities can fully participate, contributing their unique skills and perspectives. This commitment fosters innovation by encouraging diverse approaches to problem-solving.Inclusive workplaces boost team satisfaction by creating environments where everyone feels valued and supported. Embracing usability can position organizations as forward-thinking, ethical and ready to meet the needs of a dynamic workforce.
Advancing Accessibility: Strategies for Continuous Improvement (equalentry.com)
This article is based on Andrew Hedges’ talk at A11yNYC. Andrew Hedges has been building the web professionally since 1998. This is the year that section 508 passed and one year before the publishing of version 1.0 of the World Wide Web consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
Automated and manual accessibility testing work best together (blog.pope.tech)
Learn how you get a more reliable accessibility strategy when used together.
Planning Your Accessibility Now, Not Later, Makes Much Less Work** (accessaces.com)
Too many people leave out the process of accessibility in their design phase or early development cycles. As obvious as it sounds, I still need to say that the sooner you start implementing accessibility in your projects, the less work is needed. At every phase of a project, there are many things that can be done to enhance the accessibility of the final product, and taking care at every point is easier, faster, and more affordable than the alternatives. Many projects leave accessibility out and then end up paying the price later on.
How To Prioritize Accessibility In Your 2025 Digital Marketing Strategy (forbes.com)
Making accessibility a priority in digital marketing that yields ROI involves thinking beyond pure compliance.
Perth mum calls for rental listings to display accessibility information (abc.net.au)
Jaylea Johnstone is helping her son, who lives with cerebral palsy, find his own home but most of places they've viewed have turned out to be inaccessible.
Deaf entrepreneur’s mission to make tech more accessible (businesscloud.co.uk)
Approximately 16.1m people in the UK have a disability, accounting for 24% of the total population, with an estimated 70-80% of these being invisible.
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson to host Liverpool City Region accessible tourism event (liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk)
Legendary Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE DL is to be keynote speaker and host of an event aimed at ensuring the Liverpool City Region’s visitor economy is accessible for all.
Conscious Conversations: Understating our Blueprint for an Inclusive Future: Empowering Change and Championing Accessibility Part Four (antiguaobserver.com)
The “Blueprint for an Inclusive Future”, crafted by Good Humans 268 Inc., stands as a powerful strategy to inspire inclusivity and combat climate change while uplifting individuals with disabilities in Antigua and Barbuda. As Draft One, this blueprint welcomes feedback and collaboration, embodying a living document that will evolve with the insights of our community. Benjamin Franklin’s timeless quote, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail,” resonates deeply with this initiative.
Reading signs: New method improves AI translation of sign language (asiaresearchnews.com)
Additional data can help differentiate subtle gestures, hand positions, facial expressions
Fintechs urged to embrace accessibility (finextra.com)
As the June 2025 deadline for the European Accessibility Act approaches, design agency Nexer Digital has launched a new campaign, 'I Matter Too', to raise awareness about the importance of inclusive online experiences in the fintech sector.
Parkinson's UK updates branding to improve accessibility & relevance to everyone impacted by condition (fundraising.co.uk)
Parkinson’s UK has today (15 January) revealed updated branding, including a new logo and strapline, and a bespoke accessible font.
The best TVs for people who are blind or partially sighted - Which? (which.co.uk)
There are dozens of accessibility features that make TVs easier to use for people with sight problems, but not all TVs have them
Game-changing wheelchair-accessible vehicle rental service at all major UK airports (attoday.co.uk)
Open Road Access has launched a “revolutionary” wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV) rental service from all major UK airports.
Cuban expert points to accessible tourism (plenglish.com)
Havana, Jan. 15 (Prensa Latina) Cuban professor and researcher José Luís Perelló pointed today to accessible tourism, an indispensable element for the development of the travel industry today.
Eisteddfod to improve accessibility for people with disabilities (leaderlive.co.uk)
The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has announced plans to make the event more accessible for people with disabilities.
Revolutionizing accessibility: The rise of assistive technology in India and beyond (thehindubusinessline.com)
AssisTech Foundation accelerates AT startups to bridge accessibility gaps for PwDs through innovative technology solutions and mentorship.
Here's what's in Australia's new national autism strategy (abc.net.au)
England, the US and Canada are among the countries with national autism strategies — and now Australia has one too.
Discovering Japan in a Power Wheelchair: Tayjus’ Accessible Travel Journey (accessible-japan.com)
Join Tayjus on his unforgettable accessible travel journey through Japan in a power wheelchair, exploring iconic sites and experiencing seamless accessibility.
Disability Aviation and Maritime: Changing the Landscape of Accessible Travel (travelradar.aero)
In the pursuit of making travel accessible for everyone, Disability Aviation and Maritime has emerged as a global leader in advocating for the rights of travellers with disabilities. I sat down with founders Charlie Morton, and Martin Powell, to discuss their journey behind the organisation, and what so urgently needs to change within the industry.
Bill aims to prevent disability discrimination around parental rights (spectrumnews1.com)
The bill would prevent termination of parental rights or denial of adoption solely based on a disability, lawmakers said.
Historic Bronx subway station gets makeover and is now ADA-accessible (bxtimes.com)
A historic and busy Bronx subway station is now fully accessible to all New Yorkers.
Disability is often neglected in medical school curricula, new study finds (news.northwestern.edu)
“Doctors do not know how to care for people with disabilities because they never learned”
Zona Roberts — Leading Figure in Accessibility — is Dead (usa.streetsblog.org)
The "wheel behind the wheelchair" has died.
IC Accessibility Project Team strives to increase inclusion for all (lhvc.com)
A team of high schoolers are working to elevate inclusion across the St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD). They are the members of the Accessibility Project Team of the SVVSD Innovation Center (IC).
NY veterans have higher disability rates, but they're seeking more help, too. (northcountrypublicradio.org)
Veterans have relatively high rates of physical and mental health issues, but they're reporting them more and seeking therapy and other services.
Polistina’s Bill to Expand Access to Hearing Aids Passes Senate (senatenj.com)
Today, the New Jersey Senate unanimously passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Vince Polistina (R-2) that would expand access to hearing aids.
Parkinson’s tremors disappear with use of machine that sends heat waves to the brain (yahoo.com)
elray Medical Center cut the ribbon on its newest high-tech machine last week that targets brain areas to treat movement disorders such as essential tremor and tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease. The machine can stop the involuntary trembling of the heat and hands experienced by people with neurological disorders in one treatment using focused ultrasound guided by MRI.
Breaking barriers: Grand Rapids Symphony’s ‘Access to Music’ brings joy to all (woodtv.com)
See how the Grand Rapids Symphony is making music accessible to all through an inclusive, barrier-free concert.
Dementia risk is rising in an aging US population. Cases are projected to double by 2060 (edition.cnn.com)
New research suggests that the risk for developing dementia is significantly higher than previously estimated, and the burden on the United States population will grow substantially over the next few decades.
As the U.S. ages, dementia is on the rise. Here are ways to reduce your risk (npr.org)
About 40% of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by healthy lifestyle choices and preventive medicine. Here's a tool to gauge your brain care and track your progress.
Portland Trail Blazers make games more accessible to blind and low vision fans (katu.com)
The Portland Trail Blazers are now offering haptic display technology at all home games.
CAPA addresses need for sensory-inclusive features at several theaters (eu.dispatch.com)
Understanding patrons' different sensory needs, CAPA has been modifying its theaters to ensure an enjoyable experience for those with sensitivities.
Rochester-area artist cultivates an inclusive art studio for all abilities (spectrumlocalnews.com)
The grand opening of one Rochester art studio is providing a space for people of any background and ability to feel welcome and learn more about the arts.
Your New Year's Accessible Travel Tips for Japan (mailchi.mp)
Sure, it might be cold, but with the right clothing, winter in Japan is an absolute delight! Bundle up and discover all the incredible experiences this season has to offer. Let’s start with the breathtaking beauty you see above — Mt. Fuji.
The Future of Global Accessibility: 3Play Media’s Human-AI Hand-in-Hand Approach (builtin.com)
From AI-powered translation to custom dubbing services, 3Play Media’s team achieves machine speeds without losing the human touch.
Boosting Engagement and Accessibility: Why Adding Captions to Videos is Essential (msn.com)
Video content dominates online platforms more than ever, and ensuring your videos stand out is crucial. One simple yet impactful way to achieve this is by adding captions. Captions not only enhance accessibility but also improve viewer engagement and boost your video's SEO performance. Here's a closer look at why captions are indispensable for modern video content creators.
Bridging the Accessibility Gap: Ensuring WCAG and Section 508 Compliance in Leading Digital Platforms (indiatoday.in)
As new policies and laws are developed, incorporating accessibility into AI will become important to making online services available for all people with disabilities.
Accessibility, context, empathy: My students’ ideas to enhance the SPJ’s Code of Ethics; plus, media notes (dankennedy.net)
This has become a perennial. Every semester, I ask students in my journalism ethics class to come up with a fifth principle that could be added to the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics. The code identifies four broad principles: Seek Truth and Report It; Minimize Harm; Act Independently; and Be Accountable. Each of them is fleshed out in some detail.
Tapping into Disabled Talent in Rural Communities (askearn.org)
Learn about strategies employers can use to include and support disabled talent in businesses located in rural communities.
CSG holds elections, addresses accessibility concerns (michigandaily.com)
The University of Michigan's Central Student Government met Tuesday evening in the Wolverine Room at the Michigan Union.
Working with a support worker (businessdisabilityforum.org.uk)
Joel Young, Senior Disability Business Partner at BDF, shares his experience of using a support worker and gives advice for employers on facilitating support workers within their organisation.
Trump will sign orders today defining sex and ending DEI programs, official says (npr.org)
Trump will sign an executive order on Monday that says it's the policy of the United States to recognize two biologically distinct sexes — male and female — one of many executive actions the incoming administration plan to take, an incoming White House official told reporters on a preview conference call.
Minister agrees to cross-party talks on strengthening rights for disabled renters (disabilitynewsservice.com)
The government has agreed to cross-party talks on strengthening the law so that landlords would have to allow “reasonable” adaptations to the homes of disabled renters.
Investigations: Students with disabilities struggle with accessibility options (dailyemerald.com)
Several students with disabilities shared their experiences at UO, sparking ADA concerns.
Making the art world more accessible (news.mit.edu)
The startup NALA, which began as an MIT class project, uses machine learning to offer personalized recommendations to art lovers, directly matching artists and buyers.
Mapping accessibility to transform cities (nouvelles.umontreal.ca)
The CAMMM Atlas is a digital platform used to analyze disparities in accessibility and promote better distribution of services in cities.
A Tale of Three Universities: Accessibility in Higher Education (womensenews.org)
Clear obstacles need to be addressed to provide the maximum number of services and resources to students with disabilities.
Multifamily Housing Industry's Reliance on ADA Accessibility Overlay Widgets for Website Compliance are Becoming High-Risk Targets (multifamilybiz.com)
Multifamily housing operators have faced a series of challenges in recent years, from rising interest and insurance rates to a wave of new regulations and scrutiny over their use of revenue management software to set rents. Amidst the turbulence of navigating these complexities, a new wave of litigation has emerged in an entirely different area, one that now threatens to ripple through the multifamily industry.
Ireland’s June 2025 deadline for making consumer banking services more accessible to persons with disabilities (hoganlovells.com)
There are over 80 million people with disabilities in the EU. The European Accessibility Act 2019 (EAA) implements the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities (UNCRPD) and aims at providing greater accessibility to everyday goods and services. The EEA has been implemented in Irish Law via S.I. No. 636/2023 - European Union (Accessibility Requirements of Products and Services) Regulations 2023 (Regulations). The Regulations come into effect on 28 June 2025. This article considers what financial services providers and related firms must do to ensure that retail banking products and services are more accessible to persons with disabilities. From 28 June 2025 firms will need to ensure that they design their websites, mobile apps, contracts and all forms of communication with consumers including call centre services as well as devices such as payment terminals and ATMs in a way that is accessible to persons with disabilities.
Userway faces class action lawsuit over alleged false accessibility and ADA compliance claims (techstartups.com)
Userway is facing a class action lawsuit filed by Bloomsybox.com, LLC, accusing the company of making misleading claims about its accessibility widget. The lawsuit, filed at Delaware District Court, alleges that Userway promoted its product as a simple, foolproof solution for achieving ADA compliance but failed to deliver on its promises, leaving businesses vulnerable to legal action.
Justice Department asks Supreme Court to rule narrowly on whether the ADA protects retirees (eu.usatoday.com)
The ADA protects from discrimination someone who can perform a job with a reasonable accommodation. Does it also protect retirees?
Update: Recent Caselaw Reinforces Defenses Available to ADA Website Defendants (dglaw.com)
Lawsuits targeting websites and their operators asserting claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and similar state laws continue to be on the rise. The typical allegation in these cases is that the operator’s website is not sufficiently accessible to blind or visually impaired persons.
Papa John’s class action claims website is not accessible to the blind (topclassactions.com)
A new class action lawsuit alleges Papa John’s fails to make its website accessible to blind and visually impaired consumers.
2025 Outlook on Canadian Web Accessibility Regulations (blakes.com)
Web accessibility regulations applicable to private sector businesses operating in Canada continue to develop. The federal government has announced a consultation on web accessibility obligations that federally regulated entities could face under proposed amendments to regulations made under the Accessible Canada Act. Additionally, in 2025, businesses with employees in Manitoba will face new obligations to ensure their websites meet certain accessibility requirements.
Justices appear supportive of retired firefighter’s discrimination suit (scotusblog.com)
The Supreme Court on Monday appeared sympathetic to a retired Florida firefighter who is seeking to sue her former employer under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Karyn Stanley, who worked for the fire department in Sanford, Fla., for two decades before Parkinson’s disease forced her to retire at the age of 47, contends that the city violated the law when it changed its policy for subsidizing health insurance for retirees, leaving her to bear the entire cost of her health insurance for 15 years. But some justices questioned whether Stanley’s best argument was one that they could consider at all, while at least two justices – Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett – remained silent, making it difficult to predict how they will vote.
Our 2024 ADA Title III Recap and Predictions for 2025 (adatitleiii.com)
By Minh N. Vu Seyfarth Synopsis: 2024 saw some interesting developments and an uptick in lawsuit filings from 2023; expect less ADA Title III enforcement
Department of Health’s Helen Hayes Hospital Reopens Accessible Aquatic Facility, Launches Community Aquatic Wellness Classes (health.ny.gov)
ALBANY, NY (January 13, 2025) – New York State Department of Health's Helen Hayes Hospital is thrilled to announce the reopening of its fully accessible aquatic therapy and wellness pool, which had been temporarily closed following the COVID pandemic. As of January 6, the Hospital will offer a variety of programs to reintroduce the community to the benefits of aquatic therapy and exercise, including aquatic wellness classes, individual and small group training, and therapy designed to promote healing, strength, and overall wellbeing.
Cerebral Partners with the San Antonio Spurs to Expand In-Network Access to High-Quality Mental Health Care Across Texas (silicon.co.uk)
Cerebral, the fully comprehensive online mental health care provider, is proud to announce their new partnership with the San Antonio Spurs. With both organizations’ histories of advocating for mental health, this partnership is dedicated to increasing access to care for communities across Texas, with a focus on making mental health services more widely available and affordable.
Omnium Circus celebrates accessibility and inclusion (opelikaobserver.com)
Omnium Circus (www.OmniumCircus.org) will make its Alabama debut when it brings its jaw-droppingly, awe-inspiringly and uplifting show, “I’m Possible,” to the Woltosz Theater at the Gogue PAC (910 S. College St., Auburn AL) on Sunday, March 2 at 3:00 pm as part of their 2025 tour. Tickets start at only $10 and are available at omniumcircus.org and goguecenter.auburn.edu.
Avianca launches new accessible website to improve travel planning for passengers with disabilities (aviacionline.com)
Avianca has unveiled a new accessible website designed to offer passengers with disabilities a personalized and intuitive experience. Along with improvements in aircraft signage and airport service manuals, the airline reinforces its commitment to ensuring inclusive travel for all.
EMR create Accessibility Maps to help better inform customers of key facilities (news.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk)
East Midlands Railway (EMR) has launched new Accessibility Maps, designed to provide customers with comprehensive and easy-to-access information about station facilities across its network.
First Vermont Trail Accessibility Hub Summit charts bold vision for inclusive outdoor recreation (vermontbiz.com)
Vermont Business Magazine On Wednesday, Bolton Valley Resort’s Timberline Lodge played host to the inaugural Vermont Trail Accessibility Hub (TAH) Summit, bringing together more than 50 thought leaders and advocates to advance trail accessibility across Vermont. This collaborative event united representatives from more than 30 organizations and agencies, setting the stage for a transformative future in trail-based outdoor recreation.
Manitoba Government Continues to Reduce Barriers Through Manitoba Accessibility Fund (news.gov.mb.ca)
Eligible Manitoba organizations can now apply for accessibility project funding of up to $50,000 through the Manitoba Accessibility Fund grant program, Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine, minister responsible for accessibility, announced today.
Norfolk Southern donates $50,000 grant to YSU's foundation to support ADA accessibility (wfmj.com)
The Thriving Communities grant will be used to purchase an ADA Compliant Transportation Cart that will be used by the YSU Student Security Division.
Seeking feedback on draft Accessibility Policy (ugdsb.ca)
This policy conveys the board’s commitment to removing barriers to accessibility, fostering equity and inclusivity within the board, and to exceeding the provincial accessibility standards where possible. It has been revised to align with the board’s updated Multi-Year Accessibility Plan and now contains sections that define the work of the Human Rights, Equity and Accessibility office and the Accessibility Committee, and outlines the ongoing practices at the board to integrate accessibility considerations. The policy name is shortened to be better reflective of the scope of the policy and the many practices the board undertakes to accommodate persons with disabilities.
Como Park Conservatory reopens its lush Sunken Garden with increased accessibility (bringmethenews.com)
The garden removed wheelchair lifts and installed ramps to make it more accessible.
New Inclusion and Accessibility Fund grant opportunity coming soon! (communitygrants.gov.au)
Grants through this program will support grass roots efforts to create safe and inclusive communities by improving understanding and shifting mindsets in relation to disability, and barriers to inclusion of people with disability.Grants of between $50,000 (GST exclusive) and $300,000 (GST exclusive) will be available to eligible Disability Representative Organisations (DROs) and Disabled People’s Organisations (DPO’s). Grants can be used for research and development costs, delivery of tools and training, accessibility requirements and consultation.
Accessibility upgrades now complete in City-owned parking garages (ashevillenc.gov)
This recently completed work is the second of four phases of the Parking Garage Capital Improvements Project and creates accessible parking spaces and paths of travel that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to the greatest extent feasible in Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville (HCCA), Rankin Avenue and Wall Street garages. The $11 million, multi-year repair and improvement project started with immediate priority repairs, which were completed in 2024 and included improvements to stairwells, elevator landings and decks.
Kimberley's Accessibility Advisory Committee presents to Council (kimberleybulletin.com)
Committee's biggest achievement of 2024 was securing a $27,000 grant to help create an age-friendly accessibility plan.
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory adds wheelchair ramps at sunken garden (startribune.com)
The Como Park conservatory replaced oft-broken elevators with wheelchair ramps to increase accessibility to the popular sunken garden.
New Pennsylvania State Website Offers a Singular Experience (govtech.com)
Completed in less than a year, the new state website combines 64 separate state sites into a unified digital destination with a smoothed search function. The Pennsylvania Office of Digital Experience led the effort.
New theater group focuses on accessibility in Kitsap (kitsapdailynews.com)
Drawing from her passion for theater and to create opportunities for underrepresented actors, Inclusive Stage founder Sara Dawson-Leggett envisions an experience where people with disabilities can shine on stage and feel welcome in the audience.
Transreport to launch accessibility tech at EMA (airportsinternational.com)
Inclusive travel solution specialist Transreport is to deploy its staff-side Passenger Assistance technology at East Midlands Airport (EMA)
Accessibility grants available for Manitoba orgs (reminetwork.com)
Eligible organizations can now apply for accessibility project funding through the Manitoba Accessibility Fund grant program.
NL Health Services Releases Accessibility Plan (nlhealthservices.ca)
Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services is pleased to release its new Accessibility Plan, to create a more accessible and inclusive health-care system by reducing barriers to services for persons with visible and non-visible disabilities. The plan will identify goals that will determine next steps to improve accessibility over a two-year period from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2026.
CTM awarded accessibility accreditation (thebusinesstravelmag.com)
Corporate Travel Management (CTM) has secured an accessibility accreditation for Lightning, its online booking tool, as well as the CTM Portal technology Corporate Travel Management (CTM) has secured an accessibility accreditation.
Adaptive Reader Raises Pre-Seed Round to Expand Accessible Reading Solutions for All Learners (abc4.com)
Adaptive Reader, an edtech platform revolutionizing reading accessibility, is proud to announce the successful close of its oversubscribed pre-seed funding round. The round, supported by leading education investors and institutions, underscores the company’s mission to dismantle literacy barriers for diverse learners.
A Sample Proposal on "Creating Accessible Tourism Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities" (fundsforngos.org)
Accessible tourism is an essential aspect of creating an inclusive society where everyone, regardless of their physical abilities, can enjoy travel and leisure activities. It encompasses the design and provision of services, facilities, and experiences that cater to the needs of persons with disabilities. This approach not only enhances the quality of life for individuals with disabilities but also promotes social integration and economic growth within communities.
Self-Driving Cars And Accessibility: A Game Changer For People With Disabilities (worldcrunch.com)
The development of self-driving cars represents a significant leap forward in technology, promising to reshape various aspects of daily life. Among the most transformative potential impacts is the improvement in mobility for people with disabilities. For many individuals with mobility challenges, transportation can be a barrier to independence, social engagement, and employment. Self-driving vehicles hold the promise of breaking down these barriers, enhancing accessibility, and creating opportunities.
1800Wheelchair’s Mobility Scooters Enhance Accessibility Across America (einpresswire.com)
1800Wheelchair introduces mobility scooters designed to improve accessibility and support independent living for individuals with mobility challenges.
all® free clear Boosts Packaging Accessibility with NaviLens Technology (packagingstrategies.com)
NaviLens smart codes will be located on the front of all® free clear MIGHTY PACS® Original, which are pre-measured unit-dose detergent pacs that provide added convenience on laundry day.
UK: LiDAR Technology to Enhance Level Boarding on Metro Fleet (railway-news.com)
Southeastern, Network Rail, and Cordel have partnered to improve platform accessibility for Southeastern’s potential new Metro fleet.
JVC Debuts Guide to Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance (nationaljeweler.com)
The online guide is available for free and written with the jewelry industry in mind.
Driving inclusion and accessibility with Microsoft 365 Copilot (microsoft.com)
Nonprofits are using Microsoft 365 Copilot to increase inclusion internally and champion equity in the communities they serve. Learn more.
OneCourt: Revolutionizing accessibility in live sports (blogs.microsoft.com)
OneCourt, a Seattle-based startup, is on a mission to make live sports more accessible to fans who are Blind or Low Vision (BLV). By translating live gameplay data into trackable vibrations and audio commentary, OneCourt helps fans experience their favorite professional sports with their fingertips. The startup is launching commercially in stadiums and arenas before scaling to reach fans at home.
VR Accessibility: How to Build Games for Differently-Abled Players (tribuneindia.com)
New Delhi [India], January 14: The advent of Virtual Reality (VR) has revolutionized game experience, involving players in strange new worlds which until now were only imagined and giving them opportunities to engage in ways never before considered. However, the introduction of this technology has increasingly meant that due attention must be paid to inclusion, particularly with regard to varying levels of physical ability. In the developing landscape of VR gaming, accessibility for all is not only a matter of morality, it is also essential in order to make games truly universal. This article explores the problems of creating accessible VR games as well as some innovative solutions. It highlights how the importance of inclusivity in our industry is growing. Designing accessible VR games is not just a technical challenge but a step toward creating a truly inclusive gaming experience.
Why Disabled Professionals Are The Best Strategists For Thriving Organisations (amoraju.com)
Dr Amo Raju OBE DL has an extensive amount of experience in creating and managing disability services and EDI issues. His personal battles with depression whilst rising to the top of his profession have given him a unique perception of leadership. Amo is the author of the best-selling book ‘Walk Like A Man’, which is available on Amazon.
2025 European Disability Research Conference - Call for Abstracts (alterconf2025.sciencesconf.org)
The 2025 ALTER Conference theme of ‘Transformations’ is an invitation to analyse dynamics of change in disability rights and disability research. The underpinning question is whether changes in the various social, cultural, economic and political systems shaping the lives of persons with disabilities have reduced inequalities or lead to more pessimistic conclusions about increasing exclusion and precarity, including in the research arena.
2025 Disability Belongs™ Entertainment Lab Virtual Information Session (respectability.org)
Learn from Disability Belongs team members Lawon Exum and Lesley Hennen about the 2025 Disability Belongs™ Lab and Intensives.
Wheelchair accessories to make life easier (activehands.com)
Wheelchair accessories that can all be utilised with reduced hand function. Check out these solutions to many daily frustrations.
Disability Visibility anthology (disabilityvisibilityproject.com)
Order paperback, e-book, audiobook (multiple retailers). Available on Bookshare and the Library of Congress’ Braille and Audio Reading Download program (downloadable talking book #DB99604 and Braille currently in process of being added).
Preserving Disability (disability-visibility-newsletter.ghost.io)
One part of my work is to preserve disability culture and history through my website, podcast, books, etc. Archives are important because they leave something behind for the future that says who we were and what we cared about. I am pleased to offer 4 paperback copies to anyone in the US or Canada of Preserving Disability: Disability and the Archival Profession, an edited collection by Gracen Brilmyer and Lydia Tang. On the website you can download the introductory chapter by Dr. Brilmyer and Dr. Tang. And I wrote the forward to to this book! Details below.
Disability is Human: The Vital Power of Accessibility in Everyday Life (stephaniecawthon.com)
This book by Dr. Stephanie Cawthon, educator and researcher, dispels myths and raises expectations about disabled people with relatable stories, real-world examples, and actionable tips.
The End of the World As We Know It (newmobility.com)
World Institute on Disability policy analyst Alex Ghenis says climate change is coming, and the time to get ready is now.
Les petites habitudes web de Laurana Duhamel, mannequin en fauteuil (grazia.fr)
Victime d'un accident de voiture qui l'a laissée paraplégique, cette mannequin n'a pas voulu abandonner son rêve de gosse et s'est présentée, en fauteuil, à un concours de beauté pour valides. Alors que son combat pour accepter le handicap, est raconté dans un livre rédigé par sa sœur, Laurana, 23 ans, nous en dit plus sur sa routine web du moment.
Dear Tim Tebow, All the “Special Needs Proms” and Prayers in the World will not Actually Improve How Disability is Experienced (rkallemwhitman.medium.com)
I do not know much about football. And I know even less about football players. In fact here are the only players I know off the top of my head and the only things I know about them.
The Remarkable Normalcy of Being Disabled and in Love (nytimes.com)
In a new essay collection, the influencer couple Shane and Hannah Burcaw peel back the layers of “interabled” relationships, including their own.
Personal Budgets – An introduction (enil.eu)
Personal assistance is a key service to give disabled people the support they need. However, to live independently it is not enough. Personal budgets allow disabled people to purchase personal assistance in self-determination and in some countries also other services which they might require.
Disfigured by Amanda Leduc Book Review- Zachary Fenell CPV (zacharyfenell.com)
Within Disfigured author Amanda Leduc explores western fairy tales and the role disability plays in the narrative
Incapacity benefit cuts consultation was ‘misleading’ and unlawful, judge rules (theguardian.com)
Labour’s plan to push through ‘fit for work’ test reforms to save £3bn set back after activist’s high court challenge
When will we decolonise the positions disabled people should hold? (tandfonline.com)
For many marginalised groups there is a consistent and inflexible requirement that leadership within its representative bodies be comprised of members from the same marginalised group.
6 Things to Know Before You Date a Disabled Person (thesqueakywheel.org)
So you want to date a disabled person? Of course you do! But first, there are some things you should know: 1. No accessible bathroom = no date. Hot girls have IBS; this is a fact. You can’t just take a disabled baddie to a restaurant without an accessible toilet for her to wreck.
My day at the White House debating disability and the media (disabilityhorizons.com)
Disability Horizons writer Shannon tells us about her trip to the White House to talk about disability and the media and how disability is under-represented
Young Artist Development Programme 2025 (touretteshero.com)
Last year we launched our first zine, The Department for Wonder and Play (the other DWP), as part of the Young Artists Development Programme (YADP). We’re very excited to announce that we’ll be producing volume 2 of the DWP Zine this year, entitled Beyond Borders.
A Guide to 2025 Disability-Inclusive Sundance Films (respectability.org)
Learn about films screening at Sundance 2025 that feature disability in the plot, plus additional films featuring talent with disabilities.
Inclusion Drives Innovation and Growth (martynsibley.com)
Disability inclusion isn’t just about fairness—it’s a powerful driver of innovation and economic growth. When disabled and non-disabled people work together to design solutions and create opportunities, businesses thrive in ways they didn’t imagine possible.
Safari with a disability:Embrace the unknown (melangeandco.com)
Is there any feeling like waking up at dawn, a hot coffee to dispel the early morning chill, and going out into the savannah’s pearly morning light in an open-air jeep, looking out for the predators that only venture forth in the cool of early morning or dusk, the gentle-eyed gazelle, statuesque giraffes, majestic elephant herds, and hearing the calls of the brightly colored birds perched on the acacia and thorn trees?
The elderly and disabled were left behind in Hurricane Irma. What will happen next time? (americamagazine.org)
It remains to be seen whether new efforts to address vulnerabilities faced by low-income, disabled and elderly people will result in meaningful changes.
Disaster Planning Often Leaves Disabled People Behind (vice.com)
Disabled people, older adults, and parents of young children all have specific needs that aren't always well addressed in disaster planning—sometimes with horrific results.
Disability Victory Calls on DNC Leadership Candidates to Commit to Accessibility and Disability Rights (disabilityvictory.org)
For too many consecutive cycles, the Democratic National Committee and state parties' commitment to accessibility and disability rights has fallen short. In 2025 and beyond, that must change.
Emergency Resources for People with Disabilities in Los Angeles (aucd.org)
We are concerned for everyone affected by the devasting fires in Los Angeles. Our thoughts are with those who have been impacted, including AUCD Network staff at the University of Southern California and University of California, Los Angeles, their families, and the many disability organizations based in and around the surrounding area.
Web Accessibility Cookbook (oreilly.com)
O’Reilly members get unlimited access to books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.
Best practices for an AI-infused classroom (educatingalllearners.org)
Avoiding or banning AI in the classroom does students a disservice, and if teachers aren’t familiar with AI tools and how to use them, who is really in charge of teaching? AI literacy isn’t only for students–today, it’s a professional development must-have for teachers, explained Holly Clark, an AI education strategist and author, during an FETC 2025 session in best practices for an AI-infused classroom.
Special ed students benefit from being integrated at school. It doesn’t always happen (educatingalllearners.org)
This article highlights the contrasting educational experiences of two students with Down syndrome, Kellen Hedler and Adaline Whitmer, to show the benefits of inclusive education. Kellen spends over 80% of his school day in a general education classroom, resulting in significant academic and social growth, while Adaline, who is more segregated, faces limitations in her progress. Research confirms that inclusive settings benefit both students with disabilities and their peers, aligning with federal laws that encourage education in the “least restrictive environment.” Parents like Adaline’s mom advocate for more inclusion, emphasizing its importance for building skills and relationships that prepare children for independent, meaningful lives.
7 Fun & Imaginative Gifts For Disabled Children (disabilityhorizons.com)
Here, we share 7 fun, original and imaginative accessible Christmas gifts for disabled children, all of which can be bought on the Disability Horizons Shop.
How scientists with disabilities are making research labs and fieldwork more accessible (independent.co.uk)
Disabled scientists are trying to make research labs and fieldwork more accessible
Selecting Group Sizes for Co-Teaching (theinclusiveclass.com)
An education blog with strategies, tips and information for teachers about teaching students with disabilities in the inclusive classroom.
10 Year SCI Reflection (jesistracham.com)
Jesi Stracham reflects on her 10-year journey after a life-changing spinal cord injury (SCI), transforming from despair to empowerment. Initially consumed by denial, anger, and unhealthy coping mechanisms, she gradually embraced change, faith, and self-improvement, discovering a deeper purpose through adaptive sports, coaching, and community service. Each year brought challenges and breakthroughs, from overcoming physical and emotional struggles to building a meaningful career and personal life. Today, Jesi celebrates a life of growth, gratitude, and resilience, viewing her SCI as the foundation of her transformation into a thriving, empowered woman.
Accessible gaming: making computer games accessible (disabilityhorizons.com)
Gamer Vivek talks about what gaming companies need to do to make their computer games accessible, no matter what a persons disability.
University of East London Summer Programme (learninternational.ie)
Career-focused and research-driven, experience an unforgettable Summer Study Abroad Programme at the University of East London. Explore the role of technological applications in facilitating accessibility solutions for all in the United Kingdom (UK).
Announcing the 2024 Cohort of the Access to Exchange Externship (miusa.org)
The National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange (NCDE) is thrilled to present the 2024 cohort of the Access to Exchange Externship! Each of these promising individuals with disabilities has had such an impactful international exchange experience of their own that they have each devised their own project to educate their peers and communities about the exciting world of international education. Read on to learn about each of our externs and their projects.
Spending Time Abroad in 2025? Apply to Be a Global Access Correspondent! (miusa.org)
The National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange (NCDE) is searching for people with disabilities from the U.S. who will be traveling to another country this summer for international exchange and who love to capture their experiences and stories - through words, photos, video, and other media - to share with others.
Blind and Low Vision Tips for Going Abroad (miusa.org)
You have been accepted to a study, volunteer, or other program abroad. Now what? Here's quick preparation tips and advice upon arrival. From arranging a time for orientation training at the new location to being prepared for different attitudes on disability.
Centering Access, ALLways (Workshops, Sharing, Gatherings) (mailchi.mp)
We want to thank everyone who came out to our two showcases at APAP. We participated in the Pentacle showcase at the Ailey Studios and then welcomed folks to our DUMBO studio. Launching a new work is tricky, especially when it is still in process, but I am glad to say that The Next T.i.M.es is well on its way. Thank you to all the artists and designers who are making this work possible.
Is this the way to fix social care in England? (theguardian.com)
As yet another review is launched, a single council is offering an alternative to rationing support for the most needy
Shut away and ignored: thousands of disabled adults are at the frontier of the human rights struggle (theguardian.com)
When you attend your local choir or yoga class, just stop and think – where are the disabled adults, asks Guardian columnist John Harris
Can Labour cut welfare spending and still be seen as a party of social justice? (theguardian.com)
Labour’s embrace of plans to reduce the incapacity benefit bill by £3bn has the potential to trigger a backbench revolt
Overhaul ‘unsustainable’ incapacity benefits system, Lords committee urges (theguardian.com)
Peers call on Labour to carry out ‘fundamental review’ amid rising concerns over retention of Tory plans for £3bn in cuts
How Society Discriminates Against The ‘Disabled’ (youthkiawaaz.com)
I would like to repeat my words that disability is not always acquired by birth. It can happen to any individual at any point in his or her life.
Teach Access (teachaccess.org)
Teach Access is a non-profit working to bridge the accessibility skills gap between education and industry.
Your local government isn't ready to evacuate disabled people (motherjones.com)
California's fire-prone counties left people to die. Other communities don't have to.
Exclusive: Kennedy played key role in Gardasil vaccine case against Merck (reuters.com)
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who awaits confirmation as Donald Trump's Health and Human Services secretary, helped organize mass litigation over the HPV vaccine, which the CDC recommends as a routine immunization to prevent cervical and other cancers.
Pac Rim Conference - By Us and For Us: Legacy and Future of Our Movement (pacrim.coe.hawaii.edu)
2025 is the 40th anniversary of the Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity. We invite you to Honolulu on April 15th and 16th to celebrate. Come join us both to honor the past and to consider the future of the global movement we create together. Letʻs all recognize our achievements, share our struggles, and develop strategies for the work that remains. See you in Honolulu in 2025!
Charlie Kirk called out by Deaf non-profit as sign language controversy escalates (indy100.com)
Charlie Kirk, the Turning Point USA founder and broadcaster, continues to face a backlash online, after he criticised the appearance of American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters at press conferences on the Los Angeles wildfires.
For Homeless Seniors, Getting Into Stable Housing Takes a Village — And a Lot of Luck (kffhealthnews.org)
The number of unhoused seniors in the U.S. is expected to triple by 2030. About half of this population is becoming homeless for the first time. Homeless services struggle to help. Finding affordable housing that’s also accessible for older Americans with medical conditions is an extra challenge.
With This MoMA Artist, the Painting Does the Talking (nytimes.com)
Marlon Mullen’s show at the Museum of Modern Art, the first by a developmentally disabled artist, speaks volumes.
New California Laws Target Medical Debt, AI Care Decisions, Detention Centers (kffhealthnews.org)
California has a few major changes coming to its health policy landscape in 2025. New laws that took effect Jan. 1 ban medical debt from credit reports, allow public health inspections of private immigration detention centers, and ban toxic chemicals in makeup.
Disabled people ‘have been betrayed’, 20 years on from groundbreaking Life Chances report (disabilitynewsservice.com)
Disabled experts who advised the Labour government on its ground-breaking Life Chances report – which was published 20 years ago on Sunday – say successive governments over the last 20 years have abandoned its ambitious goals.
An update on Auracast: new audio streaming technology (rnid.org.uk)
Products and hearing devices which support Auracast broadcast audio are starting to emerge, but what is Auracast?
With Mozzeria closure, D.C. loses a hub of ‘deaf excellence’ (washingtonpost.com)
In a city with more than 20,000 residents who are deaf and hard of hearing, the H Street restaurant was one of the few businesses geared toward that community.
Disability isn't niche (lucywebster.substack.com)
This is getting boring now
Are you a professional who can help us with our impact reporting? (euansguide.com)
A blog post by disabled access charity Euan's Guide on their search for a professional to help with their impact reporting.
In memory of John Evans OBE (1950 – 2025) (enil.eu)
On Monday, 13th January 2025, we lost a pioneer of the Independent Living movement in the United Kingdom and Europe, and one of the founders of the European Network on Independent Living – John Evans OBE.
Elementary Students Can’t Manage Their Emotions. What Schools Can Do to Help (educatingalllearners.org)
Layla Touchet was teaching 1st grade students a lesson on “the grumpies.” As part of the lesson, students were asked to write or draw two things that help them let go of grumpy feelings. But one of Touchet’s students was defiant. She was not going to do what Touchet asked her to do—she protested that she just wanted to color. It was not the first time.
How architecture changes for the deaf (facebook.com)
Architecture takes on a new look when desiging for the deaf. Here's how.
Why packaging needs to be accessible (businessdisabilityforum.org.uk)
The deadline for Business Disability Forum’s Disability Smart Awards 2025 has been extended until 26 January, so there is still time to submit your nomination.
The parents losing hope over SEND system (bbc.co.uk)
We hear from a family who have been forced into debt over their children's SEND needs
Able Accounts Are Changing (gracedowwrites.com)
Starting this month, disabled people can save more money than ever before in a unique account that allows them to save without jeopardizing their eligibility for Medicaid and other government benefits. Contributions to ABLE accounts can total up to $19,000 in 2025. That represents an increase from $18,000 last year. The shift occurred when the IRS increased the federal gift tax limit. Because the annual deposit limit for ABLE accounts is connected to that figure, it will also increase.
Special ed students benefit from being integrated at school. It doesn't always happen (npr.org)
Research shows including students with and without disabilities in the same classroom can benefit everyone. Two students with Down syndrome show what can be gained when that happens.
Austerity is a cover story for class war, says Yanis Varoufakis (independent.co.uk)
Economics professor points to tax cuts for the wealthy and service cuts for others
Trump’s Return Puts Medicaid on the Chopping Block (kffhealthnews.org)
Republicans in Washington are working on plans to shrink Medicaid, the nearly $900-billion-a-year government health insurance program that covers 1 in 5 Americans.
New guidelines for 3D-printed educational tools that support people who are blind (phys.org)
In a first of its kind, Monash University inclusive technology researchers have developed new guidelines to create 3D printed educational and other accessible tools to support people who are blind or have low vision.
Across California, cities are passing laws criminalizing homelessness in response to the rising numbers of unhoused people. Over 770,000 people are unhoused in the United States with 187,084 of those people living in California.[1] People with disabilities are disproportionately represented among the unhoused population and face greater burdens under criminalization laws.[2] The situation has grown worse since the Supreme Court decision in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson which overturned Ninth Circuit precedent that held that under the 8th Amendment fining and arresting a person forced to live outside because shelter was unavailable was cruel and unusual punishment.[3] Emboldened by this decision, several California cities have passed, and are actively enforcing laws subjecting unhoused people to fines, arrest, and incarceration for life-sustaining activities, such as sleeping, camping, eating, or sitting in public spaces, regardless of the availability of shelter. Many unhoused people with disabilities are unable to meet the demands of criminalization laws, such as requirements to relocate quickly or multiple times a day.
Biden administration moves to limit nicotine in cigarettes and certain other tobacco products (edition.cnn.com)
The US Food and Drug Administration is proposing limits on the level of nicotine in cigarettes and some other types of tobacco products, such as cigars and pipe tobacco, in order to make them less addictive, the agency announced Wednesday.
In California wildfires, disabled people may be left behind (sf.curbed.com)
"Our lives are at stake and thoughts and prayers are not enough"
I’m Not a “Picky Eater,” I’m a Sensory Eater. (intheloopaboutneurodiversity.wordpress.com)
Parents with autistic children often say that they are “picky eaters,” and I was one of those children who was deemed as such. However, autistic people with sensory sensitivities or aversions to tastes and textures are not picky eaters, they are sensory eaters. They might be “picky” in the sense that they may have a very limited diet due to many foods that are ruled out because of them having a disgusting taste or texture that is so repulsive, that they are inedible. However, saying that a child is a “picky” eater has the underlying assumption that being a picky eater is just a phase that they will grow out of, or that they will “just eat it” eventually.
Beyond Hard Hats: Mental Struggles Become the Deadliest Construction Industry Danger (kffhealthnews.org)
The physical hazards of construction work have long been a focus of safety professionals. Yet attention on the psychosocial hazards is relatively new, with suicide and substance use soaring among male construction workers. Mitigating those risks requires more than hard hats, safety vests, and protective goggles.
Everyone seems to be getting sick right now — and the data backs it up (kstp.com)
The Minnesota Department of Health reports nearly 23% of viral testing statewide came back positive for influenza last week, an increase from the week prior.
Honoring the Legacy and Impact of Zona Roberts (thecil.org)
Zona Roberts (1920-2025), a pioneer in the disability rights movement and mother of Ed Roberts, the father of independent living, passed away peacefully in her Berkeley home surrounded by loved ones on Friday, January 10th , 2025.
Doctors, nurses press ahead as wildfires strain Los Angeles’ health care (edition.cnn.com)
The rapidly spreading wildfires that have transformed much of Los Angeles County into a raging hellscape are not only upending the lives of tens of thousands of residents and business owners, but also stressing the region’s hospitals, health clinics, first responders, and nursing homes.
IRS Raises ABLE Account Deposit Limit (disabilityscoop.com)
Starting this month, individuals with disabilities can accrue more money than ever before in a special type of account that allows people to save without jeopardizing access to government benefits.
‘Forever chemicals’ in sludge used to fertilize farms can pose a health risk to people, EPA says (edition.cnn.com)
Chemicals found in sewage sludge that some farmers use to fertilize fields and pastures can pose a threat to human and animal health, the US Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday.
Drugmakers hiked prices for hundreds of drugs in early January (npr.org)
January is a big time for drugmakers to hike prices. This year saw higher prices for 575 medications so far, including Ozempic, drugs for HIV, cancer and many others.
Opinion | Criticizing sign language interpreters as wildfires rage is heartless and outrageous (msnbc.com)
People with disabilities are especially vulnerable in the wildfires that are burning across Southern California.
How Minot provides services for folks with disabilities in winter (msn.com)
The City of Minot Transit is making sure that in these tough winter conditions, folks with disabilities are able to get to the places they need to go.
NASA Open Science Reveals Sounds of Space (science.nasa.gov)
A team from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory converts NASA space data to sound, creating sonifications for more accessible science discovery.
‘Why do you use that thing?’ My daughter who uses a wheelchair had the perfect response (today.com)
Kids’ curiosity can be embarrassing — but I think it can also teach us something.
Moderna May Have The Best Shot At A Vaccine For Stomach Flu (forbes.com)
Cases of norovirus infections are surging, but coming up with a way to prevent them has proven to be a challenge.
After ‘CODA,’ How Is Hollywood Faring on Disability Representation? (thewrap.com)
Apple's Best Picture win was a watershed moment, but the disability community is still fighting for systemic change.
The R-Word: Why Language Matters and How We Can Do Better (thearc.org)
The R-word is loaded with hurt, discrimination, and a painful history. Here's why it's time we ditched it for good.
Law Mandates National Disability Services Clearinghouse (disabilityscoop.com)
The federal government will soon be required to roll out a tool to help people with developmental disabilities access services in their communities.
Gov. DeWine signs 'Madeline's Law,' requiring insurance companies to cover hearing aids (eu.beaconjournal.com)
The law, which was co-sponsored by Sen. Casey Weinstein of Hudson, makes Ohio the 26th state to mandate hearing aid coverage for those under 21.
A real-life perspective on what it is like to go blind (sandiegouniontribune.com)
Author’s mother has a disorder that slowly deteriorates vision — but she says a disability is not a death sentence
Jamie Oliver lifts the lid on his disability ahead of Channel 4 documentary (express.co.uk)
TV chef Jamie Oliver has opened up about the various challenges he faced at school as a youngster.
Skate sleds, ice bikes and more at Muskegon Luge’s accessibility open house (mlive.com)
This free event will showcase the park's adaptive sports equipment.
Special Olympics athlete: ‘I may have a disability, but my spirit is high.’ (nj.com)
Peter Poole, 33, and his teammates won gold on Saturday in the floor hockey competition during the 2025 Winter Games of Special Olympics New Jersey at Absegami High School in Galloway Township.
Pub trivia tweaks help people with disability feel included (abc.net.au)
Minor changes such as dimming lights and using sight cards are helping all-abilities trivia participants forge new friendships.
EMR creates Accessibility Maps to help better inform customers of key facilities (railuk.com)
East Midlands Railway (EMR) has launched new Accessibility Maps, designed to provide customers with comprehensive and easy-to-access information about station facilities across its network.
VR Accessibility: How to Build Games for Differently-Abled Players (tribuneindia.com)
New Delhi [India], January 14: The advent of Virtual Reality (VR) has revolutionized game experience, involving players in strange new worlds which until now were only imagined and giving them opportunities to engage in ways never before considered. However, the introduction of this technology has increasingly meant that due attention must be paid to inclusion, particularly with regard to varying levels of physical ability. In the developing landscape of VR gaming, accessibility for all is not only a matter of morality, it is also essential in order to make games truly universal. This article explores the problems of creating accessible VR games as well as some innovative solutions. It highlights how the importance of inclusivity in our industry is growing. Designing accessible VR games is not just a technical challenge but a step toward creating a truly inclusive gaming experience.
Waterford Viking Marathon launches disability-friendly run (waterford-news.ie)
New guidance on tackling inequalities in people with a learning disability (learningdisabilitytoday.co.uk)
The Social Care Institute for Excellence has created a best practice resource on how to help tackle inequalities for people with a learning disability.
Government's follow-up report on PSBAR accessibility monitoring (abilitynet.org.uk)
The report provides information on how the monitoring and testing process is conducted which will be useful for all public sector organisations to review.
Maria at the beach on a perfect summer day: Carol Allen-Storey’s best photograph (theguardian.com)
‘At times I would be in tears seeing what these families have to face. But this was a gorgeous day during a weekend jaunt to the countryside’
What People with Disabilities Should Do as DEI Programs Begin to Disappear (buttondown.com)
Over the past few years, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs have become more visible in workplaces across the globe. These initiatives were designed to create more inclusive environments for people of all backgrounds, including employees with disabilities. Unfortunately, many organizations are scaling back or eliminating their DEI programs. Companies such as Facebook, McDonald’s, Tractor Supply, and Harley Davidson have dismantled existing DEI initiatives, signaling a concerning, likely politically-driven trend. While these actions may feel disheartening, people with disabilities can take proactive steps to safeguard their workplace rights, ensure their needs are met, and find support.
Disabled people, benefits & employment. Dr Amo Raju OBE DL chats to Asad Ahmad at BBC Radio London (amoraju.com)
Disabled people, benefits & employment. Dr Amo Raju OBE DL chats to Asad Ahmad at BBC Radio London
Financial sector predicts it will spend more on digital accessibility (abilitynet.org.uk)
The financial sector has a significant role to play in setting an example for best practices to achieve in digital inclusion and accessibility.
Why Hire Disabled Workers? 4 Powerful (and Inclusive) Companies Answer (huffpost.com)
There are many businesses that are leading the way in promoting an inclusive workplace, businesses that are proud of the advancements they have made in hiring workers with disabilities. Why are they so passionate about hiring disabled workers?
TIPS FOR SAFELY EVACUATING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES DURING WILDFIRES (linkedin.com)
Tips for Wheelchair Users 1. Plan Your Route - Identify accessible evacuation routes in advance.
TOP 10 ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL TRENDS FOR 2025 (travelabilityinsider.com)
These scenes showcase a vibrant convergence of innovative accessibility solutions, inspiring discussions, and diverse participants dedicated to enhancing travel experiences for individuals with disabilities.
Accessibility Champions of Change to Watch for 2025 (travelabilityinsider.com)
Ross Calladine, Accessibility Inclusion Leader, Visit England. Revolutionizing Hospitality with Accessibility Tools for the Industry. Ross has revolutionized the hospitality industry by creat…
The Labor Crisis Putting People With Disabilities at Risk (thenation.com)
The workers who care for people with disabilities are underpaid, overwhelmed, and increasingly leaving the field. Advocates say action is desperately needed to stem the tide.
Project 2025's plan to dismantle public education—and screw over disabled kids (motherjones.com)
Nearly nine million students rely on DOE-backed disability accommodations.
Fully Funding IDEA: A Democratic Dream or Just an Empty Promise? (newamerica.org)
Sanders and Clinton have both pledged to fully fund IDEA - an expensive proposition that Obama has failed to prioritize.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (sites.ed.gov)
The U.S. Department of Education’s Individuals with Disabilities Education Act website brings together department and grantee IDEA information and resources. The IDEA makes available a free appropriate public education to and ensures special education and related services to eligible children with disabilities.
The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies (disasterstrategies.org)
The Partnership’s Disability & Disaster Hotline provides information, referrals, guidance, technical assistance and resources to people with disabilities, families, allies, and organizations assisting disabled disaster survivors and others seeking assistance with immediate and urgent disaster-related needs.
New method improves AI translation of sign language (disabilityinsider.com)
Sign languages have been developed by nations around the world to fit the local communication style, and each language consists of thousands of signs. This has made sign languages difficult to learn and understand. Using artificial intelligence to automatically translate the signs into words, known as word-level sign language recognition, has now gained a boost in accuracy through the work of an Osaka Metropolitan University-led research group.
How We're Handling the LA Fires (youtube.com)
100% of profits from book sales this week and ad revenue from this video will be donated to two great organizations providing disaster relief in LA: It's Bigger Than Us and LA Dream Center.