Stella Young Award 2024
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
Stella Young Award 2024 (artsaccess.com.au)
Arts Access Victoria cherishes the memory of our collaborator Stella Young and honours her by awarding a young Australian disabled artist each year with $3,000.
How Religion Impacted My Growing Up With a Disability (newmobility.com)
New Year’s Eve 1999 was the first time my parents allowed my siblings and me to stay up past midnight. This made for a killer essay for English class, full of childhood excitement, sparkling cider and Auld Lang Syne. This was also the first year I learned about New Year’s resolutions. My mom had gotten me a goals chart. That night, with her help, I proudly wrote that by year’s end, I would walk unassisted.
Reclaiming The Word Crip: Disability Organisations Using Crip With Pride (criplife.co.uk)
To celebrate our first year at Crip Life™, we honour several other disability organisations that are using the word crip with pride and showing how the word has positive sass and attitude.
Actions not words needed on rail accessibility (julianvaughan.blog)
There is much to unpack from yesterday’s House of Commons Public Accounts Committee hearing discussing UK rail reform.
Navigating crisis with Justice Shorter (downtothestruts.com)
Justice Shorter discusses her work in disability-inclusive disaster protections and emergency management.
About (justiceshorter.com)
Justice Shorter is a skilled organizer/facilitator, Disability Justice amplifier and senior advisor on issues at the intersection of race, disability, gender, climate, and crises. She is a national expert on disability inclusive disaster protections, emergency management and humanitarian crises/conflicts.
The Guidebook (justiceshorter.com)
Formed by Justice Shorter, SeededGround is an agency devoted to content creation that centers people with disabilities in general and people of color with disabilities in particular. We sow justice and harvest dreams through projects that are imaginative and intersectional. Projects are curated in consideration of community needs, creative capacities, and client requests. Our portfolio is comprised of projects that involve accessibility standards/practices, cultural work, advocacy campaigns, cross-movement organizing, multi-media productions, strategic/operational plans, research studies, generative gatherings, and archival efforts. Our work is lovingly wedded to worldbuilding disabled dreams into fruition.
Beyond Rhetoric: Navigating the Realities of Inclusion with Anna’s Story (wileyswalk.com)
Inclusion entails welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds into environments that not only cater to their needs but also appreciate their contributions. Rooted in the principle of universal design, it promotes accessibility from the start. However, the effectiveness of inclusion falters when policies are inadequately implemented, resulting in insufficient support for those most in need (Burgstahler, 2020).
6 ways to become an autism ally (assistiveware.com)
To mark Autism Acceptance Month 2022 we at AssistiveWare want to show 6 ways on how you can be a better ally to autistic people.
Woman refuses to make house wheelchair accessible for cousin's wedding; 'Your bridesmaid is not my problem.' AITA? (someecards.com)
"AITA for refusing to make my house wheelchair accessible?"
YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBOURHOOD TORTURED POET (teawithhb.substack.com)
Hank Green, Cancel Culture, and existential crises!
AAV Flashbacks (artsaccess.com.au)
We are sharing AAV memories this year. So join us in discovering our history. And how AAV fits into the wider arts and disability sector.
The Collective (artsaccess.com.au)
In 2024 AAV turns 50! We are presenting an exhibition from our past and present, to honour and celebrate this legacy.
Annual report 2023 (artsaccess.com.au)
You can find our Annual Report as a PDF and in plain text as a text file and as a word document.
The stage is set for heart-warming ABC doco This Is Going To Be Big (about.abc.net.au)
The ABC is thrilled to announce the premiere broadcast of the award-winning documentary series This Is Going To Be Big on Tuesday, 30 April at 8pm on ABC TV, with all episodes available to stream on ABC iview.
Future Reset – Maker Space Term 2 (artsaccess.com.au)
Brush up on your painting skills! Learn about digital storytelling!
Mojo Festival (schizy.org)
World Schizophrenia Day
Join us in-person for the May 2024 Gathering! (artsaccess.com.au)
The Gathering is our monthly forum for Deaf and Disabled artists and industry guests led by our CEO, Caroline Bowditch.
Free Film Portraiture Workshops for Young People (artsaccess.com.au)
Learn about making portrait photography with Hillvale photographers Clare Steele and Anne Moffat. You’ll use Hillvale recycled disposable (re~di) cameras. The cameras will have 35mm colour film loaded to create fun portraits and self-portraits.
Training (artsaccess.com.au)
Arts Access Victoria is at the forefront of innovative disability arts practice. We are uniquely positioned to provide access training and consultations to arts organisations.
Colostomy Maintenance (newmobility.com)
Lived advice on living well with a colostomy.
A Day in the Life: Dr. Jeff Heinz, D.D.S. (newmobility.com)
Dr. Jeff Heinz says he needs only one word to describe his life: grateful. Gratitude was the theme of a speech he gave recently at a prestigious orthodontic conference, where he talked about becoming a T9 paraplegic in a motorcross accident while in dental school in 2011, and how it didn’t stop him from becoming the only orthodontist in the world to use a wheelchair.
Driving California’s Pacific Coast Highway (newmobility.com)
An accessible itinerary for California’s Pacific Coast Highway.
Handle Hard Better (newmobility.com)
Sitting in my hotel room after the opening day of this year’s Los Angeles Abilities Expo, I kept coming back to something I told an attendee while I was manning United Spinal Association’s booth that day.
Making a Short-Term Rental-Accessible (newmobility.com)
This year I was fortunate enough to escape part of the Canadian winter. Being a quadriplegic, there are a lot of things to consider before making the temporary move to another place. My list of needs in a potential destination is long: minimum 30-inch-wide doors with no sill, no stairs, a comfortable bed I can get into that won’t cause me to sweat or develop pressure sores, a bathroom — with a shower — that can accommodate my commode, a fenced-in backyard for our two dogs and, if possible, an RV pad for our friends to stay on-site. Finding a property that checks every box is very difficult, but with some ingenuity and a few tinkers and hacks, it’s totally doable. Here’s how we did it.
David Holmes: Life After Being Harry Potter’s Stunt Double (newmobility.com)
David Holmes learned that his documentary David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived was nominated for a BAFTA Award in the middle of giving a speech. “I was literally doing a talk at the UK’s largest disability roadshow and as I was reading my speech off my phone, I saw the text message. ‘Congratulations! We’ve just been nominated for a BAFTA,’” says Holmes. “That’s pretty mental news, isn’t it?”
Measuring Success: Setting Our Own Definitions (newmobility.com)
Not because I’m averse to setting standards or expectations … I am actually pretty keen on setting goals, or having ways to evaluate the impact of various aspects of our lives.
Sony Access Controller for PlayStation 5 (newmobility.com)
Early in 2023, I purchased a PlayStation 5, thinking I would be able to play it using my Xbox Adaptive Controller with a third-party adapter. I had read articles about how great the accessibility features were on some of the games that were exclusive to the PlayStation 5, and I was looking forward to trying it. I didn’t know Sony had released a patch for the PS5 that locked out third-party adapters.
The Fear of Exclusion (newmobility.com)
When I was in middle school my entire group of friends started eating lunch at a table that my wheelchair couldn’t get up to. A part of me saw this for what it was — them successfully excluding me — while another part of me refused to believe they could be that cruel and were just eating at a different table because … what? They liked the view better?
Traveling With and Without a Caregiver (newmobility.com)
When it makes sense to bring a caregiver on a trip, when it doesn’t and when it’s tricky.
Jaimen Hudson: Eyes in the Sky (newmobility.com)
Australian quad Jaimen Hudson got into drone photography when he was looking for a hobby, but, he found much more.
Laughing Boy review – Connor Sparrowhawk’s story told with love and fury (theguardian.com)
Sara Ryan’s book about justice for her son, who died in an NHS unit aged 18, has been turned into a play with campaigning passion
Don’t Let Your Bowels Go on Holiday When You Do: Tips to Maintaining Regularity When You Travel (newmobility.com)
Enjoy your favorite foods and drinks on vacation without having to worry about bowel issues.
United Spinal’s Working Groups (newmobility.com)
Behind the curtain of the organization’s targeted advocacy groups.
The new menopause guidance? I’m not dancing in my kitchen about it (thetimes.co.uk)
I can’t celebrate workplace guidelines that misdefine a natural part of women’s lives as a disability. By Mariella Frostrup
Accessibility advisory panel outlines priority issues for disabled passengers (eastwestrail.co.uk)
From level boarding to step-free access, our panel has identified ways to bridge the gap between current standards and best practice with the aim of improving the experience of disabled people on Britain’s railways.
So UK ministers want to fob off disabled people with vouchers? It’s like government by Groupon (theguardian.com)
What ministers herald as key reform would be laughable if it wasn’t so harmful, says Guardian columnist Frances Ryan
Students as young as five with disabilities disproportionately suspended from Australia’s schools (theguardian.com)
Guardian Australia data analysis shows suspensions are increasing in most states. Students with disabilities are overrepresented
Dining In The Dark 2024 (blindinstituteoftechnology.org)
Mark your calendars for October 12, 2024 for the Blind Institute of Technology Dining In The Dark Halloween Costume Ball! Come in costume if you dare! More details will be coming soon! Stay tuned!
Guide Dogs UK blames cost of living crisis as it plans 160 redundancies (theguardian.com)
Largest trainer of dogs in country is trying to prevent an estimated £20m funding gap opening up by 2026.
‘I know what it’s like to be stared at’: Shardlake star Arthur Hughes on playing CJ Sansom’s disabled Tudor sleuth (theguardian.com)
He was the first disabled actor to play Richard III at the RSC. As he appears as Shardlake, the star recalls the parts that made him – and explains why this latest character is like the Lone Ranger
thortful | Lost Voice Guy 's greeting cards (thortful.com)
Discover more of Lost Voice Guy 's greeting cards on thortful.
Episode 122: Cures (theaccessiblestall.com)
Yeah. Let’s talk about curing disability. We’re going there. Click here for an AI transcript for this episode. This episode is brought to you by ADA Illustrated, written by Wyatt Tuell.
Teaching assistants are the backbone of a crumbling education system (theguardian.com)
Letters: Jenny Hartland says special needs support is being handed over to staff with no experience, while Susan Buckley says teaching assistants are being saddled with extra work for no extra pay. Plus letters from Dr Jeff Penfold and Toby Wood
The Inaccessible Path to Enlightenment (newmobility.com)
There are many paths to enlightenment. But for wheelchair users the path is often unpaved, with stairs, and filled with a lot of small-minded people. In my early experiences with Christianity, I was continually told that if I just loved Jesus enough, I would walk again. I hoped that when I shifted gears toward Eastern religion, I’d be moving closer to finding enlightenment. Then I attended a silent Vipassana retreat in rural Canada.
Wellbeing Hub (disabilityaction.org)
At the Wellbeing Hub, we believe in creating a supportive and inclusive community where everyone can thrive, regardless of their abilities. Our mission is to empower individuals with disabilities to lead fulfilling lives by providing essential support services focused on their holistic well-being.
Disability Action Wellbeing hub (disabilityaction.org)
Discover a Community of Support at the Wellbeing Hub! Explore our range of programs and services designed to empower individuals with disabilities to live fulfilling lives. From counseling and mental health support to peer networking and advocacy resources, find everything you need to thrive. Join us in creating a more inclusive world where everyone has the opportunity to flourish. Visit our webpage today and be a part of something truly transformative!
Digital Accessibility Experts Live (eventbrite.co.uk)
Monthly webinars to help leaders with digital accessibility challenges to find solutions as they accelerate digital projects.
AI, Accessibility and Users with Disabilities (GAAD) (eventbrite.co.uk)
Get ready to dive into the world of artificial intelligence and digital accessibility!
Consensus workshops: Assistive Products Repair (disabilityinnovation.com)
Two in-person consensus workshops to explore the complexity of repair and maintenance of Assistive Products in the UK, and how it relates to the rest of the value chain (from the industry, commissioners, and users under-represented by current repair strategies - to the barriers to optimising Assistive Products provision).
OTWorld (ot-world.com)
OTWorld in Leipzig is the biggest and most important event worldwide for producers, wholesalers and users of the care industry.
Access and Representation in the Entertainment Industry (guidedogs.com)
At Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB), we believe that everyone deserves to move through the world safely and confidently—to live the life they want to live.
Superheroes Are Raised — Not Born — That Way (mom.com)
A 9-year-old girl came to me with a difficult problem. In a class of over 20 kids, one girl was continually unkind to the other girls. She teased them in whispers when the teacher couldn’t hear. She made jokes at their expense to get a laugh from the other kids at the table. She excluded others during recess.
Bird flu outbreak in humans suspected on Texas farm (dailymail.co.uk)
Veterinarians are warning they are hearing of farmers showing tell-tale symptoms of bird flu infections in Texas and Wisconsin. A total of 44 people are under monitoring by the CDC.
Vouchers for disabled people? All aboard the 'hating us' bus for our next batshit destination! (thecanary.co)
This isn't about cutting PIP, argues Canary columnist Rachel Charlton-Dailey, Vouchers for disabled people is about demonising us further.
Special school pupils ‘tortured’ in calming rooms, BBC investigation finds (bbc.com)
The BBC has obtained confidential material revealing appalling abuse and neglect affecting 39 pupils.
We Tried the Top Apps for Travelers with Disabilities. Here's What We Found (thrillist.com)
Because travel should be for everyone.
University of Oklahoma assists in New National Suicide Prevention Plan (disabilityinsider.com)
The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, announced its federal action plan to carry out the work of the new National Strategy for Suicide Prevention — a structure developed with expertise from the University of Oklahoma.
Specialist autism diagnostic service launches for at-risk young people (disabilityinsider.com)
A first-of-its-kind service is underway from this month to provide autism assessments to South Australians who are at at-risk.
WHO and France host high-level meeting to tackle meningitis (disabilityinsider.com)
Global leaders highlight the need to defeat meningitis – a leading cause of disability – at a high-level meeting co-hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Government of France, under the High Patronage of Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic. The event is taking place on 26-27 April 2024 at the Institut Pasteur and is supported by prominent athletes advocating on the cause ahead of the Paris Paralympics.
Independent review launched into NZ Disability Support Services (disabilityinsider.com)
The New Zealand government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha.
UK government to reform disability benefits system (disabilityinsider.com)
Plans to make the disability benefits system fit for the future and overhaul the “one size fits all” , following the Prime Minister’s speech which set out the government’s wide-ranging ambitions for welfare reform.
Interlake Region of Manitoba set to introduce Wheelchair-Accessible Transit System (disabilityinsider.com)
The Interlake Region of Manitoba will benefit from on-demand public transit with an investment of $97,971 from the federal government.
Tasmania urged to implement Human Rights Legislation (disabilityinsider.com)
Tasmania should enact laws that better protect human rights, a new research paper from the Tasmania Law Reform Institute (TLRI) has recommended.
Your route to a career in journalism (ablemagazine.co.uk)
We’re seeking talented and motivated individuals to join our Certificate in Foundation in Journalism course, which has already created pathways to employment for our graduates.
Tom Babinszki – founder and director of Even Grounds (axschat.com)
Tom Babinszki is the founder and director of Even Grounds, a company that helps organizations make their products and services accessible to people with disabilities. Tom, who is blind himself, has over 20 years of experience in the field of accessibility. He has worked with a wide range of clients, including government agencies, Fortune 500 companies, and non-profit organizations. Tom is also an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland, where he teaches a course on accessible design. He holds a Master’s degree in Information Systems Management and is a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC). According to his LinkedIn profile, Tom is also an experienced speaker and trainer, offering services such as accessibility compliance training, disability empathy and awareness training, and VPAT/ACR services.
Mentally ill people being used as ‘political football’, campaigners say (theguardian.com)
Clinicians say crackdown on people eligible for Pip payments does not address UK’s long-term sickness problem
Reflecting on my younger self’s attitude towards vision impairment (myblurredworld.com)
It’s been nine years since I clicked ‘publish’ on my very first blog post, a fact that feels quite surreal to write and one that has naturally sent me on my way down memory lane.
How to get fair funding for disabled students: start by removing some hurdles (theguardian.com)
The system is rigged
"Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" by Taylor Swift Resonates with Me as a Disabled Person: Here's Why (thesqueakywheelchairblog.com)
Today I write not as The Squeaky Wheelchair, but rather as the Swiftie Wheelchair… I, like millions of others, waited with excitement and delight for the arrival of Taylor Swift’s 11th album, The Tortured Poets Department (TTPD). And before you pipe up and say, “I don’t like her!”, I have great news to share: you don’t have to.
Postsecondary Program Dealt A Blow Costing Students $600,000 A Year In Federal Aid (disabilityscoop.com)
The U.S. Department of Education ruled that students with developmental disabilities attending a postsecondary program that long qualified for financial aid could no longer access such assistance.
74 Interview: Minnesota’s Groundbreaking Push for Teacher Training on Ableism (the74million.org)
Lobbyist Jillian Nelson barely survived special ed in HS. Now, she’s working to bring the disability justice movement to the state's classrooms.
Family of teenager who died after over a year in hospital told to pay back £8,000 in overpaid benefits (news.sky.com)
Sudiksha Thirumalesh's parents say they were forced to give up work to be at her bedside and faced a legal battle to stop the hospital moving the 19-year-old into palliative care.
Designer limbs: top pimped-up prosthetics (disabilityhorizons.com)
From the weird to the wonderful, we’ve been looking for the latest, coolest, most innovative and quirkiest prosthetic limbs. Who said disability can’t be beautiful? Prepare to be amazed, shocked, or awestruck…
Ableism Explained: Using other Damaging Minority Stereotypes (crutchesandspice.com)
With the recent theatrical release of Ableist propaganda film, Me Before You, disabled activists have raised their voices in anger over the portrayal of disability and the suicide of the main character. This have left many able-bodied people asking: what’s the big deal? Their desire to see a film that makes them feel good about themselves far outweighs the voices of those speaking in protest of the film. On my own newsfeed I see people who would ordinarily call out Hollywood’s detrimental portrayal of their own minority endorsing the film. So that’s exactly what I’m going to use, stereotypes that already piss them off, to explain ableism.
European Regional Disability Summit 2024 (edf-feph.org)
Following the model of the Global Disability Summit 2022 (GDS2022), the co-hosts of GDS2025 have recommended the organisation of regional pre-summits. These gatherings aim to stimulate international collaboration and place emphasis on region-specific dialogues that will ultimately lead to the establishment of commitments.
How the rise of autism and ADHD fractured Australia’s schools (theguardian.com)
Almost a million Australian schoolchildren now have a disability – that’s one in four enrolments. Parents, teachers and advocates say education is at crisis point
Video of the Texas School for the Deaf in the 1960s (deafnewstoday.com)
The Texas Archive of the Moving Image has posted footage showing a day at Austin's Texas School for the Deaf in the 1960s.
The Monarch and The TGIL: Bringing a World of Tactile Graphics to Students' Fingertips (aph.org)
A student who is blind or low vision sees about a dozen tactile graphics in a school year, while their sighted peers have access to a dozen graphics in a single class period. APH’s Monarch, along with its ability to connect to the Tactile Graphic Image Library (TGIL), closes this gap and presents a whole new path to tactile understanding that was previously unavailable to students with visual impairments.
Featuring Katherine Castellucci (cripticarts.org)
We've recently hosted the talented Katherine Castellucci as an intern - but what's next for her, as a disabled performer and activist?
Reflections from our Artistic Director on 2024 Artist Development Applications (cripticarts.org)
One of my favourite parts of the CRIPtic year is reviewing the applications for our programmes – and one of the hardest parts of the year is selecting people to take up places on these programmes. Inevitably, we’re faced with an enormous range of artists, practices, ideas, and possibilities, and narrowing that down is very challenging.
People with depression or anxiety could lose sickness benefits, says UK minister (theguardian.com)
Mel Stride says therapy or respite could be offered instead of Pip payments to those with ‘milder’ mental health issues
Scope Disability Equality Awards – different by design, better by outcome! (ablemagazine.co.uk)
The Scope Disability Equality Awards took place on Thursday 25 April 2024 at the Kia Oval in London and proved again, what an incredible privilege it is to be part of the disability community.
Humza Yousaf quits as Scotland’s first minister; John Swinney ‘actively’ considering standing for SNP leader – UK politics live (theguardian.com)
Scotland’s first minister resigns after failing to muster enough votes to survive a no confidence vote this week
Beyond 6 Seconds: Finding acceptance as an autistic biracial gay woman – with Grace Liu (sites.libsyn.com)
First impressions can take only 6 seconds to make! But if you’re neurodivergent, those quick judgments about you can be misleading.
Shardlake: Arthur Hughes Portrays Disability Differently In 16th-Century Britain (criplife.co.uk)
We speak to British actor Arthur Hughes about his lead role in Disney's new original series "Shardlake", a drama about a hunchback lawyer in Tudor times.
Midlands Charity CEO Recognised As A National Positive Role Model (amoraju.com)
CEO of Derby based Disability Direct, Dr Amo Raju OBE DL won ‘The Positive Role Model Award’ at the annual Disability Equality Awards organised by national charity – SCOPE. The ceremony, hosted by World and Paralympic Champion – Kadeena Cox, took place on the evening of Thursday 25th April at the Kia Oval Cricket Stadium in London and was attended by disabled people from across the UK.
Disabled boy attempted suicide after being suspended for touching teacher’s face, mother claims (theguardian.com)
The then 16-year-old was ‘an absolute mental wreck’ after the incident, his mother says.
Children's Books Recognized For Stories About Disabilities (bit.ly)
Several new children's books are claiming honors alongside the famed Newbery and Caldecott Medals for featuring storylines focused on the experiences of those with disabilities.
Reality, not religion, is the reason people need MAiD-free health care (policyoptions.irpp.org)
Ableism and its “better dead than disabled” bias makes assisted dying a terrifying threat for too many people. They deserve safety from it.
Iranian artist opening Leeds show exploring disability and migration (theguardian.com)
Paralympian Mohammad Barrangi hopes his work will help people think of human stories behind headlines about migration
Revealed: private school students reap thousands more than public students in disability funding (theguardian.com)
Exclusive: new data shows children with disabilities at wealthy fee-paying schools are receiving up to six times the government support funding as those at public schools
Why the Guardian is investigating the deep failings in Australia’s school system (theguardian.com)
Australia says it is committed to inclusive education. But the reality for the one in four schoolchildren who now have a disability is far from that
How NASA turns pictures of the universe into sound (youtube.com)
Now researchers are converting these images into sound as part of a research projects to help people who are blind or living with low vision to experience the wonders of space.
There was once a small Virginia town with a thriving deaf community. She's working to bring it back. (wtvr.com)
Lantz Mills roots stretch back to the 1760s when a family with deaf loved ones settled in the small Virginia town.
Don’t Ignore the Signs: Early Signs of Lupus all Sistas Should Know (blackdoctor.org)
Black women are in no position to ignore the early signs of lupus. Here are the early warning signs you should know.
Study recommends exposing deaf children to sign language before and after cochlear implantation (medicalxpress.com)
Many researchers and clinicians advise the parents of a deaf child waiting for a cochlear implant to avoid sign language and focus exclusively on spoken language.
UN’s ‘damning verdict’ is ‘vindication’ of fightback against government’s rights violations (disabilitynewsservice.com)
Disabled people’s organisations have welcomed the “damning verdict” of a UN committee on the government’s track record on key disability rights over the last seven years.
You know it when you see it: Here are some movies that got sex scenes right (npr.org)
Good sex scenes are like any other kind of good filmmaking: It comes down to execution with purpose and care, done relative to whatever the function of the scene might be.
From Soweto to Nairobi: Radio Founder’s Journey to Advocate for Disability Rights in Broadcasting (thisability.co.za)
Tebogo Poopedi, the visionary founder and broadcaster of Skills Village Radio, an internet radio station based in Soweto, South Africa, has been invited to participate at this year’s Inable Conference in Kenya.
British Deaf Association reveals the UK’s 2024 British Sign Language Poet Laureate winner (bda.org.uk)
The British Deaf Association (BDA) is proud to announce the winner of their second annual BSL (British Sign Language) Poet Laureate competition.
Paraorchestra: Death Songbook live review – bittersweet ballads with Brett Anderson and friends (theguardian.com)
Charles Hazlewood’s boundary-breaking ensemble guide the Suede singer and special guests through an elegiac evening grown out of the pandemic
'Invisible'–More Women Veterans Are Dying of Suicide and VA Still Lacks Resources, Advocates Say (thewarhorse.org)
The rate of women veterans dying by suicide is growing, showing VA lacks systems to protect them and that women veterans are invisible, advocates said.
Black disabled pupils face systemic barriers and injustice at school, says new report (disabilitynewsservice.com)
A new report has shown how black disabled pupils in mainstream schools are exposed to “systemic and structural barriers and injustice”.
Sign Song Dancers raise awareness about Deaf community (weau.com)
The Sign Song Dancers is a performance group that includes Deaf and hard-of-hearing students from the Wisconsin School for the Deaf.
Possibilities Documentary (afb.org)
Possibilities is a documentary film celebrating the legacy of Helen Keller as told through the shared stories of 21st-century voices. Possibilities is a co-production of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and BeachGlass Films. The film’s director, Bill Sarine, brought together a collaborative team comprised of both blind and sighted individuals. The full-length documentary proudly stands as the first widely released film to offer open audio description, ensuring accessibility for all audiences.
Lloyd runs into the Guinness World Record Books (specialolympicsgb.org.uk)
Ascot United Warriors and Prime Acrobatics athlete Lloyd Martin ran his way into the Guinness World Record Books yesterday by completing the TCS London Marathon.
Rain Bosworth studies how deaf children experience the world (sciencenews.org)
Deaf experimental psychologist Rain Bosworth has found that babies are primed to learn sign language just like spoken language.
NACDL + RespectAbility: Fostering Disability-Inclusive Cultures and Workplaces (respectability.org)
An engaging webinar on welcoming and including people with disabilities at your organization as staff, leaders, and other key stakeholders.
From Survivor to Advocate for Mental Health and Peer Support (katiepiperfoundation.org.uk)
In the wake of the traumatic burns she suffered at Leeds Festival in 2014, Amy not only battled physical pain but also endured the profound mental and emotional toll of PTSD and anxiety. Despite not knowing about available support during her recovery, Amy found purpose in her pain, channelling her experiences into a mission to help others facing similar struggles. Her journey led her to discover the transformative power of peer support and the vital role it plays in healing and recovery.
Review: Wheelchair Accessible Caledonian Sleeper Train (London to Glasgow) (wheelchairtravel.org)
The Caledonian Sleeper train provides wheelchair accessible cabins and overnight service between London and five stations in Scotland.
Inspiration oder Klischee? So außergewöhnlich sind Menschen mit Behinderung (youtube.com)
As a wheelchair user, I often experience situations where everyday things are seen as extraordinary. But why is that? In this video, I explain the phenomenon of 'Inspiration Porn'.
Training on Disabled Women and Political Participation (enil.eu)
In partnership with Elena Ratoi, ENIL presents a two-session training on empowering disabled women in political participation and leadership. This program, designed for up to 30 participants, offers a certificate upon completion.
IO - whitecane. (whitecane.com)
IO is a White Cane for people with visual impairment. It is very light, ergonomic and particularly visible by day and night.
How Colorado's first legislator to use a wheelchair reveals accessibility gaps (ca.news.yahoo.com)
Colorado Rep. David Ortiz uses his platform as a lawmaker and the state's first legislator in a wheelchair to ignite change.
The Next Frontier for Brain Implants Is Artificial Vision (wired.com)
Elon Musk’s Neuralink and others are developing devices that could provide blind people with a crude sense of sight.
New Starbucks cups reduce plastic and water waste while bettering accessibility to the visually impaired (cbsnews.com)
Starbucks unveiled the new cups ahead of Earth Day and as a new report warns plastic production emissions are even greater than those from aviation.
Chuck E. Cheese partners with American Society for Deaf Children to improve accessibility (pizzamarketplace.com)
Chuck E. Cheese is partnering with the American Society for Deaf Children to improve accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing children and their families, according to a press release.
AI And Digital Tech: Enabling Inclusive Tourism – OpEd (eurasiareview.com)
The market segment devoted to catering to the needs of individuals with disabilities constitutes a substantial and burgeoning component of the global tourism landscape, with AI and digital tools playing an increasingly pivotal role in facilitating accessibility and inclusivity.
Accessible Tourism Sees a Major Milestone in Global Travel and Tourism Industry (travelandtourworld.com)
In recent years, the travel and tourism industry has reached a significant milestone in its journey towards inclusivity and accessibility. Accessible tourism, which aims to ensure that tourist destinations, products, and services are accessible to all people, regardless of their physical limitations, disabilities, or age, has gained momentum across the globe.
Ski resorts and accessibility: How well are they doing? (travelweekly.com)
There are adaptive skiing and riding opportunities, says one expert, but individuals with mobility limitations continue to face challenges upon arrival.
Sensory accessibility: Theaters create a welcoming space for guests (triblive.com)
When Amy Hart caught a glimpse of daughter Sophie jumping up and down in her seat in the theater, she began to tear up. Artists from the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s “The Nutcracker” were dancing on stage in a sensory-friendly performance in 2021, and 14-year-old Sophie and her friend were smiling and moving to the music.
LGBTQ and Disability Advocate Speaks on Vision Impairment, Accessibility (outsfl.com)
When talking about myths of people with disabilities, Katherine Allen says there’s more to deafness and blindness than people think.
Disney is trying to crack down on able-bodied guests exploiting its policies. But the disabled say it's punishing them instead.
Works from artists with disabilities featured in historic exhibition in San Francisco (pbs.org)
Creative Growth is an art center in Oakland that supports artists with disabilities. The center has artworks in museums across the country and plays a big part in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art's new exhibition. Jeffrey Brown reports for our ongoing look at health and the arts for our CANVAS series.
Para-standing tennis clinic serves up accessibility (moco360.media)
The free event at Georgetown Prep highlighted a variation on the racket sport
On April 24, 2024, the Federal Register published the Department of Justice’s (Department) final rule updating its regulations for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The final rule has specific requirements about how to ensure that web content and mobile applications (apps) are accessible to people with disabilities.
Inside the UK spa leading the way for accessibility (cntraveller.com)
Is this the UK's most inclusive spa?
Wait for train accessibility funding 'incredibly disappointing' (bbc.com)
A train firm says it has been waiting two years for a decision on funding to improve station access.
How comic books are becoming more accessible (creativereview.co.uk)
Sound, tactile materials and new technologies are all being used to help bring the visual storytelling of comics to life for blind and partially sighted people
Saskatchewan recognized ASL and Indigenous sign languages as official languages — and resources are needed for services (theconversation.com)
Truly fostering accessible educational opportunities for deaf students can only happen with ongoing political and financial support.
Disability benefit won’t lift Canadians in need above poverty line: advocates - National (globalnews.ca)
Despite being touted by the Liberals as the budget’s largest line item, critics say the funding won't help the 1.4 million disabled people living in poverty across Canada.
‘A real letdown’: Disabled B.C. man reacts to federal disability benefit (globalnews.ca)
“It was almost like a dagger going through my heart — a real letdown,” the B.C. man said. “After finding out that it was only $200, it was very disheartening.”
Making Passover accessible: Haggadah for people with disabilities (jpost.com)
A disabilities charity develops interactive digital haggadah to make seder more inclusive.
Research center identifies accessibility challenges for middle and lower classes (tehrantimes.com)
The Research Center of the Iranian Parliament has reported that a significant portion of the middle and lower classes of society, as well as the disabled and elderly, have been deprived of the benefits of tourism due to the lack of infrastructure and supportive policies.
New technology trials to enhance bus accessibility across New South Wales (intelligenttransport.com)
New technologies trialed in NSW aim to enhance bus accessibility for vision-impaired and mobility-challenged passengers.
Empowering Communities: Enhancing Accessibility to Autism-Friendly Dental Care (oconeeenterprise.com)
For individuals on the autism spectrum, navigating dental care can present significant challenges, often resulting in long waits and apprehension. In such instances, the partnership between dental practitioners and professionals who work with individuals on the autism spectrum becomes not only beneficial but essential
The European Accessibility Act Compliance Deadline Is Approaching — Are You Ready? (forrester.com)
The European Accessibility Act deadline is approaching, are you ready? Read on to learn how best to prepare.
JAN Webcast Series - April 2024 - Accommodating Employees w/Diverse Cognitive and Neurological Needs (youtube.com)
Accommodating cognitive and neurological disabilities, such as mental health conditions, attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder, brain injury and seizure disorders, in the workplace may pose unique considerations that do not exist with other disabilities, as the need for accommodations may not always be apparent. Potential complexities may arise in understanding employee limitations, identifying the root causes, and determining effective accommodations. Employers may encounter scenarios involving medical documentation, applying performance and conduct standards, ensuring safety, preserving confidentiality, and more. Join us for a session that explores complex accommodation scenarios in the workplace and discover effective solutions to help maintain productive employees with diverse needs.
Innovating Accessibility: Leveraging Technology to Support the Visually Impaired (medium.com)
Can Technology Help in Developing Apps for the Visually Impaired?
COMIC: To prevent digital eye strain, give those peepers a little love : Life Kit (npr.org)
You can strain your eyes if you stare at a screen for too long, say eye doctors — and that can cause eye fatigue, headaches and blurry vision. Nip those symptoms in the bud with these eye care tips.
Inclusivity Unveiled: Decoding Why Accessibility Is Critical in Web Development (itprotoday.com)
Adherence to these accessibility principles is essential for creating inclusive websites and applications.
Welcoming Museum Visitors with Unapparent Disabilities (rowman.com)
Welcoming Museum Visitors with Unapparent Disabilities exploreshow international cultural organizations (i.e. museums, aquariums, art centers) serve individuals with mental health and neurodiverse challenges. Opening chapters present the status of mental health in society and the need for inclusive design.
Crafting internal accessibility guidelines for social media content (ragan.com)
How communicators can create an environment where everyone feels empowered to engage.
D&I Weekly News Round-Up: Accessibility, and more (ericsson.com)
Ericsson’s weekly D&I news round up with the latest insights for diversity, inclusion and belonging.
Conducting Accessibility Research In An Inaccessible Ecosystem (smashingmagazine.com)
Conducting UX research that includes participants with a variety of disabilities is vital to building inclusive technology, but most prototypes used for testing are inaccessible. Rather than continuing to leave out feedback from disabled consumers, which ultimately leads to exclusive technology, researchers must get creative in their workarounds and be relentless in their efforts.
Making the business case: accessibility for differently-abled people (hrexecutive.com)
This expert shares how orgs can promote consumer and talent success by designing digital experiences with accessibility in mind.
Designing for Web Accessibility: A Complete Guide to WCAG (creativepro.com)
Awareness surrounding web accessibility has surged in recent years, due to the significant number of people with disabilities and the growing legal requirements for compliance. In a world that increasingly relies on digital interactions, prioritizing inclusivity is no longer just a choice but a necessity.
Meet Cheryl Jacobs: a wheelchair user and scientist (unitedspinal.org)
Scientist and wheelchair user Cheryl Jacobs shares how United Spinal Association supports her and changed her life.
More Than Accessibility: One Nonprofit’s Design for Independence (buildings.com)
The new headquarters of Becoming Independent provides centralization and adaptability. This renovated space features an inclusive design that empowers its population.
Including Disability In Children’s Storytelling Universe (reframingdisability.substack.com)
In this 13th issue, hear from Shivani Dhillon about including disability perspectives in storytelling for children, camelCase/PascalCase hashtags, WBFO’s Disabilities Beat, a mental health summit for journalists, the inaugural Reframing Disability meet-up in Bengaluru and an invitation to contribute.
When does 'old age' really begin? Seniors think 75 is the new 65 (studyfinds.org)
According to an international team's findings, people in their mid-60s now believe "old age" begins around 75.
The Critical Role Of Ethical Leadership In Enhancing Accessibility (forbes.com)
By advocating for and implementing inclusive practices, leaders can significantly impact the lives of individuals, fostering a more equitable and inclusive society.
Making Play Accessible for All with Team UP and Easterseals (corporate.comcast.com)
In recognition of Global Volunteer Month this April, we are proud to highlight the thousands of Comcast volunteers who are positively impacting their communities all year long.
These 10 States Have the Healthiest Populations (usnews.com)
Characteristics like lower mortality and lower obesity drive better population health in this group of states.
Advocating for Better Accessibility in Athens (youtube.com)
Athens residents gather to 'Walk, Talk and Roll' for better accessibility in the city.
Kiyun Kim: From Intern to Accessibility Advocate (nasa.gov)
Kiyun Kim began at Goddard as a summer intern. Impressed by the center’s community bonds, Kim is now co-chair of a center resource group that champions accessibility and inclusivity.
Can accessible design be interesting? (creativereview.co.uk)
Accessible design has gotten an unfair reputation of being ‘dull’ or ‘uninspiring’ over the years, but times are changing and it’s being embraced as a creative challenge rather than a challenge to creativity
Challenge and conformity (disabilitydebrief.org)
K-pop, carnival, therapy, and critiques of inclusion
Donna Bungard Speaker Reel (youtube.com)
Donna Bungard is a dedicated advocate for disability inclusion and its technical arm - accessibility. Holding international certifications in accessibility, Donna brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Currently pursuing a MS in Global Technology and Development, she is committed to staying at the forefront of her field. As a member of the disabled community, Donna understands the importance of ensuring inclusivity in all aspects of our work. At Indeed, Donna plays a pivotal role in integrating disability inclusion into the fabric of the organization, working tirelessly to ensure that accessibility is not just a checkbox, but that an understanding of the disability community is a fundamental part of Indeed’s view of our job seekers.
Citizen Science at Work: How Project Sidewalk is Revolutionizing Sidewalk Accessibility (youtube.com)
Join John Froelich as he showcases Project Sidewalk's groundbreaking collaboration with community groups and government partners worldwide to address systematic inequalities in urban planning for people with disabilities.
Episode 49: Innovation: Innovation as a Driver of Accessibility (suu.edu)
The current series of podcasts is focused on innovation, and we're excited to showcase ideas from various industries and people worldwide. In episode 49, President Scott L Wyatt and Professor Steve Meredith invite Arizona State University’s Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer Sethuraman (Panch) Panchanathan to discuss innovation as a driver of growth and accessibility, ASU’s inclusion charter, and the benefits of online education.
An ambassador for accessibility (penntoday.upenn.edu)
How Leslie Vallhonrat is helping to make the Penn Libraries web presence more useable for everyone.
UniCredit switches to Mastercard Touch Card™ with accessibility features for blind and partially sighted people (mastercard.com)
As part of its partnership with Mastercard, UniCredit is upgrading all its debit, credit and prepaid cards to Mastercard Touch Card™
Sesame Place Philadelphia will host low-sensory days to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month in June (nbcphiladelphia.com)
Sesame Place will be offering low sensory days in June to make the park more accommodating for guests on the Autism spectrum.
American Dream theme parks designated ‘Certified Autism Centers’ (njbiz.com)
To earn the distinction, the indoor attractions trained 80% or more of public-facing team members in how to better communicate with and respond to autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals.
P&G aims to make 100% accessible advertising across Europe (creativebrief.com)
Speaking at the Creative Equals RISE conference Taide Guajardo, Chief Brand Officer at P&G Europe called on the industry to collaborate to accelerate change.
Enhancing Accessibility at the Ancient City of Pompeii (ilmattino.it)
Another piece to implement the accessibility and enjoyment of the ancient city of Pompeii. The Archaeological Park adds to the initiatives aimed at promoting the inclusion of all citizens in the cultural heritage the guides “Museum for everyone - Pompeii”, born from the collaboration with the team of Museum for everyone of the association L'abilità onlus in collaboration with Fondazione De Agostini. Thanks to these guides, written in Easy to read language and with the symbols of Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC), the archaeological park becomes accessible to people with intellectual disabilities. The guides created for the Archaeological Park together with L'abilità onlus, will be presented on April 22 at 11:00 AM during an event that will see the participation of the General Director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the Manager for investment 1.2 accessibility for the General Directorate Museums, Maria Rosaria Lo Muzio, the Accessibility Manager of the Park, Arianna Spinosa, the Director of services of L'abilità onlus, Carlo Riva, Marcella Drago, General Secretary of the Fondazione De Agostini who supported the work of Museum for everyone in Pompeii, and the associations Il Tulipano Onlus, la Scintilla and the Dismet (Department of Translational Medical Sciences) of the Federico II with children with autism spectrum disorders and/or with intellectual disabilities who, as part of their therapeutic pathways, follow some projects aimed at occupational insertion through the enjoyment of cultural heritage at and in collaboration with the Park. Also present will be some classes from the Liceo Pascal of Pompeii, who actively participate in initiatives of inclusion and accessibility at the Pompeii site. After the presentation to the press, it will be possible to participate in a guided tour conducted by the 'Museum for everyone' team with facilitated guidance.
Two accessibility apps selected for trial on NSW buses (busnews.com.au)
Two emerging public transport accessibility apps have been chosen for a bus and coach service trial in NSW.
Deep Dive: Expanding accessibility for As Dusk Falls’ PlayStation port (gamedeveloper.com)
How bringing As Dusk Falls to new platforms presented the perfect opportunity to upgrade accessibility features.
Activision Blizzard and AbleGamers’ fundraiser champions inclusive design (venturebeat.com)
Activision Blizzard and AbleGamers have launched a fundraising campaign, as part of the company's work together on inclusive design.
Designing for disability: how video games become more accessible : The Indicator from Planet Money (npr.org)
Gaming provides entertainment and community for billions of people worldwide. However, video games haven't always been accessible to those with disabilities. But this is changing.Today, in the next installment of our series on the business of video games, we explain how accessibility has become an increasingly important priority for game developers and how advocates pushed them to this point.Related episodes:Forever games: the economics of the live service model (Apple / Spotify)For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
How To Use PlayStation's Chat Transcription Accessibility Feature (msn.com)
In the world of technology, accessibility is critical, and Sony's PS5 has this in spades. Here's how to use the Chat Transcription party on your console.
Why accessible gaming is about more than games (creativereview.co.uk)
We hear from RNIB’s Lorna Forbes and gaming critic and consultant Laura Dale about how the industry is rethinking its approach to making games playable for everyone, and why communication is key – even if it means admitting failures.
Write Alt Text Like You’re Talking To A Friend (cloudfour.com)
“There was this dog wearing safety glasses, surrounded by chemistry equipment, saying ‘I have no idea what I’m doing.’”
Can touchless tech create 'equitable' gaming? (bbc.com)
Click reporter Paul Carter has a go at playing Minecraft with his eyes.
Pocket Gamer Connects conference (rnib.org.uk)
Earlier this year, RNIB's Jonny Marshall had the opportunity to attend the Pocket Gamer Connects video games conference in London, with the aim of raising the importance of accessibility features for gamers with vision impairments from across the sight loss spectrum. Find out about his experience of the event in his article below.
Content Guru Adds Enhanced Accessibility Features to storm® to Enable Inclusive User Experiences (directorsclub.news)
Content Guru, a leading global provider of cloud contact centre and CX technology, has announced the release of new updates to its award-winning contact centre solution, storm®, which will deliver increased accessibility for customer service agents and back-office users.
The AI Tool Enhancing Web Access For Those With Color Vision Deficiencies (peopleofcolorintech.com)
Parham Aarabi has developed an AI tool, named PRE, that could change how e-commerce sites cater to users with color vision deficiencies.
Microsoft's Surface event spotlighted new accessibility features and accessories (msn.com)
Tech that'll help people.
Muirhead promotes accessibility with neurodiverse-friendly seat covers (runwaygirlnetwork.com)
Scottish aviation leather supplier Muirhead has just unveiled its vision for neurodiverse-friendly aircraft seat covers.
PIA Unveils New Android App – Redesigned for More Customization (privateinternetaccess.com)
The revamped PIA Android app boasts a sleek new UI redesign and updated code for enhanced performance. Experience seamless privacy and security on-the-go with our latest release!
Haptic Solution to Support XR Accessibility for the Visually Impaired (xrtoday.com)
XR Today reports on the latest extended reality news from around the globe, including virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality.
Challenge accepted: new app trial to improve bus accessibility (transport.nsw.gov.au)
New technology aimed at supporting members of the community who are blind or vision impaired is being trialled to help access bus services.
PBS Looks To Make Kids' Shows More Accessible (disabilityscoop.com)
PBS Kids is reworking many of its most popular shows to be more accessible to children with disabilities.
Voting Experiences Since HAVA: Perspectives of People with Disabilities (eac.gov)
This EAC report, developed in partnership with Rutgers University, explores how the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) impacted the voting experiences of voters with disabilities since it was passed in 2002. It uses qualitative data from focus groups of voters with disabilities, highlights their perspectives on their voting experiences, and examines how their experiences have changed over time. The report also presents quantitative data from national surveys on voter turnout and accessibility to provide context for exploring focus group discussions.
Churches don't have to be accessible. That's a voting rights problem. (motherjones.com)
In 2024, millions of people will vote at religious sites. What if you're disabled?
Disability Benefits and the Marriage Penalty - Quest (mdaquest.org)
Getting married may mean losing vital disability benefits. Here’s what’s being done to erase the marriage penalty.
The Long Haul (switchyardmag.com)
My world is 640 square feet. I spend most days on my bed, propped up by pillows, my legs covered with a wool blanket to stanch the pain. From my windows, all I can see are a row of gingkoes, a dozen condo high-rises, and open sky. On a lucky day, there will be snow, or an orange sunset, or a red-tailed hawk floating on warm currents hunting for prey.
Introducing Crip Cinema Archive (cripcinemaarchive.substack.com)
I’ve been thinking about it for so long, I can’t remember when the fixation started. It might have been when I was seventeen and watching The Fault in Our Stars in the Bishop’s Stortford Empire. A flawed film - still, I sobbed when he got the gastrostomy infection. I hadn’t seen that part of myself in another before. Or maybe the obsession started earlier, when I was seven and newly diagnosed. Still adjusting to my sick body, I sought comfort in the films I could access from home. DVDs and VHS’ piled high next to the TV. Not yet aware what my place in the world as a sick person meant. Not knowing it meant anything at all. It could also have been when I was 22, fired from my first job in the film industry for sitting down too much.
Capturing Special Moments, While Creating Inclusive Weddings (nytimes.com)
Shannon Collins, a “queer, awkward, anxious photographer,” wants to change the way disabled people are viewed, one picture at a time.
The Special Proposal | World Down Syndrome Day (youtube.com)
Watch Salvatore surprise Caterina by asking her to finally realize their dream.
Sunak under pressure to grant amnesty to unpaid carers fined for rule breaches (theguardian.com)
Concern grows over legality of government’s approach as new figures show more than 150,000 carers facing huge penalties
Mastering Everyday Transfers (newmobility.com)
A video guide to transfer technique for wheelchair users.
Watch: Accessible Travel Chat on DOT Rules for Airlines (Part 2) (wheelchairtravel.org)
Watch part two of a discussion about the DOT NPRM on accessible air travel, detailing airline training, wheelchair damage and compensation.
Solidarity and strategy: the forgotten lessons of truly effective protest – podcast (theguardian.com)
Organising is a kind of alchemy: it turns alienation into connection, despair into dedication, and oppression into strength. By Astra Taylor and Leah Hunt-Hendrix
Pushing Limits: Disability as an Unexpected Gift (longmoreinstitute.wordpress.com)
Bravo to the Oxford University Press blog for publishing the following feisty piece about Paul Longmore’s Telethons book by director Catherine Kudlick.
Ethicist Thaddeus Mason Pope Predicts Assisted Suicide Will Expand into Legalized Euthanasia Covered by Medicare (notdeadyet.org)
Currently the several states that have legalized assisted suicide adhere to the Oregon model, the two most significant aspects of which are that assisted suicide is restricted to those presumed to have less than six months to live and the lethal drugs, once obtained, must be self-administered. Opponents of assisted suicide see the evolution of assisted suicide in other countries into euthanasia for broad based groups as a cautionary tale. Some supporters though see it as a goal, and they are becoming bolder in expressing their views.
THE RIDE AHEAD festival trailer (youtube.com)
Samuel Habib is a typical 21-year-old, itching to move out, start a career and find love. But no one tells you how to be an adult, let alone an adult with a disability. Can a community of disability activists help him follow his dreams?
Illinois Tech is seeking participants for a study on workplace experiences (unitedspinal.org)
Illinois Tech is conducting a focus group study examining microaggressions and quality of work life among adults with SCI.
The Covid Revisionists Are Endangering Us All (thenation.com)
As the possibility of a new pandemic looms, influential figures are telling us we shouldn’t have been so worried about the last one. This spells trouble.
Matthew De Meritt, Actor Who Played E.T., Makes Rare Appearance for Film's 40th Anniversary (aol.com)
On Thursday, Steven Spielberg, Dee Wallace and more people associated with the beloved science fiction hit, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, appeared on the red carpet for a screening in honor of its 40th anniversary. Among those who posed for photographers outside the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood was Matthew De Meritt, who is credited as one of the performers who helped give E.T. its movement.
Empowering Communication and Engagement: Digital Accessibility for Autism (accessibility.com)
Technology provides options for individuals with autism to express themselves, engage with others, and develop a sense of community that may be more comfortable.
Future Trends in Digital Accessibility: Emerging Technologies That Could Make The Web More Inclusive (accessibility.com)
Explore the future trends in digital accessibility and review emerging technologies that hold the potential to make the World Wide Web more inclusive.
Digital Accessibility for Small Businesses (accessibility.com)
Let’s examine some laws and situations for small business owners to know and understand when they think of digital accessibility.
PDF Remediation: Meeting WCAG Standards (accessibility.com)
Discover how to align PDF remediation with WCAG principles, aiming to create universally accessible digital content.
Accessibility In AR/VR: How To Make Immersive Digital Experiences More Inclusive (accessibility.com)
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) have ushered in a new era of immersive experiences, transforming the way we interact with digital content.
The Autism Society: Promoting Inclusion and Amplifying Autistic Voices (mcie.org)
About the Guest(s): Allie Tasche is an advocate and leader in the field of inclusive education. With over a decade of experience that includes six years as a classroom educator followed by various coaching and administrative leadership roles, Alli has specialized in systems-level practices for educational equity. Her background includes working in summer camps, group homes, classrooms, and school districts, all with a focus on disability justice and inclusion. Allie has also served as a board member of her local Autism Society, Greater Wisconsin, and currently plays a crucial role within the national team of the Autism Society as the leader of national programs for an affiliate network.
AI For Education Series (educatingalllearners.org)
Earlier this year, the Educating All Learners Alliance, in collaboration with AI for Education, released a 4-part webinar series on AI and Special Education. You can watch the recordings of the interactive webinars below. The webinars are 60 minutes long, with 30 minutes of learning, 20 minutes of practice, and 10 minutes of questions. Each webinar includes a resource companion guide.
Minister highlights budget boost for building accessible homes in Canada (disabilityinsider.com)
It is a plan to build a Canada that works better for everyone, where younger generations can get ahead, where their hard work pays off, and where they can buy a home—where everyone has a fair chance at a good middle-class life.
Nominations for 2024 D-30 Disability Impact List (mydiversability.com)
Nominations for 2024 D-30 Disability Impact List are now open through May 20, 2024.
Sicknote culture wars and Angela Rayner (theguardian.com)
Rishi Sunak has said it is his ‘moral mission’ to end Britain’s sicknote culture. The Guardian’s John Harris speaks to the disability campaigner Hannah Deakin and the New Economics Foundation’s head of social policy, Tom Pollard, about why the current system is failing people. Plus, the political correspondent Kiran Stacey runs us through the latest from Westminster
Digital access denied: why inclusivity can no longer wait (independent.co.uk)
The accessibility of digital content and technology has become increasingly important. Despite principles for accessibility having been established by the American Disabilities Act (ADA) in the US and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), in 1990 and 1999 respectively, over 96.3 per cent of the world’s top home pages failed to meet WCAG 2.0 level AA criteria, the most used standard globally. This restricts access for approximately 1.3 billion people globally who experience significant disability, according to the World Health Organization.
Rapunzel reimagined: the women retelling fairytales to challenge notions of perfection (theguardian.com)
And They Lived … Ever After is a south Asian book of reworked European classics written by women with disabilities
Smacking a child is just an act of violence. Why do England and Northern Ireland still allow it? (theguardian.com)
It is perverse that adults are legally protected from violence, yet striking a child can be defended. Calls for a ban are getting louder, says Guardian columnist Frances Ryan
‘Finding Dory,’ Disability, and Me (thedailybeast.com)
The latest Pixar film is said to provide a frank exploration of disability, so I took my disabled son and his brothers to see it.
Disability Activist Challenges Media Misconceptions with 'Visibility Project' (nbcnews.com)
Disability activist Alice Wong shares her life story and talks about the need to change how the mainstream media talks about disabilities.
‘People are going to die this summer’: Advocacy groups join Texas lawsuit over excessive heat in prisons (19thnews.org)
Women often enter prisons and jails with high rates of chronic illness and mental health concerns that can be exacerbated by life-threatening temperatures.
Lori and George Schappell, Long-Surviving Conjoined Twins, Die at 62 (nytimes.com)
They were distinct people who pursued different lives. “Get past this already, everybody,” Lori said, “get past it and learn to know the individual person.”
International Guide Dog Day 2024 Celebrated Worldwide & Online (dogtime.com)
April 24 marks International Guide Dog Day, dedicated to celebrating the incredible partnership between guide dogs and their handlers.
Works from artists with disabilities featured in historic exhibition in San Francisco (youtube.com)
Creative Growth is an art center in Oakland that supports artists with disabilities. The center has artworks in museums across the country and plays a big part in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art's new exhibition. Jeffrey Brown reports for our ongoing look at health and the arts for our CANVAS series.
London Marathon: Runner with Down's syndrome gets youngest record (bbc.com)
Lloyd Martin's London Marathon run makes him the youngest in his disability category to finish one.
Sick of Exclusion: Making Space for Chronic Illness in Disability Advocacy Spaces (medium.com)
When I developed an autoimmune disease at the age of 28, I didn’t think of myself as disabled. I was sick. I saw the two as separate states of being. Disability, I thought, was static and predictable, existing the same way every day. That wasn’t my experience. I struggled to get out of bed for more than a few minutes at a time, used mobility aids, and needed support in many basic tasks of living. But the level of my symptoms fluctuated — from fatigue to fevers to neuropathy to cognitive changes, nothing about my experience was the same two days in a row. With my symptoms, my abilities varied, too. Some days, I had the energy to complete full paintings or build furniture. Other days, I couldn’t hold my arms up long enough to wash my own hair. Illness moved in waves.
Raising Guide Dog Puppies: Nurturing Life-Changing Heroes for the Visually Impaired (starlightpettalk.com)
This episode explores the heartwarming journey of puppy raisers and the impact they make on both dogs and humans. Roxanne and Jim have been volunteer guide dog puppy raisers for over 18 years, and Donna is a recipient of a guide dog named Wella. They discuss the process of raising guide dog puppies, the training involved, and the importance of socializing the dogs. They also highlight the need for more puppy raisers and the life-changing impact that guide dogs have on their handlers. The episode concludes with information on International Guide Dog Day and how to support guide dog organizations.
Massachusetts commits $1 billion to move thousands out of nursing homes in wake of lawsuit settlement (bostonglobe.com)
The settlement could allow more than 2,000 people to leave nursing homes over the next eight years.
"Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" by Taylor Swift Resonates with Me as a Disabled Person: Here's Why (thesqueakywheelchairblog.com)
Today I write not as The Squeaky Wheelchair, but rather as the Swiftie Wheelchair… I, like millions of others, waited with excitement and delight for the arrival of Taylor Swift’s 11th album, The Tortured Poets Department (TTPD). And before you pipe up and say, “I don’t like her!”, I have great news to share: you don’t have to.
Disney Excludes People With Disabilities With Discriminatory Policy, Group Says (disabilityscoop.com)
Disney is facing pushback after announcing changes limiting its Disability Access Service program to people with autism and other developmental disabilities.
7 tech ideas to help people who are D/deaf or have hearing loss (abilitynet.org.uk)
Deaf Awareness Week is coming up in May. This selection of digital solutions can make a difference to people who are d/Deaf or have hearing loss or hearing impairments.
Ministers pledge to publish long-buried study into impact of fines on carers (theguardian.com)
DWP carried out research in response to criticism five years ago but has consistently refused to publish it
Disability News and Mental Health, Life in a mental health unit when you shouldn't be there (bbc.co.uk)
As the general election nears, the podcast combs through proposed Tory benefits cuts.
3 WEEKS UNTIL NOMINATIONS AND VOTING CLOSE FOR THE NATIONAL DIVERSITY AWARDS! (ablemagazine.co.uk)
The National Diversity have received an extraordinary amount of nominations and votes to date, with over 40,000 people from across the UK shining a light on positive role models and unsung heroes nationwide.
Meet the Speakers at 3Play's 2024 ACCESS Conference (3playmedia.com)
Learn about ACCESS, 3Play's annual free virtual event that gathers leaders across many industries to explore critical accessibility topics.
I Don’t Want to be an Inspiration Today (kamredlawsk.com)
Sometimes I feel like this. I drew this in 2011 before “inspiration porn” was coined. This illustration could encircle what being the center of inspiration porn feels like, and how at the end of the day gratuitous comments like, “You’re an inspiration” isn’t enough when all we want is change.
Going back is not a choice (disabledstudents.co.uk)
Accessibility Lessons for Higher Education.
Exploring the impact of Covid-19 on disabled students’ experiences (s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com)
The Disabled Students’ Commission (DSC) commissioned a survey to take place between May and June 2021.
How to Address Health Iniquities for Disabled People (rollingwithit.substack.com)
Or: Basic Accessibility and Open Attitudes Can Go a Long Way
This Month in Disability History (mailchi.mp)
The Long Road from Institutionalization to Community Care
Who coined the term ‘neurodiversity?’ It wasn’t Judy Singer, some autistic academics say (19thnews.org)
Spurred by new archival research and public comments by Singer about trans people, a group of autistic academics and advocates argue that “neurodiversity” should be credited to the early online autistic community instead.
Soldier Teaches Sign Language to Deployed Troops (nationalguard.mil)
In the heart of the U.S. Central Command area of operations, where the focus is often on mission readiness and combat preparedness, one service member has taken a unique approach to foster camaraderie and understanding among troops.
The Ride Ahead (siff.net)
21-year-old wheelchair user Samuel Habib sets out to manage a world that ignores the needs of Disabled people.
Funding Opportunity for CILs: Disability Innovation Fund (ncil.org)
After fierce advocacy, Centers for Independent Living are now eligible to apply directly for the Fiscal Year (FY) 24 Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) under the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA).
A High-Adrenaline Dining Experience Accessible To All (travelwithoutlimits.com.au)
Access Vertigo is the first of its kind in accessible tourism and adventure dining - are you up for it?
PBS Looks To Make Kids' Shows More Accessible (disabilityscoop.com)
PBS Kids is reworking many of its most popular shows to be more accessible to children with disabilities.