Wake Up America: Black Disabled Women On the Future of Democracy
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
Wake Up America: Black Disabled Women On the Future of Democracy (youtube.com)
Featuring moderator Keah Brown and panelists Dr. Keisha N. Blain, Andraéa LaVant, and Vilissa Thompson in conversation and celebration of Dr. Blain's book, Wake Up America: Black Women On the Future of Democracy.
UK government dementia adviser resigns over prosecutions of carers (theguardian.com)
Johnny Timpson says he wants to ‘take a stand’ after revelations thousands of unpaid carers are being forced to pay huge fines
Miss Manners: If you don’t have a disability, is it ever okay to use a wheelchair-accessible stall? (nj.com)
That is ... when all bathroom stalls are in use except for the wheelchair-accessible stall?
Rockwood school board member who mocked disabilities, Pride flags and ‘libtards’ to resign (stltoday.com)
A Rockwood school board member who made headlines in recent years for mocking students with disabilities and calling a teachers' union "terrorists" is resigning from the school board.
Autism Is Not a Shell Surrounding a “Normal” Child (thinkingautismguide.com)
Autism is so much a part of who your child is that many of us Autistic adults who are able to communicate, and who choose to talk about being Autistic, will tell you that it hurts us to hear or read phrases like “fight autism,” because it feels like people want to fight us.
Veteran Disability Direct chief executive gives his thoughts on his special anniversary (amoraju.com)
Dr Amo Raju is celebrating 30 years with Disability Direct. He joined two weeks after the Derby charity opened its doors to help and advise disabled people. Over time, Amo has worked to ensure that the organisation is financially sustainable and it now has a turn-over of £2.5 million and generates 92% of its own funding through two trading arms. Thousands of customers later, the charity is well-placed to continue its work and its framework is a blueprint for other similar charities nationally.
Britain is sicker and poorer than it used to be. Sunak’s response? Attack disabled people (theguardian.com)
With his claims of a ‘sicknote culture’, the prime minister is scapegoating those worst affected by 14 years of Conservative rule, says Guardian columnist Frances Ryan
Man with robot voice finally finds his Walsall accent (bbc.com)
Daniel Challis, who uses a communication device, wanted a regional accent to sound like his family.
Sensory Accessibility: Theaters Create a Welcoming Space for Guests (educatingalllearners.org)
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.
TeachAI Announces Foundational Policy Ideas for AI in Education, a New Resource for Education Leaders and Policymakers (educatingalllearners.org)
TeachAI, an initiative led by Code.org, ETS, the International Society of Technology in Education, Khan Academy, and the World Economic Forum, announced the launch of a groundbreaking resource for education leaders and policymakers around the world – Foundational Policy Ideas for AI in Education. The development of this resource was led by AASA, CCSSO, Code.org, CoSN, COSSBA, Education Commission of the States, ExcelinEd, ETS, InnovateEDU, NASBE, NSBA, NEA, SEAMEO, and SETDA. It is designed to help education leaders and policymakers navigate the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) in education.
Inside a School That Doesn’t Single Out Students With Special Needs (educatingalllearners.org)
When students walk into Ruby Bridges Elementary School to start their day, nobody is pulled aside or separated from their peers to receive special instruction.
The Guardian view on disability, illness and work: there is no 'sicknote culture' in Britain (theguardian.com)
Editorial: Rishi Sunak’s latest plan to cut benefits was presented in misleading packaging
Springrose Easy-On Mobility Bra: Reviewed (newmobility.com)
“My background is in human-centered design, so I inherently believe that all solutions should be developed in collaboration with end-users. As I delved deeper into this space, I kept discovering more and more health conditions that impact mobility, so this kept expanding the number of people I needed and wanted to involve in the development,” says Cuervo.
Talk to your MEPs! ENIL launches toolkit to the European Elections 2024 (enil.eu)
Between the 6th and 9th of June the 448,4 million citizens of the European Union will have the opportunity to elect a new European Parliament, making it on of the largest democratic events in the world.
United Against Algorithms: A primer on disability-led struggles against algorithmic injustice (policycommons.net)
Governments are progressively integrating data-driven algorithmic systems into critical domains related to the health and welfare of people with disability. These applications encompass tasks such as detecting benefit fraud, assembling disability support plans, and determining eligibility for disability benefits and services. Algorithmic decision-making (ADM) poses urgent concerns regarding the rights and entitlements of people with disability from all walks of life. As ADM systems become increasingly embedded in government decision-making processes, there is a heightened risk of harm, such as unjust denial of benefits or inadequate support, accentuated by the expanding reach of state surveillance. Governments are progressively integrating data-driven algorithmic systems into critical domains related to the health and welfare of people with disability. These applications encompass tasks such as detecting benefit fraud, assembling disability support plans, and determining eligibility for disability benefits and services. Algorithmic decision-making (ADM) poses urgent concerns regarding the rights and entitlements of people with disability from all walks of life. As ADM systems become increasingly embedded in government decision-making processes, there is a heightened risk of harm, such as unjust denial of benefits or inadequate support, accentuated by the expanding reach of state surveillance. Co-published with the Data Justice Lab, Cardiff University.
2024 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge Entries (youtube.com)
Easterseals Disability Film Challenge
BlackStar Projects Awarded Mellon Foundation Grant (girlsunited.essence.com)
BlackStar Projects announced receiving a million-dollar grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to fund the organization's initiative.
Christine Sun Kim: Oh Me Oh My (tang.skidmore.edu)
In this monograph, the groundbreaking work of the American-born, Berlin-based artist Christine Sun Kim is explored through essays, short texts and reflections, an interview and abundant large-scale images of Kim’s work. An artist who foregrounds the visual, physical and political dimension of sound, Kim challenges the notion that sound is solely an auditory experience. Kim, whose first language is American Sign Language (ASL), uses elements from various information systems, such as musical notation, infographics and ASL, to develop a dryly humorous visual vocabulary in a variety of mediums, including performance, drawing, video, lectures and more. She aims to draw attention to the power imbalances between the hearing world and the Deaf community, as well as to celebrate the generative possibilities and creative energy that can arise from interactions between people with different positionalities and modes of communication.
Neurodiversity in the Arts Symposium (uniarts.fi)
The Neurodiversity in the Arts Symposium will take place online on 15 November and onsite on 22 November at University of the Arts Helsinki.
International open call: science_technology_society - Announcements - e-flux (e-flux.com)
Delfina Foundation is pleased to announce an international open call for its upcoming winter 2025 residency season (January 6–March 30) under its recurring thematic programme science_technology_society.
Virtual Mn Artists Presents: Alison Bergblom Johnson (walkerart.org)
This fall, the popular program Mn Artists Presents is going virtual! Minnesota-based multidisciplinary artist Alison Bergblom Johnson leads an evening of online events that investigate ways to leave behind stigma and discrimination that is attached to bodies experiencing disability, both invisibly and visibly. What happens when artists with disabilities find support within the mainstream? How do artists with disabilities avoid being mere tokens or separated from communities rooted in disability? Bergblom Johnson invites Minnesota artists with disabilities to dream what access could be.
What are the Accommodations of Your Dreams? (walkerart.org)
Alison Bergblom Johnson, guest curator of Mn Artists Presents, asks artists with disabilities to imagine the accommodations of their dreams—manifesting not only accessibility, but solidarity and community.
Online Event: Tuesday 4/30/2024: Reading from Essay What are the Accommodations of Your Dreams? (shop.alisonbergblomjohnson.com)
Admission to an online reading of What are the Accommodations of Your Dreams? an essay by Alison Bergblom Johnson about her emotional support balloon Walter. "What are the Accommodations of Your Dreams?" was published in Walker Reader, as part of Mn Artists Presents Alison Bergblom Johnson in November 2020. Mn Artists is a platform featuring arts writing by and about Minnesota artists, and is a program of the Walker Art Center.
417: Body Constructs (moma.org)
Collection gallery. Ongoing. Modern architects and designers imagined not only new buildings and objects, but also the bodies that would inhabit and use them. This gallery explores two seemingly opposing yet complementary design tendencies that developed after World War II: the invention of narrowly defined “average” human figures intended to support universally applicable designs; and an urge to challenge the belief that such simplified constructs could encompass the full range of bodily variation and embodied experience. In the 1940s and ’50s scientific disciplines like anthropometrics and ergonomics—which sought to establish objective principles for measuring the body and improving its performance—informed the creation of normative figures, from Le Corbusier’s Modulor to Henry Dreyfuss’s Joe and Josephine. However, in the 1960s and ’70s, the civil and disability rights movements, second-wave feminism, and the rise of environmentalism propelled critiques of universal design and its limitations. Anything but neutral, the body emerged as a contested site from which to examine modernism’s frictions with questions of gender, race, and disability that persist in architectural practice today.
Writing Club: David Gissen on What a Body Needs (moma.org)
This month’s Writing Club welcomes author, designer, and educator David Gissen to facilitate a writing workshop on what a body needs in para- and post-COVID New York City. In response to the installation Body Constructs, Gissen invites participants to fantasize through discussion and writing prompts on ways that buildings, interiors, and landscapes might better represent our physical capacities, incapacities, and weaknesses. This workshop takes place in person at MoMA in Gallery 417: Body Constructs. David Gissen is a New York–based author, designer, and educator who works in the fields of architecture, landscape, and urban design. His recent book The Architecture of Disability (2023) has been praised as “an exhilarating manifesto” and a “complete reshaping about how we view the development and creation of architecture.” Gissen’s previous books include Subnature: Architecture’s Other Environments (2009) and Manhattan Atmospheres (2014). His architectural and design works have been exhibited and published widely, including such venues as the Venice Biennale (2016, 2021), the Canadian Centre for Architecture, and the Center for Architecture in New York. He is currently a professor of architecture and urban history at the Parsons School of Design/New School University. Writing Club is part of the Artful Practices for Well-Being initiative, in which we seek to offer a space for connectedness and healing through art. In each session, a guest writer introduces different works of art and offers a series of writing prompts. We offer a calm, supportive, and welcoming environment for anyone interested in writing in response to art in the company of fellow writing enthusiasts. Participants will have the option, but not obligation, to share some of their new work with others. Accessibility This session will use two-way assisted listening devices. Verbal description will be provided for all images. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and CART captioning is available for public programs upon request with two weeks’ advance notice. MoMA will make every effort to provide accommodation for requests made with less than two weeks’ notice. Please contact AdultPrograms@moma.org to make a request for these accommodations.
Give Me a Sign: The Language of Symbols (cooperhewitt.org)
Give Me a Sign: The Language of Symbols examines the fascinating histories behind many of the symbols that instruct, protect, entertain, empower, and connect people. As important communication tools in our daily lives, symbols are constantly evolving based on new needs and users. They formed some of the first written human expressions and today animate our digital chats.
Ignite: Burden Re-Telling (eventbrite.co.uk)
Be mesmerised with performances from disabled artists; telling their stories of isolation and other topics.
Leonardo 57.2 Criptech & the Art of Access Special Issue Launch Event (leonardo.info)
Crip Technoscience, or CripTech for short, takes root in crip theory, a field of research invested in re-centering the skills and knowledge disabled people cultivate to remake inaccessible worlds. In recent years, scholars, activists, and arts practitioners have demonstrated the power of “aesthetic access” or “creative access” in museums, curated exhibitions, and arts spaces, reimagining what access can be when it transcends basic accommodation or regulatory compliance. From participatory audio description that offers multiple renditions of a single work, to poetic reinterpretations of captions and access doulas for remote gatherings, there has been an exciting paradigm shift that translates to new sensory possibilities for how visitors can engage with the arts. Despite their multimodal capacities, many media and science-based art and art-making tools such as VR, AR, digital games, and biotechnology remain inaccessible and have yet to benefit from this critical attention.
Opposition to a single fiscal intermediary grows among disability rights groups (spectrumlocalnews.com)
Lindsay Miller and Denise Figueroa join Capital Tonight.
Campaigners Seek EU-Wide Ban on Forced Sterilisation of People With Disabilities (usnews.com)
US News is a recognized leader in college, grad school, hospital, mutual fund, and car rankings. Track elected officials, research health conditions, and find news you can use in politics, business, health, and education.
Say Hello to our new volunteer! (enil.eu)
“Hello! My name is Michael, and I will be volunteering at ENIL for the next six months. I come from Ireland where I recently finished a bachelor’s degree in history and theology.
Artificial Intelligence and Independent Living - an ENIL presentation at SDS National Voice 2024 (youtube.com)
A presentation by members of the European Network on Independent Living (ENIL) on the topic of Artificial Intelligence and Independent Living. Delivered as part of Self Directed Support Scotland's annual conference, SDS National Voice, on 28 March 2024.
Artificial Intelligence (enil.eu)
AI loosely mean technologies that use advanced computing to perform tasks that were traditionally done by humans.
CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS: Training Course LIVING COMPASS 2024 (coe.int)
The Council of Europe welcomes applications from all candidates who fulfil the specific profile of the activities, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief or sexual orientation.
The role of boarding schools for vulnerable children in the Europe and Central Asia region (unicef.org)
A summary of evidence on the current use and impact of boarding schools in the Europe and Central Asia region
Empowering Change: The Activism of Nina Portolan in Disability Rights (nyweekly.com)
"I'm looking for a unicorn!" Well, it's not exactly like 27-year-old Nina Portolan is literally searching for a unicorn. Still, it's how she feels being a disabled person and having to navigate the system.
Supreme Court aghast by dismal implementation of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (barandbench.com)
"We are of the view that status of implementation of the Act needs to be set right," the Court said today.
US airlines did better with mobility devices in 2023: Here's how each performed (eu.usatoday.com)
How did U.S. airlines do with mobility devices in 2023? DOT data shows some improvement but room to do even better.
KM Malta Airlines’ wheelchair requirements ‘discriminatory' – commissioner (timesofmalta.com)
‘This is appalling and needs to stop,’ says Rhoda Garland
Finding Dory, Disability Culture, and Collective Access (disabilityvisibilityproject.com)
On June 25, 2016, I saw Finding Dory after reading many positive reviews and recommendations from my disabled friends. I wasn’t disappointed. There was so much to unpack and process when I got home that I decided to write this review.
On Radical Acceptance (& Not Fixing Your Kid) (starinhereye.wordpress.com)
There’s a small town in Belgium named Geel (pronounced hale with a throaty, Germanic H). By 1930, a quarter of its residents were mentally ill. If you know about Geel, you know this was not because something lurked in the water or food supply. It was because for 700 years families in Geel accepted mentally ill patients, or “boarders,” to live with them in their own homes. The town got a nickname: “Paradise for the Insane.”
Finland is really good at stopping bullying. Here's how they're doing it (upworthy.com)
Imagine you're back in middle school or high school. The bell just rang, so you're walking to your next class, minding your own business.
School Bans 5-Year-Old's Haircut That Hides His Alopecia (blackdoctor.org)
There have been a number of reports in the news lately of school or school sports “policy” concerning Black people’s hair. There were girls crying because school officials wouldn’t allow her dreadlocks. Recently, there was the young man who wouldn’t be allowed to wrestle in his school match unless he cut off his hair.
Self-Identification in the Deaf Community (verywellhealth.com)
Some deaf people consider themselves to be Big D Deaf while others are small d deaf. Learn about the distinction and this aspect of deaf culture.
Seattle Deaf Film Festival 2024 (sdff2024.eventive.org)
Back for the 7th time, Seattle Deaf Film Festival will stream amazing films online from April 8-22, 2024 through Eventive. We are excited to spotlight 44 amazing films from 11 countries in sign language with English subtitles!
How do you keep calm and carry on in a world full of crises? (npr.org)
We asked folks whose job it is to make the world a better place: How do you find the inner strength to keep plugging away in tough times? And what advice do you have for fledgling activists?
The Great Cosmic Hoax — a Short Film by Eileen Grubba (abilitymagazine.com)
If Eileen Grubba’s name isn’t familiar, there’s a reason. She’s built a strong television career playing edgy characters in shows like Game of Silence, Sons of Anarchy, The Mentalist and HBO’s Hung, plus others. Her thespian roots stretch back to Atlanta and New York, where she acted in musicals, plays, commercials and independent films. A lifetime member of the renowned Actors Studio, she’s been compared to theater greats Geraldine Page and Kim Stanley.
Rare Revolution (editions.rarerevolutionmagazine.com)
Rare Revolution - Spring edition, Issue 027
Who Decides Which Chicago Sidewalks Get Repaired? Patchwork of Programs Creates Geographical Disparities, Rewards Most Complaints (news.wttw.com)
Bad sidewalks can be found all across Chicago, but the slow pace in getting them repaired is tied to a lack of funding and the city’s complaint-based approach to maintenance, experts say. While a shared cost program has improved some areas, it has also caused disparities.
Seeing a shift: Bus Stop Employment continues to grow (if.com.au)
When Bus Stop Films soft launched its employment service in late 2022, with the aim to connect people with disability to work within the film, TV and media industries, it had just a part-time general manager to oversee its operations.
Solar eclipse watchers at Children's Museum may have been exposed to measles (eu.indystar.com)
Marion County health officials advise watching out for symptoms and say risk to general public is low.
TikToker Chrissy Marshall uses her experience as a Deaf woman to educate millions (aol.com)
Marshall, 20, is a filmmaker, a YouTuber and, by all definitions of the word, a TikTok star.
'Slap in the face': Canadians decry Ottawa’s new disability benefit (canadianaffairs.news)
At $200 a month, and with many disabled Canadians ineligible, experts say the new Canada Disability Benefit will not relieve poverty
Photos: Inside Rehearsal For Theater Breaking Through Barriers' Production of Neil Simon's I OUGHT TO BE IN PICTURES (broadwayworld.com)
Theater Breaking Through Barriers will present the Off-Broadway debut of Neil Simon's brilliant 1980 Tony Award-winning play, I Ought To Be In Pictures, directed by Nicholas Viselli. Check out rehearsal photos here!
PBS Kids Enhances Programming with ASL Interpreters for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Viewers (assistivetechnologyblog.com)
Discover how PBS Kids is making their shows more accessible with ASL interpreters, and explore the importance of incorporating ASL in media for the deaf audience.
Chloé Hayden on pigeons, high school and celebrity run-ins: ‘This hand pulls me up … and it’s Hugh Jackman’ (theguardian.com)
With season two of Heartbreak High out now, the actor and disability advocate answers a bunch of randomly selected questions – including her totally useless secret skill
Help for disabled people in England and Wales to get jobs is axed amid benefits crackdown (theguardian.com)
Closure of Work and Health Programme comes hard on heels of Rishi Sunak’s bid to end the UK’s supposed ‘sicknote’ culture
The British Deaf Association (BDA) will host the second annual BSL Conference on Friday 26 April in Manchester.
Sunak’s disability benefit plans are familiar culture war fodder (theguardian.com)
The prime minister’s speech on cracking down on ‘sicknote culture’ was heavy on rhetoric but light on evidence and detail
Sunak accused of making mental illness ‘another front in the culture wars’ (theguardian.com)
Charities say high rates of people signed off work are caused by crumbling public services after years of underinvestment
Occupational Therapy, Power, and Possibility – An Interview with Ione Georgakis (touretteshero.com)
At several key moments in my life, Occupational Therapists (OTs) have suggested tools or approaches that have transformed what I’ve considered possible. Occupational Therapy has a lot to offer those of us with tics and Tourettes, but this is often underappreciated and underutilised, so I sat down with Ione Georgakis, an Occupational Therapist with Tourettes, to talk all things OT.
Clean Air Club Is Organizing Musicians to Make COVID-Safer Shows and Spaces (teenvogue.com)
"I don't have to choose between my values and my desire for connection.”
StrongWheeled Together Nominations (unitedspinal.org)
The StrongWheeled Together Awards celebrate the best and the brightest wheelchair users from around the nation. In 2024, we are centering the Awards on the idea of community.
What About Sal (facebook.com)
Can't wait for everyone to see Gerard O'Dwyer The Actor great performance in What About Sal Movie which opens in cinemas today
The city’s police officers are now being taught American Sign Language (ASL) as part of an equity and inclusion initiative to better communicate with the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
A Sense of Shifting (chroniclebooks.com)
Enter the groundbreaking world of queer dance in this gorgeous collection of stories and photographs. Two women hold each other tight as they dance the two-step. A fierce-eyed man in a long red dress performs flamenco. A dancer improvises in a blooming garden, blending diverse influences into a style all their own.
Opinion | Solving All the Wrong Problems (Published 2016) (nytimes.com)
Do we really need an app that lets us brew our coffee from anywhere?
Schools in Finland will no longer teach 'subjects' (independent.co.uk)
With Finland radically reforming the way its children are taught, Richard Garner visits Helsinki to find out if the teachers approve
Redefining Disability (hrw.org)
Disability has always been my least favorite word in the English language. It’s the word that catches in my throat and forces my pen to pause midthought. I can easily apply this term of difference, of alienation to others. Applying the word to myself is more complicated.
4 Wheels Episode 4: Growing Up Disabled (disartnow.org)
In the latest episode of 4Wheels, Dom recalls growing up disabled in the 1990s, facing ableism and societal barriers, Dom found solace in programs that connects physically and folks labeled as "otherwise health impaired" in Michigan combined with atypical media representations that helped him embrace disability. Experiences with loss and his parent’s acceptance also helped shaped his perspective, motivating him to advocate for both himself and others.
Call for Submissions: 2024 Tobin Siebers Prize (press.umich.edu)
Submissions are now open for the 2024 Tobin Siebers Prize for Disability Studies in the Humanities. The prize is awarded in memory of disability studies pioneer Tobin Siebers, Professor of English at the University of Michigan and author of many influential books and articles in the field of Disability Studies. The prize is awarded yearly for the best proposed book-length manuscript on a topic of pressing urgency in the field (with the exception of 2020, due to the challenges presented by COVID-19). Reflecting on the work of the scholar the prize commemorates, the competition invites submissions on a wide range of topics, from literary and cultural studies, to trans-historical research, to contributions to disability theory such as work in crip/queer studies. The deadline is August 1, 2024; the winner will be announced in January 2025. Winners receive a cash prize of $1000, and a book contract from the University of Michigan Press to be published in the Corporealities: Discourses of Disability series.
Autism Clinics Shutter As State Struggles To Shore Up Funding (disabilityscoop.com)
Since 2021, at least 13 companies operating about 35 clinics of different sizes have closed or left one state over reimbursement rates that haven't kept up with rising costs.
How Taylor Swift's Music Is Teaching Social-Emotional Skills To Students In Special Ed (disabilityscoop.com)
In an independent living class, students with disabilities are using Taylor Swift's music to learn about everything from self-regulation and stress management to cooking, geography and more.
Millions Offered Up To Create New Disability Employment Models (disabilityscoop.com)
More than $200 million is being made available in a broad push to establish innovative approaches to transition young people with disabilities into competitive integrated employment.
Medicaid Officials Remove Barriers For Those With Disabilities (disabilityscoop.com)
With a new rule, federal officials say they are streamlining the Medicaid enrollment process in an effort to make it easier for people with disabilities to get coverage and keep it.
INTERVIEW: Sound producer Eliza Jane South on film Touch, 'a motion picture without pictures' (sbs.com.au)
A new Australian film has been created for and with people with blind or low vision. Sound engineer Eliza Jane South shares her experience of how the professional and personal collided in this project.
National Technical Institute for the Deaf Will Receive $100,000 Grant from National Endowment for the Arts (broadwayworld.com)
Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf has been awarded $99,755 from Research Grants in the Arts by the National Endowment for the Arts to support a mixed-methods research study on the availability and effectiveness of access accommodations for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals experiencing live theater.
Next pandemic likely to be caused by flu virus, scientists warn (theguardian.com)
Influenza is still the biggest threat to global health as WHO raises fears about the spread of avian strain
All of Me - The New Group (thenewgroup.org)
On Sale Now! It’s your classic romantic comedy. Boy meets girl. Boy uses a wheelchair, girl uses a scooter, and they both use text-to-speech technology to connect to the world around them. They come from different worlds, but love pulls them together when their families push them apart.
With the freedom to drive thanks to new technology, quadruple amputee Jessica has her sights on a road trip (abc.net.au)
As a teen, Jessica Haldin watched on as her school friends learnt to drive and secured their tickets to freedom. Now, at the age of 33, it's her turn.
Honda Scenic Audio AI-Based App Helps Make Drives Accessible (with audio descriptions) (youtube.com)
Honda has developed an innovative web application utilizing AI technology to help expand the joy of the journey to the blind and visually impaired by creating and narrating nuanced real-time scenic audio descriptions of the world outside their car window.
Accessibility Overlays: What are they and their challenges (abilitynet.org.uk)
We explore the challenges surrounding accessibility overlays with AbilityNet’s Principles Accessibility Consultant, Joe Chidzik.
UK needs to change 'sicknote culture': Sunak targets disability benefits – video (theguardian.com)
Rishi Sunak says the UK needs to change the 'sicknote culture' as he announces fresh curbs on disability benefits
ENIL launches Manifesto to the European Elections and the Legislative period 2024-2029 (enil.eu)
In view of the European elections, which will take place from the 6th to the 9th of June, ENIL launched its electoral Manifesto. Stemming from an aknowledgement of the limited progress towards the implementation of UNCRPD, the document aims at proposing an agenda that calls for a change in the EU disability policy for the 2024-2029 legislative period, in line with the Independent Living movement principles.
Accessing New Zealand: part one (disabilityhorizons.com)
Jasmine, who has Friedreich’s Ataxia and travelled around New Zealand and share's her tips and adventures.
Experience: I lost my hands after being electrocuted by 14,400 volts (theguardian.com)
As the scrap metal touched the power line, everything went black
Sunak accused of launching ‘full-on assault on disabled people’ (theguardian.com)
PM criticised for consultation on personal independence payment amid ‘spiralling’ disability welfare bill
Paraorchestra with Brett Anderson & Charles Hazlewood: Death Songbook review – a vivid time capsule (theguardian.com)
Recorded live, this pandemic-era collaboration covering songs on death and loss by Depeche Mode, Mercury Rev, Suede and more occasionally transcends its source material
The endless possibilities of visiting Australia (disabilityhorizons.com)
Accessible travel in Australia. Find resources on transportation, accommodations, mobility equipment rentals, and more to plan your dream trip.
Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think (japantimes.co.jp)
We discuss everything from accessibility in Tokyo to dealing with trains and the country’s shifting attitudes.
Boston Marathon paves path for accessibility for para athletes - The Huntington News (huntnewsnu.com)
Every year on Patriot’s Day, athletes from around the globe flock to Boston to compete in the storied Boston Marathon, one of the world’s best-known races.
How a visually impaired marathoner will compete in Boston (npr.org)
Around 30,000 runners will participate in the Boston Marathon, and that includes some runners with disabilities. We meet a visually impaired runner and his guide as they trained for the race.
One bib at a time, Stride for Stride aims to make road races more diverse and accessible (boston.com)
Stride for Stride is a nonprofit organization that buys race bibs for immigrant, Black, Indigenous, people of color, and low-income runners.
‘No plan B’: Texas runner heads to Boston for his final marathon (texasstandard.org)
Two years after being diagnosed with ALS, Austinite Bill Corrigan will handcycle on behalf of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
City very slowly and steadily winning accessibility race for Ottawa libraries (capitalcurrent.ca)
The public libraries in Ottawa are solely and surely removing barriers that impede citizens with disabilities.
ADA bathrooms come to Bloomington parks thanks to a mom's persistence (cbsnews.com)
Parks in Bloomington are switching out non-ADA-accessible portable restrooms in favor of ones that are more accessible.
New law merges state disability and aging commission to better serve aged and disabled groups (newschannel5.com)
New law merges the Tennessee’s Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Commission on Aging and Disability.
Road Trips: How to Plan an Accessible Getaway (nytimes.com)
If you have a disability, you’ll want to review route planning, lodging options, food requirements and finding the right rental vehicle.
Colorado DMV Focuses on Accessibility, 'Omnichannel Experience' (govtech.com)
Officials have leveraged digital and mobile tools to make services more widely accessible to Coloradans regardless of location. Simultaneously, they are upgrading their IT infrastructure to more modern tools.
This Is What Truly Inclusive Glam Looks Like (huffpost.com)
These five disabled makeup artists are thriving in a world that’s always dismissed them.
MTA to begin testing electric Access-A-Ride vans (nydailynews.com)
The 15 Ford vans are modified with lifts and other amenities to better serve riders in wheelchairs and other accessibility devices, and cost about $180,000 a piece, transit officials said.
Parkinson’s arrived in her 20s. Now, she's thankful for a procedure she was once scared of. (eu.usatoday.com)
Nicole LaBolle was in her 20s when she developed a tremor in her right hand.
Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility (planetizen.com)
Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.
Blind Shorewood voter files lawsuit on lack of accessibility at the polls (tmj4.com)
Don Natzke has signed-on to a new lawsuit requesting online ballot options for people in Wisconsin with disabilities.
Iowa lawmakers pass bill to make state parks more accessible for people with disabilities (kcrg.com)
A bill is now headed to Governor Kim Reynolds’ desk that could make Iowa’s state parks more accessible for people with disabilities.
These 6 bills aim to improve disability rights in Colorado. Here's where they stand. (eu.coloradoan.com)
State Rep. David Ortiz, Colorado's first legislator to use a wheelchair, has sponsored six bills regarding disability rights so far in 2024.
How Colorado's first legislator to use a wheelchair has highlighted accessibility gaps (eu.coloradoan.com)
Colorado Rep. David Ortiz has used his platform as a lawmaker and the state's first legislator to use a wheelchair to ignite change. Here's how.
It's Autism Awareness Month; one family's story about how '4 Paws for Ability' helped them (dayton247now.com)
April is Autism Awareness Month, and local nonprofit, '4 Paws for Ability,' is one organization that helps children who have autism. The organization places service dogs with kids and veterans with disabilities, autism being one of them.
Justice Department Secures Agreement with City of Virginia Beach to Improve Access for Individuals with Disabilities (justice.gov)
The Justice Department announced today a settlement agreement with the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia, to ensure that individuals with disabilities, including Veterans, have equal access to city buildings and other civic programs. The agreement is part of the department’s commitment to ensure that civic institutions comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Virginia Beach has a large population of Veterans, active-duty military service members, retirees and their families.
Disability Network Capital Area to increase accessibility features in the Lansing area (statenews.com)
DNCA is starting a RAMP IT UP campaign to install ramps in the greater Lansing area.
Elections Have Gotten More Accessible for Disabled Voters, but Gaps Remain (nytimes.com)
A report to the Election Assistance Commission from researchers at Rutgers University found that disabled voters’ turnout lagged non-disabled voters’ by 11 percentage points, down from 17.
Many baby boomers own homes that are too big. Can they be enticed to sell them? (npr.org)
Lots of older Americans say they'd love to downsize, but it doesn't make financial sense. The housing roadblock has left some would-be buyers stuck. We asked experts what policies could change that.
Creating an accessible travel experience at YVR (news.yvr.ca)
YVR is a global hub and welcomes a diverse population of travellers and employees. We are committed to providing an inclusive experience and have a long history of leading programs and initiatives at YVR that benefit people of all abilities.
10 Wheelchair-Accessible National Parks In The US (thetravel.com)
Wheelchair users can enjoy many of America's best national parks, and some are more accessible than others, from Badlands to Joshua Tree and beyond.
An Essential Guide to Accessible Air Travel (cntraveler.com)
Here's your handy-dandy 101 to flying as a traveler with a disability—written by a traveler with a disability.
Crisis communication saves lives – but people with disability often aren’t given the message (theconversation.com)
If accessible crisis information is not accurate, complete, up to date and high quality, there can be life and death consequences for people with disability in a bushfire, flood or pandemic.
Jharkhand introduces home voting, wheelchair services for elderly and special voters (indiatvnews.com)
Jharkhand's Chief Electoral Officer K Ravi Kumar announced measures such as voting from home, free transportation, ramp installations, wheelchair provisions, and Braille-enabled electronic voting machines.
UK's first blind overseas ambassador: My sight loss helps me connect with people (bbc.com)
UK's first blind overseas ambassador Victoria Harrison says being blind can help build relationships.
Campaigners seek EU-wide ban on forced sterilisation of people with disabilities (reuters.com)
Spanish disability rights activist Cristina Paredero grew up feeling different and was diagnosed with a form of autism aged 18. She says her parents told her she should never have children and pressed her into agreeing to get sterilised.
Sadovyi: Addressing issue of accessibility is problem for whole of Ukraine (ukrinform.net)
Lviv is actively working to address the issue of accessibility for people with disabilities and the integration of veterans into civilian life. — Ukrinform.
People with disabilities are being locked out of our beaches, say Greens (greens.org.au)
Greens representatives from all three levels of government have today launched a plan to pay for accessibility upgrades on local beaches, as analysis from Accessible Beaches suggests that there is not a single beach in the Northern Rivers that is fully accessible to people with disabilities. The Greens launched the plan at Seven Mile Beach alongside Joel Taylor, World Para Surfing Champ and 2023 Ballina Shire Citizen of the Year.
Wheelchair user in Bucks says bus should be more accessible (planetradio.co.uk)
It's after the government announced last week grants would be made available to improve accessibility on buses
What's 'biophilic design' and how can it benefit neurodivergent people? (weforum.org)
In a world where one out of seven individuals are neurodivergent, adopting biophilic design can be the key to creating more inclusive, nature-inspired spaces. #neurodiversity #inclusion #biophilicdesign
How Canon’s ‘World Unseen’ Exhibition Heightens Art through Accessibility (lbbonline.com)
VML UK creative director San Sharma explains how the various aspects of accessibility built into the exhibition can change the way sighted people understand the visual impairment experience, as well enriching the art itself, writes LBB’s Alex Reeves
Accessibility At The Heart Of ANZ Funding At BATS (scoop.co.nz)
Live art is for everyone, and thanks to ANZ, access to live art at BATS is going even further.
Accessibility impacting disabled students' learning, representatives say (rnz.co.nz)
The government is being called on to help improve accessibility for disabled students at universities and polytechnics.
Blind People Park in Israel gets renovated for accessibility inclusion (jns.org)
Signs were added with explanations in Braille, including illustrations, as part of upgrades along a trail in the Ben Shemen Forest.
European elections: a call for accessibility (socialeurope.eu)
More is needed for visually impaired voters—and candidates—to exercise their political rights.
ORR calls on rail operators to improve complaints processes and accessibility (railuk.com)
A report published today (18 April) by the Office of Rail and Road’s (ORR) has found that some disabled passengers have experienced accessibility difficulties with the rail complaints process. There is also a lack of awareness of how to seek redress for booked assistance failures.
For many people living with disability, catching up with friends for a coffee or a night out often involves a level of extra planning – but an app is making crucial information about whether a venue or activity is accessible much more readily available.
Advocating for Inclusion and Accessibility (haaretz.com)
Access Israel has been working 24 hours a day, seven days a week, since the morning hours of October 7 to save lives and assist people with disabilities and the elderly, as well as their families Ella Lavon, partnered with Access Israel
Erasmus+ students develop tools for inclusion and accessibility without borders (porto.pt)
A delegation of students, teachers and representatives of local institutions from five countries came to Porto to share and learn about practices to promote inclusion and accessibility in schools and educational communities.
City of Regina introduces new accessibility master plan (leaderpost.com)
A final draft of a long-awaited accessibility framework for the City of Regina was presented Wednesday, outlining a ten-year roadmap of initiatives.
Will the new EU disability card guarantee freedom of movement for everyone? (euronews.com)
Around one in four people over the age of 16 were living with some form of disability in the European Union in 2022. Yet disability rights campaigners say their right to travel between EU member states is limited due to a lack of accessibility and recognition.
Advocates say making First Nations accessible will cost more than AFN estimates (cbc.ca)
Last week, the Assembly of First Nations estimated that the federal government must invest $349.2 billion now to ensure First Nations have access to similar infrastructure to non-Indigenous communities by 2030. That includes $1.6 billion to address accessibilities needs, but advocates say that is the bare minimum of what needs to be done.
The Ins and Outs of Good Urban Design (Season 5, Episode 3) (inclusivedesigners.com)
Inclusive Designers Podcast Examines Best Practices for Good Urban Design With Meg O'Connell and Steve Wright.
More adults being diagnosed as neurodivergent. What does it mean for modern workplaces? (studyfinds.org)
There has been a rise in the number of people diagnosed with “neurodivergence” in adulthood over the past decade. As many as 8% of adults globally could have some form of neurodivergence.
How the Hand of Ableism Hijacks a Touch Tour for Blind Patrons at the British Museum (habengirma.com)
The British Museum invites blind patrons to touch ancient sculptures, but when I placed my hands on one of these treasures an angry sighted person started harassing me. Video of the incident sparked outrage online. In March 2023 the BBC asked me to share what happened, and they aired a recording of me reading a version of this essay. You can watch the video, listen to me reading the essay, or read the text.
Access reporting and funding for disabled, deaf and/or neurodivergent cast, crew and contributors (bbc.co.uk)
Anticipating and reporting access costs in your production, Government Access to Work funding and further BBC access funding
Opposition to a single fiscal intermediary grows among disability rights groups (spectrumlocalnews.com)
Lindsay Miller and Denise Figueroa join Capital Tonight.
Beware – automatic tools over-report accessibility issues and steal your time (cerovac.com)
Do not rely solely on automatic accessibility testing, especially if you do not know that your tool can lie a lot. Use the tools, but educate the people that use them...
"Sign the Show" documentary highlights accessibility for the deaf at live events (youtube.com)
Cat Brewer talks about the documentary “Sign the Show,” which highlights the struggle deaf people face at live venues.
Making web applications accessible for persons with disabilities (unv.org)
In 2023 UNV launched two separate, but interconnected initiatives. Several UN Volunteers with disabilities were contacted and requested to provide feedback on the accessibility of the UNV applications. Highly valuable feedback was received, including a comprehensive Keyboard Accessibility Assessment Report, prepared by Hudoykul Hafizov, UN Volunteer who served as Disability Inclusion Advisor with UNDP in Uzbekistan.
USP Patent Aims for Accessibility for People with Dwarfism (indiaeducationdiary.in)
According to the Ministry of Health, “dwarfism is a disorder characterized by growth deficiency, resulting in a person with short stature, compared to the average population of the same age and sex”.
How to make sure your digital marketing campaign is accessible to all (prmoment.com)
Approximately 16 million people in the UK live with a disability, which makes up approximately 24% of the population. Despite this significant number, disabled individuals frequently face excessive exclusion in marketing, be it in terms of representation or the incorporation of digital accessibility features.
4 ways to make AI a force multiplier for workers with disabilities (fastcompany.com)
Not many organizations have realized the potential of AI to support DEI initiatives and empower workers with disabilities.
Digital access denied: why inclusivity can no longer wait (business-reporter.co.uk)
Despite the challenges, making websites accessible is vital for the full inclusion of individuals with impairments, highlighting the need for proactive design and policy changes.
Unite for Access: Q&A with Audio for All commentator (cambridgeunited.com)
Ahead of our upcoming Level Playing Field Matchday against Derby County, we spoke to the voice of the Club's 'Audio for All' commentary, Neil Cornwell, for a quick Q&A...
Consequences of aging, why we die explained by Nobel biologist (abcnews.go.com)
ABC News Live speaks with Nobel Prize-winning molecular biologist Venki Ramakrishnan on aging and his new book.
Accessibility in New Orleans with Mark Raymond, Jr. (neworleans.com)
New Orleans native, activist, and founder of Split Second Foundation shares his picks for his favorite accessible restaurants, attractions, and hotels in New Orleans.
Learning together - Accessibility resources (lichfield.anglican.org)
You don’t have to be an expert to get started. As well as our regular network meetings, where we learn what’s worked from others in their church, we offer bitesize training (link to videos) on particular topics - a number as short videos. Sign up to our newsletter for what’s coming next.
Braille Choices: Paper vs. Electronic Braille? (brailleworks.com)
When you receive a request for braille documents, you have an important decision: should you print it or opt for a digital alternative?
Addressing accessibility in Iowa's state parks (radioiowa.com)
A House panel has voted to set aside a quarter of a million dollars for projects that make Iowa’s state parks more accessible to visitors with disabilities. Republican Representative Norlin Mommsen of DeWitt says it’s a first installment for needed improvements. “The DNR’s been running a survey, evaluating their parks and stuff,” Mommsen says.
Disability Allyship: Milana Vayntrub & Haben Girma (habengirma.com)
Disability allyship has two crucial pillars: 1. Ask disabled people what we need, and 2. Based on those answers, take action to remove barriers.
Web accessibility: A beginner's guide (techradar.com)
Learn tips and tricks to make your website more accessible
Amazon.com: Accessibility (amazon.com)
Online-Einkauf mit großartigem Angebot im Accessibility Shop.
Getting to know each other (disabilitydebrief.org)
A reader survey and updates from behind-the-scenes
Coding Accessibility: Developing Our Inclusive Future (youtube.com)
Software development has an opportunity to level the playing field by bringing adaptive and accessible technology, knowledge, and inclusion to everyone, including people with disabilities. This panel of disabled developers and creators explores the evolution of accessibility and inclusion in software development, what it means to be a developer with a disability, and how bringing parity across technology stands to improve our lives.
Increasing Inclusive Design and Accessibility (blogs.oracle.com)
Oracle Partners with Teach Access to increase inclusive design and accessibility in industry.
POTTERY BARN ANNOUNCES ACCESSIBLE HOME FURNISHINGS COLLECTION IN COLLABORATION WITH MICHAEL GRAVES DESIGN (finance.yahoo.com)
Pottery Barn, a portfolio brand of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM), the world’s largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer, announced today the upcoming launch of an accessible home furnishings collection developed in collaboration with Michael Graves Design. Renowned for expertise in accessible design innovation, Michael Graves Design and Pottery Barn have partnered to create a new collection of bedroom furnishings and upholstery pieces, thoughtfully designed to make life at home safer and more accessible. The Michael Graves Design for Pottery Barn collaboration will launch in July 2024.
Medicare Sets Reimbursement Rates for Personal Exoskeletons: A Milestone for Accessibility (exoskeletonreport.com)
ReWalk Robotics, now operating under the name Lifeward, and Ekso Bionics, have both separately announced that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) has officially revised its April 2024 Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (“DMEPOS”) Fee Schedule to include a final lump-sum Medicare purchase fee schedule amount for personal exoskeletons. It is hard to predict the impact of this announcement, but it could quickly become the most critical exo-related news event of the last decade.
Top 10 busiest airports in the world shift with the rise of international air travel demand (aci.aero)
Preliminary data reveals the strengthening of Asia-Pacific and Middle East hubs alongside perennial US leaders
Network Rail partners with local steel developer for accessibility projects (globalrailwayreview.com)
Network Rail have partnered with a local steel company, M&S Engineering, to complete accessibility upgrades.
Ofcom revises accessibility code to include streaming TV services (thedesk.net)
The code requires video program providers to offer accessibility features like subtitles and descriptive audio.
‘Braille Story Walk’ promotes accessible reading in Ann Arbor (mlive.com)
The interactive story exhibit will be open until the end of the month.
Windows 10 is adding a slew of accessibility upgrades in May (ca.movies.yahoo.com)
If you depend on Windows 10's accessibility features, several new enhancements are coming with the May 2020 update.
Find Out How to Vote in Your State (aapd.com)
At REV UP, we build the power of the disability vote. That means making sure every one of the 35 million eligible voters with disabilities is registered and ready to vote and has access to the ballot.
DutchX Co-Founder Marcus Hoed Talks Making Returns More Accessible To All With New At-Home Returns Service (forbes.com)
Last June, I published an interview with DutchX co-founder Ariella Azogui and David Lopez, who oversees the company’s delivery fleet. Founded in 2012 by Azogui and her other co-founder in Marcus Hoed, the New York-based DutchX is a delivery solutions company that specializes in building logistics technology in addition to acting as its own delivery platform. Notable clients of DutchX include Amazon Fresh, Eataly, and Whole Foods. Even more notable is, unlike competitors’ reliance on independent contractors for labor, DutchX delivery workers are full-fledged employees who receive the commensurate benefits.
Apple Vision Pro Review: The First Pass At Spatial Computing Is An Accessible One For All (forbes.com)
Having covered the company at close range for over a decade, Apple’s commitment to accessibility is not virtue-signaling nor an empty bromide.
Apple’s AirTags Are Accessible, But Their Achilles Heel Is An Inaccessible Battery Door (forbes.com)
During the trip, a bunch of our AirTags displayed low battery notifications on our respective iPhones.
Jamco and JAXA collaborate on accessible aircraft lavatory concept (aircraftinteriorsinternational.com)
Aircraft interiors supplier, Jamco Corporation, has released details of its next-generation ‘Metamorphic’ aircraft lavatory, designed to make air travel more inclusive and enjoyable for passengers with reduced mobility (PRMs). The lavatory forms part ‘Jamco Vision 2030’, an ongoing collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Japanese national research and development agency for air and space.
Honda testing accessibility app in US (just-auto.com)
First AI-powered accessibility app to enhance journeys in motor vehicles for the blind and visually impaired.
Innovating accessible travel at YVR (news.yvr.ca)
At YVR, our dedication to accessibility and inclusion drives many of our ongoing airport innovations. Understanding the diverse needs of our community, we are continually exploring new and innovative ways to ensure travel is accessible to all.
How to Write Accessible Technical Documentation (freecodecamp.org)
When you're writing technical documentation for a project or a tool you're working on, you'll want it to be accessible. This means that it will cater to and be usable by the diverse global audience on the web.
Accessibility, sustainability, empathy, and how to build a better games industry (windowscentral.com)
The mood of developers at GDC reflected my own desires for a better 2024.
PINE HEARTS HOST ACCESSIBILITY FEATURE DAY WITH CREATORS (dlh.net)
Publishing label Little Nook, part of Hyper Luminal Games, organised a special access day for Safe in Our World ambassadors therealpengy, Phoebe Hesketh, and content creators psykit and mousewastaken, all of whom are involved in supporting accessibility and mental health awareness in games. They got to chat with Creative Director Rob Madden, UX/UI Designer and Accessibility Lead Searra Leishman, and Social and Community Coordinator Melissa Cocker about all things Pine Hearts.
Write in Morse code (support.google.com)
You can write in Morse code on your mobile device. Tania’s Story: Morse code meets machine learning
Principal Matters Combines a Classic Sitcom Feel with Diverse Cast That Makes it Fresh (respectability.org)
Principal Matters follows the story of two high school teachers who are trying to fight back against their awful and egotistical boss.
Embracing Neurodiversity in STEM Education for All Learners (mcie.org)
About the Guest(s): Dr. Jodi Asbell-Clarke is an esteemed figure in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) community, particularly in the realm of game-based learning. With a background enriched by working on the space shuttle program for its first 25 missions, she has been pivotal in linking computational thinking and neurodiversity, offering unique insights into the talents that neurodivergent learners bring to STEM problem-solving. Asbell-Clarke holds a wealth of experience and has dedicated her career to advancing equity and opportunities in STEM education through innovative methods such as educational gaming. She is a key member of the Educational Gaming Environments group (Edge) at TERC, a non-profit dedicated to STEM education.
Sunak to cite Britain’s ‘sicknote culture’ in bid to overhaul fit note system (theguardian.com)
Prime minister to express concern about ‘over-medicalising’ normal worries with diagnoses as mental health conditions
Improving Gaming Accessibility: Anthony DeVergillo's Overjoyed Accessible Controller for Nintendo Games (assistivetechnologyblog.com)
Discover how Anthony DeVergillo is revolutionizing accessibility in gaming with his Overjoyed Accessible Controller, making Nintendo games playable for all.
‘Humiliated’: carer made to pay back £3.8k after mistake declaring income (theguardian.com)
Davina Ware applied for benefits to help look after husband Mike, 72, who has lived with Parkinson’s for 20 years
Are we set to redefine access and inclusion for cinema lovers? (mxmindia.com)
A landmark judgment, a bold interview and a captivating trailer get Shruti Pushkarna to ask if we are entering a new phase in Indian cinema
‘A broken system’: Report identifies reasons behind long ER wait times in Maryland (baltimoresun.com)
Maryland has some of the longest hospital emergency department wait times in the nation. The reasons are complex and interrelated, from not enough hospital beds in the right places and a deepening …
The Disabled Body in Contemporary Art (link.springer.com)
This volume analyzes the representation of disabled and disfigured bodies in contemporary art and its various contexts.
Disability Intimacy: Essays on Love, Care, and Desire by Alice Wong (sfsu.zoom.us)
Hear from panelists featured in the anthology as they explore disability and intimacy themes tied to romance, community, caregiving and friendships. Moderated by Alice Wong.
Proposed Medicaid cuts hang in N.Y. budget balance (spectrumlocalnews.com)
The latest budget extender goes through Thursday.
Learn essential digital skills for free in Birmingham (abilitynet.org.uk)
Attend in-person information sessions aimed at people over 65, and speak to advisors about your digital questions, at BT's Snowhill offices in Birmingham.
‘My soul mate’: Warwick Davis pays tribute to wife Samantha who has died aged 53 (theguardian.com)
Harry Potter star described wife, who founded dwarfism charity Little People UK, as ‘greatest love of his life’
Female Christian Speakers: How Jessica Overcomes Challenges (jessicacox.com)
Faith has been my steadfast guide, helping me navigate a world designed for those with arms, which I was born without.
A beginner's guide to digital accessibility (abilitynet.org.uk)
Technology is a regular part of our daily lives, making a subject like accessibility hugely important. Accessibility not only improves user experience; it provides equal access to information, tools and opportunities.
The European Independent Living Day – May 5th (enil.eu)
The European Independent Living Day, celebrated annually on May 5th, champions the right to independent living for disabled individuals.
Tips for an Inclusive and Accessible Passover Seder (respectability.org)
How can a seder be engaging and meaningful for all guests, including children, teens, and adults with disabilities? Here are some tips.
‘Injustice’: 92-year-old with dementia told by DWP to repay £7k in disability allowance (theguardian.com)
Rose Chitseko says her mother was too unwell to inform department of change in circumstance
Disability News and Mental Health, Access All’s 100th episode (bbc.co.uk)
It's Access All's 100th episode, featuring Rose Ayling-Ellis and a look behind the scenes
The Carer’s Leave Act 2023 - what it means (businessdisabilityforum.org.uk)
We examine the Carer’s Leave Act 2023 and what it means for employees and employers.
Actors With Disabilities Are Ready, Willing and Able to Take More Roles (nytimes.com)
For performers with disabilities, theater casting has taken steps forward. But frustrating challenges remain.
PBS Kids adds American Sign Language interpreters to some of its children’s shows (fastcompany.com)
Six PBS children’s series, including ‘Arthur,’ and ‘Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,’ will include ASL interpretations for the deaf and hard of hearing.
How Taylor Swift's Music Is Teaching Social-Emotional Skills To Students In Special Ed (disabilityscoop.com)
In an independent living class, students with disabilities are using Taylor Swift's music to learn about everything from self-regulation and stress management to cooking, geography and more.
Asige: Senator, singer and champion of disability rights in Kenya (trtafrika.com)
This visually impaired lawmaker inspires people living with disability to turn their scars into success stories.
What Do You Mean I Don't Look Autistic?: Pageantry, Self-Advocacy, and Embracing Autism (youtube.com)
Join me in this captivating episode as I sit down with Sarah Bosibori, an extraordinary autistic self-advocate, at the Inclusive Africa Conference. We embark on a compelling exploration of Sarah's unique path, delving into her groundbreaking achievements in the world of pageantry. Beyond the glitz and glamour, we delve into the core of her journey as a self-advocate, unraveling the complexities and triumphs that shape her identity. Get ready to challenge preconceived notions, celebrate diversity, and gain a deeper understanding of the vibrant Autistic experience.
In Ethiopia, early diagnosis improves care of kids with cerebral palsy (hollandbloorview.ca)
Prior to the research project at Holland Bloorview, Ethiopian clinicians didn’t have a tool to identify the condition in babies.
'The Ride Ahead' is about finding power in community (hollandbloorview.ca)
In his Hot Docs film, Samuel Habib crosses the United States to interview disability activists who offer advice on navigating an ableist world.
In this graphic novel, being different is cool (hollandbloorview.ca)
'If you have never seen yourself reflected in a book, I hope you will in this one.'
Learning disabilities: People 'locked up' in hospitals (www-bbc-com.cdn.ampproject.org)
Campaigners want more help to enable people to receive care in the community.
Wheeling Our Way Through Our Colonial Williamsburg Adventure (adventuremadeaccessible.wordpress.com)
The American Revolution has always fascinated me, but it surprised me how much my family and I didn’t know about life right before the revolution.
The Dark and Light of having a learning disability (michellesmission.net)
Image description: A dark blue lake with a pink purple and yellow sunrise above. Tall trees stand in the back ground. Having a learning disability has created both light and dark moments in my life.
Higher education was easily accessible to disabled people during Covid. Why are we being shut out now? (theguardian.com)
The Covid era showed that remote learning is effective. It’s absurd that universities are going back to processes that exclude us, says Rosie Anfilogoff, a winner of the 2024 Hugo Young Award
Launch of the ENIL Proposal on Social Services for Disabled People (enil.eu)
On April 9th 2024, ENIL launched its Proposal for the European Commission’s Framework for Social Services of Excellence for Persons with Disabilities. The Proposal, which was published by ENIL earlier this year, aims at presenting the views, ideas and needs of disabled people on quality social services ahead of the development of the Framework by the Commission, which is due to happen by this year.
Krista Villatoro Showcases Solo Filmmaking Skills in No Sabo with Wide Shots Emphasizing Isolation (respectability.org)
No Sabo is a short film about Villatoro’s adventures, or lack thereof, in Guatemala. The short film not only stars Villatoro, but is also directed, shot, and edited by her.
Open to Interpretation Skillfully Conveys Message that Effective Communication Hinges on Delivery and Understanding of Message (respectability.org)
Open to Interpretation is a delightful five-minute dark comedy sketch that introduces us to Jeremy Stone and his amusing interactions with his ASL interpreter.
With Great Comedic Timing, Twin Perspectives Shows Different Ways of Coping with Ableism (respectability.org)
Twin Perspectives follows a conversation between twin brothers, both played by Nader Bahu, having a conversation on their experience with their disability.
Accessible digital technology for wellbeing (abilitynet.org.uk)
In this guest blog, PMAC outlines the digital developments that may help with your mental health, including reducing isolation and improving health management.
How technology gadgets improve elderly health (disabilityinsider.com)
Learn the transformative effect of technology gadgets on elderly health. Explore original devices and solutions designed to improve seniors' good and freedom.
How technology advances accessibility for people with disabilities (disabilityinsider.com)
In a world driven by technology, advancements have transformed accessibility for individuals with disabilities. From assistive devices to inclusive design, inclusivity thrives.
Strategies for rescuing disabled elderly during disasters (disabilityinsider.com)
Discover vital strategies for rescuing disabled elderly during disasters. Learn about communication, medical assistance, shelter, community involvement, and legal considerations for effective rescue operations.
Sensory room provides inclusive experience at Optus Stadium (disabilityinsider.com)
A new sensory room at Optus Stadium, constructed at a cost of $190,000, has been opened today.
Hawkesbury adopts Disability Inclusion Action Plan (disabilityinsider.com)
Hawkesbury City Council has adopted its Hawkesbury Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2023-2026. It can be viewed at www.yourhawkesbury-yoursay.com.au/2023-2026-disability-inclusion-action-plan Council recognises that access and inclusion are fundamental to building a safe, connected, and cohesive Hawkesbury community. The Hawkesbury Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) 2023-2026 provides Council with a clear set of actions and strategies to be undertaken … Continue reading "Hawkesbury adopts Disability Inclusion Action Plan"
Feds move to improve web and mobile app accessibility (disabilityinsider.com)
Last week, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland signed a final rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure the accessibility of websites and mobile apps for people with disabilities.
New guide released to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities (disabilityinsider.com)
A new Disability Confident guide for managers helping them recruit, retain, and foster the progression of disabled people and those with health conditions in the workplace has been published today by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
‘Although I’m tetraplegic, I’ve started to feel normal’: Hanif Kureishi on staging The Buddha of Suburbia (theguardian.com)
As his coming-of-age rollercoaster hits the stage, the novelist talks about the boredom of hospitals, how Britain has changed since Buddha – and why shouting at his kids is a great way to write blogs
Keep Masks in Health Care (disabilityvisibilityproject.com)
I gave a short speech on April 16, 2024 in front of the San Francisco Department of Public at a protest organized by Senior and Disability Action. We called SFDPH to keep in place Health Order 2023-01b, which requires that personnel in healthcare settings wear masks. This health order is a crucial protection for the San Francisco community amid the ongoing pandemic. They currently plan on ending the requirement on April 30, 2024.
The Psychological Terrorism of Witnessing Genocide in Gaza (disabilityvisibilityproject.com)
When I was asked to write this piece I agreed, saying I wanted to write something about my mental health (or lack of) as a Palestinian witnessing Genocide on my people from Jordan. Yet when I started writing about the Genocide on Gaza my brain would completely shut down, I’d get really anxious. I’d write a bit then I had to take very long breaks. Initially I wrote an entire piece about the atrocities committed on my people, writing so many details of horrific things that were happening. I think it was my sense of obligation and survivor’s guilt mixed in with all the trauma that made me feel I owed it to my people to tell the world everything they’re experiencing. As if my words could save my people, or as if my words could inspire a revolution to bring down the colonizers ruling the world. It became such a huge task in my head and so painful I just couldn’t really write anymore. It was then, when I started writing, that I realized the degree to which my brain was really traumatized and that I had lost my ability to focus and do things that are usually easy for me to do.
A moment that changed me: I was paralysed on a climb. Then I made the 100-mile journey back to myself (theguardian.com)
Seven years after a terrible fall, I teamed up with two other disabled sportsmen to scale Iceland’s highest peak. With each drive of my poles into the snow, I came closer to the man I’d once been
Op-Ed: Why are we OK with disability drag in Hollywood? (latimes.com)
It’s no secret that television programming offers a skewed image of our diverse society—one that’s whiter, straighter and more male.
The Most Powerful Thing You Can Say to Another Mom (popsugar.com)
A few weeks ago, one of my dearest friends lost her 21-month-old daughter forever when the sweet baby girl died unexpectedly.
I was the poster girl for OCD. Then I began to question everything I’d been told about mental illness (theguardian.com)
When I sought help for crippling invasive thoughts, I was told I had a disease like any other. But I wasn’t able to recover until I understood the fallacy at the heart of mental healthcare
Supreme Court Allows Idaho’s Gender-Affirming Care Ban — For Now (forbes.com)
Idaho’s ban on gender-affirming care can be enforced, for now.
New Class Explores Accessibility, Inclusion in Theater With April 25 Performance (news.utoledo.edu)
The free, public performance of "The Audition” is at 6 p.m. in UToledo’s Center for Performing Arts Center Theatre. A talk-back with actors and a reception will immediately follow.
“It’s weird for the people who aren’t used to it. And I want to make it less weird”: Blindness community bloggers as legitimate voices of their lived experiences (journals.sagepub.com)
In this study, 19 bloggers from the blindness community discuss the meaning of blogging both for themselves and for other persons within this community. Bloggers with visual impairments, their relatives, and blog editors of blindness organizations are interviewed to answer the following questions: (1) What motivates people from the blindness community to still use blogs? (2) How does blogging enable the blindness community to shape their identity and share their lived experiences? (3) How do people with visual impairments and their allies see the future of blogs? Using critical disability studies to interpret the findings, we argue that blogs are a significant form of communication and awareness-raising for the blindness community, as well as enhancing the identity of members of the blindness community. The analysis of the interviews shows that visually impaired people’s participation in blogging changes their self-perception in a positive way, as well as others’ perceptions of blindness. According to the study participants, bloggers with visual impairment and their allies consider themselves more knowledgeable about the topic of blindness because their blogs communicate authentic lived experiences. Overall, the participants are generally optimistic about the future of blogging for the benefit of the blindness community.
Why Not? George Webster's New Book (downs-syndrome.org.uk)
Why Not? is George Webster's new book, a beautiful rhyming tale celebrating difference and the importance of having a go and not giving up.
Access for All: Integrating Accessibility (youtube.com)
Andrea Jennings hosts this pop culture show that captures authentic accessibility and disability culture. In the episode Andrea talks with CJ Jones; Actor, Producer and Director of ASL.
Federal Judge Lets Human Rights Case Against Access-A-Ride Proceed (thecity.nyc)
Judge Jessica Clarke held that the “illogical and unnecessarily circuitous routes” aren’t giving people with disabilities comparable service.
Road Trips: How to Plan an Accessible Getaway (nytimes.com)
If you have a disability, you’ll want to review route planning, lodging options, food requirements and finding the right rental vehicle.
How Anna Pakman Is Helping To Make the Entertainment Industry More Diverse and Representative (medium.com)
Slow down. Being young and ambitious, sometimes it’s hard to see that a career is a marathon rather than a sprint. I’m able to bring so much more to both my “day job” and my writing by experiences I gain by actually living rather than working all the time.
Families of Down syndrome babies say they felt pressure to terminate (youtube.com)
Families of children with Down syndrome will share their experiences at the next parliamentary inquiry into birth trauma. The peak body for Down syndrome has lodged a submission saying parents are being given outdated and inaccurate information, including pressure to terminate pregnancies.
Everything You Know About Disability Is Wrong (easterseals.com)
Join our hosts, Lily Newton and Erin Hawley, as they sit down with the riveting Gaelynn Lea, whose voice and violin strings resonate with the force of change, challenging our perceptions of ability and accessibility.