ENIL-ECCL Webinar Series on Deinstitutionalisation: Sharing and Seeking Solutions (enil.eu)
The ENIL-ECCL Webinar Series focuses on following the progress of deinstitutionalisation strategies and projects across Europe, and the extent to which they are allowing more disabled people to live independently in the community. We also aim to learn from countries that started closing down institutions some decades ago, and to see whether there is anything from these processes that should inform today’s efforts and reforms. By speaking to different stakeholders in the process – disabled people and their organisations, service providers, academics, the media – we aim to find out what works and what does not.
Judy Heumann has left us (enil.eu)
The worldwide Independent Living and Disability Rights Movement has lost its most outspoken, powerful, and tireless spokesperson. Judy Heumann passed away on March 4, aged 75.
Study Session 2023 (Apply NOW) (enil.eu)
The ENIL Youth Network, in cooperation with the Council of Europe, is holding a study session at the European Youth Centre Strasbourg (EYCS) from 12th June to 17th June 2023. The title of the study session will be “Crip Camp: Disability Rights in Times of Conflict and Calamity”, covering a wide range of themes such as disability rights in war and climate change.
Worker asks Elon Musk on Twitter: Have I been fired? (bbc.com)
In a viral Twitter thread, Halli Thorleifsson is asked by Elon Musk what work he has done for the firm.
Inclusion crucial to ensure safety of persons with disabilities: Report (disabilityinsider.com)
Today the Royal Commission published a commissioned report titled Outcomes associated with ‘inclusive’, ‘segregated’ and 'integrated’ settings for people with disability.
UN Disability Rights Committee to review six countries (disabilityinsider.com)
The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) will review Angola, Georgia, Tunisia, Peru, Argentina and Togo in its latest session from today to 24 March.
WID Mourns the Loss of Judy Heumann, WID Co-Founder and Disability Rights Icon (wid.org)
The World Institute on Disability is heartbroken that our co-founder, Judy Heumann, has died on March 4, 2023 at the age of 75. Judy was an incredible leader and activist fighting for the rights and opportunities of over a billion disabled people around the world, and her loss will be felt for many years to come.
Right place, right time for young Karratha stroke survivor (disabilityinsider.com)
Despite being 1,500 kilometres from home, Jemma Twidle couldn’t have been in a better place when her stroke struck. The 25-year-old from Karratha had made the trip to Perth for her brother-in-law’s wedding in October 2022.
Rights Committee launches twenty-eighth session on disability (disabilityinsider.com)
The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities today opened its twenty-eighth session, during which it would review the reports of Angola, Argentina, Georgia, Peru, Togo and Tunisia.
‘A generational shift’: war prompts Ukrainians to embrace their language (theguardian.com)
Kremlin has banned Ukrainian from occupied territory schools but elsewhere language is on the rise.
Relying on Others for Help Going to the Bathroom When You're Disabled (themighty.com)
"I honestly think if able-bodied people had to endure what we did for just one day, they would come from a more understanding place."
I completed an intensive treatment program for depression—and one year later, I’m back. (themighty.com)
Six days ago, on January 30th, I was admitted to a partial hospitalization program for depression. This is the second time I’m doing the same program, and I have mixed feelings about being back.
Rethinking Planned Ignoring for Autitic Kids (learnplaythrive.com)
Rethinking Planned Ignoring for Autistic Kids If you work with autistic children, you’re always looking for effective strategies to help your clients meet their goals. When challenging behaviors get in the way, many therapists decide that a behavioral approach is the way to go.
6 Novels That Get Chronic Illness Right (brainlesionandme.com)
In this, post I share 6 novels about chronic illness that feature auhentic and relatable chronically ill characters.
The World Mourns the Passing of Judy Heumann, Disability Rights Activist (diverseability.wpengine.com)
Judith “Judy” Heumann—widely regarded as “the mother” of the disability rights movement—passed away in Washington, D.C. on the afternoon of March 4, 2023.
This Autistic Educator Is Now the Youngest Professor at Cambridge University (becauseofthemwecan.com)
Jason Arday, who was unable to read and write until the age of 18, is now the youngest professor at Cambridge University, The Guardian reports.
AAPD Fall Internship Program (aapd.com)
The AAPD Fall Internship Program is a professional and career development opportunity for disabled students and recent graduates. Interns explore career opportunities, gain leadership skills, and connect to the broader disability community.
Falkirk wheelchair racer Abby Cook is new Blue Peter presenter (bbc.com)
Abby Cook from Falkirk said she was speechless after being chosen as the show's 42nd presenter.
Disability water bottle makers people slam UK shop selling it for £136 (dailymail.co.uk)
An American firm that sells a hands-free water bottle to US wheelchair users - the Giraffe Bottle (pictured) - for £50 has hit out at a British retailer for hiking the price to an exorbitant £136.
Duke University Press (dukeupress.edu)
For people who are living with disability, including various forms of chronic diseases and chronic pain, daily tasks like lifting a glass of water or taking off clothes can be difficult if not impossible. In Activist Affordances, Arseli Dokumacı draws on ethnographic work with differently disabled people whose ingenuity, labor, and artfulness allow them to achieve these seemingly simple tasks. Dokumacı shows how they use improvisation to imagine and bring into being more habitable worlds through the smallest of actions and the most fleeting of movements---what she calls “activist affordances.” Even as an environment shrinks to a set of constraints rather than opportunities, the improvisatory space of performance opens up to allow disabled people to imagine that same environment otherwise. Dokumacı shows how disabled people’s activist affordances present the potential for a more liveable and accessible world for all of us.
Research Projects - Film Dis (filmdis.com)
Part of our job here at FilmDis is to report on disabled representation in the media. One of the ways we do this is by performing extensive research.
Remembering Judy Heumann (lucywebster.substack.com)
On the passing of an icon
Neurodiversity in the Workplace, presented with Beyond-Impact (go.3playmedia.com)
Join us for a presentation on neurodiversity in the workplace, presented in collaboration with our partners at Beyond-Impact.
Art inSight: Celebrating Over 50 Years of Touch Tours at MoMA (moma.org)
Join us for a day of events at The Museum of Modern Art to commemorate over 50 years of touch tours at MoMA! We will also be celebrating the 20th anniversary of Art inSight, MoMA’s public program for visitors who are blind or have low vision. Bring your friends and family to explore the galleries together any time between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Discover artworks in our collection through touch, participate in guided verbal description tours, enjoy art making, and learn about MoMA’s new recorded audio descriptions. Then, at 3:00 p.m., watch a screening of Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, with open audio description. Please note that a limited number of MoMA staff will be available as sighted guides on a first-come, first-served basis. We strongly encourage bringing guests. This program is for visitors who are blind or have low vision and their guests. Admission is free, and preregistration is recommended. Register now Schedule 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Open house: Drop in for verbal description and tactile experiences in the galleries 3:00 p.m. Film with audio description: Screening of Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022; 114 min.) in Theater 1 Contact [email protected] or call (212) 408-6447 with any questions.
Alchemizing Fatigue (accesscenteredmovement.com)
Image Description: square image with a pastel graded background and metallic teal Ouroboros lies in the center background, touching all edges of the square.
Sensory Inclusion in the Arts and Cultural Sector: What Does It REALLY Mean (eventbrite.com)
Join us for our first workshop of 2023 to discuss what sensory inclusion looks like for people who identify as neurodivergent.
Beyond 6 Seconds: A nonspeaking autistic writer’s advocacy – with Ben Breaux (sites.libsyn.com)
How do you get an education when you cannot speak, and the school system does not understand your abilities or support your needs? This was the experience of Ben Breaux, a 22-year-old nonspeaking autistic man with epilepsy who uses a letterboard and a text-to-speech app on his iPad to communicate. Ben is an aspiring journalist who feels it is very important that non-, minimal- and unreliably speaking autistic people have equal rights, opportunities, and voices in society.
‘This show is a warning’ the musical telling the forgotten story of disabled people in Nazi Germany (theguardian.com)
Set in 1933, Waldo’s Circus of Magic & Terror features a cast relishing the chance to shine a light on the kind of heroes often airbrushed from history.
#AudioEye Will Get You Sued (adrianroselli.com)
This post was written in early 2022 and sat in a corner of my site, hidden from the world, after AudioEye sent me a legal threat over a handful of tweets in April 2022. I opted not to poke this well-funded bully as a self-employed consultant.
What's Up WID: Housing Accessibility (wid.org)
Multi-award-winning disabled architect, inclusive designer and access consultant Amy Francis-Smith is discussing why housing accessibility matters.
The Effects of Long COVID (wid.org)
by Kate Anderson Some people have decided to “move on” from the pandemic, returning to offices and social events without masks.
Türkiye and Syria Response and Updates (wid.org)
The latest developments and updates on The Global Alliance for Disaster Resource Acceleration’s (GADRA) support efforts to disabled persons organizations in Türkiye and Syria in the aftermath of the earthquake.
Supporting Disabled People Affected by the Earthquake in Türkiye and Syria (give.wid.org)
The Global Alliance for Disaster Resource Acceleration (GADRA) Activates in Support of Disabled Persons Organizations in Türkiye and Syria.
Our 40th Anniversary - World Institute on Disability (wid.org)
Accelerating our global campaign to achieve equity, accessibility, inclusion, and justice for all.
Hearing Loss and Computing (abilitynet.org.uk)
This factsheet gives information about how computers, tablets and smartphones can be used to enhance listening for people with some degree of hearing loss. It does not aim to be comprehensive but provides a useful introduction to some of the key assistive technology available.
Global Disability Inclusion Named to Fast Company's Annual List of the World's Most Innovative Companies for 2023 (prnewswire.com)
Global Disability Inclusion, a leader in driving strategic innovation in disability inclusion has been named to Fast Company's prestigious annual list of the World's Most Innovative Companies for 2023.
Borealis Philanthropy and Ford Foundation Launch $1 Million Disability x Tech Fund to Advance Leadership of People With Disabilities in Tech Innovation (fordfoundation.org)
Ford Foundation commits $1 million in disabled leaders advancing technology and disability justice.
Armed With Hashtags, These Activists Made Insulin Prices a Presidential Talking Point (khn.org)
Twitter has been a hotbed for the burgeoning insulin access movement and activism surrounding other medical conditions.
As Eli Lilly slashes the price of insulin, here’s what to know (washingtonpost.com)
The drugmaker says the move will make the diabetes medication more accessible, especially for those who have trouble navigating the “complex health care system.”
One idea per line (autisticadvocacy.org)
A Guide to Making Easy Read Resources.
Mellon Foundation Awards $1.5M for Disability Studies (lettersandscience.ucdavis.edu)
An American studies professor in the UC Davis College of Letters and Science has received a $1.5 million award from the Mellon Foundation for a project to explore the intersection of research on disability and chronic illness. The three-year project in partnership with Yale University aims to develop a national network of scholars, culture workers and organizers who will bring disability justice approaches to the study of chronic illness.
Practicing Inclusion in the Time of COVID (strategiesforhighimpact.org)
A brief guide for gatherings and call for disability solidarity, created in partnership with What Would an HIV Doula Do?
How Deaf DJs are revolutionising the club experience (mixmag.net)
Becky Buckle speaks to Troi Lee, KIKAZARU and Robbie Wilde on tech, crowds and overcoming music industry obstacles.
The body is a bundle of chaos. Their art was designed to make you feel discomfort (latimes.com)
It’s not often — even while working in the arts, which constantly pose difficult questions to viewers, oftentimes questions that have no answers — that we are confronted with the most existential and, in some ways, the most basic questions of them all: questions around fear, death, mortality and love.
‘A Gathering in a Better World’ leads by example on inclusivity of artists living with disabilities (iol.co.za)
The international festival showcases the work of artists living with disabilities alongside those who are not.
Kansas City International Airport’s New Terminal Opens, Reimagines Inclusivity and Accessibility for Air Travel (webwire.com)
As the largest single infrastructure project in the history of Kansas City, the new LEED Gold terminal significantly increases passenger capacity with a design deeply informed by residents throughout the city.
Improving access and inclusion for people with disabilities in Greater Shepparton – opening soon (greatershepparton.com.au)
Businesses, not for profit organisations and community groups are encouraged to apply for funding to improve access and inclusion for people with disabilities in Greater Shepparton. The inaugural grant has been developed by Greater Shepparton City Council as part of the Universal Access and Inclusion Plan 2022-2026.
Amazon Business Launches New AbilityOne Storefront To Advance Inclusive Procurement (forbes.com)
AbilityOne in conjunction with Amazon Business has launched a new storefront designed to make federal sourcing and procurement of products manufactured by individuals with disabilities simpler and easier than ever before.
Apple Working on AR/VR Headset Technology to Help People With Eye Diseases (macrumors.com)
Future versions of the AR/VR headset that Apple has in development could help people with eye diseases, according to information shared over the weekend by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in his latest issue of the PowerOn newsletter. According to Gurman, Apple has a special XDG team exploring next-generation display technology, AI, and options for future AR/VR headsets that will assist people with visual issues.
Using AI to understand diversity in content (tech.ebu.ch)
Since 2022, the Danish public service broadcaster DR has been using an AI-based diversity tracker. For editorial teams as well as the diversity team, automated tracking releases resources and offers valuable insights, writes Karen Lerbech, media and diversity consultant.
World In Sign (worldinsign.com)
World In Sign, LLC (WIS) is a deaf*-owned company dedicated to fostering accessibility to all levels of society through innovation, technology and education.
UNITE FOR ACCESS | Accessibility at Wrexham AFC (youtube.com)
Wrexham AFC Disability Liaison Officer Kerry Evans discusses how the Football Club is trying to make the Racecourse Ground accessible to all.
Why Every Product Needs a VPAT (microassist.com)
Why do government agencies, universities, and other organizations require a VPAT for your applications and software products.
UNC students camp out in call for more accessibility (wral.com)
After getting stuck for 32 hours in a dorm room, UNC students who use wheelchairs camped out for 32 hours in front of the Chancellor's Office.
Home Safety for Seniors—What You Should Know (thisoldhouse.com)
Keep your loved ones safe by reading these home safety tips for seniors. We detail ways to make a home hazard-free and secure from outside threats.
A study on disability glare vision in young adult subjects (nature.com)
The full assessment of the visual system must include the evaluation of the optical quality of the eye and neural visual functions. The objective evaluation of the retinal image quality is often carried out by computing the point spread function (PSF) of the eye. The central part of the PSF is associated with optical aberrations and the peripheral areas with scattering contributions. In that sense, visual acuity and contrast sensitivity function tests can be considered the perceptual neural response to those contributions characterizing the eye’s PSF. However, in natural viewing conditions, visual acuity tests may provide good vision while contrast sensitivity tests can reveal visual impairment in glare vision conditions, such as exposure to bright light sources or night driving conditions. Here we present an optical instrument for the study of disability glare vision under extended Maxwellian illumination to assess the contrast sensitivity function under glare conditions. The limit of the Total Disability Glare threshold, tolerance, and glare adaptation will be investigated as a function of the angular size of the glare source (GA) and the contrast sensitivity function in young adult subjects.
The importance of accessibility in business – a simple guide (globeecho.com)
A recent World Bank study found that businesses prioritizing accessibility saw a 20% increase in customer engagement and satisfaction. In an increasingly digital world, making sure your website and products are accessible to everyone is more important than ever. Accessibility can mean many different things, but at its core, it just means ensuring everyone can use your services and products, regardless of any disabilities they may have.
Healthcare & Web Accessibility: My experience as a blind patient (blog.usablenet.com)
As we move toward an increasingly digital future, the ability to manage your healthcare through internet sites and mobile apps is not a convenience but rather a necessity. We can only utilize the rest of the digital world if we first care for our health.
Disabilities and edtech: How the pandemic sparked a revolution (universitybusiness.com)
Students with disabilities were forced online during the pandemic, triggering student and faculty awareness of helpful technologies.
Council Post: Mobile Experiences For Businesses: How To Boost Accessibility And Revenue (forbes.com)
Having a mobile app can increase accessibility for customers and provide a better customer experience.
Accessibility Resources for Nonfiction Creators (documentary.org)
Best Practices Documents/Toolkits Examine how disabled Americans have been othered or excluded from representation in film and on television, complete with data that demonstrate their on- and off-screen marginalization.
3 things a blind diner wishes restaurants knew about digital accessibility (blog.usablenet.com)
With Valentine's Day in the rearview mirror, I think it is the perfect time to discuss accessibility on restaurant websites. I and many others searched multiple restaurant sites to find the best place for that special Valentine's dinner. Unfortunately, I frequently encounter several common accessibility-related challenges when searching for a restaurant. First, I will discuss some of my experiences in this post and provide helpful tips that will hopefully aid restaurant owners in creating a more accessible and usable website. As always, I will be speaking from the perspective of a screen reader user.
Inclusive Technology: Challenging Ableism and Creating an Equitable Future (linkedin.com)
As technology evolves rapidly, it has become clear that we must prioritize accessibility and inclusivity in its development. Yet, despite growing recognition of the importance of inclusive design, research suggests that technology is often designed without considering the needs of people with disabilities, perpetuating a narrative of exclusion and ableism.
Successful Teams Ensure 100% of their Members Understand Keyboard Accessibility (mn.gov)
Keyboard testing is one of the most basic digital accessibility tests. If you are going to learn one test, start with this one!
ASP forum addresses accessibility, greater community outreach after 1st draft release (dailyorange.com)
Syracuse University leadership hosted a feedback forum Thursday for its Academic Strategic Plan, which outlines long-term academic objectives.
Dimensions of Diversity: Accessibility on the Web: What You Need to Know (bipc.com)
On this Dimensions of Diversity episode, host Lloyd Freeman brings in Andrew Hope, a litigator at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney’s office in Philadelphia. Andrew has a wide variety of experience in litigation matters and focuses on consumer defense, especially with ADA cases which the episode centers on.
How to use Conversation Boost with your AirPods and iPhone (applemust.com)
March 3 is World Hearing Day. To celebrate the event, here is a short explanation of how to use Conversation Boost with your AirPods to hear better.
The SAAS Accessibility Toolkit (barrierbreak.com)
SAAS Accessibility - A toolkit to facilitate better understanding on how to implement accessibility and where to start.
Tips on designing inclusively for auditory/hearing disabilities - A Life Worth Living (alifeworthliving.ca)
Their problems, behaviours, needs & tools, plus design guidelines for building accessible products.
Revelations of blindness in the Middle Ages (wellcomecollection.org)
Medieval texts, from Islamic medical treatises to Christian books of miracles, reveal surprisingly varied and complex experiences of blindness. But when medieval scholar Jude Seal experienced visual impairment themselves, they gained an even deeper understanding of the lives they were studying.
AppleVis Launches Apple Vision Accessibility Report Card; Participate in Our' Survey That Will Determine the Report Card Ratings (applevis.com)
We are excited to announce the launch of our Apple Vision Accessibility Report Card and invite you to participate in the survey that will determine the report card ratings.
Virtual Reality User Study with Children and Seniors in a VR Experience (equalentry.com)
Technology solutions often overlook children and seniors. So, Equal Entry worked with VRTogether and Azalee Group to design a user study to understand how children and seniors can connect in a virtual reality (VR) world. In the study, participants play games, travel the world, and connect with others.
A Love Letter to Max Chapman: Autism and Race in A League of Their Own (cripcrapmedia.com)
Elizabeth Maher on what A League of Their Own characters Max Chapman and Shirley Cohen tell us about the racialization of autism both in the 1940s and (mostly) today.
Machine learning can improve care for people with Rett syndrome, study finds (disabilityinsider.com)
Over the last decade there has been a surge in the use of both medical-grade and consumer-grade wearable devices that measure an individual’s physiology. The ability to monitor our own activities and health is more accessible than ever before. While the application of these devices in biomedical research has largely been contained to cardiology, a new study demonstrates how the use of a wearable electronic chest patch combined with advancements in machine learning and artificial intelligence could aid in the development of new treatments for Rett syndrome, as well as a number of other health conditions.
Activist Judy Heumann led a reimagining of what it means to be disabled (npr.org)
Heumann was instrumental in pushing to expand the civil rights of Americans with disabilities and continued to advocate for disability rights around the globe. She died on Saturday at age 75.
Soapbox: As A Colour Blind Gamer, I Can Now Finally Beat Metroid Prime (nintendolife.com)
It’s always felt a little bit weird to say Metroid Prime is one of my favourite games of all time, because I’ve technically never been able to beat it.
Automatic Captions: Our Experiments and Best Practices (equalentry.com)
The number one rule for high-quality accessible captioning is readability. After all, if nobody can read your captions, then none of the other rules matter. People put so much effort into adding captions. It’s a shame when they make poor captioning choices that you can’t read them.
The disabled activist who led a historic 24-day sit-in (bbc.com)
Judy Heumann has fought all her life to challenge the stereotypes and misconceptions associated with disability.
Can't Not Won't (stephstwogirls.co.uk)
Can’t Not Won’t is a new book by Eliza Fricker, recently published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Already on its third reprint, it has instantly charted at number 9 in the Sunday Times paperback non-fiction list.
The Pros And Cons Of Identifying As Disabled (forbes.com)
How you cope with a disability is one thing. How you decide to present or reveal your disability to others is something else. It’s important for disabled and non-disabled people alike to understand both whether and how different people with disabilities choose to identify as disabled – and why.
Disabled children ‘failed and forgotten’ by government, survey finds (cypnow.co.uk)
Gaps in provision from health, education and social care are contributing to the ill health of seven in 10 disabled children, according to a survey carried out by the Disabled Children's Partnership.
What does cancer smell like? These animals can sniff it out (nationalgeographic.com)
It’s not just dogs: Even worms and ants can be trained to detect markers of illness, from COVID to tuberculosis.
Glenview Reads Together: Virtual Interview with Author Haben Girma (us06web.zoom.us)
An interview with Haben Girma author of the book Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law, Glenview Reads Together 2023 featured title.
Judy Heumann movie by Samuel Habib (youtube.com)
I made this movie for my final history and english project on the American Dream and the Disability Rights movement - it's about disability rights hero Judy Heumann. I got to interview her. Check it out and let me know what you think!
Judith Heumann, mother of disability rights movement, dies at age 75 (disabilityinsider.com)
Disability rights leader, activist and author Judith “Judy” Heumann, who helped secure legislation protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, died on Saturday at age 75.
Practical solutions to the housing crisis for vulnerable people (disabilityinsider.com)
Older people, renters, women, people with disabilities are among those most vulnerable to be hit hardest by Australia’s current housing crisis. What seems to have been lacking are practical ways to address problems and to alleviate the stresses especially felt by vulnerable Australians in this space.
The Definition of Accessibility and Why Most People Get It Wrong (wheelchairtravel.org)
Three core principles form my understanding of the true meaning of accessibility — ideas that reach far beyond the dictionary definition.
Remembering Judy Heumann (disabilityvisibility.substack.com)
Judith Heumann is now a disabled ancestor. She died yesterday on March 4, 2023. You can read a statement from her website and this article from NPR about her life and work. In 2018 I interviewed Judy for my podcast for an episode on mentoring and she interviewed me for her podcast The Heumann Perspective.
Disability is the missing piece in the dei puzzle (fastcompany.com)
Disability:IN is helping companies hire more people with disabilities while expanding the global conversation around diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Governor’s Council on Disability announces winners for 2022 annual awards (disabilityinsider.com)
The Governor's Council on Disability (GCD) has selected the award winner and honorable mention of the 31st Annual Inclusion Award and the 10th Annual Youth Leadership Award.
Being Heumann by Judith Heumann (penguinrandomhouse.com)
One of the most influential disability rights activists in US history tells her personal story of fighting for the right to receive an education, have a job, and just be human.
Leveraging accessibility to connect people with technology they need (blogs.microsoft.com)
"First, let me tell you about myself. I have worked at Microsoft as a Supportability Director focused on Accessibility since 2015 and I am blind. In my role, I partner with various engineering teams across the company to create and improve the accessibility of Microsoft technologies."
Web Accessibility: Understanding Colors and Luminance (developer.mozilla.org)
When designing visual and readable content with the aim of accessibility for all sighted users, it is important to have an understanding of light, color, and perception.
Accessible chatbot design (canaxess.com.au)
These principles when followed will make the web-based user interface of a bot accessible up to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG2) AA.
A Blogger’s Guide To Linking For Accessibility (thebias.com)
There’s a particular style of linking common in blog posts that seems to date from the early days of the blog-o-sphere, in which bloggers embed a series of links in the body of their blog post, all linking to various examples of the thing they’re discussing without providing any additional information on where the links go. Or maybe they’ll describe the thing, and then say that you can find examples here and here and here and here.
Digital Accessibility: What is it and is it worth investing in? (itexchangeweb.com)
Our world is increasingly transformed in a digital direction given the proliferation of digital products and services. This digital revolution is providing a host of opportunities to both businesses and citizens. Nevertheless, it is also raising concerns about a possible digital divide that could cause several groups of people to be left behind. This is the case for special segments of the population like elderly and disabled individuals. In this context, governments and businesses are increasingly concerned about the best ways to create an inclusive digital society that leaves no one behind. To this direction, industrial organizations and the public administration are undertaking investments in digital accessibility, including investments for their proper compliance to applicable regulations such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Caring for someone with a long term illness (abilities.ca)
Consider a variety of issues and options before accepting the responsibility of providing care. It can often come as a shock when a companion, friend or loved one is diagnosed with a chronic condition. All too often plans have not been made and you find yourself exploring options and getting ready to make difficult discussions.
How to Make Your Website More Accessible (blog.tcea.org)
What can ensure each user has a good experience on our website? Accessibility. Check out how you can make your site accessible to everyone.
Judith Heumann - Defying Obstacles in "Being Heumann" and "Crip Camp" (youtube.com)
“Being Heumann” author Judith Heumann discusses her lifelong advocacy for the rights of people with disabilities as well as the Netflix documentary “Crip Camp.”
Activist Judy Heumann led a reimagining of what it means to be disabled (npr.org)
Heumann was instrumental in pushing to expand the civil rights of Americans with disabilities and continued to advocate for disability rights around the globe. She died on Saturday at age 75.
EDSed, Episode 3: PT Elan Schneider on Neuroplasticity and New Chronic Pain Treatments (vimeo.com)
Widespread chronic pain is one of the main symptoms for people with any type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and can be debilitating. At the same time, many common treatment options, particularly with pain medication, lead to side effects. But what if we could reduce our pain without any negative consequences? Chronic Pain Partners' Editor-in-Chief Karina Sturm spoke with Dr. Elan Schneider, co-founder of the Retrain Pain Foundation and CEO of TrainPain, about neuroplasticity and how it can be used to develop new and innovative management options for chronic pain.
Academy Award winning actress visits Spartanburg university speaking of inclusion and accessibility (youtube.com)
Academy Award winning actress visits Spartanburg university speaking of inclusion and accessibility.
For Kai Owens, Accessibility Isn’t All About Technology. Accessibility Is About Companionship Too. (forbes.com)
The 19-year-old Owens, a sophomore at the University of Georgia majoring in music theory and Jazz, went through Guiding Eyes’ program with Pride, his German Shepard guide dog, and the pair graduated last June.
AI-assisted computer vision research aims to improve accessibility for deaf, hard of hearing (gmu.edu)
Mason researchers led by Jana Košecká are using AI to make the Internet of Things more inclusive and accessible to those using American Sign Language.
Why are disabled people being kicked off trains? (www-independent-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org)
The current so-called ‘modernisation programme’ is a step backwards into a set of circumstances that leaves wheelchair users, visually impaired travellers, elderly travellers, and parents struggling with buggies stranded.
The World Mourns the Passing of Judy Heumann, Disability Rights Activist (judithheumann.com)
Judith “Judy” Heumann—widely regarded as “the mother” of the disability rights movement—passed away in Washington, D.C. on the afternoon of March 4, 2023. Judy was at the forefront of major disability rights demonstrations, helped spearhead the passage of disability rights legislation, founded national and international disability advocacy organizations, held senior federal government positions, co-authored her memoir, Being Heumann, and its Young Adult version, Rolling Warrior, and was featured in the Oscar-nominated documentary film, Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution.
How accessible is your online presence (dlapiper.com)
Retailers know their physical premises need to be accessible to all customers; but technology like the metaverse has revolutionised the consumer experience. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the way we shop has changed. The Office of National Statistics notes that the percentage of online sales in the UK jumped from 18% to 37% during the pandemic. A recent survey found that in the UK, businesses lost more than GBP17 billion in sales in 2019 from disabled shoppers abandoning websites due to accessibility barriers. With the increased popularity of online shopping and new possibilities unlocked by using the metaverse to connect with consumers, you have to check if your online presence is as accessible as your physical premises, to maximise sales and customer satisfaction, and to ensure legal compliance.
'Burning shame as Brits from all sections of society left in Covid's crosshairs' (mirror.co.uk)
All Covid support has gone, but there are still shielders – disabled people who know their underlying conditions put them at too great a risk from Covid to venture out and reclaim a fully lived life now.
Campus must be made more accessible to students with disabilities (thesil.ca)
Most university students have experienced the discomfort of some of the older lecture halls on campus; choosing between either your notebook or laptop, as only one can fit on the tiny stowaway table, is every lecture’s struggle.
Inclusive Design 24 (inclusivedesign24.org)
A free 24-hour online community event on accessibility and inclusion.
Why have we become numb to the failing social care sector? (spectator.co.uk)
Helen Whately, the care minister, gave a moving speech this week. It was a personal speech, an emotional one, but it won't get much attention.
Parents of deaf child win human rights case against N.L. school district (cbc.ca)
The NLESD will have to pay Todd and Kimberly Churchill close to $150,000, according to the decision.
An ALS patient set a record for communicating via a brain implant: 62 words per minute (technologyreview.com)
Brain interfaces could let paralyzed people speak at almost normal speeds.
I've worked out that being disabled costs me an extra £13,000 each year (metro.co.uk)
Money from the government doesn’t come close to meeting the true amount of the extra costs we face.
Labor puts people with disability at core of its agenda (coastcommunitynews.com.au)
Paralympian and Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch says a Labor Government will put people with disabilities at the core of its agenda if elected on March 25.
Autistic father develops language tool for ‘the unreachable and unteachable’ (irishtimes.com)
Parents who refused to accept a diagnosis of autism for twins meant one day they would have to ‘drop them to an institution and drive away’.
A disability-inclusive healthcare delivery system is the need of the hour (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
For people with disabilities (PWDs) in developing countries, necessities like healthcare are out of reach for those who need it most. The harsh reality is that they face an uphill battle against poor health outcomes, discrimination, and exclusion from society’s most basic opportunities due to the impact of health inequities. The UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 3 ‘Good health and well-being for all’, aims to provide universal health coverage for PWDs to address these health inequities and improve their rights, health, and economic participation.
The agent called to make sure Le Hoa Tseng was moving out in two days. It was the first she'd heard of it (abc.net.au)
The Sydney woman is struggling to find a new home with access for her wheelchair, caught by the no-grounds eviction policy and a dire shortage of rentals prioritised for those that need them most.
'How long must we wait?' Disabled people want stronger accessibility legislation (stuff.co.nz)
Access is “beyond simply putting in a ramp on the side of a building” and legislation should be "three-dimensional and meaningful”, said one submitter.
Tanni Grey-Thompson raises car charging point access concerns (bbc.com)
Tanni Grey-Thompson says "accessibility is being ignored" at electric vehicle charging points.
Some Toronto residents still scrambling through snow on sidewalks 3 days after storm, advocate says (cbc.ca)
Three days after a winter storm dumped up to 15 centimetres of snow on Toronto, a number of the city's sidewalks have not been cleared making access a challenge for people in wheelchairs, families with strollers and elderly people walking.
Hull to trial ‘smart’ crossings and bus stops to enhance accessibility (hullccnews.co.uk)
Smart technology designed to make bus stops and pedestrian crossings more accessible will be trialled in Hull next month.
Accessible Tourism: Protected Areas to visit in Costa Rica (ticotimes.net)
The latest news and information from Costa Rica including breaking news, weather, travel, events, sports and more.
About 2 of every 3 Chicago polling places aren’t fully accessible for people with disabilities (chicago.suntimes.com)
That’s according to a WBEZ analysis of new data from the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, which has posted accessibility ratings for each poll.
Twitter Faces Criticism Over Accessibility for Disabled Users After Layoffs (appuals.com)
Twitter has recently come under fire for its lack of accessibility features after the company laid off its entire accessibility team.
Senator Markey Demands Elon Musk Reinstate Twitter’s Accessibility Team (abilitymagazine.com)
Twitter, a multi-million user social media platform is at the center of controversy once again. This time its Accessibility Team is at the core for concern. Under Chief Executive Officer, Elon Musk, Twitter’s Accessibility Team has been eliminated and Senator Edward J. Markey has taken action in form of a letter to Musk.
Senator Markey calls on Elon Musk to reinstate Twitter's accessibility team (techcrunch.com)
"All of these changes under your leadership signal a disregard for the needs of disabled people," Markey wrote to Musk.
Senator Markey Demands Musk Reinstate Twitter’s Accessibility Team, Online Features for Users with Disabilities (markey.senate.gov)
Markey’s letter to Musk: “All of these changes under your leadership signal a disregard for the needs of disabled people.”
Campus design for access and inclusion (timeshighereducation.com)
Advice for institutions to develop more accessible and inclusive campuses for students and staff with disabilities.
Blind social media star Molly Burke shatters stigmas: 'Show the person behind the blindness' (foxla.com)
Molly Burke is challenging the way people see beauty. The blind social media star is on a mission to educate people about the common misconceptions about blindness, advocate for universal and accessible design and normalize and humanize disability.
Blind man shows the reality of what people with different eye conditions can actually see (msn.com)
A man who is blind in one eye has shown how there are a range of ways different eye conditions can affect people's sight.
'Fighting for my life': Disability advocates call for higher wage for PCAs (wgbh.org)
Personal care attendants help people with disabilities live independently and stay out of nursing homes.
Nation's Disability Services At Breaking Point, Report Finds (disabilityscoop.com)
After warning for years of an impending collapse in the disability services system, advocates say that the crisis is here with a new report painting a dire picture of the situation across the country.
Federal Websites Fall Behind in Accessibility Requirements (fedmanager.com)
Americans with disabilities are still having issues accessing some federal government websites and digital technologies, making it harder to access key services like filing health claims, accessing information, and more. That’s according to a report from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the General Services Administration (GSA).
Long Overdue Report Shows Deficient Accessibility for Many Federal Websites (adatitleiii.com)
The adage, “Do as I Say, Not as I Do” seems to be the motto of the federal government when it comes to compliance with digital accessibility standards. A recent report shows that many federal agencies are not complying with Section 508’s mandate that their websites be accessible even while one of their own, DOJ, seeks to impose website accessibility mandates on state and local governments and privately-owned businesses under Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Apps and gadgets to help with mild to moderate hearing loss (abilitynet.org.uk)
"World Hearing Day is an annual global advocacy event for raising awareness regarding hearing loss and promoting ear and hearing care, and calling for action to address hearing loss and related issues. Each year, this event is celebrated on 3 March." This year the focus is on ear and hearing care and the 60% of ear and hearing issues that can be addressed at primary healthcare level.
Access All: Disability News and Mental Health, Strictly's Amy Dowden: "I was seen as a risk" (bbc.co.uk)
Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden reveals she was always seen as a "risk" by choreographers and dance partners who feared her Crohn's disease would impact their careers and insurance plans.
Perth family facing deportation as son's Down syndrome diagnosis deemed taxpayer burden (abc.net.au)
A young family from India who migrated to Perth faces deportation because their son Aaryan, who has Down syndrome, has been denied permanent residency.
Excerpt from “New Movement in Philosophy: Philosophy of Disability,” introduction to The Bloomsbury Guide to Philosophy of Disability (biopoliticalphilosophy.com)
Philosophy departments in Canada and elsewhere continue to exclude philosophers of disability, especially disabled philosophers of disability, posing real threats to our very lives, including our ability to afford safe shelter, our food security, and our unwillingness to succumb to MAiD. Thus, The Bloomsbury Guide to Philosophy of Disability is urgently needed; indeed, its publication cannot come soon enough. Though one collection is unli