Monthly Digital Accessibility Roundup for January 2024
Welcome to Disability: IN’s monthly round up of digital accessibility news for January.
At Disability:IN we know that digital accessibility impacts all aspects of disability inclusion. If you have questions about our digital accessibility program, please contact Jeff Wissel, our Chief Accessibility Officer.
Disability:IN Happenings
Registration for the 2024 Disability Equality Index (DEI) is live. There is an exciting addition to this years survey. Procurement Accessibility is a new category with non-weighted questions for 2024. Advancing accessibility through procurement is a critical component of a mature accessibility program. Is your company advancing accessibility through your procurement process? If so, then consider signing on to the Procure Access Statement. Wherever you are on the journey of establishing or advancing accessibility in your procurement process you can find the information you need in the Procure Access Toolkit.
And be sure to watch the Building Block Series to learn how industry leaders have implemented accessibility requirements into their procurement processes.
Spotlight on Disability:IN Partners using technology to enhance the accessibility of products we use every day.
New tech features make vehicles more accessible – for all drivers
It’s no secret that today’s vehicles are loaded with technology. Cameras make it easier to back into a parking space. Wi-Fi and in-vehicle data keeps you connected wherever you drive. And remote apps make it possible to never have to climb into a cold car.
While those technologies have benefits for all drivers, they’re essential for those with disabilities that make their driving more challenging. In fact, 26% of the U.S. population is living with some sort of disability, so designing and engineering accessibility features into new vehicles is key, says Carrie Morton, chief engineer for accessibility with General Motors.
https://www.onstar.com/stories/accessibility
Airbnb
We’ve had a great first year since launching the Adapted category on Airbnb with over 5 million searches so far. To celebrate the one year milestone and in the build up the the holidays, we’re sharing some of the most beautiful homes in the category as well as tips for guests with accessibility needs and our Hosts.
Microsoft
Shifting Left To Get Accessibility Right At Microsoft | Microsoft.com
Microsoft’s “shifting left” strategy emphasizes early integration of accessibility in software development. Central to this is their open-source tool, Accessibility Insights, which allows developers to detect and address accessibility issues at the initial stages. This approach, advocated by Patrice Pelland and Nandita Gupta, leads to significant time and cost savings, estimated at 2,000 development hours over six months. It also educates developers on accessibility, fostering a culture of inclusivity in software creation. The tool’s adoption extends beyond Microsoft, benefiting various industries due to its open-source availability.
P&G
Creating Workspaces that Work for Everyone.
P&G’s Universal Design approach drives accessibility and inclusivity.
https://us.pg.com/blogs/universal-design-helps-create-accessible-workspaces/
3Play Media
View 3Play Media’s 2023 legal update featuring Lainey Feingold.
2023 Digital Accessibility Legal Update with Lainey Feingold – Part One image
2023 Digital Accessibility Legal Update with Lainey Feingold – Part Two image
Other Accessibility Highlights for this Month
Building a disability-inclusive smart Bangladesh through accessible procurement
Bangladesh is one of the first twenty countries to ratify the UNCRPD, ensuring equal rights and accessibility, including procurement policies. The disability-inclusive Smart Bangladesh initiative is working to ensure that the government follows through with their commitment to inclusivity and empowerment of persons with disabilities.
The best accessible-tech products from 2023
From alt-text GIFs to a new Sony Playstation controller, take a look back at Fast Company’s top picks for best accessible-tech products in 2023.
How to start using ChatGPT in 2024 – 7 tips for beginners
The internet loves nothing more than telling you how far you’re falling behind by not using ChatGPT. But what if you’ve been really busy doing other stuff in 2023?
Don’t worry – if your New Year’s resolution is to get up to speed with AI chatbots, we’ve made the perfect place for you to start. Our beginner’s guide to ChatGPT will tell you how to write more effective prompts, make custom instructions and much more.
Read the full story: How to use ChatGPT – 7 tips for beginners
Voice Changers
What Are Voice Changers? | ElevenLabs.io
Learn what voice changers are, how they work, common use cases, and what to look for when selecting a voice changing tool.
LinkedIn Job Searches
How To Use Linkedin In Your Job Search As A Person With A Disability | WSBlind.org
This article provides strategies for individuals with disabilities using LinkedIn for job searches. Key tips include fully completing the LinkedIn profile, using a professional head shot, utilizing the job search feature to find relevant opportunities, building connections with personalized notes, and joining LinkedIn groups for networking. These methods, especially useful for those who are blind or visually impaired, aim to enhance visibility and connections in the professional sphere.
Digital Inaccessibility
The article discusses challenges faced by the visually impaired with digital accessibility, especially in employment. Despite advanced assistive technologies like screen readers, inaccessible digital content, including online job applications and company software, remains a significant barrier. In the U.S., of the 8 million people with blindness or low vision, only about half of the working-age population is employed. The article highlights a study on assistive technology use in the workplace, indicating satisfaction but also significant challenges. Legal frameworks like the ADA address digital accessibility, but most online content still lacks full accessibility. Standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines aim to improve this. The article suggests integrating accessibility into digital development from the start and cites Microsoft’s efforts in promoting accessible digital documents. It concludes that accessible digital environments can significantly boost employment for those with visual impairments.
Microsoft Word and Powerpoint Guide
Word and PowerPoint 365 Accessibility Evaluation Guide
This guide combines automated checks from the Accessibility Checker in Microsoft Office 365 with a series of manual checks to help you evaluate and repair common accessibility issues in Word and PowerPoint.
2023: The Year AI Transformed the World for Blind Individuals | Aaron Di Blasi | Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Here I highlight the significant advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) in 2023 with regard to assistive technologies for the visually impaired. The 2023 Sight Tech Global conference recently showcased many of these innovations, including the collaboration between Be My Eyes and OpenAI’s GPT-4, leading to the development of Be My AI. Other notable advancements included AYES.AI’s OKO app for street navigation, Envision’s smart glasses integrated with GPT-4, and Meta’s AI-enabled wearable technologies offering voice navigation and AI-assisted interactions. The conference also highlighted the ethical challenges of AI in accessibility, emphasizing the need for responsible development and consideration of privacy and ethical integrity in technological advancements:
https://mvsltd.com/news/2023-the-year-ai-transformed-the-world-for-blind-individuals/
Nivea In Partnership With Navilens To Help Blind Or Partially Sighted Customers | PackagingNews.com UK
Global skincare brand Nivea has announced a partnership with NaviLens to help blind or partially sighted customers:
2023 Sight Tech Global Recordings
Sight Tech Global is a world-wide, virtual conference dedicated to bringing together the technology pioneers who are applying the latest technology advances to barrier-free navigation, human interaction, and low-friction access to information for people who are blind or visually impaired.
https://sighttechglobal.com/agenda/
Digital Accessibility Conferences and Events
January 9 – 12, 2024 | CES- LAS VEGAS, NV
January 25-27, 2024
Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) – Online and Orlando, FL
February 20-22, 2024
March 18 – 22, 2024
