February Digital Accessibility Roundup

Accessibility (a11y) Roundup. Navy blue design of a desktop computer with various accessibility areas, such as Braille display, accessible coding, audio descriptions.

This Month’s Roundup
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Welcome to Disability: IN’s monthly round up of digital accessibility news for February.

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

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Champions for Change: A Global Celebration with Disability:IN

View our virtual event, Champions for Change: A Global Celebration with Disability:IN, in honor of International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Hosted by speaker, content creator, model, author, and advocate Molly Burke, this dynamic event will share and uplift the stories of Paralympians from around the world.

This event is available to stream on-demand on the Disability:IN website. Companies are encouraged to host their own watch parties using our provided discussion questions, resources, and templates.

Learn More About Disability:IN’s IDPWD Celebration

Disability:IN Procure Access. Simple illustration of various accessible technologies such as Closed Caption, ASL interpretation, digital accessibility, and audio descriptions.

Make 2025 the year your company adds Accessibility Requirements into your supplier contracts and signs onto the Procure Access Statement!

The Procure Access Toolkit has all the information you need to establish and enhance your procurement accessibility program. Set 2025 as your target timeline to join Microsoft, Google, JP Morgan, Fidelity Investments, Merck, Lilly, T-Mobile, Verizon, CVS, Salesforce and 28 other leading companies who have signed onto the Procure Access Statement. View the Procure Access Statement Application and prepare to sign-on in 2025!

Spotlight on Disability:IN Partners using technology to enhance the accessibility of products we use every day.

Honeywell: A Life-Saving Idea: Enhancing Accessibility with Inclusive Life Safety Solutions

“This solution enables first responders to support building occupants more quickly in the event of an emergency. Not only does this help people with permanent disabilities, but those with situational disabilities, like low vision due to smoke, as an example. “One of the key features of this system is its ability to allow individuals with disabilities to raise alerts if they need assistance,” Wolf said. “This can be done through personal alert devices, such as pendants or buttons, which communicate with the Bluetooth beacons to understand their precise locations and then to notify staff or first responders.” The technology integrates seamlessly with existing fire alarm and security systems, providing a comprehensive solution that not only improves emergency response but also has the potential to transform people’s daily experience.

In May 2018, a Google blog post introduced Lookout, a new app designed to help visually impaired users explore their surroundings. The announcement generated waves of excitement among blind Android users, but it took over a year for the app to become available on the Play Store. Fast forward to 2025, Lookout

remains active, regularly updated, and has undergone major improvements and changes since its initial release. This article explores the app’s current features and, more importantly, considers how it could evolve to become an indispensable tool for blind users.

So, you’re curious about how screen reader software really works, huh? Or maybe you want to know how users with assistive tech navigate your site. Perhaps you’re just ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into some hands-on testing to create truly accessible, high-quality digital experiences.

No matter your motivation, these five essential screen reader tests are non-negotiable. Just as you wouldn’t dream of excluding users out of the design process, you can’t overlook these in your testing. Let’s geek out!

7 Businesses That Are Prioritizing Accessibility

While this article is from May 2024 it’s a great reminder of the benefits of an accessible workplace.

Seven companies are making their workplaces more accessible for employees with disabilities and winning the talent war in the process. With half of workers prioritizing accessibility, businesses have strong incentives to create inclusive environments. Companies like Microsoft, Salesforce, Accenture, Bank of America, Starbucks, United Airlines, and Comcast are leading the way with innovative accessibility initiatives. These efforts not only accommodate employees with disabilities but also attract diverse talent, enriching teams with unique skills and perspectives. Prioritizing accessibility is a smart business move that contributes to a more inclusive, productive, and successful workplace.

Other Accessibility Highlights for this Month

The Law is Changing on Digital Accessibility Compliance: Are you Ready?

A new European Accessibility Act (EAA) is coming into force on 28 June 2025. Just as with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), all companies doing business in Europe will be required to meet the minimum requirements. Falling behind in accessibility could cost them dearly – with the potential for legal action and hefty financial penalties.

Now’s the time to act to ensure your business is compliant before June. Here’s everything you need to know about the new rules, what’s required – and why it matters. Design Operations Strategist, Patrizia Bertini, from business communications and CX (customer experience) specialist 8×8, also gives us an essential five-step guide to what you need to do before that deadline comes into force.

There are many Smart Glasses available to support blind and low vision users, but are they for you? Well, that is going to depend on many factors, such as your level of vision and the scenarios you want to use them. In this article, I will outline the categories of smart glasses and their use cases. Post author: By Tim Dixon

Senators Hassan and Braun Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Accessibility of Medical Devices

WASHINGTON – Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Mike Braun (R-IN) introduced a bipartisan bill to improve access to home medical devices for blind and visually impaired users. The bill would require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to develop rules requiring that new medical devices with digital displays, such as glucose monitors or insulin pumps, include accessible features for visually impaired users, unless it would change the fundamental nature of the device.

“Almost all smartphones and computers include accessibility features that make it easier for visually impaired people to use them, but home medical devices – which people often need to live – rarely include this basic functionality,” said Senator Hassan. “My bipartisan legislation with Senator Braun will help ensure that blind and visually impaired people are more fully included in our society, including when getting their health care.”

More Workers Are Caring for Aging Parents. Why Should Employers Care?

The American workforce is getting older, and people are living longer. As a result, more workers than ever before are caring for aging parents during the peak of their own careers. Over 37 million Americans are providing unpaid eldercare to someone aged 65 or older, according to 2023 data from The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employers can’t afford to ignore the shifting demographics of the U.S. labor market, which will accelerate this trend. Although employers have invested more in parental leave since the pandemic, far less attention has been paid to workers who are providing eldercare…

Fashion Undergarment Brand Slick Chicks Expands Accessibility

Adaptive fashion is a movement reshaping how the world approaches style and inclusivity. For decades, the one billion individuals living with disabilities have been excluded from mainstream fashion conversations, often left without clothing options that meet both their functional and aesthetic needs. However, the rise of accessibility-focused brands challenges these norms, proving that fashion can be empowering and practical. This shift isn’t just about designing for necessity, it’s about celebrating individuality and fostering a sense of belonging.

How the Super Bowl may help New Orleans become more accessible

The Super Bowl has been tapped as an excuse to catch up on years’ worth of overdue infrastructure improvements in downtown New Orleans, but it’s also kickstarting new projects that can make living here day-to-day a bit easier, too.

Why it matters: Some of those projects are making the city easier to navigate for people with disabilities. The big picture: New Orleans’ hundreds-year-old infrastructure isn’t without its well-documented challenges, and historic spaces are already often some of the most challenging to bring up to speed for today’s accessibility standards.

How to help remove barriers facing disabled people on set – Spotlight Feature

Inclusion and accessibility are essential to a thriving creative industry. When everyone can participate fully, we unlock diverse stories, perspectives and talent that enrich our industry and connect with audiences in new, profound ways. And with nearly 24% of the UK population being disabled, this presents a commercial opportunity as well as cultural gains for an industry looking to improve representation and better reflect our audiences.

As part of our efforts to improve access to creative careers, BAFTA has joined other industry organizations in partnering with the TV Access Project (TAP), whose goal is to remove all barriers to access for disabled people in the TV industry by 2030.

Key Insights on the European Accessibility Act from a German Perspective

With the German implementation of the European Accessibility Act (EAA) — the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) and its accompanying Executive Order (BFSGV) — set to take effect, increased accessibility in the private sector and new compliance challenges for businesses are expected. Given the fast-approaching deadline, affected services should initiate the necessary steps in order to ensure compliance by June 28, 2025.

Historic Bronx subway station gets makeover and is now ADA-accessible

The elevated station, located in a bustling hub where multiple bus lines converge, now has three new elevators and 12 new or refurbished stairways that MTA officials said were designed to facilitate easier and smoother traversing.

With nearly 4,000 New York straphangers using it daily, the 125-year-old station is the first in NYC to open as fully accessible in 2025.

World’s first chatbot, ELIZA, resurrected from 60-year-old computer code

A small team of researchers from the U.S. and the U.K. has resurrected the code for a 60-year-old chatbot named ELIZA, believed to be the first electronic chatbot. In their paper posted to the arXiv preprint server, the team describes the code written in the 1960s by now-deceased MIT professor Joseph Weizenbaum.

𝐔𝐒𝐀, 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐲- According to the Market Research Intellect, the global Website Accessibility Testing Software market is projected to grow at a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.26% from 2024 to 2031. Starting with a valuation of 6.35 billion in 2024, the market is expected to reach approximately 15.68 billion by 2031, driven by factors such as Website Accessibility Testing Software and Website Accessibility Testing Software. This significant growth underscores the expanding demand for Website Accessibility Testing Software across various sectors.

The Digital Nation Act 2025: Paving the Way for a Smart/Cyber Secure Pakistan

Pakistan is the 5th largest nation in the world, and due to its geopolitical placement and population size, it is inevitable that its governance and all related public and private services undergo end-to-end digital transformation. For this, a long-awaited enactment through Parliament was required, which has now been fulfilled through the Digital Nation Act 2025. This Act is a game changer—it will undoubtedly transform Pakistan. It is designed to have a long-lasting societal impact at the national level. The Act necessitates development of a National Digital Master Plan.

Why should accessibility be central to lifelong learning in all organizations

As the job market evolves and industries shift, lifelong learning allows employees to expand their knowledge, develop new skills and keep pace with emerging trends and technologies. Yet, as learners embark on these educational journeys supported by their organizations, it’s essential to ensure that learning opportunities are accessible to everyone.

Accessible course design is more than just a buzzword; it is a core principle that supports inclusive education. Whether an experienced professional is updating their skills, or someone is pursuing a new career path, well-designed, accessible courses can significantly impact both the quality and outcome of the learning experience.

Accessibility requirements offer a strategic opportunity

As 2025 begins, accessibility and inclusive design are now being referred to as a non-negotiable in marketing, not just when creating websites, but also when creating social media posts, creator-sourced TikToks, and email campaigns. Legislation deadlines hover over much of Europe, and governments require accessibility in marketing frameworks, so can AI tools help you get accessibility for free?

Accessibility Tech Showcased at CES 2025 Is Transforming Shared Experiences

CES 2025 clarified that accessibility is no longer a checkbox or niche consideration—it’s a cornerstone of innovation, connection, and commercial success. Accessibility-focused technologies are transforming industries by creating products that don’t just meet the needs of specific groups — they appeal to everyone.

Michael Buckley, CEO of Be My Eyes, and Sandy Lacey, Executive Director of the Howe Innovation Center at Perkins Solutions, showcased how accessibility-focused businesses are paving the way forward. From AI-driven visual assistance to immersive audio solutions, CES 2025 highlighted how companies embracing inclusivity are expanding markets, fostering user loyalty, and driving profitability.

AI and Extended Reality: Reshaping the Future of User Experience Design

In this modern era, content is undergoing a profound transformation through emerging technologies and innovative design approaches. Karthikeyan Dhanasekaran, an expert in user experience design at a leading financial technology firm, explores how artificial intelligence, extended reality, and inclusive design principles are revolutionizing the way users interact with digital products, shaping a future where technology adapts to human needs rather than the other way around. This transformation is particularly evident in sectors ranging from healthcare to education, where personalized digital experiences are becoming increasingly essential for user engagement and satisfaction.

New upgrades make Canadian sports venues more accessible

Renovating an old sports venue isn’t just about upgrading seats or providing better food options. It’s an opportunity to make facilities accessible to all fans, including those with mobility needs, and vision or hearing loss. At the Rogers Centre, home of the Toronto Blue Jays, a multiyear renovation that began in 2022 brought upgraded player facilities, new bars, and social spaces to the stadium.