This Month’s Roundup
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Welcome to Disability:IN’s monthly round up of digital accessibility news for May.
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
Register for the 2025 Disability:IN Global Conference & Expo!
July 14-17, 2025 | The Gaylord Palms | Orlando, Florida
Don’t miss the global corporate disability inclusion event of the year! Registration for the 2025 Disability:IN Global Conference & Expo is now open to Disability:IN corporate partners.
Register for Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Wednesday May 14 – Thursday May 15, 2025
Join IN for Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) on May 14-15 with Disability:IN! Featuring accessibility leaders and experts from the Asia Pacific (APAC), Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), Latin America (LATAM), and North America (NORAM), these webinars will explore topics including:
- Practical implementation strategies
- Real-world case studies
- The impact of AI on accessibility
- Methods for evaluating effectiveness
GAAD webinars are free and open to the public. Companies are encouraged to host their own streaming parties [DOCX] to spark conversations with their teams!
Refer to the toggles for region-specific information and registration links. These webinars are open to the public and will be recorded and available on DisabilityIN.org for later viewing.
Spotlight on Disability:IN Partners using technology to enhance the accessibility of products we use every day.
What’s new in Google accessibility” episode 8 is here! Discover exciting updates across Android, Pixel, Chrome and Workspace.
Fable
The State of Mobile App Accessibility Report – ArcTouch and Fable
More than 1.3 billion people with significant disabilities rely upon digital services for essential tasks. Many more, including older adults and those with situational limitations, also benefit from technology that makes these services more inclusive.
Building accessible apps and websites is not just the right thing to do; it’s a smart business strategy.
Deque
How the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPWD) impacts digital accessibility in India
There are many reasons for your business to embrace digital accessibility practices. The most obvious ones are common sense.
In India, for example, as many as 90 million people have a disability. Why would you deliberately prevent them from being able to access your products and services? From a business standpoint, that’s counterintuitive. You want to make customers welcome, not exclude them. And you want more customers, not less.
Honeywell
A Life-Saving Idea: Enhancing Accessibility With Inclusive Life Safety Solutions
New technology enables first responders to quickly locate and assist those with disabilities in the event of an emergency
This is a great opportunity to drive inclusive design at scale and shape how accessibility shows up across all of Honeywell’s digital experiences.
Microsoft
Microsoft Copilot Vision turns your phone camera into an interactive visual search tool
Late last year, Microsoft introduced a new AI feature called Copilot Vision for the web, and now it’s being made available on mobile devices. This feature integrates with your phone’s camera to create interactive experiences in the real world, allowing it to analyze real-time video and photos stored on your device.
Dexcom
The FDA Just Cleared the Dexcom G7 15-Day, the Longest-Lasting CGM Wearable
The US Food and Drug Administration has cleared the Dexcom G7 15-Day Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) for people older than 18 with diabetes. It’s the longest-lasting wearable on the market.
The G7 15-day sensor builds on the technology and performance of the Dexcom G7 CGM, which has proven to lower A1C and reduce hyper- and hypoglycemia. However, it only has a 10-day lifespan. The five extra days the G7 15-day sensor offers could make diabetes management easier with fewer sensor swaps for you each month.
Activision
Launched asymmetrical hearing compensation (one of the first games to do so), an enhanced high contrast mode, arachnophobia settings, more customization for HUDs, pause and save in Zombies, and more ways for players to customize how their operators move in the game.
In Modern Warfare III (the game prior to this one!), nearly half of all players accessed the accessibility menu.
Modern Warfare III Blog Update
Launched an updated settings menu (including better joystick input tweaks), high contrast mode
Some interesting stats:
- In Modern Warfare II, more than half of our players adjusted graphical settings like motion blur, field of view, and camera movement.
- Over 40% of players customized deadzone inputs in Modern Warfare II.
Boeing
Boeing Showcases Cabin Accessibility Innovations
Boeing outlines its new approach to accessibility to improve experience, including for low vision, hard of hearing and neurodivergent passengers, and showcases a new cabin solution for wheelchair users, at AIX Aircraft Interiors Expo 2025.
Other Accessibility Highlights for this Month
Helen Keller Services
Helen Keller Services and Polara Collaborate to Advance Pedestrian Accessibility: Bridging Innovation with Real-World Experience
On March 26-27, Helen Keller Services (HKS) hosted an innovative two-day collaborative workshop with Polara Enterprises, the nation’s leading manufacturer of accessible pedestrian signals (APS). This landmark event brought together diverse stakeholders to address one of the most significant challenges faced by individuals who are blind, DeafBlind, or have low vision: safely navigating street crossings in their communities.
I Tested A Speedsuit That Makes Anyone Run Faster
Know that sensation you have while running downhill, where you’re not fully in control but feel like you could run forever? WIRED writer Amit Katwala tests a wearable AI-powered robotic exoskeleton that enhances running performance by correcting technique—and forcing faster movement. With Olympic sprinter Adam Gemili’s coaching and assistance, Amit improves his posture, increases knee lift, and shaves half a second off his 100m time. Could wearable tech push human performance beyond natural limits?
Reviewing a Bionic Hand!
MKBHD explores the Psyonic Ability Hand, a cutting-edge bionic prosthetic that offers advanced functionality and design, showcasing its impressive capabilities and the future of prosthetic technology.
Federal Court Website Accessibility Lawsuit Filings Continue to Decrease in 2024
Seyfarth Synopsis: Plaintiffs filed 2,452 website accessibility lawsuits in federal court in 2024 – a 13% decrease from 2023.
Website accessibility lawsuits filed in federal court fell for the second consecutive year in 2024, with a significant decrease from 2023 filings. The total number of lawsuits filed in federal court alleging that plaintiffs with a disability could not use websites because they were not designed to be accessible and/or work with assistive technologies in 2024 was 2,452. This number is 342 fewer than 2023’s total of 2,749, representing a 13% decrease.
IKEA Put Its Signature Scandi-Chic Spin on Accessible Bathroom Design
IKEA is constantly dropping new products and it can be hard to keep up, but this week’s introduction deserves a spotlight. The Swedish retailer just released a collection called Bäsingen, which consists of six items designed to lend a helping hand and support people in their independence at home.
Is There Enough Financial Assistance For Canadians With Disabilities? An Issue For The Next Federal Government To Address
Canada is often regarded as a country that looks after its most vulnerable. When it comes to persons with disabilities, Canada does indeed offer a wide range of financial supports—more than many other nations. These include the Canada Disability Benefit (recently introduced), the Disability Tax Credit, provincial income support programs, and targeted grants and services. But for those living with a disability, the question remains: is it enough?
50 years ago, one man made history as Boston Marathon’s first official wheelchair athlete
In 1975, Bob Hall was the first wheelchair competitor in the Boston Marathon. Since then, nearly 1,900 wheelchair athletes have followed.
Ontario Invests in More Inclusive, Accessible Communities with Funding for 37 Local
The Ontario government is investing $1.5 million into 37 projects that aim to make communities across the province more accessible and inclusive for people of all ages and abilities. The funding is being delivered through the EnAbling Change Program and the Inclusive Community Grants Program, two initiatives led by the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility. Funding community initiatives that promote and increase accessibility and inclusivity is a vital step toward ensuring that every person, regardless of their abilities, can fully enjoy and participate in our communities,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility…
ADA Title II Revision: Navigating WCAG 2.1 Compliance Deadlines and Exceptions for Public Entities
Beginning April 24, 2026, a public entity, other than a special district government, with a total population of 50,000 or more shall ensure that the web content and mobile apps that the public entity provides or makes available, directly or through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements, comply with Level A and Level AA success criteria and conformance requirements specified in WCAG 2.1,
Manitoba’s New Accessibility Regulation: What Franchisors Need to Know
On May 1, 2025, the Accessible Information and Communication Standard Regulation (the “Regulation”) under The Accessibility for Manitobans Act, C.C.S.M. c. A1.7 (the “AMA”) will take effect for private sector businesses operating in Manitoba. The AMA’s goal is to ensure accessible communication for persons with disabilities, and to remove barriers to information and communication when accessing goods and services.
Supercharge Your Bottom Line TDI: March 20, 2025: Aaron Di Blasi, Sr. PMP, Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
In this episode of ‘Supercharge Your Bottom Line Through Disability Inclusion,’ Dr. Kirk Adams and Aaron Di Blasi, Sr. PMP of Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd., discuss strategies for generating professional, high-quality, accurate long-form copy using premium AI models. The workshop focuses on empowering blind and low-vision individuals to enhance their personal or business branding through AI-assisted copywriting techniques.
Speaking into a microphone? Your audio quality can impact the way people view
NPR reports on a new study revealing how microphone quality affects how speakers are perceived in virtual meetings. High-quality audio enhances credibility, making speakers sound more intelligent and persuasive, while poor audio can have the opposite effect. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that clear sound even influenced hiring decisions.
Could AI be preventing you from getting the job? Know your rights.
The increase of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace can have its benefits. But for many workers or prospective workers, the use of AI in the workplace raises concerns due to the potentially negative—and discriminatory—impacts it may have in the hiring process or in the workplace. This article will discuss how prospective and current employees can identify when their rights are being adversely impacted by AI.
Job hunting and hiring in the age of AI: Where did all the humans go?
As artificial intelligence tools permeate the hiring process, job seekers and recruiters alike face rising challenges from algorithm-driven applications, deepfake candidates, and generic AI-generated résumés. While companies attempt to streamline recruitment through automation, many professionals are pushing back by emphasizing human interaction and reevaluating tech-driven hiring practices.
Understanding Apple VoiceOver rotor
In this article, we will focus on an essential component of VoiceOver, the VoiceOver rotor. Through the rotor users can change some VoiceOver settings, select specific content types to focus on, and more, personalizing the navigation of the user interface.
Digital accessibility abbreviations and acronyms guide
Digital accessibility has many abbreviations and acronyms. Understanding these terms is essential for web developers, designers, and content creators who aim to create inclusive digital environments. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of common abbreviations and acronyms related to digital accessibility, elucidating their meanings and significance.
A new way to make graphs more accessible to blind and low-vision readers
Researchers from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) have now developed an approach that streamlines the design process for tactile chart designers. Their program, called “Tactile Vega-Lite,” can take data from something like an Excel spreadsheet and turn it into both a standard visual chart and a touch-based one.
aria-label is a letdown
One in three aria-label implementations have likely issues
Report: Building A Disability-Inclusive AI Ecosystem: A Cross-Disability, Cross-Systems Analysis Of Best Practices
The report provided technology policy advocates with an overview of tech issues that disproportionately impact people with disabilities, as well as recommendations for how those individuals can include disability perspectives in their advocacy.
Paul Challinor: Why I Created Deaf Careers – A New Job Site by and for the Deaf Community (BSL)
As a Deaf person, I know first-hand how frustrating the job search can be. So many job sites aren’t built with us in mind – no BSL, no visual-friendly layouts, and no clue about accessibility. It often feels like we’re expected to squeeze into systems that were never designed for us.
That’s why I created Deaf Careers – a UK-based job board built for the Deaf community, by someone who understands exactly how broken the system can feel. I wanted to build a platform that actually works for us – and more importantly, with us.
How Accessible Are Workplaces in Canada
Barrier Free Canada explores the current landscape of workplace accessibility across Canada, highlighting persistent physical, digital, and cultural barriers that hinder full inclusion for employees with disabilities.
New all-terrain wheelchair aims to make Lexington nature sanctuary more accessible
The Action Trackchair gives people who have issues with mobility the ability to enjoy nature no matter how rough the terrain.
FTC Approves Final Order Requiring accessiBe to pay $1 Million
The Federal Trade Commission has approved a final consent order against accessiBe Inc. and accessiBe Ltd. (accessiBe). AccessiBe claimed the plug-in accessWidget can make any website compliant with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). The order prohibits accessiBe from making misleading claims and requires the company to pay $1 million.
WhatsApp Banking: Your Bank, Now Just a Message Away
In today’s world, technology is making life easier in ways we never imagined. From ordering food to booking a ride, we’ve come to expect convenience at our fingertips. Now, this innovation has extended to banking, where you can manage your finances with just a simple chat. Welcome to the future of banking, where everything you need is just a message away. With WhatsApp Banking, managing your finances is as easy as sending a text, bringing the power of banking right to your fingertips.
New campaign to raise awareness of EU rules for websites and apps
Digital Business Ireland, the country’s largest representative body for digital and online businesses, has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of new EU accessibility rules for websites, apps, and digital sources. Digital Business Ireland said it will also support Irish businesses to comply with the new rules. A recent DBI research project found that 49% of Irish businesses are unaware of the requirements of the incoming European Accessibility Act (EAA), and do not believe they will be compliant by the time it comes into effect on June 28, 2025.
Calgary Accessible Easter egg hunt thrills children with sight loss
The Canadian National Institute for the Blind partnered with the Calgary Police Service Youth Foundation and CPS Tactical Unit for an egg hunt for children with sight loss. Kids sought out oversized, 3D-printed eggs that make beeping sounds.
They could then trade the eggs in for chocolate.
The European Accessibility Act: What should financial services firms be focusing on as the June 2025 compliance deadline approaches?
From 28 June 2025, in-scope firms will need to ensure that they design their websites, mobile apps, contracts and all forms of communication with consumers – including call centre services as well as devices such as payment terminals and ATMs – in a way that is accessible to persons with disabilities.
9 Useful apps for people who are D/deaf or have hearing loss
There are multiple communication options used by people who are D/deaf or who have hearing loss. And, in the last five years, advances in automatic speech recognition (ASR) have opened up further options.
The Best AI Apps for Blind People in 2025
This guide investigates the leading AI applications of 2025 and their functionality and situations which boost worldwide user accessibility.
[Interview] How Samsung Embeds Accessibility and User-Centered Values Into Its Home Appliances
Guided by its vision of “AI for All,” Samsung Electronics continues to develop home appliances that are intuitive and convenient for a wide range of home environments. Among the most impactful advancements are accessibility features designed to make these appliances easier to use for individuals with disabilities and older adults — reflecting the company’s commitment to inclusive design.
