September Digital Accessibility Roundup

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This Month's Roundup Powered by: Procter & Gamble

Welcome to Disability: IN’s monthly round up of digital accessibility news for September.

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

Webinar – Disability Inclusion in the EU: Webinar Guide to Corporate Responsibilities Under New EU Disability Inclusive Legislation

Join Disability:IN to celebrate the start of Disability Employment Awareness Month with an exclusive webinar exploring emerging disability inclusive legislation in the European Union.

Webinar – Advancing Disability Inclusion in the Legal Profession

Despite the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) over three decades ago, which sought to expand opportunities for disabled Americans throughout the workforce, people with disabilities make up less than 2% of practicing lawyers.

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

Accessible Technology: A Champion for Our Team USA Paralympians

Thank you, Anastasia, for sharing your story and your insight into the importance of accessibility. Through inclusive technology, Anastasia can educate and inspire others, all while staying connected to her loved ones to share the excitement of her journey on the world stage.

Like Anastasia, Comcast knows how important Accessibility is in advancing equity and disability inclusion. That’s why, for over a decade, we’ve been committed to making the moments that matter more accessible for our customers — and making this year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games even more inclusive is a part of that goal.

The Inclusive UX Research Playbook from CVS Health® Inclusive Design

We hope that these plays will help other design and research teams adapt their approaches to be more inclusive and that they will encourage reflection on, and discussion of, the ethics and interpersonal dynamics of research with historically underrepresented communities.

Deque Systems, axe-con Virtual conference: February 25-27, 2025

We’re ecstatic to announce registration for axe-con 2025 is now open! By registering for axe-con 2025, you’ll also have access to the 50+ recordings from axe-con 2024!

Oracle Help Center

Tutorials for Discovering Accessibility

Follow these step-by-step examples to learn more about testing Oracle JET web applications for accessibility and fixing accessibility issues. Alternatively, visit Learning Paths to follow these examples using the Oracle Learning Library platform.

Inside Chase’s Efforts To Embrace Accessibility And ‘Be The Bank For Everyone’

Green, who’s been working in accessibility since 1999 and has been with Chase 2 years, explained there’s a difference between accessibility and usability. Most times, he told me, usability is defined by reducing the efforts required by users to do stuff and generally make the experience nicer. For accessibility, while niceness is always appreciated, the stakes are raised because engineers are designing affordances to “make the experience possible” in the first place.

United Airlines has been in the news recently about their accessibility features. One feature, which was introduced in 2019, is not often talked about, the screen reader on the Inflight Entertainment System. On a recent flight, I thought I would document its features. But first, let’s talk about the history of inflight entertainment for blind people.

7 Android accessibility features that can make your life easier

For those who need their mobile OS to assist them with specific tasks, Android has plenty of features to make life a little bit more accessible.

Travelmation is partnering with Royal Caribbean for accessibility cruise

Travelmation will hold a cruise for passengers with accessibility needs in conjunction with Royal Caribbean International next year.

The first Travelmation Accessibility Cruise will be held on the Utopia of the Seas from Oct. 24-27, 2025, sailing from Port Canaveral, Fla., with stops in Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Exploring the challenges in creating an accessible sortable list (drag-and-drop)

Drag-and-drop is a highly interactive and visual interface. We often use drag-and-drop to perform tasks like uploading files, reordering browser bookmarks, or even moving a card in solitaire. It can be hard to imagine completing most of these tasks without a mouse and even harder without using a screen or visual aid. This is why the Accessibility team at GitHub considers drag-and-drop a “high-risk pattern,” often leading to accessibility barriers and a lack of effective solutions in the industry.

We Bet You’ve Never Heard of These 23 Secret iOS Settings

Even if you’ve had your iPhone for years, you might not know about these useful tweaks.

As Xbox innovates again, is the gaming industry finally getting accessibility right?

This installment of our Consumer Tech Focus examines how major companies, including Xbox and Sony, are developing accessibility products for gamers with disabilities. Good progress has been made but experts tell us these brands can go up another level.

Xbox says its Adaptive Thumbstick Toppers will help customize gaming setups for those living with disabilities / Credit: Microsoft

Other Accessibility Highlights for this Month

Roles, states, and properties

Understand what roles, states and properties are, how they make user interface (UI) elements accessible to assistive technology users, and when and how to use them. Check out this useful resource from Te Tari Taiwhenua/Department of Internal Affairs.

How NSA Ensures Technology Remains Accessible and Usable for All Employees

There is strength in diversity; that’s one of the messages delivered in the 2023 National Intelligence Strategy, which provides strategic guidance to the U.S. intelligence community. Among the major goals listed in the document are recruiting, developing, and retaining a talented and diverse workforce across the entirety of the IC.

For Empty Nesters, Moving to One-Floor Living is Easier than You Think

Navigating flights of stairs or the cost of installing a pneumatic elevator need not be the reason for empty nesters to be deterred from living at home, say design experts.

There are dozens of creative ways to move to a living environment on just one floor that are easy and enhance safety—and may even increase resale value.

If you or loved ones are considering aging in place, strategically rethink the spaces you’ve lived in for years and see the possibilities going room-by-room.

The Most And Least Accessible Cities in The U.S.

If you’re part of the 12.1% of U.S. adults with a mobility disability, you know the importance of accessible design.[1] From smart home modifications to restaurant layouts to transportation options, some U.S. cities stand out when it comes to accessibility for all while others leave much to be desired.

Introduction to European Accessibility Act (EAA) Compliance

The European Accessibility Act, hereafter referred as EAA in this post, is a piece of legislation on fare accessible products and services across all the European Union markets. this act also referred as EU Directive/882 was enacted in April 2019 in order to provide equally accessible products and services for people with disabilities in the member states and gratify United Nations Convention on rights for People with Disabilities (UNCRPD)

Statement from Chief Accessibility Officer Stephanie Cadieux on progress since the National Air Accessibility Summit

Canada’s Chief Accessibility Officer, Stephanie Cadieux, provides an update on progress made since the National Air Accessibility Summit, emphasizing efforts to enhance accessible air travel for people with disabilities.

Accessibility and Diversity in Digital Services – Tampere University’s Pioneering International Master’s Program Launched

Tampere University launched the international master’s program “Accessibility and Diversity in Digital Services” to meet the growing demand for accessibility experts.

To our best knowledge, this is the first master’s program focusing on accessibility in Europe.

Is XR the unsung hero of the digital revolution?

The Global Collaboration Village leverages extended reality (XR) technology to create immersive, interactive environments to facilitate real-time decision-making and collaboration on critical global issues.
XR fosters collaboration across borders, enabling leaders and organizations to tackle complex global challenges such as climate change and inequality through immersive, real-time interactions.
Despite challenges like high costs and technical disruptions, XR is poised to transform how we interact with the digital world, making it more personalized and accessible and positioning itself as a key player in the future of global innovation and collaboration.

Inclusion at the Missouri State Fair: making fun ‘accessible to all.’

It’s a hot and humid Thursday toward the end of the Missouri State Fair, and the smells of fried food and the sounds of livestock fill the air. Walking onto the carnival midway though, some things are noticeably absent – the lights on the rides are off, no loud music is playing, and the carnival game and ride operators aren’t calling out to patrons. For the second year, the fair provided “sensory friendly” carnival hours – where they turned down the intensity of the offerings…

TAP and Pact launch accessibility guidance toolkit

The TV Access Project (TAP) in the UK has created and launched an industry-first accessibility toolkit in a bid to make the TV production sector more inclusive for professionals with disabilities. Local trade body Pact—which represents independent production and distribution companies—is partnering with the org to host this free resource on its website, starting today. The toolkit features guides and practical advice for producers, including tips on how to be more inclusive in the recruitment process, how to apply for funding to cover access-related costs on a production, and an overview of all the potential barriers faced by people with disabilities in the industry…

Assistive Technology Apps for Diverse Learning Needs

BridgingApps nEW Assistive Technology Apps for Diverse Learning Needs App List showcases a variety of apps designed to support individuals with different learning challenges. These apps cater to needs such as time management, writing assistance, note-taking, voice transcription, reading, audiobooks, and more. Each app is tailored to provide accessibility and ease of use, helping learners with diverse needs to enhance their productivity and learning experiences.

2024 Mid-Year Report: ADA Title III Federal Lawsuit Numbers Rebound (A Little)

the numbers are in, and the filings are slightly up from 2023 but still below 2022. From the beginning of January to end of June of 2024, 4,280 ADA Title III lawsuits were filed in federal courts. If this trend continues for the rest of the year, the projected number of suits for 2024 will be around 8,500 – slightly higher than 2023 but lower than 2022.

True Independence Means Freedom and Access for All: NCPEDP-Mphasis Universal Design Awards Highlight Path to Inclusive Freedom

As India celebrates 77 years of independence, the true essence of freedom is brought into focus – that is ensuring every citizen must have the basic right of accessibility to have a level playing field. Disability experts, entrepreneurs and institutions working on universal designs highlighted this idea at the 15th edition of the NCPEDP-Mphasis Universal Design Awards on in their effective implementation.

Paris is now more accessible for disabled people. Will it last after the Olympics and Paralympics?

Paris has made significant investments to improve accessibility since winning the bid to host the Summer Games in 2017. The city boasts that 100% of its bus routes and tram lines are now wheelchair accessible, and 125 million euros have been allocated to further these efforts. The city hall has also invested in the creation of 17 “enhanced accessibility districts” in which public facilities and shops are adapted with ramps, tactile strips and designated parking spots for people with disabilities.

Madrid enhances accessibility with major upgrades at Avenida de América Metro Station

Currently, about 70% of Madrid Metro stations are accessible. The metropolitan company, which operates more than 550 lifts, is focused on increasing this accessibility further. In addition to the Avenida de América station, new lifts are planned for multiple other stations, including Ventas, Begoña, San Bernardo, Diego de León, Alonso Martínez, and several others throughout the network. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to ensure the Madrid Metro system is more accommodating for passengers with reduced mobility.

Including People With Disabilities in Data Collection

Government and industry leaders are working to better understand how data collection may not effectively document what people with disabilities need. They’re improving the process by doing a better job of gathering information.

Vacations for persons with disabilities could still include everyday barriers to accessibility

The 2022 Canadian Survey on Disability (CSD) found that more than one in four Canadians aged 15 years and older (27%), or 8.0 million people, had one or more disabilities that limited them in their daily activities. This rate is up by 5 percentage points from 2017 (22%).

For Canadians with a disability, going on vacation unfortunately might not mean getting away from barriers to accessibility that they may face in their everyday lives.

A New App Directory From iAccessibility.net: A Potential Replacement To The Directory From Applevis | iAccessibility.net |

If you found the #AppleAppDirectory formerly at #AppleVis to be beneficial to you, check out the new #AppDirectory from iAccessibility.net. If all of us come together to contribute to this it has the potential to become a leading, trusted, go-to resource for information about which apps are #Accessible, meeting people’s needs and providing enjoyment.

Be My Eyes To Acquire AppleVis, To Secure Its Future And To Invest For Growth

Be My Eyes, the award-winning company that provides visual access for blind and low-vision people through AI, volunteers and organizations anywhere in the world, announced August 28, 2024 that it is acquiring AppleVis, the go-to online blindness website for accessibility advice on Apple and other technologies.

A.) Accessibility and Gen AI Episode 2 — Jennison Asuncion — Head of Accessibility at LinkedIn, Co-Founder of GAAD | Accessibility and Gen AI | YouTube.com

Hosts Eamon McErlean and Joe Devon interview Jennison Asuncion, Head of Accessibility at LinkedIn, and Co-Founder of Global Accessibility Awareness Day & GAAD Foundation. They discuss how Global Accessibility Awareness Day began, how to successfully educate people about the importance of accessibility, and the use of generative AI for accessibility.

It’s not just people with disabilities who desperately need homes that are readily accessible and adaptable; faced with an ageing population, it’s a crucial issue for us all,

It’s a damning fact that more than 100,000 people are on local authority waiting lists for an accessible or adaptable home, with many more hoping to secure other similar social housing properties. Some individuals may have to wait an additional 47 years for their local council to supply them with a new build home that completely fulfils their requirements; a dooming statistic as people’s lives are massively impacted in the meantime.