Welcome back to Accessibility Reads! It’s time for another roundup of the most interesting and important stories that have recently emerged in the accessibility space.
In my short video, I highlight some of the topics we’ve been reading about at Deque, and I also share links below to many more recommended articles.
Do you have a story you think we should read? Please share it on social and make sure to tag us! You can also leave a comment on this post.
Featured articles
The US Election Assistance Commission (EAC) (PDF) found that one in seven voters with disabilities reported difficulties voting in the 2022 midterm elections. The likelihood of encountering difficulties voting was 14% higher for a disabled voter than for a nondisabled voter.
As the November general election approaches, Arizona recently took a significant step toward ensuring that voters with disabilities are fully prepared to participate in the democratic process. A new article, Spark the Spectrum empowers Arizona voters with disabilities after court ruling expands accessibility, covers all the great work that the Spark the Spectrum event brought to voters with disabilities.
Monroe County in New York is discussing challenges for their voters and what they are doing to ensure greater accessibility to the polls in the How to make voting more accessible for people with disabilities podcast.
There can be many barriers to voting for people with disabilities, from transportation to filling out a paper ballot. The Maine Department of the Secretary of State wants to ensure all eligible voters can participate in elections. “Our elections are best when everyone has a chance to make their voice heard at the ballot box,” says Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. The Maine Morning Star shares How Maine is making it easier for voters with disabilities to participate in elections.
More stories
Apple says AirPods Pro 2 can be used as ‘clinical-grade’ hearing aids | TechCrunch
Apple says that AirPods Pro 2, its latest flagship wireless earbuds, can be used as “clinical-grade hearing aids”—pending FDA approval.
New design and accessibility improvements for embedded Google Calendars
Google Calendar has received a refreshed look with enhanced accessibility features.
Nestlé moves to assist consumers with sight loss in forging accessible QR codes
A notable move to assist consumers with sight loss has been made by Nestlé Confectionery, which is trialing Accessible QR codes for its flagship KitKat and Quality Street, which will enable greater ease of access for customers.
This week’s recommended read
If you read just one thing this week, I recommend this article, as it covers a critical and timely topic: additional regulation to the European Accessibility Act (EAA) that will affect many, many companies:
Disability Inclusion in the EU: A Legal Analysis to Guide Corporate Responsibilities Under New EU Disability Inclusive Legislation
There are three new government directives that apply to companies doing business in the European Union (EU). All three of them impact people with disabilities and their involvement in the economy in important ways. For the first time, disability is now officially recognized as a sustainability matter for companies.
Bonus content!
Learn about a free game that can be used to assist with raising disability awareness:
Do you see blue or green? This viral test plays with color perception.
A visual neuroscientist realized he saw green and blue differently from his wife; he designed an interactive site about their argument over the color of a blanket.
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Thank you for joining me for Accessibility Reads, and please stay tuned for our next edition. In the meantime, please visit deque.com to learn more about how we’re advancing digital accessibility and inclusion across the globe.
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