The news this week has been understandably full of election-related stories. In the world of accessibility, meanwhile, the daily work of building a more inclusive world for all continues apace. The good news is, there is always lots of good news!
So, as you approach your weekend, please enjoy a chance to catch up on some of the most interesting and important stories in the accessibility space.
In my short video below, I talk about some of these stories, highlighting those that were particularly noteworthy.
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
There are several things of interest in the world of travel for this episode of Accessibility Reads:
Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport has introduced new initiatives to improve accessibility for deaf or hard-of-hearing travelers.
Meanwhile, a coalition between labor unions, healthcare associations, and advocacy groups is launching a campaign to improve travel access for passengers who use wheelchairs.
Low-vision customers traveling on Delta Airlines can look forward to a new, more accessible flight map.
And, Canada’s Chief Accessibility Officer, Stephanie Cadieux, provided an update on the progress made since Canada’s first-ever National Air Accessibility Summit.
Those are all great and proactive steps toward greater accessibility. Not everyone, however, has been pursuing that approach. The federal government, for example, has slapped American Airlines with a $50 million fine after a multi-agency investigation uncovered repeat violations of the rules designed to protect airline passengers who use wheelchairs.
Here’s some good news about proactive accessibility from Massachusetts, my home state: A working group has been launched to look at the accessibility of its hiking trails.
And while we’re talking about activity at the state level, it was good to see that state and local governments are increasing access to digital services for people with disabilities, in part due to a new ruling from the DOJ, with key hiring such as The Commonwealth’s first Chief IT accessibility officer.
Meanwhile, the MBTA—who are paying CAF USA Inc. $810 million for the design, construction, and delivery of the new Green Line vehicles—is actively working with community groups to ensure their new supercars are as accessible as possible.
Finally, you didn’t think I’d forget to mention holiday shopping, did you? If you’re a business expecting to do big business during the holidays, the time to start prepping is now, before the busyness of holiday shopping kicks in. So says Gina Bhawalkar in Forrester’s Make Your Website Accessible Or Leave Money On The Table This Holiday Season.
More stories
Below, I’ve gathered some additional links to compelling stories that I think are well worth exploring:
Feds, Cubs reach deal over wheelchair seats at Wrigley Field
The team will install dozens of additional wheelchair spaces and companion seats in the stadium’s lower and upper decks, bleachers, and bleacher suites while eliminating obstructions like additional standard seating in front of those spaces
Solon charity makes toys accessible for children of all abilities
This Ohio nonprofit takes toys and adapts them so that kids of all abilities are able to play.
People with blindness and low vision are squeezed by high costs of living new research
About 1 in 4 of the people with blindness or low vision who were surveyed said they spent less on food to be able to afford expenses associated with their disability.
This week’s recommended read
If you read just one thing this week, I recommend:
Research informs new European standards on accessibility
Several new accessibility standards will be developed to support the European Accessibility Directive. A research assignment to guide the development of standards on non-digital information and support services is now underway.
Bonus content!
This episode, we have two bonuses for you.
First, for all those looking for high-impact statistics to quote in presentations, here’s a good one: The Number of People With Disabilities Is Growing and They Are Voting In Greater Numbers. New data projects that there are 40.2 million eligible voters with disabilities, a 5.1% jump.
Secondly, a new documentary is available on Netflix called “The Remarkable Life of Ibelin.” It tells the story of a young man with Duchenne muscular dystrophy who created an entire life inside a video game as he lost his mobility and his voice to the disease. It showcases the use of AT (buttons, switches) and how—through the use of technology—he was able to live a full and impactful life.
Conclusion
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.
Is your business ready to expand and enhance your digital accessibility efforts? Schedule a free strategic consulting session today!
