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FDNY Violates ADA by Pre-judging Veteran Applicants as Unfit

New York, New YorkDisability Rights Advocates (DRA), a national nonprofit legal center, filed a Charge of Discrimination for Julio Andrade, a former Marine, after the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) denied him a job as a Fire Fighter because of a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) he received at the time of his honorable discharge from service in the Iraq war, approximately 8 years earlier.

The Charge, filed with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, alleges that the FDNY illegally discriminated against Andrade because of the disability diagnosis. It also says that veterans’ groups report that the FDNY is disqualifying veterans from FDNY Fire Fighter jobs without individual evaluation of whether they are qualified for the job.

FDNY Violates ADA by Pre-judging Veteran Applicants as Unfit full article

Are Self-Driving Cars the Future of Mobility for Disabled People?

Srikanth Saripalli, Texas A&M University
SFGate, October 5, 2017

Self-driving cars could revolutionize how disabled people get around their communities and even travel far from home. People who can’t see well or with physical or mental difficulties that prevent them from driving safely often rely on others or local government or nonprofit agencies to help them get around.

Autonomous vehicle technology on its own is not enough to help these people become more independent, but simultaneous advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence can enable these vehicles to understand spoken instructions, observe nearby surroundings and communicate with people. Together, these technologies can provide independent mobility with practical assistance that is specialized for each user’s abilities and needs.

Are Self-Driving Cars the Future of Mobility for Disabled People? full article

EU One Step Closer to Accessibility Act as MEP Mizzi welcomes EP vote

Act would facilitate access to products and services

A European Accessibility Act that would make it easier for senior citizens and people with disability to use ATMs, check-in and other ticketing machines has been hailed as a “huge opportunity” by MEP Marlene Mizzi.

The European Accessibility Act, which seeks to bolster existing accessibility requirements for products and services, was voted through the European Parliament yesterday. The Act must be approved by the EU Council before becoming law.

“This was a real victory for the Socialists & Democrats group in the European Parliament. We have managed to push through our priorities and to ensure that the European Parliament adopts a strong and ambitious position,” Mrs Mizzi said.

EU One Step Closer to Accessibility Act as MEP Mizzi welcomes EP vote full article

DOJ Halts Plan to Create Website Accessibility Regulations

Careers sites, applications must still be accessible to candidates with disabilities, advocates say By Roy Maurer
Sep 25, 2017

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) had planned to write regulations for employers to follow to make sure their websites are accessible and readable by people with disabilities, but no more.

The DOJ has moved the regulations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to its “inactive list,” leaving private employers with an unclear standard for compliance at a time when ADA lawsuits focused on websitesincluding careers sitesare proliferating.

ADA website accessibility regulations under Title II (for state and local governments) and Title III (for businesses open to the public) had been planned for 2017 and 2018, respectively, before the DOJ marked them as inactive.

DOJ Halts Plan to Create Website Accessibility Regulations full article

Canada and Manitoba Invest in Rural Transit Projects Across the Province

WINNIPEG, Sept. 25, 2017 /CNW

The governments of Canada and Manitoba recognize that strategic investments in public transit and active transportation infrastructure play a key role in developing dynamic communities, encouraging healthy lifestyles and ensuring everyone can get around their communities easily and efficiently.

Today, the Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Jeff Wharton, Minister of Municipal Relations, announced the details of five transportation projects in rural communities. The work is being funded through the province’s Small Communities Transportation Fund, which is supported federally using a portion of Manitoba’s annual federal Gas Tax Fund allocation.

Canada and Manitoba Invest in Rural Transit Projects Across the Province full article

Leaving No One Behind: Achieving Disability-Inclusive Disaster Risk Management

Report from World Bank
Published on 14 Sep 2017
BY CHARLOTTE MCCLAIN-NHLAPO

Natural hazard events can occur in any country, at any time. At present, India, Bangladesh, and Nepal are dealing with the aftermath of some of the worst monsoon flooding in years, which has left more than 1,200 people dead and millions homeless. At the same time, North America and the Caribbean region are responding to some of the strongest hurricanes on record.

At such times of peril, individual and community resilience is at a premium, and we cannot afford to miss opportunities to bolster that resilience wherever possible. This is especially true with respect to certain groups such as persons with disabilities who have historically been disproportionately affected by natural hazards.

Leaving No One Behind: Achieving Disability-Inclusive Disaster Risk Management full article

Another Court Finds That Accessibility Rules Apply to Retail Websites

Last month we told you that a court in Florida had ordered the Winn-Dixie supermarket chain to make its websites accessible to persons with vision impairments by following the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 standards (WCAG 2.0). This month, another court has weighed in.

In an opinion published on September 6, 2017 (but issued earlier on July 31, 2017), Judge Jack B. Weinstein of the Southern District of New York ruled that a retail website was a place of public accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (as well as under state and local law) and therefore the owner the website had to take the steps necessary to ensure that the blind have full and equal enjoyment of its website provided that taking such steps would not impose an undue burden on Blick or fundamentally alter the website. Andrews v. Blick Art Materials, LLC, 17-CV-767, NYLJ 1202797331595, at *15 (EDNY, Decided July 31, 2017).

Another Court Finds That Accessibility Rules Apply to Retail Websites full article

U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Accessible Transportation Technologies Research Initiative Application Development Awards

Sept 12, 2017

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded six application development research contracts, totaling $6.185 million* for a period of performance through FY 2019, under its Accessible Transportation Technologies Research Initiative (ATTRI) to improve mobility options for all travelers, particularly those with disabilities.

ATTRI is a multimodal departmental effort that has been at the leading edge of identifying and developing transformative transportation applications for all disabilities. “ATTRI’s success depends on working cooperatively with other agencies as well as the private sector,” said Michael F. Trentacoste, Associate Administrator for Research, Development and Technology; Director, Turner Fairbank Highway Research Center. “We recognize the interdisciplinary nature of accessible transportation research and actively seek opportunities to leverage resources, accomplishments, and knowledge advances both within the USDOT and across federal agencies. We can’t do this alone.”

U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Accessible Transportation Technologies Research Initiative Application Development Awards full article

Metro to Launch Abilities-Ride Program to Encourage Accessible Taxi Use as Alternative to MetroAccess in Maryland

Originally posted Sept. 6, 2017

MetroAccess customers will have a new, more flexible option for travel within Maryland with the launch of the Abilities-Ride program on Monday, September 18.

The new program offers an alternative to MetroAccess service by allowing eligible customers to use on-demand taxi services–without sharing a ride–at a discounted rate.

The Abilities-Ride program offers subsidized rides in partnership with Regency Taxi and Silver Cab. Eligible MetroAccess customers can request transportation through these providers for any trip that begins and ends within the MetroAccess service area in Maryland. Riders can request their trip in advance by calling the taxi company directly, or through their respective websites or smartphone apps.

Metro to Launch Abilities-Ride Program to Encourage Accessible Taxi Use as Alternative to MetroAccess in Maryland full article

Disabled Accessibility Law Gathering Support

By John Gibb
Tuesday Sept. 12, 2017

Canadian disability advocate David Lepofsky believes there is growing political backing to pass “accessibility” legislation in this country.

“Accessibility legislation can only help, if it’s done right,” Mr Lepofsky said in Dunedin recently.

Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/disabled-accessibility-law-gathering-support/

UAE Students Invent Photo-to-Braille Translator; To Make Reading Easier for Visually Impaired

Portable reading device developed by students at UAE University in Al Ain can translate written material into Braille Sami Zaatari,
Gulf News, Sept. 8, 2017

Abu Dhabi: An innovative student-led project at the UAE University in Al Ain is hoping to make reading easier for visually impaired people by developing a pocket-sized portable device that can translate reading materials into Braille.

The device, which is still in its prototype stage, has a built-in camera that can be used to take photos of any type of reading material, which is then converted into Braille, allowing a visually impaired person to read at any time they want.

UAE Students Invent Photo-to-Braille Translator; To Make Reading Easier for Visually Impaired full article

Congress Wants to Change the Americans with Disabilities Act and Undermine the Civil Rights of People with Disabilities

Tyler Ray & Vania Leveille, Senior Legislative Counsel
ACLU Washington Legislative Office, September 6, 2017

The Americans with Disabilities Act is the most comprehensive and
foundational civil rights law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability. Yet, 27 years after it was passed, people with disabilities still face enormous barriers.

People with mobility disabilities routinely
find themselves blocked from the simplest of social interactions. They are unable to go to the corner grocery store to pick up a quart of milk because there is a step at the door. They are unable to go to the local movie theatre with their friends because there is no accessible seating. They might be able to get into the door of the local restaurant, but are stymied
if they have to go to the bathroom while they are there, because it is the size of a postage stamp.

Congress Wants to Change the Americans with Disabilities Act and Undermine the Civil Rights of People with Disabilities full article

Justice System Failed Mentally Ill Indigenous Inmate, Lawyer Argues

Michael Nehass, a 33-year-old Indigenous inmate who is mentally ill, spent much of his nearly six-year period of incarceration in solitary confinement. Patrick White
September 4, 2017

In 2016, Michael Nehass swallowed razor blades. To his delusional mind, it was a reasonable act built upon solid logic.

Mr. Nehass, a 33-year-old Indigenous inmate, believed that a technological device of some unspecified kind had been implanted in his stomach during his lengthy incarceration. Consuming the blades, he thought, would force hospital surgeons to open up his torso, whereupon they would see the implant and remove it.

Justice System Failed Mentally Ill Indigenous Inmate, Lawyer Argues full article

Government of Canada Supports Greater Accessibility in Public Consultation Forums for People with Speech and Language Disabilities

GATINEAU, QC, Aug. 31, 2017 /CNW/ – Communications Disabilities Access Canada, a national not-for-profit organization, will make public consultation forums more accessible to Canadians who have speech and language disabilities.

Today, the Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, announced the launch of this initiative, funded through the disability component of the Social Development Partnerships Program.

A more inclusive Canada is one where all Canadians are given equal opportunity to contribute to their communities and share their views on the social and economic issues that affect their lives. This is why the Government of Canada is committed to support innovative accessibility projects that reduce barriers for people with disabilities and improve their participation and integration into all aspects of society.

Government of Canada Supports Greater Accessibility in Public Consultation Forums for People with Speech and Language Disabilities full article

UN Denounces British Government for Failing to Protect Disabled Peoples’ Rights

May Bulman
August 31, 2017

The Government has been criticised by the United Nations for failing to uphold the rights of disabled people through a string of austerity policies.

An inquiry into the UKs progress in fulfilling its commitments to a major UN convention found ministers have failed people with disabilities through a catalogue of policies in recent years, affecting a range of areas from access to healthcare to equality in education and work.

A rise in disabled pupils not in mainstream education and a “persistent” employment gap facing disabled adults were among a string of accusations outlined in the report, published this week by the UN committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, after it spent two days grilling Government officials in Geneva.

UN Denounces British Government for Failing to Protect Disabled Peoples’ Rights full article

The 2017 Disability Equality Index Names the “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion”

68 top-scoring companies pave the way for Corporate America
Washington, D.C. (August 23, 2017)

US Business Leadership Network (USBLN) and American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) are proud to release the 2017 Disability Equality Index (DEI) the third year measured by the Index. 110 companies participated in the 2017 DEI, with results indicating where companies are excelling in their commitment to inclusive environmental, social, and governance policies.

DEI results also indicate areas in which companies must improve and close the policy and practice gaps for disability inclusion. This year a record 68 employers have earned the top rating of 100 signaling to corporate America that becoming inclusive to people with disabilities drives positive results across the business.

The 2017 Disability Equality Index Names the “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion” full article

Obtaining Accessible Cable Television: A Frustrating Experience

Janet Ingber

At the AccessWorld Tech Summit in March 2017, part of the American Foundation for the Blind’s annual Leadership Conference, I was so excited while listening to a presentation from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) about accessible devices including cable boxes. I figured I could call my cable company when I got home and get an accessible cable box. I was wrong.

FCC Regulations Summary for Accessible Cable Boxes

The FCC conference presenters were Suzy Rosen Singleton, Chief, and Will Schell, Attorney-Advisor, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau. They focused on access to video description.

Obtaining Accessible Cable Television: A Frustrating Experience full article

How Does the Refreshed Section 508 Rule Affect Your Agency?

By Mark Gross
Aug 21, 2017

A part of The Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 508 requires that government agencies provide individuals with disabilities equal access to their programs, services and activities. Specifically, Section 508 deals with electronic and services, including web page content, PDF documents and audio and video content and specifies requirements to ensure that all web content is accessible to people with disabilities. The latest update to Section 508, known as “the refresh,” went into effect March 21, 2017.

How Does the Refreshed Section 508 Rule Affect Your Agency? full article

Three Day Event to Help Calgarians with Disabilities

CALGARY, Alberta, Aug. 17, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE)

Not-for-profit organization creating specialized solutions for disabilities in 72 hour makeathon event

The Tikkun Olam Makers:Calgary run by Kadima Dynamics, is excited to announce their third makeathon event where local engineers and designers, termed ‘Makers’, work with people with a disability, or ‘Need-Knowers’, to create solutions for their everyday challenges.

15 teams of 4-6 individuals each, from communities across Alberta will work together for a continuous 72 hours, with access to fabrication equipment and materials. Participants will be given a budget, monitored, and guided through their projects.

Three Day Event to Help Calgarians with Disabilities full article

NASA Paves A Way for People Who are Blind to Experience A Total Solar Eclipse

Aug 17, 2017

app screenshot On August 21, 2017, just a few days away, the United States of America will fall under the path of a total solar eclipse. Said to be an unforgettable experience, many people plan to descend upon this path of totality and view complete darkness.

But what about those who will not be able to “see” this event NASA now has a solution. The Eclipse Soundscapes Project by NASA’s Heliophysics Education Consortium will help deliver a multisensory experience of this celestial event.

NASA Paves A Way for People Who are Blind to Experience A Total Solar Eclipse full article

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