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Chief Assignment EditorJune 13, 2019
A canopy of brightly coloured umbrellas has appeared at Heathrow as part of an initiative to raise awareness of neuro-developmental disorders, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), autism, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia and Dyspraxia.
Devised by ADHD Foundation, the hugely popular ‘Umbrella Project’ has launched at arrivals in Heathrow’s Terminal 5 the first time this artwork has been available to view in London or at an airport. Celebrating the gifts, talents and employability of those with neuro-developmental disorders, the project name stems from the use of ADHD and autism as ‘umbrella terms’ for many neurological conditions and reframes them for children as unique ‘Super Powers’. The installation forms part of a wider education programme with participating local schools including Heathrow Primary, William Byrd and Harmondsworth Primary to raise awareness about ADHD and autism.
‘Super Power’ Artwork On Display at Heathrow Airport full article
Originally posted June 4 2019
Improving airline infrastructure and facilities for people with disabilities, global deployment of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for baggage tracking and facilitating implementation of biometrics based One ID process were some of the key resolutions passed on Sunday at the annual general meeting of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the global apex body of airline operators, in Seoul.
The resolution means that global airlines and airports will work together to ensure that wheelchair assistance to passengers increases. Airlines will also work with passenger associations, airports, ground handlers, and regulators to ensure that there is no damage to the mobility aids of passengers who travel with their own aids.
Global Apex Body of Airline Operators Passes Key Resolutions to Make Travel More Accessible full article
Last Updated: June 5 2019
Article by Melissa Beaumont
Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP
The Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA) was created to achieve an accessible society for all Manitobans disabled by a barrier. Over time, a number of standards will be enacted under the AMA to create accessibility obligations for organizations in areas such as customer service, employment, information & communications, the built environment and transportation.
On May 1, 2019, the Accessible Employment Standard Regulation came into force. It creates a general obligation on all employers to implement policies and practices to reasonably accommodate employees who are disabled by a barrier in the workplace.
Canada: New Accessibility Standard For Employment full article
KYODO NEWS – Jun 2, 2019
TOKYO – A shortage of wheelchair-accessible hotel rooms remains an issue for Tokyo 2020 organizers who say they are committed to using the Paralympic Games to make Japan a more inclusive place.
As the clock ticks down to the Aug. 25, 2020, Paralympic opening ceremony, the Tokyo metropolitan government admits that by its own estimations it is still about 300 rooms short of the projected 850 accessible rooms needed each night during the two-week sporting festival.
“We’re nowhere near the number. There’s no denying that we’re behind schedule,” said a representative of a Japanese disability organization.
Japan Struggling to Ramp Up Accessibility Efforts Ahead of Paralympics full article
May 28, 2019
An online tool to track accessible parking spaces is being developed by Richmond Centre for Disability (RCD), thanks to a $28,000 provincial grant they received last year.
The province is once again calling for grant proposals for community projects that improve accessibility for the second year running, the province is giving out a total of $500,000 in grants.
“Every day, people with disabilities overcome barriers that could otherwise impact their lives,” said Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, in a press release. “Organizations across B.C. are working to embrace diversity, create equal opportunities and improve social inclusion.”
Province in British Columbia, Canada to Develop Online Tool to Track Accessible Parking Spaces full article
By SAMANTHA MALDONADO
May 2, 2019 06:16 PM EDT
Lyft argues it should not be subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act and is fighting a federal class action lawsuit filed in Westchester County on the grounds that “it is not in the transportation business.”
It’s an argument long employed by app-based companies like Lyft and Uber, and it’s one that experts in the field continue to scoff at.
According to their public filings their mission is to improve people’s lives with the world’s best transportation,” said former New York City Taxi Commissioner Meera Joshi. “Or maybe it should be improving some people’s lives because throughout the country most passengers that use a wheelchair still can’t get a Lyft.”
Lyft Fights to Avoid Americans with Disabilities Act in Federal Court full article
By Mark Savage
BBC Music reporter
9 May 2019
Last year, Ruth Patterson’s band Holy Moly and the Crackers tried to book a tour of the UK.
But one venue wrote back, refusing to host them because Patterson, who has arthritis and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, uses a wheelchair.
“They said they wouldn’t book us because I was a fire hazard,” she says. “That’s absolutely horrendous.”
The singer is not alone. A new survey suggests disabled musicians face significant barriers in UK venues.
Of the nearly 100 deaf and disabled performers surveyed by Attitude Is Everything, two-thirds said they had to “compromise their health or wellbeing” in order to play live.
Disabled Musicians are Being ‘Failed by Venues’ full article
Blair Crawford
Updated: May 9, 2019
When it comes to accessibility, casinos lead the way.
“Las Vegas figured out a long time ago that older people and seniors were the ones who sit at slot machines,” said Brad McCannell, vice-president of access and inclusion for the Rick Hansen Foundation.
“They started accommodation long before the ADA because they saw it’s the little things, McCannell said, referring to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
The casinos replaced the standard slot machine stools with sturdier chairs with back rests and armrests that older people need to push off to stand up.
Laws Alone Aren’t The Answer for Improving Disability Access, Expert at Ottawa Summit Says full article
‘I don’t want to lose my job’
CTVNews.ca Staff, CTV Ottawa’s Joanne Schnurr
Published Monday, May 6, 2019
Workers with developmental disabilities say they are planning to protest on Parliament Hill if the government doesn’t reverse its plan to shut the federal program that employs them.
For nearly four decades, they have sorted and shredded papers for Library and Archives Canada. Now, they’ve learned — for the second time in four years — that the program is being cut.
Gladys Whincup has worked in the program for nearly four decades. She was brought to tears when asked Monday whether she was worried.
“We’ll have no jobs,” she said.
Feds Cutting Program That Employs Dozens with Developmental Disabilities full article
May 4, 2019 | For Immediate Release
With the Accessible Canada Act, Bill C-81, the federal government introduced measures that will help bring Canada into compliance with the commitments that it made when it ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2010.
While the federal government made a good start with C-81, the community of persons with disabilities identified a number of weaknesses and proposed corrective action.
The disability community has been steadfast in its commitment to the principle of Nothing About Us Without Us at every step of the way for Bill C-81 and we are pleased with Senate’s proposed amendments, stated Jewelles Smith, Chairperson of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD), a national organization of persons with disabilities working for an inclusive and accessible Canada.
Media Release: Senate Committee Corrects Some Weaknesses in Bill C-81 full article
April 29 2019
In the not-too-distant past rail, the considerations afforded to passengers with mobility issues or those whom require special assistance can sometimes be found lacking. For obvious reasons, having to travel when negotiating steps, stairs and trains that the majority of the travelling public find straightforward can make the idea of using public transport quite daunting.
Thankfully though attitudes are changing in this area, with operators, infrastructure manufacturers and technology developers increasingly making accessibility for this section of the community more included.
Illustrating this change in mindset, the UK government has this month announced a £300 million initiative to bring accessibility improvements to 73 train stations, upgrading ticket counters so theyre adjustable for those in wheelchairs and installing lifts.
Apps, Badges and 3D Rendering: Steps Being Taken to Improve Rail Accessibility full article
While province reduces administrative burden on employers, employment standards on accessibility introduced Ian Froese · CBC News · Posted: Apr 29, 2019
The Manitoba government is lowering the threshold for additional requirements placed on businesses from 20 to 50 employees for accessibility matters concerning customer service and employment. (Shutterstock)
The Manitoba government is exempting more business owners from documenting the steps they take to make their workplaces accessible.
The province is loosening the requirement on small business owners at the same time as it introduces new guidelines to remove employment barriers for people with disabilities.
Small Businesses Excused From Writing Down Accessibility Findings, Manitoba Government Decides full article
CATSA apologizes, United offers travel certificate; WestJet offers credit in separate incident Erica Johnson · CBC News · Posted: Apr 28, 2019
Stearn Hodge says he’s ‘had enough’ of airport security agents and airlines trying to take away the batteries for his portable scooter a disability violation. He’s fighting to take United Airlines, WestJet and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority to the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
Stearn Hodge says he will never forget the humiliation of having to drag his body across a hotel room floor during what was supposed to be a vacation celebrating his 43rd wedding anniversary because a security agent at the Calgary International Airport and United Airlines confiscated the batteries he needed to operate a portable scooter.
‘I Had to Crawl’: Amputee Seeks Damages After United Airlines and Airport Security Seize Scooter Batteries full article
(Ottawa, April 23, 2019)
The Federal Budget delivered in March included a number of very important measures for college and university students with disabilities that enhance the Canada Student Loans and Grants programs and will be available for disabled students starting in the upcoming fall school year.
Announcements in the budget specific to students with disabilities include a significant increase on the cap on the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities from $8,000 to $20,000 per year. This grant can go towards exceptional education-related services or equipment for eligible students with a permanent disability.
Federal Budget 2019 Contains Good News for Post-Secondary Students With Disabilities full article
Apr 21, 2019
Peter Slatin
Contributor
Diversity & Inclusion I write about undoing norms that inhibit success for disabled people.
This post is the first in a series on web accessibility.
Remember the bumper stickers that read, If You Can Read This, You’re Too Close? Yeah, danger ahead. Well, as America races down the cyber-highway, we should be on the lookout for a pile-up, because despite warning signs (as in a blizzard of web-accessibility lawsuits, up almost 200% last year from 2017) everywhere, people with disabilities just aren’t going to be able to move past the many obstacles heedless developers and designers are putting in their way.
The Coming Web Crack-Up full article
Screen-reading software allows visually impaired people to use the internet, but it hits a wall when it comes to memes.
In January, a photo of a woman holding a probing cane and looking at a phone went viral on Facebook after the poster implied that the subject was faking blindness given that she was clearly able to see her phone screen. Though the image was shared thousands of times by people who believed the joke, commenters were eventually informed of the reality, which is that blind people and people with low vision depend on their phones just as much as anyone else.
Blind People Can Struggle to Understand Memes, So They Made Their Own full article
By Danise Olague
Originally posted February 22nd, 2018
“Turn on the subtitles, Ms. Olague!”
I clicked on the “CC” button underneath the YouTube video, and the closed-captioning appeared at the bottom of the screen. Suddenly, all my students were looking at the screen with wide eyes, eager to watch the video.
In my first-grade classroom, a third of my students were learning English as a second language. Though my English learners were the initial reason I starting using closed-captioning on videos, I soon realized that students with special needs also benefited. As a public school teacher, I had to constantly evaluate how my teaching practices and materials could better include and empower the vast diversity in my classroom.
eSchool News: 3 Steps to a More Accessible Classroom full article
By Stacey Pusey
April 11th, 2019
Rockville, MD: If we want to help every child reach his or her potential, we need to take the appropriate steps
While the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was last reauthorized in 2004, with amendments in 2015, and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) updated back in 2008, the demand for accessibility and equality in education continues to grow. Administrators and teachers, who want to help every child reach their potential, can’t afford to wait for new laws and policies. To ensure accessibility, educators need to constantly evaluate the effectiveness of accessibility initiatives, advocate for resources for their students, and anticipate where they need to go next.
eSchool News: 5 Steps to Ensure Accessibility full article
4th April 2019
Now in its fifth year, Design Council Spark is putting a new focus on driving accessible home innovation; Design Council Spark: The Home Innovation Challenge is aiming to deliver major impact, both financially and socially, for people with reduced mobility or disabilities.
In the UK, there are currently 14 million people living with a disability and 25 percent of the population are due to be over the age of 65 by 2046. Design Council Spark showcases how innovative design is fundamental to futureproofing peoples ability to live independently and enabling bright ideas to transform future homes for everyone.
Innovators Challenged to Design Products for Homes to Win Investment Fund and Help Disabled People Live Independently full article
A legal dispute over video captions continues after court rejects requests by MIT and Harvard University to dismiss lawsuits accusing them of discriminating against deaf people. By Lindsay McKenzie
April 8, 2019
Two high-profile civil rights lawsuits filed by the National Association of the Deaf against Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are set to continue after requests to dismiss the cases were recently denied for the second time.
The two universities were accused by the NAD in 2015 of failing to make their massive open online courses, guest lectures and other video content accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Legal Battle Over Captioning Continues full article
