Yearly Archives: 2017

CTA Foundation Announces Accessibility Award Winners, Exhibitors, Programming at CES 2018

December 21, 2017

ARLINGTON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) Foundation, a national organization with the mission to link seniors and people with disabilities with technologies to enhance their lives, announced today accessibility-related programming and exhibits at CES® 2018.

Owned and produced by CTA, CES is the global stage for innovation and will take place January 9-12 in Las Vegas, Nev.

Whether it is in IoT, smart homes, robotics, health and fitness, vehicle tech, smart cities or any of the other innovative, breakthrough technologies at CES, were excited to see technology enabling independence for people of all ages and abilities across the show.

CTA Foundation Announces Accessibility Award Winners, Exhibitors, Programming at CES 2018 full article

Wheelchair-Accessible Toboggan Slide Opens in Winnipeg

Four-time Paralympian Billy Bridges discusses the toboggan run and how the project came about. CTVNews.ca Staff
Published Monday, December 25, 2017

The city of Winnipeg has opened a slide and toboggan designed to allow everyone to get in on the fun.

On Friday, the city unveiled a its first wheelchair-accessible slide, which doubles as a toboggan run in the winter, at St. Vital Park in the southern part of Winnipeg.

Four-time Paralympian and two-time Paralympic medalist in sledge hockey Billy Bridges took part in the slide’s inaugural run with his daughter on his lap.

Wheelchair-Accessible Toboggan Slide Opens in Winnipeg full article

DOJ Nixes All Pending ADA Rulemakings, Including Website Access Rules

Seyfarth Synopsis: The Justice Department withdraws pending rulemakings for accessible websites, furniture and non-fixed equipment.

The current Department of Justice’s (DOJ) regulatory approach to Title III of the ADA is yet another example of what a difference an election can make.

In 2010, the DOJ started the rulemaking process to issue new regulations about the websites of public accommodations and state and local governments, as well as non-fixed equipment and furniture used in public accommodations. In July of this year, the DOJ placed these rulemakings on the “inactive list”. On December 26, 2017, these rulemakings will officially be withdrawn.

DOJ Nixes All Pending ADA Rulemakings, Including Website Access Rules full article

All VIA Rail Trains to Allow Two Mobility Aid Scooters on Board

PRESS RELEASE PR Newswire
MONTRÉAL, Dec. 20, 2017 /CNW

Telbec/ – VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) announced today that, following an order by the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA), its accessibility policy was revised on December 18, 2017 and will take effect on January 3, 2018. The Corporation will offer space for two passengers travelling together on the same train with qualified 3-wheel scooters either by having two tie-down spaces per train or by securing two unoccupied scooters in one tie-down.

All VIA Rail Trains to Allow Two Mobility Aid Scooters on Board full article

Lyft Is Making The App More Accessible For Visually Impaired Riders & Heres Why Its Important

Source:Courtesy of Lyft
ByJames Loke Hale
December 20, 2017

Lyft has made accessibility a priority in 2017. First, in April, it announced its partnership with the National Association of the Deaf, along with changes to the app that would make it more accessible for Deaf and hard of hearing riders and drivers. Now Lyft is embracing its visually impaired riders by announcing its new partnership with Aira, which will make Lyft more accessible for visually impaired riders.

Aira “develops transformative remote assistive technology that connects the blind with a network of certified agents via wearable smart glasses and an augmented reality dashboard that allows agents to see what the blind person sees in real time.”

Lyft Is Making The App More Accessible For Visually Impaired Riders & Heres Why Its Important full article

The Government of Canada Launches Renewed Program to Support the Social Inclusion of Canadians With Disabilities

GATINEAU, QC, Dec. 15, 2017 /CNW

The Government of Canada is working to ensure greater accessibility and opportunities for Canadians with disabilities in their communities and workplaces.

The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, today launched a call for expressions of interest under the renewed 2017 Social Development Partnership Program Disability (SDPP-D). The call is open to not-for-profit organizations with a national reach and whose primary mandate is on the inclusion of people with disabilities.

This is the first step in a two-step process which will result in operating funding for national organizations that support the inclusion of people with disabilities.

The Government of Canada Launches Renewed Program to Support the Social Inclusion of Canadians With Disabilities full article

Canada’s Aging Population Signals Need for More Inclusive, Accessible Transportation System: New Expert Panel Report

PRESS RELEASE GlobeNewswire
Dec. 14, 2017

As the number of Canadians aged 65 and older continues to grow faster than any other age group, so too does the need for a more inclusive and accessible transportation system, underscores a group of experts in a new report released today by the Council of Canadian Academies.

Older Canadians on the Move addresses key obstacles faced by today’s older travellers and explores innovative and technological solutions for adapting Canada’s transportation system to meet future needs.

Older Canadians on the Move. The Expert Panel report on the transportation needs of an aging population.

Canada’s Aging Population Signals Need for More Inclusive, Accessible Transportation System: New Expert Panel Report full article

Accessible Technology Program

From Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

The new Accessible Technology Program will co-fund innovative projects led by the private sector, not-for-profit organizations and research institutes to develop new assistive and adaptive digital devices and technologies.

It will invest $22.3 million over 5 years, starting in 2017-18 to make it easier for Canadians with disabilities to more fully participate in the digital economy.

Background

The Program is part of the Government of Canada’s Innovation and Skills Plan, and aims to facilitate and encourage the participation of under-represented groups in the digital economy by investing in initiatives that provide them with the necessary tools, access and skills to participate.

Accessible Technology Program full article

Making Digital Technologies More Accessible to Canadians With Disabilities

News provided by
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

$22.3-million program will help Canadians with disabilities fully participate in the digital economy

OTTAWA, Dec. 6, 2017 /CNW/ – As a result of a new $22.3-million program, more Canadians with disabilities will have access to the digital tools they need to fully participate in society and get access to the well-paying jobs of today and tomorrow.

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, today launched the Accessible Technology Program, a new program that, over the next five years, will co-fund innovative projects to develop new assistive and adaptive digital devices and technologies.

Making Digital Technologies More Accessible to Canadians With Disabilities full article

All Branches of Government Must Rally Together for Canadians With Disabilities

Rick Hansen Contributed to The Globe and Mail
Updated December 3, 2017

Rick Hansen is a three-time Paralympic gold medalist and founder and CEO of the Rick Hansen Foundation, an organization committed to creating a world without barriers for people with disabilities.

Dec. 3 is the United Nations-sanctioned International Day of Persons With Disabilities (IDPD), and this also marks the 30th year since I wheeled around the world creating awareness and encouraging barriers to be removed. A lot has been accomplished in that time, including the UN declaring the launch of the Decade of Disabled Persons from 1983-1992, which ended with a global conference on accessibility hosted by Canada that I had the good fortune of leading.

All Branches of Government Must Rally Together for Canadians With Disabilities full article