Yearly Archives: 2020

Campaigner’s Research Shows Rail Access Information Is Often ‘Wildly Inaccurate’

By John Pring on 23rd December 2020

Information used by disabled passengers to check if a rail station is accessible is frequently wildly inaccurate, and often leads them to book travel to and from stations they cannot access, according to new research.

The research by disabled campaigner and access expert Doug Paulley shows that the accuracy of accessibility information has worsened in the two years since the problem was highlighted by the regulator, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).

Paulleys research shows that for more than half of stations (51 per cent) across England, Scotland and Wales, the information used by the National Rail Enquiries (NRE) website on the level of step-free access is different from that held by the operators of those stations.

Campaigner’s Research Shows Rail Access Information Is Often ‘Wildly Inaccurate’ full article

His Dream: Running Blind and Running Free

By Matthew Futterman
New york Times, Dec. 26, 2020

A blind runner issued a challenge to technologists last year to find a way for him to run safely without a guide. They did.

Thomas Panek dreamed for years of running the way he did before he lost his sight, without fear and without a human or a dog tethered to his wrist as a guide.

That dream took Panek, 50, to the north end of Central Park one frigid morning last month, to test drive something that might one day liberate thousands of other people with severely impaired vision. As a camera crew and a team of technologists made some final adjustments, he stood on the downslope of West Drive. He straddled a painted yellow line and waited for the signal to go.

His Dream: Running Blind and Running Free full article

The FuelService App: Solving Driver’s with Disabilities Major Problem of Getting Gas

Dec 28,2020

The age-old problem, for drivers with disabilities, of having to find assistance to get Full Service at a Self-Serve gas stations has finally been solved.

The Canadian Coalition for Mobility Challenged Drivers, was looking for a solution to this major problem since 2014. Many avenues were traveled on to eliminate this problem. During our search to find a way to ‘fill er up’, we came across a number of different proposals.

The FuelService App: Solving Driver’s with Disabilities Major Problem of Getting Gas full article

Calgary Accessibility Advocate Reminds People to Clear Snow and Ice From Sidewalks

Jordan Kanygin CTV News Calgary Video Journalist
Published Wednesday, December 23, 2020

CALGARY — Anyone who has been outside in Calgary since the snow started falling on Monday evening knows it’s difficult to get around whether it’s vehicles slipping and sliding on roads or people trudging through heavy snow on walkways.

But the massive snowfall is an even bigger roadblock for those who have limited mobility.

“Snow makes it impassable,” says Sean Crump with Universal Access Inc., a company that works on initiatives to make the city more accessible for all Calgarians.

Calgary Accessibility Advocate Reminds People to Clear Snow and Ice From Sidewalks full article

For Job Seekers With Disabilities, Soft Skills Don’t Impress in Early Interviews

Research also finds discussing salary early in the interview process hurts all candidates Rutgers University
Science Daily,September 10, 2020

The findings, published in the International Journal of Conflict Management, contrast this with the results for candidates without disabilities who were positively evaluated when they highlighted either hard or soft skills during initial job interviews.

“Job interviews are challenging for everyone, but particularly so for people with disabilities who have always had difficulties presenting themselves favorably to gain employment,” said Rutgers Business School professor Mason Ameri.

“People with disabilities encounter an implicit bias that they will not be as productive as their non-disabled peers,” said Ameri, who co-authored the study. “Knowing how to navigate the conversation with potential employers is critical for leveling the playing field.”

For Job Seekers With Disabilities, Soft Skills Don’t Impress in Early Interviews full article

More Access Needed to Accessibility Services: Ramps, Home Care, Health Coverage Can Pose Challenges

by Trevor Wright
December 21, 2020

Some Nunavummiut living with disabilities say that more that can be done with regards to access to services.

Yugh Ahuja, 19, who has a rare genetic disease called Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), has faced numerous accessibility challenges in Iqaluit, where he lives. DMD causes the muscles in the body to become increasingly weak over time before they eventually cease function, leading to mobility problems such as those Ahuja experiences every day.

Ahuja faces many challenges if he has to go somewhere alone: some handicap door buttons not working, navigating elevators, being able to access ATM machines and dealing with inadequate ramps that are sometimes put in just to fulfill the requirement.

More Access Needed to Accessibility Services: Ramps, Home Care, Health Coverage Can Pose Challenges full article

Netflix’s ‘Crip Camp’ is One of the Most Important Films About Disability I’ve Ever Seen

This documentary proves we can tell human stories about disabled people and our lives. And through those stories, we can show both how far we’ve come and where we must go next. Originally Posted April 4, 2020
By Sara Luterman

I don’t remember the first time I met Judy Heumann, but I’ve only ever known her as an omnipresent elder statesman of the disability rights movement. A former President Bill Clinton and President Barack Obama appointee, the word that best describes Heumann, if I had to pick one, would be “dignified.”

If you want to marvel at human ingenuity, perseverance and triumph while you’re in quarantine, “Crip Camp” has you covered.

Netflix’s ‘Crip Camp’ is One of the Most Important Films About Disability I’ve Ever Seen full article

‘For many persons with disabilities ‘ social isolation is status quo,’ says support worker Carlos Sosa

Carlos Sosa
CBC News, Dec. 19, 2020

For many Manitobans, this holiday season will be very different from previous years.

In order to protect public health, it has been recommended that we restrict our contacts and gatherings to within households.

Over this last year as a society, we have all had to alter our lifestyles to lead a more isolated way of life due to the COVID’19 pandemic. Our entertainment options have been narrowed and restrictions have been placed on where we can gather.

This has left Manitobans feeling isolated and struggling with mental health issues.

‘For many persons with disabilities ‘ social isolation is status quo,’ says support worker Carlos Sosa full article

This Bill Would Make It Harder for People With Disabilities to Access the Internet | Opinion

Posted Dec 15, 2020
By Lydia Smeltz

As the COVID-19 pandemic has forced work, school and social life online, the web has taken on heightened importance. However, many of the online platforms we now depend on to work, take online classes, buy groceries and communicate with loved ones are difficult or impossible to use for millions of Americans who have disabilities.

And even as these Americans a quarter of the U.S. population struggle to engage in online life, Congress is considering a bill that would make web accessibility, the ability to fully utilize and engage with all aspect of a website, worse.

This Bill Would Make It Harder for People With Disabilities to Access the Internet | Opinion full article

Accessible Tourism Identified as ‘Game Changer’ for Destinations

3 Dec 20

Ensuring accessibility for tourists with specific access requirements can be a ‘game changer’ for destinations around the world as they look to bounce back from the impacts of the pandemic.

A new set of Inclusive Recovery Guides from the World Tourism Organization, produced in partnership with the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT), the ONCE Foundation of Spain and Travability from Australia, makes clear the importance of placing inclusivity at the centre of recovery plans and provides key recommendations for achieving this.

Accessible Tourism Identified as ‘Game Changer’ for Destinations full article