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MTA's Midtown Manhattan 57 St NQRW Station now accessible to all riders

The 57 St subway station on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) N Line, Q Line, R Line and W Line in Midtown Manhattan is now fully...

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Accessibility news archive

Here's what happened in the accessibility world from May 30–June 5, 2021

Be sure to check Accessibility News Briefly for the latest news and updates — and don't forget to subscribe to get weekly recaps right to your inbox. It's the easiest way to stay informed.

As a reminder, we provide these news briefs for your information and convenience, and we don't endorse or recommend any of these publications or products.

The push to test websites for complete accessibility

June 4, 2021, TechRadar: Inclusion is now at the top of most company’s agendas and businesses are well versed in playing tribute to the concept. Accessibility is one part of this and means that people with a disability can navigate technology in a similar amount of time and effort as an able bodied person. It means that all web users are empowered, can be independent, and will not be frustrated by something that is poorly designed or implemented. However in practice many companies struggle to translate values such as inclusivity and accessibility and then apply these concepts into visible measures and features.

Colorado Government Websites Still Aren’t Accessible To Many People With Disabilities. But New Funding Could Finally Change That

June 3, 2021, Colorado Public Radio: When COVID-19 first hit the state, like many Coloradans, Scott LaBarre, a 52-year-old attorney from Centennial, searched for as much information as he could find. He wanted to track the number of COVID-19 cases and the slew of sweeping executive orders that brought big changes to public life in Colorado. But he said he quickly realized he couldn’t access the state's digital information.

Curbside pickup boosts accessibility for people with ADHD and autism

June 3, 2021, CNET: Grocery stores exhaust me. Before the pandemic, I would grind through a shopping list on my iPhone's Notes app, checking it over and over as I reminded myself where items were in a store I'd shopped at for years. Why did I feel so tormented by shopping?

All city rec centers should serve people with disabilities | Opinion

June 3, 2021, The Philadelphia Inquirer: On Tuesday, Billy Penn reported that Philadelphia Parks and Recreation was considering demolition of Carousel House, a beloved recreation center that historically served only people with disabilities, prompting outcry on social media. While there is no question that Carousel House provided a safe space for people with physical disabilities and intellectual disabilities, we should question why, for over 30 years, Philadelphians with disabilities were historically directed to just one recreation center.

How an Adaptive Game Controller Helps My Family Bond

June 3, 2021, Wired: “GET THAT GHOST, Henry. Get him. Now!” I heard my 6-year-old son yell as I arrived back home. It isn’t uncommon to hear him yell. But it is uncommon to hear him yell directions at his older brother.

Remote working has been life-changing for disabled people, don’t take it away now

June 2, 2021, The Guardian: Tables blocking the road. Chairs over flat curbs. Gazebos built on accessible parking. The surge in street dining since lockdown eased in England has been great for businesses, but not so much for wheelchair users and people with mobility conditions, who report being unable to get around their home towns due to the new blockages.

Staff training key to shifting attitudes on accessibility for disability community

June 2, 2021, Roll Call: Many staffers are heading back to Capitol Hill, and official visitors aren’t far behind, but the return to offices is prompting questions about gaps in physical and digital accessibility in Congress for staff, lobbyists, constituents and lawmakers with disabilities.

Designing And Marketing With Accessibility In Mind

June 1, 2021, The Marketing Insider: We’ve read/talked/learned a lot about smart devices -- how they can help you gain control and confidence via self-monitoring your health and wellness, how they can provide proactive support for lifestyle changes, how they enable you to live an untethered, on-the-go life (not so super-useful this past year, though), etc.

12-year-old fights for legislation to make restrooms more accessible to people with disabilities

June 1, 2021, ABC7 News: A 12-year-old is working is working with state and federal officials to try to get two bills passed to make public restrooms more accessible to people with disabilities.

The balancing act: accessibility and sustainability in packaging design

June 1, 2021, European Pharmaceutical Review: In an ageing society where people are living longer, often with debilitating conditions that require complex medical interventions, how might the way we experience and consume our drugs be changed? In this article, Echo’s Nick Dormon discusses some of the key challenges currently facing pharmaceutical packaging design, including accessibility and sustainability, and some potential ways to overcome them.

Government of Canada supports new technology to make electronic payment terminals accessible to persons with visual disabilities

May 31, 2021, Cision Canada: The Government of Canada continues on the path towards a barrier-free Canada. In this modern day and age, the Government is especially focused on supporting new technologies that help Canadians with disabilities play an active role in society. This has never been more important, as we build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘Can I Play That?’ Co-Founder Courtney Craven on the Spectrum of Disability and Challenge of Accessibility

May 31, 2021, The Hollywood Reporter: “Can I play that?” This is a question facing gamers with disabilities, just about every time they pick up a new game. It’s also the name of a robust accessibility resource co-founded by activist and writer Courtney Craven to provide a platform to voices in need. There are reference guides. There are accessibility reviews. There are diversity, equity and inclusion workshops. And on a more personal note, there are pieces that explore how and why particular people play the games they do.

Edmonds man helps push through state bill requiring closed-captions in public spaces

May 30, 2021, My Edmonds News: It isn’t easy to get a Washington State Senate bill passed, but that’s just what Dean Olson of Edmonds did. Senate Bill 5027 — requiring closed-captions on televisions in all places of public accommodation in Washington state –was unanimously adopted and signed by Gov. Jay Inslee May 10, benefiting people who are hearing impaired.

iBOT wheelchair creator hits the road to bring mobility to wounded veterans

May 30, 2021, Yahoo! News: New Hampshire-based inventor Dean Kamen has launched a new coast-to-coast tour to bring the latest version of his iBOT personal mobility device — an all-terrain electric wheelchair — directly to Veterans Affairs hospitals.