ICYMI: March Accessibility Initiatives

28 Mar

Written By Vacayit

From tech innovations to policy reforms and global brand initiatives, the month witnessed commendable efforts aimed at making the world a more welcoming and equitable place for everyone. Here's a roundup of some notable developments that took place in March:

Australia Disability Transport Standard reforms to improve public transport accessibility

Australia is making public transport more inclusive for people with disabilities with a major reform to the Disability Transport Standards (DTS). This is the first significant update to the DTS in over 20 years.

The changes aim to make it easier for people with disabilities to travel independently by providing better information and improving accessibility features. Here's a breakdown of the key improvements:

Clearer Information: All public transport information, including timetables, route updates and any disruptions will be available in accessible formats. This could include easy-to-read text formats, audio recordings, or Braille.
Staying Informed on Board: Passengers will no longer have to rely solely on visual signs to know the next stop. Audio announcements will be made onboard to improve accessibility for people with low vision.
Safer Boarding: Safety is being improved for wheelchair and mobility aid users by requiring vertical edge barriers for portable boarding ramps. This will help prevent accidents when getting on and off public transport.
More Accessible Taxis: There will be an increase in the number of designated taxi rank spaces that can be used by wheelchair-accessible taxis. This will make it easier for people who rely on taxis to find a ride.

Read about the new Disability Transport Standard: https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/department/media/news/disability-transport-standard-reforms-improve-public-transport-accessibility

Consultation opens to improve South Australia event accessibility

South Australia is taking steps to make events more inclusive for people with disabilities. A roundtable discussion is being held today, bringing together event organisers, ticketing companies, government ministers, and disability advocates.

The goal is to collaborate and develop strategies to improve accessibility at major events in South Australia. This could involve measures like ensuring venues are physically accessible, providing accessible ticketing options, and offering services like sign language interpretation or audio descriptions.

This initiative highlights a commitment to making South Australia's event scene more welcoming and enjoyable for everyone.

Elon Musk’s Neuralink implants brain tech in human patient for the first time

Elon Musk's Neuralink company has taken a major step forward with its brain-computer interface technology. For the first time, they've implanted their device in a human patient. The recipient is a 29-year-old quadriplegic who lost mobility after a diving accident. This volunteer is excited about the potential of the technology to improve lives.

The livestream after the implant showed positive results. The patient was able to use the Neuralink interface to control a cursor on a screen, even playing a game of chess and pausing music. This suggests the technology can pick up on brain signals and translate them into actions.

Microsoft's Surface event spotlighted new accessibility features and accessories

Microsoft reaffirmed its commitment to accessibility by unveiling a range of adaptive accessories and features.

Innovative adaptive accessories include joysticks and pads that can be used as alternatives to a traditional mouse. This will be a big help for users who have difficulty using a standard mouse. A new Surface Pro Keyboard with a high-contrast design that features a bolder font and a brighter backlight, making the keys easier to read and reducing eye strain. This is a welcome improvement for users who have low vision.

The accessibility features will be available in Windows 11 include:

Narrator: A screen reader that reads text aloud, making it easier for people who are blind or have low vision to use their computers.
Live captions: This feature automatically generates captions for audio and video content, which is helpful for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Text size adjustment: Users can easily increase or decrease the size of text on their screen, which can be beneficial for people with low vision.

Read more about Microsoft Surface's new accessibility features and accessories: https://mashable.com/article/microsoft-accessibility-accessories-surface-event

Canon brings accessibility to photography with ‘World Unseen’

Canon is launching a unique and inclusive photography exhibition called ‘World Unseen’ aimed at everyone, regardless of sight. This first-of-its-kind event lets blind, partially sighted, and sighted people experience the power of photography in new ways.

Traditionally, photography caters primarily to sighted individuals. Canon acknowledges this limitation, and with World Unseen, they aim to bridge the gap.

The exhibition utilises innovative methods to make photography accessible to all:

Tactile Printing: Visitors can feel the textures and composition of the photographs through special raised prints.
Braille Descriptions: Descriptions of the photographs are embossed in braille for visitors who are blind or have low vision.
Audio Descriptions with Soundscapes: Photographers themselves narrate vivid descriptions of their work, often accompanied by immersive soundscapes that bring the scene to life.

Read more about this exhibition: https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/canon-world-unseen

World Health Organisation calls for greater attention to violence against women with disabilities and older women

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is raising awareness about a critical issue: violence against women with disabilities and older women. These groups are especially vulnerable to abuse, but their experiences are often overlooked.

Here's a breakdown of the situation and the WHO's call to action:

Hidden Problem: Existing data on violence against women largely neglects older women and those with disabilities. This lack of information makes it difficult to understand the full scope of the problem and the specific challenges they face.
Increased Risk: Studies cited by the WHO show that women with disabilities are more likely to experience violence from partners and strangers compared to women without disabilities. Older women may also face increased vulnerability due to factors like dependency or isolation.
The Call to Action: The WHO is urging countries to improve data collection methods to ensure these women are "counted." This will allow for a better understanding of the issue and the development of targeted programs and support services.

Starbucks opened a new accessible store

Starbucks is making its stores more accessible for everyone! They've launched a new program called the Inclusive Spaces Framework which will be used to design all new and renovated stores in the US. This means features that make it easier for people with disabilities to visit Starbucks, like wider aisles, lower counters, and brighter lighting.

The first store built with these features just opened in Washington D.C.'s Union Market neighbourhood on February 16th. This is a big step towards making Starbucks a welcoming place for everyone.

Vacayit