1. Guidance on Applying WCAG 2 to Non-Web Information and Communications Technologies (WCAG2ICT)

This document, “Guidance on Applying WCAG 2 to Non-Web Information and Communications Technologies (WCAG2ICT)” describes how the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) versions 2.0 [WCAG20], 2.1 [WCAG21], and 2.2 [WCAG22] principles, guidelines, and success criteria can be applied to non-web Information and Communications Technologies (ICT), specifically to non-web documents and software. It provides informative guidance (guidance that is not normative and does not set requirements).

2. Inclusive Governance: How Generative AI is Making Public Services Accessible to All

While the public sector continues to evolve with advancing technology, its core objective remains unchanged: ensuring that all citizens, regardless of socio-economic status, physical abilities, or geographic location, have equal access to public services. This objective, commonly known as inclusive governance, has led the sector to continually embrace advanced technologies to improve citizen engagement, streamline operations, and make informed decisions. 

3. Making Maps Accessible to Screen Readers

Maps are visual by nature. But have you ever listened to your map? Imagine that was the only way you could understand a map. Recently, the State of Minnesota’s State Agency GIS Collaborative gave a presentation to state employees about listening to your maps and provided resources from the State’s Accessible Maps Community of Practice (CoP) group.

4. The European Accessibility Act: 10 Months and Counting

Without sounding dramatic, the countdown to the European Accessibility Act (EAA) is on.  This major piece of legislation will impact organizations across multiple sectors that have operations in the EU or sell to customers in the EU. Its first deadline that could impact your organization is on 28th June 2025 – so will your organization be ready?

5. Advancing Inclusive Communication: Haben Girma on Descriptive Transcripts

In this episode of the United in Accessibility podcast, Haben Girma discusses the significance of descriptive transcripts in enhancing digital accessibility for diverse audiences. She emphasizes that these transcripts provide richer context and detail beyond traditional captions and audio descriptions, fostering inclusive communication and bridging cultural gaps in media consumption.

6. How New York’s Inclusive Approach to Jobs Training is Building Stronger Foundations for The Energy Transition

Just over two years ago President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, which was designed to boost the green economy through sustainable infrastructure projects across the country. The IRA’s Justice 40 provision set a goal that 40% of the overall benefits from the IRA flow to communities that “are marginalized and overburdened by pollution”. 

7. How Digital Accessibility Can Increase Holiday Sales and Impact Future Growth

As the holiday shopping season approaches, retailers often focus on increasing sales by boosting website traffic and optimizing user experiences. However, one often overlooked critical growth lever is digital accessibility, which ensures websites and digital content are accessible to people with disabilities who may use assistive technology to access the internet.

8. AI Can Make Sets More Accessible, But The Tech Still Reflects Ableist Bias, Experts Warn

AI can make Hollywood sets more accessible for people with disabilities, but it still has no idea how to replicate diversity on screen or in its output, experts and advocates said at TheWrap’s Grill conference this week. “AI is not intelligence. It’s mimicking intelligence,” Candis Welch, the Chief Equity Officer for California’s Department of Rehabilitation, said. “It’s mimicking what our society is putting in. So if our society … has ableism and different levels of discrimination, it’s not going to produce something different when you type it into ChatGPT, or whatever you may use.”

9. Center Must Establish Mandatory Accessibility Norms for People with Special Abilities: SC

The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Centre to implement mandatory accessibility standards within three months, in a significant order aimed at improving access to public spaces for persons with disabilities. The order by a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud comes in response to slow progress on the accessibility directives issued by the court in a judgment on December 15, 2017

10. New Design and Accessibility Improvements for Embedded Google Calendars

Users currently have the ability to add an interactive version of their Google Calendar to their website and add buttons for their website visitors to save their calendar events.

11. Nestlé Moves to Assist Consumers with Sight Loss in Forging Accessible QR Codes

A notable move to assist consumers with sight loss has been made by Nestlé Confectionery, which is trialing Accessible QR codes for its flagship KitKat and Quality Street, which will enable greater ease of access for customers, writes Neill Barston. The two core brands have remained firm favorites with shoppers among all age groups, with the business recently reporting strong sales across its chocolate portfolio, which has also focused increasingly on sustainable sourcing and recyclable packaging measures.

12. A Visionary Approach: How a Team Developed Accessible Maps for Colorblind Scientists

Imagine having to do your job, but not being able to visually process the data right in front of you. Nearly 8% of genetic males and 0.5% of genetic females have some form of Color Vision Deficiency (CVD), or a decreased ability to discern between particular colors. CVD is commonly referred to as color blindness.

13. San Francisco Rallies Against Ride-Sharing Apps’ Lack of Accessibility Provisions for Blind Passengers

People who are blind and their supporters rallied Tuesday against Uber and Lyft in San Francisco, claiming the ride-share apps discriminate against them. The National Federation of the Blind led Tuesday’s rally, and its members told NBC Bay Area they hope to draw more attention to what they say is the companies’ failure to stop discrimination against blind individuals, particularly those accompanied by guide dogs.

14. How AI Can Help The Food Sector to Meet New Deforestation Rules

The sustainability of food and beverage companies is under increasing legislative and public pressure. With forest destruction responsible for about 15% of total greenhouse gas emissions, opens a new tab, and agriculture driving 70-80% of deforestation, opens a new tab, the responsibility to act sits squarely with the sector.