October Monthly Newsletter

1. WHO and the International Paralympic Committee Team Up to Highlight Power of Assistive Technology at Paris 2024 Paralympics

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) are joining forces to highlight the transformative impact of assistive technology on sports during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The “Equipped for Equity” campaign emphasizes the crucial role of assistive technology for Paralympic athletes to advocate for concerted global action to improve access to these essential health products.

2. How AI and Other Technologies are Making the World More Accessible to the Blind

Andrew Leland’s book, “The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight,” made it on many 2023 year-end best literary lists, including The New Yorker’s. Leland documents how his diminishing vision changes his relationship with technology, making it both more challenging to access and increasingly important to his independence.

3. Princeton Launches Digital Access Guides for More Than 200 Buildings, Advancing Physical Accessibility on Campus

To help ensure people with all abilities can thrive on campus, Princeton has launched an innovative digital guide that provides physical accessibility information for over 200 University buildings.  The Princeton Accessibility Guides(Link is external) feature nearly every building on campus, including academic and administrative buildings, residential colleges, and parking and athletic facilities. 

4. When Even Fringe Festival Venues Exclude People with Disability, Cities Need to Act on Access

It’s about time city councils did more to make our cities accessible. I recently tried to buy tickets to two Sydney Fringe Festival events, only to be told by the box office that the venues were not wheelchair-accessible. Sydney remains a place where people with disabilities feel like they don’t belong. The same is true of other Australian cities. But local councils don’t bear all the blame.

5. Expanding Access: From Art to Voting, Initiatives Across the U.S. Push for Greater Inclusivity in Public Spaces and Services

As of October 2024, public services websites in the UK will now be monitored for WCAG 2.2 level AA compliance. The UK government has published updates to its Design System website to help public agencies comply with these new requirements. 

6. The FCC Adopts New Rules to Improve Accessibility on Video Conferencing Services Like Zoom and Microsoft Teams

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently adopted new rules to improve accessibility for video conferencing services. This builds on last year’s clarification from the FCC that interoperable video conferencing services (IVCS) — like Zoom and Microsoft Teams — are governed by FCC accessibility requirements for advanced services and equipment.

7. FDA Authorizes First Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Software

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the first over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid software device, Hearing Aid Feature, intended to be used with compatible versions of the Apple AirPods Pro headphones. Once installed and customized to the user’s hearing needs, the Hearing Aid Feature enables compatible versions of the AirPods Pro to serve as an OTC hearing aid, intended to amplify sounds for individuals 18 years or older with perceived mild to moderate hearing impairment. 

8. New Updates to Section 504 Clarify Nondiscrimination and Accessibility Mandates

To counter biases and stereotypes rooted in discrimination against people living with disabilities, earlier this year the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) published a final rule, Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance (the “Rule”), which became effective on July 8, 2024. Federal grantees – including hospitals and health systems – should take heed of these changes and adjust their processes to ensure compliance.

9. This AI Tool Could Help Cities Improve Accessibility at Intersections

Researchers at Utah State University are developing an AI tool to identify accessibility issues at intersections, which could make it easier for cities to find and fix those issues. There are many features intersections use for convenience and accessibility — walk signs with visual and verbal cues, curb ramps with textured bumps, and clearly marked crosswalks, to name a few.

10. How Maine is Making it Easier for Voters with Disabilities to Participate in Elections

There can be many barriers to voting for people with disabilities, from transportation to filling out a paper ballot, but the Maine Department of the Secretary of State wants to ensure that all eligible voters can participate in elections. .

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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 the decreased ability to discern between particular colors. CVD is commonly referred to as color blindness.

14. 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 discriminations against blind individuals, particularly those accompanied by guide dogs.