Deadline approaching for Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
In 2005 Ontario became the first Canadian Province to pass accessibility laws and has one of the most comprehensive policies created to date: The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Many countries, like the US, have laws that require government organizations or organizations that use government funds to have and procure accessible technology, websites, […]
Accessibility Updates: Windows, Firefox, and Apple
We’re always thrilled to hear about technology companies updating their products specifically for accessibility. Not only does improved technology enhance experiences for people with disabilities, but these updates move the needle further toward progress. Let’s hope other companies and organizations follow suit because everyone benefits from accessibility. Here are some of the highlights from the […]
Disability Rights Are Not Optional: How Proposed GOP Legislation Will Hurt the ADA
“Disability rights are human rights, and these civil rights must never become optional benefits that can be taken away whenever it’s convenient or cheaper for employers and those in power.” -Senator Tammy Duckworth The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) just celebrated its 30th anniversary, but even with this legislation in place, there are still lots […]
Assistive Technology Focus: Braille Devices
One of the best things about being in the digital accessibility field is learning about the innovative tools that give users with disabilities the ability to access and understand content they otherwise could not experience. Assistive technology (AT) allows folks with disabilities to access computers, electronic devices and the web using additional or alternative input […]
Thirty Years After the ADA Was Passed, There Is Still Lots To Be Done
On July 26th, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. In the past 30 years, many improvements to our physical world have been made–from curb cutouts to accessible entrances to braille buttons on elevators, ATMs, and kiosks. Many people with disabilities stress that though their lives have vastly improved since it […]
Accessibility Spotlight: Neil Squire Society
Helping people with disabilities gain confidence and independence through the computer When Bill Cameron’s cousin, Neil Squire, was in a car accident that left him unable to move his leg or arms or to speak, Bill was determined to find a way to help Neil communicate. This determination eventually led to the Neil Squire Society, […]
3 Accessibility Website Myths
We’ve put together a list of the 3 most common myths about web accessibility and the reasons they just are not true! #1 “Making my site accessible only benefits a few people.” One of the most common misconceptions about accessibility is that it only benefits people with disabilities. That is not true. Making websites more […]
Four Easy Ways to Make Social Media Posts Accessible
We talk a lot about making web content and functionality accessible and how doing so takes a commitment and sometimes a lot of work. Something that doesn’t take much time—but is often overlooked when discussing accessibility—is social media. Several social media platforms make it fairly easy to create accessible posts. Here’s an overview of how […]
Assistive Technology Focus: Keyboard
Imagine not being able to use a mouse or touchpad to use your computer. Folks with motor disabilities, vision issues–including blindness– or even a broken hand cannot use a mouse to point to items on the screen, click on check-boxes, or “right click.” This is where the trusty keyboard comes in. Considering that early computers […]
Accessible Web Staff Continues to Advance Professional Accessibility Certifications
We’re thrilled to announce that Accessible Web team members have earned new International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) certifications! Senior Developers Ryan Berliner and Nick Romano recently passed the Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS) exam. The IAAP explains that the WAS is a “technical-level credential intended for accessibility professionals who are expected to evaluate the accessibility […]