Disability Drives Innovation: Accessibility Spotlight
Haben Girma, the first person who is deaf-blind to graduate from Harvard Law School, believes that disability drives innovation. She uses the example of two Italian friends whose desire to correspond through letters sparked the invention of the typewriter. One was blind and the other sighted, so the latter created a machine where his friend […]
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 […]
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, […]
Gears 5: A Video Game Built for Accessibility
The Vancouver-based game developer, Coalition Studio, developed their new game, Gears 5 with loads of accessibility features–something many video games lack. New features include: Coalition Studio’s Reasoning How did Coalition Studio decide on these improvements? User-testing with folks with an array of disabilities and gaming preferences–seems like the obvious answer, but there are many products […]
Ninth Annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Every third Thursday in May marks Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), which focuses on digital access and inclusion for all. What is digital accessibility? It is ensuring that folks with disabilities have the same experiences and outcomes with web-based services, content and other digital products as those without disabilities. Each year various tech companies, non-profits, […]
What Can the Tech Industry Learn from “Crip Camp”
Judith “Judy” Heumann contracted Polio as a child in 1949, which left her unable to walk. When she was old enough to go to school, the public school principal denied her entry, citing that she was a fire hazard because she used a wheelchair. She also could not go to the movies, restaurants asked her […]
LEGO’s Commitment to Learning Through Play for the Visually Impaired
Staying true to their commitment to redefining play and reimagining learning, the LEGO Foundation and LEGO Group are taking steps to ensure that LEGOs can be experienced by all children, especially those who are visually impaired. In August, LEGO debuted its first audio and Braille building instructions, a free service that gives visually impaired people […]
Is Japan the Most Accessible Country?
Traveling to another country can be a nerve wracking experience for even the most seasoned adventurers. Now imagine doing it with a vision and hearing impairment. Recently Cristina Hartmann did so while spending two and a half weeks in Japan, the last destination on her 4-month trip around the world. She tells her story on the […]
Accessible Spotlight: Rikki Poynter
Rikki Poynter is a 25-year-old deaf YouTube vlogger fighting for better Closed Captioning on YouTube. She began creating content on YouTube over two years ago, producing Q&A videos, makeup tutorials, and vlog-style videos. Rikki now has over 200 videos on her channel and 47,520 subscribers. She uses the platform and her following to make a […]
Students with Disabilities Speak Out
Rutgers Sophomore Laura Etori was leading a normal life until a rare condition known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension caused her to lose her sight three and half years ago. “My major concern was whether blindness would keep me from pursuing my education. I had never learned Braille since I had my sight for most of my […]