Category

Web Accessibility News

Advocates demand Lyft provide similar ride share accessibility accommodations

Toronto disability advocates are pushing Lyft match wheelchair ride share accessibility services that Uber recently rolled out. “Whether it’s Uber or a competitor, looking hard at accessibility is a vital component for any business. Regardless of who you are, you should not be restricted from a service” says Maayan Ziv, founder of accessibility-based technology firm […]

Uber has wheelchair friendly options for disabled passengers, it may not be enough

Uber has improved its accessibility options with the adoption of its Wheelchair friendly UberWAV service, available in 27 cities and counting. Beginning in January 2016, Uber began its UberWAV program (WAV for wheelchair accessible vehicle) in Toronto. The company began to offer wheelchair accessible vehicles in limited locations by partnering with paratransit agencies, and Uber […]

Accessibility Tools with Voice Assistant Amazon Alexa, Amazon Echo, and Amazon Dot

Popular Voice Assistant product Amazon Alexa includes several useful features for users with accessibility needs related to vision, hearing, mobility, and speech. Included in both app and the physical device, Alexa can help support users by not only controlling their appliances, but help them navigate and interract with their devices, too. Tools offered by Alexa […]

Google to remove Andriod apps that misuse Accessibility features

Popular Android applications like LastPass and McAfee might be removed from the Google Play store because of a change in policy. Though at first glance they seem to work as intended, these applications utilize features from the Google Accessibility Services API, originally built to allow software developers to easily incorporate Accessibility affordances into their apps. […]

Google uses Local Guides to tell you if locations are Wheelchair Accessible

Google Maps started displaying wheelchair accessibility data for locations at the end of 2016, but with a recent update to their Local Guides program they’re moving to a more holistic approach. By engaging with their Local Guides program you can help Google curate their search results to provide more detail on locations and identify specific accessibility […]

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 […]

NFB Newsline – The App You Should Know About

Do you know the NFB-NEWSLINE? It’s an exciting phone service that lets you quickly and easily listen to the news straight from your phone. The Newsline provides non visual access to traditional newspapers, magazines, and other publications, converted to an easy to use audio format. By using their iPhone app you can “read” news, “on […]

Eleven Education Institutions Voluntarily Resolve Web Accessibility Issues

The United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) recently reached settlements with education organizations in seven states, including Oregon, Washington, and Alaska, ensuring website accessibility for individuals with disabilities. After receiving complaints involving several organizations and initiating investigations, the OCR was approached by each of the eleven education organizations voluntarily to resolve accessibility issues […]