Universal Access. Zoom.
What?
- Universal access includes more than screen readers, such as VoiceOver
- screen magnification, speech recognition, etc.
- makes or breaks in built-in or third-party apps for Zoom/low vision users
Similar to
Voice Over On: Episode 28: “Universal Access. Zoom”
Sat, 03 Dec 2011 18:16:44 GMT
Inclusive Media and Design Inc
Inclusive is ready to caption and video describe all your video for web, DVD, and computer desktop. They can also assist you in understanding and implementing Ontario’s AODA Integrated Standards’ media requirements.
Visit www.inclusivemedia.ca to find out more.
—-
In this Issue
*Persons With Disabilities Are Still Waiting for Action: OFL Statement for International Day of Persons With Disabilities, 2011
*New Accessibility Standards Impact Ontario Restaurants
*New Policy Sends Landlords Back to School
*Dec 3: International Day of Persons with Disabilities
*‘Church is for Everybody’
*Canadian Government Web 2.0 Guidelines Criticized
*Scholarship supports promising research careers of graduate students with disabilities
*Accessibility Law Says Taxis Can’t Overcharge Disabled Passengers
*Emergency Preparedness: New AODA Rules for Persons With Disabilities
*17 Years Ago Today Ontario’s Non-Partisan Disabilities Act Movement Was Born!—-
For a long term strategy in meeting the AODA and Section 508, Accessibility News recommends Accessibil-IT Inc for all your accessible PDF documentation needs. For more information email them at info@accessibilit.com or visit them on the web at: www.accessibilit.com
—-
ARTICLES:
Persons With Disabilities Are Still Waiting for Action: OFL Statement for International Day of Persons With Disabilities, 2011
“A disproportionately high number of people with disabilities in Ontario, as in the rest of the country, have no employment earnings. In 2008, 62% of people with disabilities in Ontario reported employment earnings, compared with 86% of people without disabilities. For those who work, average earnings are lower among people with disabilities as compared to the rest of the population.”
Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=1596
—-
New Accessibility Standards Impact Ontario Restaurants
have a policy on allowing people to use their own assistive devices (e.g. screen reader, cane, wheelchair, oxygen tank) to access your goods and services, your menu for example with regards to a screen reader ( Owners View a presentation www.amenu.ca/presentation ;
Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=1231
—-
New Policy Sends Landlords Back to School
A new provincial policy that outlines standards for better customer service to people with disabilities is rolling out Jan. 1. The Federation of Rental Housing Providers of Ontario is trying to make sure its members are up to speed on how to comply.
Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=1590
—-
Dec 3: International Day of Persons with Disabilities
City is Not Accessible to Everyone
We as a society must be aware that persons with disabilities are persons first.
We are still a contributing part of the community. We have jobs, volunteer, go to school, travel and enjoy theatres, music and sports which we want to not just watch but also participate.
Read more at
http://www.coaac.ca/?p=571
—-
‘Church is for Everybody’
In secular society, advances for people with disabilities in Canada have happened through litigation and activism. People with disabilities were one of the last groups to have their rights recognized when, in 1981, disability was included in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. A 2004 study prepared by Environics for the Office for Disability Issues asked Canadians who played the most essential role in helping people with disabilities participate in society. Religious organizations ranked low on the list.
Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=1588
—-
Canadian Government Web 2.0 Guidelines Criticized
The Treasury Board’s formal guidelines governing social media use have only been out for about a week, and they’ve already been scrutinized as impenetrable
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/?p=2372
—-
Scholarship supports promising research careers of graduate students with disabilities
Making public parks more accessible and understanding how the human body compensates after the loss of an eye are what Jason Angel and Stefania Moro hope to accomplish with their research. The two graduate students are the latest recipients of a unique scholarship aimed at helping burgeoning scientists living with a disability to pursue and advance a career in rehabilitation research.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/?p=1923
—-
Accessibility Law Says Taxis Can’t Overcharge Disabled Passengers
Taxicab passengers with disabilities or mobility issues that require the storage and transport of aids or assistive devices cannot be charged a higher fare than able-bodied passengers, according to provincial accessibility legislation discussed at last week’s Committee of the Whole meeting in North Grenville.
Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=1586
—-
Emergency Preparedness: New AODA Rules for Persons With Disabilities
Under the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulations of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), effective January 1, 2012, organizations in Ontario must provide and make available in an accessible format or with appropriate communication supports, information about emergency response plans or public safety to customers and employees with disabilities.
Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=1584
—-
17 Years Ago Today Ontario’s Non-Partisan Disabilities Act Movement Was Born!
Seventeen years ago today, on November 29, 1994, the non-partisan grassroots community coalition to campaign for a strong and effective Disabilities Act in Ontario was born. It was originally called the Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee.Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=1582
—-
Suzanne Mulligan-Born, The Accessibility Copywriter, specializes in writing to promote products and services that increase accessibility: Sales Letters; Articles; Case Studies; Special Reports; Grant Proposals; Manuals and Toolkits.
Services include writing and training to support businesses to comply with the AODA.
Suzanne is also an Advisor with ProAccess Advisors Group Ltd.
Reach her by email at SMB@AccessibilityCopywriter.com or Suzanne@SMBCopywriting.com
Phone (289) 235-9725—-
aMENU: Accessible Restaurant Menus.
Visit the site at www.amenu.ca , Restaurant Owners visit www.amenu.ca/presentation/
Most Recent Menus
*Macy’s Diner & Delicatessen
www.amenu.ca/?p=988—-
CLASSIFIEDS
*2005 Dodge Grand Caravan Wheelchair Van with Braun Conversionhttp://www.accessibilityclassifieds.com/?p=1000
EVENTS
*Access Recognition Awards Nomination Deadlinehttp://www.accessibilityclassifieds.com/?p=1016
*Accessible Emergency 911 and Emergency Alert Services
http://www.accessibilityclassifieds.com/?p=1009
*Audio Described Broadway Musical, Mary Poppins, at the Princess of Wales Theatre
http://www.accessibilityclassifieds.com/?p=995
SURVEYS
*ADULTS COUNT! A survey on youth and adults with ASDs in Ontariohttp://www.accessibilityclassifieds.com/?p=1004
——
To unsubscribe from this Newsletter, send an email to info@accessibilitynews.ca or just reply to this Update and state your intentions.
Note: The thoughts and opinions expressed throughout Accessibility News are not necessarily shared by the various organizations and individuals and are solely those of the author of the specific article or commentary.
Accessibility News, since November 8, 2006
Accessibility News December 3,2011 Update
Editor
Sat, 03 Dec 2011 15:01:39 GMT
We are about to see the release of the new Samsung Galaxy Nexus, the first mobile phone to come with the Ice Cream Sandwich version of the Android operating system installed. There are some well documented improvements offered by this new system such as unified applications for both mobile phones and tablet devices. There are however some features that are less well known and one of them is the support offered to visually impaired users.
The New Samsung Galaxy Nexus Offers Support For Visually Impaired Users
Fri, 02 Dec 2011 09:09:45 GMT
The new PIDS, driven by ETA's flagship product, Spatial Positioning on Transit, with its text-to-speech capability, will provide ADA-compliant messaging, including digital signage and synchronized audio messaging.
ETA to provide Amtrak passenger info, display system
Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:06:36 GMT
The mobile apps boom may be a relatively recent phenomenon, but when it comes to making those apps more accessible, there is a rich history of research and advice to draw on from the web design world. Of course, accessibility is not just about apps for people with disabilities: it's as much about an ageing population, and wider principles of good usability for anyone who might use your apps. Here are 10 starting points.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/smart-accessibility/making-your-mobile-apps-more-ac...
Top 10 steps towards making your mobile apps more accessible
Fri, 25 Nov 2011 06:17:00 GMT
By David Pogue
Plenty has been written about the new iPhone 4S, with its voice-controlled virtual assistant Siri, and about iOS 5, its software.
But in writing a book about both, I stumbled across an amazingly thoughtful feature that I haven’t seen a word about: something called AssistiveTouch.Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/?p=2364
Apple’s AssistiveTouch Helps the Disabled Use a Smartphone
Editor
Fri, 25 Nov 2011 19:12:03 GMT
Listen to SeroTalk Podcast 86: Everybody’s Side Is Right
This week, Jamie Pauls, Joe Steinkamp, and Mike Calvo discuss the news of the week. Also, Mike reviews several SoundDock options from bose for iOS and other devices including the following:
Bose SoundLink Wireless Mobile Speaker – Nylon
Bose SoundDock Portable Digital Music System (Gloss Black
Bose SoundDock Series II Digital Music System for iPod (Black
AT
The twitmonger users list is now active. subscribe using twitmonger_users-subscribe@lists.shaned.net
Qwitter replacement in alpha testing. go to: http://twitmonger.shaned.net and grab a copy.
HumanWare is seeking input on the future of the Victor Reader Stream via Survey Gizmo
ZoomText 10 feature leak alert – introducing the ZoomText Camera!
November 2011 AccessWorld is now live! Holiday edition (gift ideas 4 ppl w/vision loss)
Self Promotion
Serotek Conquers a New Frontier for Blind Veterans.
SeroSpectives Deck the Dogs.. and the Canes Too!
Amazon
New on Suntimes: My review of the Kindle Fire. At last, a great alternative to the iPad.
A Kindle smartphone may be coming in 2012
U.S. authors: Kindle lending library is ‘contract breach’
Amazon’s cloud is the world’s 42nd fastest supercomputer:
Holidays
NFB – National Federation of the Blind Partners with Santa to Promote Braille Literacy:
Assistive Technology for Young Children: A Parent’s Perspective – YouTube
Chicago Lighthouse pairs with electronics retailer to help the visually impaired
Starbucks Holiday Cups Come to Life With Augmented Reality App
DAISY Player for Android goes live, on sales for a limited time.
arwin Reader Website:
Best Android Apps and options for disabled users
Ivona free update for Android voices
Google Music hits almost all the high notes
Cloud Music Showdown: Google vs. Amazon vs Apple
Apple
Apple launches iTunes Match: music hoarders need not apply:
More on iTunes Match’s new ID3 tags
Apple Can’t Handle The Demand For iTunes Match, Temporarily Halts New Sign-Ups
Apple kicks off worldwide iPod nano first-generation replacement program
Apple’s iCloud inaccessible for some users
iPhone owners might want to avoid iOS 5.0.1 update
RT @papasangre: I’m back. Hit the App Store now-ish.
Tests suggests iPhone battery issue not a hardware problem
The iPhone 5 Was Real, Says A Source Who Played With A Prototype
Mac OS X has its own sandbox security hole:
Apple fixes iTunes man-in-the-middle security hole
OS X Lion growth stagnates at 16% Mac market share
Web stats indicate Mac OS X Lion still growing very fast
MacBook Air supplies almost one-third of Apple notebook sales:
Sirispective
A Comprehensive Audio Demonstration of Siri
Siri’s security sabotaged, developer releases crack tools
SPN Launches Triple Click Home
Kickers
Support new regulations encouraging service dog relief areas within security @ airports.
[NFBAustin] awesome BELL Video, complete
SeroTalk Podcast 86: Everybody’s Side Is Right
jpauls
Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:25:18 GMT
Folks who are visually impaired aren’t known to use smartphones mainly due to the lack of physical buttons to provide the tactile feedback that they need. When you don’t know what you’re pressing or whether you’re pressing the right button, it’s hard to know what you’re doing. Well, it looks like Google has been trying to address this issue with a new accessibility feature for Android Ice Cream Sandwich.
(more…)Android Ice Cream Sandwich has accessibility features for the blind, By Ubergizmo. Top Stories : iPhone 4S Review,
Android Ice Cream Sandwich has accessibility features for the blind
George Wong
Wed, 23 Nov 2011 04:38:59 GMT
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act of 2005 is focused on ensuring the rights of people with disabilities in the province of Ontario. The act builds on a previous act, the similarly named Ontarians with Disabilities Act of 2001. These laws work in a complementary fashion ...
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Requirements and Web Accessibility Impact
Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:33:33 GMT
Inclusive Media and Design Inc
Inclusive is ready to caption and video describe all your video for web, DVD, and computer desktop. They can also assist you in understanding and implementing Ontario’s AODA Integrated Standards’ media requirements.
Visit www.inclusivemedia.ca to find out more.
—-
In this Issue
*The CLBC Controversy
*Apple’s AssistiveTouch Helps the Disabled Use a Smartphone
*Three Developments in Our Quest for Internet and Telephone Voting to Promote Accessibility for Voters With Disabilities
*Ontario: Macy’s Diner Leads the Way in Restaurant Menu Accessibility
*Cities Study How to Become Age-Friendly
*OPSEU to Frances Lankin: Improve Income Assistance for People With Disabilities
*McGuinty Government Ducks Complaint About Its Contraversial Choice of Whom to Conduct Independent Review of Bill 107
*Everyone Has a Role to Play—-
For a long term strategy in meeting the AODA and Section 508, Accessibility News recommends Accessibil-IT Inc for all your accessible PDF documentation needs. For more information email them at info@accessibilit.com or visit them on the web at: www.accessibilit.com
—-
ARTICLES:
The CLBC Controversy
“We must never forget BC public sector unions fought against liberating people with disabilities from institutions such as Woodlands. They have also stymied reform at Vancouver’s George Pearson Centre for decades. As recently as 2005, they lied about the quality of care there.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/?p=2366
—-
Apple’s AssistiveTouch Helps the Disabled Use a Smartphone
By David Pogue
Plenty has been written about the new iPhone 4S, with its voice-controlled virtual assistant Siri, and about iOS 5, its software. But in writing a book about both, I stumbled across an amazingly thoughtful feature that I haven’t seen a word about: something called AssistiveTouch.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/?p=2364
—-
Three Developments in Our Quest for Internet and Telephone Voting to Promote Accessibility for Voters With Disabilities
Here are three recent developments in our campaign to make elections in Ontario fully accessible for persons with disabilities:
* On November 17, 2011, Elections Ontario responded to our October 28 letter, in which we had asked for a progress report on internet and telephone voting. Elections Ontario defers most of our inquiries to the future.
* Toronto Star columnist Martin Regg Cohn supports the need for internet voting to help fight low voter turnout.
* The state of Oregon experiments with use of the iPad to make voting more accessible for some voters with disabilities.Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=1579
—-
Ontario: Macy’s Diner Leads the Way in Restaurant Menu Accessibility
By Sandra Rhodda
Now Ontarian restaurateurs have a solution in aMENU a website developed by Geof Collis where participating restaurants can place their menus so that they can be accessed not only with assistive devices but portable devices such as mobile phones. Menus can be read before a patron even gets to an establishment. The first restaurant leading the way by participating is Macy’s Diner & Delicatessen
Read more at
http://www.accesstourismnz.org.nz/2011/11/ontario-macy%e2%80%99s-diner-leads-the-way-in-restaurant-menu-accessibility/
—-
Cities Study How to Become Age-Friendly
TORONTO Lucy Howe rides a scooter to get around but she bounces uncomfortably when the sidewalks are rough and cracked. Curb cuts that form ramps for getting across the street aren’t always wide enough for the scooter, and it’s especially difficult in winter.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/?p=2358
—-
OPSEU to Frances Lankin: Improve Income Assistance for People With Disabilities
The union representing workers at the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) calls on the provincially-appointed Commission for the Reform of Social Assistance (CRSA) to improve the program instead of downloading it to municipalities.
OPSEU has drafted an ODSP Business Case submission upon the request of the Commission’s co-chair, Frances Lankin, in advance of a CRSA Options Paper to be released in December of 2011. Frances Lankin told the union at a meeting on October 12 that the Options Paper could include a recommendation to download ODSP onto municipalities.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/?p=1900
—-
McGuinty Government Ducks Complaint About Its Contraversial Choice of Whom to Conduct Independent Review of Bill 107
The McGuinty Government recently wrote a letter to a prominent Toronto human rights activist, to respond to complaints about the Government’s choice of whom to conduct the mandatory Independent Review of Bill 107. Its letter essentially ducks the complaint.
Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=1577
—-
Everyone Has a Role to Play
BY TODD HUMBER
Almost a decade ago, I had an informal conversation with a senior HR professional who expressed contempt at performance management models that identified and eliminated the bottom 10 per cent of employees.
Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=1575
—-
Suzanne Mulligan-Born, The Accessibility Copywriter, specializes in writing to promote products and services that increase accessibility: Sales Letters; Articles; Case Studies; Special Reports; Grant Proposals; Manuals and Toolkits.
Services include writing and training to support businesses to comply with the AODA.
Suzanne is also an Advisor with ProAccess Advisors Group Ltd.
Reach her by email at SMB@AccessibilityCopywriter.com or Suzanne@SMBCopywriting.com
Phone (289) 235-9725—-
CLASSIFIEDS
*2005 Dodge Grand Caravan Wheelchair Van with Braun Conversion
http://www.accessibilityclassifieds.com/?p=1000
EVENTS
*Access Recognition Awards Nomination Deadline
http://www.accessibilityclassifieds.com/?p=1016
*Accessible Emergency 911 and Emergency Alert Services
http://www.accessibilityclassifieds.com/?p=1009
*Audio Described Broadway Musical, Mary Poppins, at the Princess of Wales Theatre
http://www.accessibilityclassifieds.com/?p=995
SURVEYS
*ADULTS COUNT! A survey on youth and adults with ASDs in Ontariohttp://www.accessibilityclassifieds.com/?p=1004
——
THIS and THAT:
Be sure to visit us on the web at www.accessibilitynews.ca. While you’re there, have a look in the Search/Archive section for items you might have missed.You can now get back issues of the Newsletter at www.accessibilitynews.ca/?page_id=9 beginning on November 20, 2010
To unsubscribe from this Newsletter, send an email to info@accessibilitynews.ca or just reply to this Update and state your intentions.
Note: The thoughts and opinions expressed throughout Accessibility News are not necessarily shared by the various organizations and individuals and are solely those of the author of the specific article or commentary.
Accessibility News, since November 8, 2006
Accessibility News November 26,2011 Update
Editor
Sat, 26 Nov 2011 15:15:07 GMT
AccessiWatch offers the following links for the week of November 18th, 2011:
- Accessibility for Information Architects
- Why a WAI-ARIA Developer Portal is Important
- Abbreviations - Accessibility for Web Writers, Part 14
- Design with Accessibility in Mind
- Meet the Only Web Accessibility Button at #heweb11: Keynote Welcome Video
- Detecting If Images are Disabled in Browsers
- Planning an Accessible Conference
- The Business Rationale for Virtual Accessibility
- Website Accessibility: Disability Statistics
- Semantic Automation
AccessiWatch - Advocating Web accessibility and social inclusion for people with disabilities on the Web. One link at a time.
AccessiWatch Weekly RoundUp #122
Sat, 19 Nov 2011 04:42:00 GMT
Inclusive Media and Design Inc
Inclusive is ready to caption and video describe all your video for web, DVD, and computer desktop. They can also assist you in understanding and implementing Ontario’s AODA Integrated Standards’ media requirements.
Visit www.inclusivemedia.ca to find out more.
—-
In this Issue
*AODA Alliance Calls on Independent Review of Ontario’s Human Rights Enforcement to Hold Open,ACcessible Public Hearings
*COAAC Updates
*Concerns Grow Over Accessible Taxi Service
*NonProfits and The Act
*Please Endorse the AODA Alliance’s Request of the Human Rights Tribunal, Human Rights Commission and Human Rights Legal Support Centre to Disclose Details on Enforcement of Human Rights in Ontario
*Accessibility is a Global Mandate
*ADULTS COUNT! A Survey on Youth and Adults with ASDs in Ontario
*Roseman: Are Your Disability Benefits at Risk?
*The Accessible Campus in California: An Example for the Nation;
*Equal Education Needed for Deaf
*Pathways, Potholes, Paradoxes and Possibilities
*Blind Canadians Question Government’s Motives in Appealing Landmark Internet Access Case—-
For a long term strategy in meeting the AODA and Section 508, Accessibility News recommends Accessibil-IT Inc for all your accessible PDF documentation needs. For more information email them at info@accessibilit.com or visit them on the web at: www.accessibilit.com
—-
ARTICLES:
AODA Alliance Calls on Independent Review of Ontario’s Human Rights Enforcement to Hold Open,ACcessible Public Hearings
The AODA Alliance has written Mr. Andrew Pinto, the Toronto lawyer whom the McGuinty Government appointed to
conduct an Independent Review into Bill 107. Bill 107 is the legislation that privatized the enforcement of human rights in Ontario.We asked Mr. Pinto to hold public hearings or forums around Ontario that are open, accessible, and not “invitation-only”. We also offer a list of the issues that the Independent Review should consider. We ask Mr. Pinto to let us know about his plans for conducting this Independent Review.
Read more at
http://www.aodaalliance.org/strong-effective-aoda/11172011.asp
—-
COAAC Updates
Essex County:
International Day Of Persons With Disabilitieshttp://www.coaac.ca/?p=564
Accessibility Workshop Information Now Available
http://www.coaac.ca/?p=558
—-
Concerns Grow Over Accessible Taxi Service
Taxi driver Haile Mebrahtu says it’s almost impossible to keep to the schedule set by the TTC. (CBC)
Toronto’s auditor general is reviewing the operations of TTC Wheel-Trans as concerns grow over its accessible taxi service in the city, CBC News has learned.
The Toronto Transit Commission provides door-to-door accessible transit service for people with physical disabilities using accessible buses and contracted taxis.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/?p=1885
—-
NonProfits and The Act
Guiding Principles and Assumptions
For many organizations in the Nonprofit Sector, the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Customer Service Standard reflect the existing organizational values, mission, vision, and service commitment.
The AODA Standards provide the opportunity to encourage innovation and systems transformation. The reduction or elimination of socially and institutionally structured inequalities will extend far beyond enhancing individual and collective well being.
Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=1572
—-
Please Endorse the AODA Alliance’s Request of the Human Rights Tribunal, Human Rights Commission and Human Rights Legal Support Centre to Disclose Details on Enforcement of Human Rights in Ontario
We have just written the three major public agencies responsible for the enforcement of human rights in Ontario. We asked each for detailed information and statistics on the way human rights are being enforced now in Ontario.
Read more at
http://www.aodaalliance.org/strong-effective-aoda/11152011.asp
—-
Accessibility is a Global Mandate
December 3 is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. On this December 3, the global celebration has an appropriate theme, “Together for a better world for all: Including persons with disabilities in development”.
Some people are unaware of a global mandate to achieve accessibility, and may feel isolated when their specific jurisdiction introduces new laws benefitting people with disabilities. Understanding we are all moving in the same direction, albeit using varying methods and timelines, is important when making decisions in your organization.
Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=1567
—-
ADULTS COUNT! A Survey on Youth and Adults with ASDs in Ontario
It has been two decades since there has been a provincial survey on youth and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Ontario. Since the 1990s, there have been major changes to the population of adults that are identified with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, but few changes to funded services.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilityclassifieds.com/?p=1004
—-
Roseman: Are Your Disability Benefits at Risk?
If you have a long-term disability plan at work, you need to ask if the plan is underwritten by an insurance company.
Some companies have moved to a self-insured arrangement, under which they set aside money to pay for their employees’ disability benefits.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/?p=2356
—-
The Accessible Campus in California: An Example for the Nation;
The second element of our approach is what is often referred to as universal design. That is changing how people develop technologies, online applications, and the like so accessibility is built into those designs and
not bolted on as an afterthought. This is something I am really passionate about. The concept started with the focus on physical spaces and tools, and it has already made a difference in many ways for every one of us: things like curb cuts, automatic doors, speaker phones, ergonomic keyboards, motion sensor lighting, even potato peelers. But the electronic world, as in daily life, is a place where, when you make things more accessible, they work better for everybody.Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/?p=2354
—-
Equal Education Needed for Deaf
A lack of public understanding is causing a lack of education among deaf people, a provincial authority says.
“All children need an education … an equal education,” Dean Walker, executive director of the Ontario Association of the Deaf
(OAD), said Saturday at Belleville’s Sir James Whitney School.
Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=1559
—-
Pathways, Potholes, Paradoxes and Possibilities
By: John Rae
Technology has made it possible for some individuals with disabilities to live more independent lives, yet much of the world’s new technology is not developed with us in mind, often requiring work around or expensive
adaptations.Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/?p=2349
—-
Blind Canadians Question Government’s Motives in Appealing Landmark Internet Access Case
On November 15 and 16, 2011 the Federal Court of Appeal will hear the Canadian government’s appeal of the landmark decision that was handed down by the Federal Court in the landmark Jodhan case. In that decision, the Federal Court ordered improved access to government information and services for the blind community. Members of the nationwide Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians are asking why the government is appealing this important decision.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/?p=2351
—-
Suzanne Mulligan-Born, The Accessibility Copywriter, specializes in writing to promote products and services that increase accessibility: Sales Letters; Articles; Case Studies; Special Reports; Grant Proposals; Manuals and Toolkits.
Services include writing and training to support businesses to comply with the AODA.
Suzanne is also an Advisor with ProAccess Advisors Group Ltd.
Reach her by email at SMB@AccessibilityCopywriter.com or Suzanne@SMBCopywriting.com
Phone (289) 235-9725—-
CLASSIFIEDS
*2005 Dodge Grand Caravan Wheelchair Van with Braun Conversion
http://www.accessibilityclassifieds.com/?p=1000
EVENTS
*Audio Described Broadway Musical, Mary Poppins, at the Princess of Wales Theatre
http://www.accessibilityclassifieds.com/?p=995
SURVEYS
*ADULTS COUNT! A survey on youth and adults with ASDs in Ontario
http://www.accessibilityclassifieds.com/?p=1004
——
THIS and THAT:
Be sure to visit us on the web at www.accessibilitynews.ca. While you’re there, have a look in the Search/Archive section for items you might have missed.You can now get back issues of the Newsletter at www.accessibilitynews.ca/?page_id=9 beginning on November 20, 2010
To unsubscribe from this Newsletter, send an email to info@accessibilitynews.ca or just reply to this Update and state your intentions.
Note: The thoughts and opinions expressed throughout Accessibility News are not necessarily shared by the various organizations and individuals and are solely those of the author of the specific article or commentary.
Accessibility News, since November 8, 2006
Accessibility News November 19,2011 Update
Editor
Sat, 19 Nov 2011 15:14:29 GMT
Mr. Tim Creagan of the US Access Board indicated today that the second advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) should appear in the in the next few weeks. The US Access Board has submitted the ANPRM to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and it will be published ...
Second ANPRM on Section 508 from US Access Board Due Out First Week of December
Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:44:42 GMT
Tablets for the blind
The Stanford Daily
Using a tablet computer is a complicated task for the visually impaired, with few tactile reference points on the screen and few, if any, built-in features to make it easier. But thanks to research this summer by Adam Duran, a New Mexico State ...
Tablets for the blind - The Stanford Daily
Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:44:34 GMT
This is a comment I made on the article Pursuing Semantic Value The author requested that I post it separately, so I have.
Stating the obvious
Semantics are not just about accessibility, accessibility is not just about assistive technology. But semantic information (name, role, states and properties) carried by HTML elements and attributes is integral to making content on the web accessible, especially for those who rely upon assistive technology to access and interact with web content.
Historically and currently accessibility support for HTML features in browsers lags behind other facets of feature implementation, and unfortunately accessibility support is not taken into account when browsers announce support for a feature. Which is why we get claims about HTML5 structural elements being implemented in browsers. What is actually meant, pretty much, is that visual styling has been implemented.HTML accessibility support
Where there are clearly defined semantics already available via acccessibility APIs for new HTML5 features, it is easy for browsers to implement the support and no excuse for AT to not understand and convey the appropriate information to users.
The accessibility implementation and semantics of particular HTML5 elements is still being worked out. This is mostly due to the semantics, from an accessibility support perspective, not being well specified or specified at all in the HTML5 specification. The HTML to accessibility API implementation guide is intended to help with this, but it is still in early developmenthgroup – an element in search of a cowpath
For example, the hgroup element is a mess. Why? because it is an element in search of a cowpath. As currently sepcified it does not provide a useful semantic to assistive technology users, in fact it does the opposite, it removes potential information about subheadings/subtitles/taglines etc, by forcing implementers to collapse the subheading semantics into the parent heading. That is why hgroup is at risk in the W3C HTML5 specification, with 5 detailed proposals to either abolish or replace it.
header – useful or not?
Another example is the header element from discussions with browser and AT implementers, it is considered that the header element does not add much value as it does not provide anything that currently available semantics does not. To understand why, it is useful understand the ways in which screen readers can expose HTML element information to users. As a consequence it may well not be implemented in browsers or AT.
HTML5 outline algorithm
In regards to the outline algorithm, Jeremy states “The new outline algorithm in HTML5 will make life a lot easier for future assistive technology” which suggests that he is not aware of the implementation of the outline algorithm in JAWS 12/13, unfortunately the current implementation can actually undermine users ability to navigate and understand document structure. Note, also it does not take hgroup into account.
figure and figcaption – meaning in the pipeline
The figure and figcaption elements currently have no semantic meaning. This is partly because the semantics are not defined in accessibility APIs and partly because the available role semantics and labelling relationships have not yet been implemented in browsers. There is active work going on to change that. I wrote a post about the challenges of defining the semantics. At the W3C TPAC meetings last week we discussed the addition of a figure role in ARIA 1.1. There is also moves afoot to add a figure role to the iAccessible2 API, and Firefox are making progress (Firefox bug) on the implementation of the labelling relationship for figcaption/figure and role implementation for figcaption.
Browsers have an integral part to play in accessibility support
For a long time, the refrain from certain quarters has been, screen readers don’t support feature X its been in HTMLX for ages, F#@King screen reader vendors. They are an easy target. Part of what HTML5Acessibility was set up to do was draw attention to the browser vendors role in providing accessibility support. I suggest that browser implementation is an integral aspect of HTML accessibility support, without it there is not chance of robust, interoperable access to web content for AT users. Take a look at the debacle with longdesc, AT for the most part cannot be relied upon, and should not need to be relied upon to implement accessibility features, without the browsers doing their part.
HTML5 a work in progress, get involved!
HTML5 is still a work in progress, but it’s at a stage now where significant changes must not be handed down from upon high, the community must have the opportunity to be involved in affecting change. Involvement in the W3C HTML working group provides that opportunity, get involved!
HTML5 semantics and accessibility
Steve Faulkner
Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:18:22 GMT
Many accessibility efforts to make information more accessible to users with disabilities provide benefits to all users. Calling out these benefits can lead to a decision for accessibility in spite of the benefits provided to users with disabilities. Captions are a great example,here are a few lists outlining some of those:
- The Benefits of Captioning (sidebar)
- Benefits of Closed Captioning
- Benefits of Captioning
- Who Benefits from Captions
- Benefits of Closed Captioning & Transcription
- Ten Reasons to Caption Your Web Videos
Even if you are a callous jerk who doesn’t care about the 3.5% of the general population who are deaf or hard of hearing, there are other benefits commonly cited in the above lists:
- Increased usability for everyone.
- Education and literacy benefits.
- Increased search engine traffic.
- Search captioned video to find specific video segments.
- Access to audio information in a noisy environment.
- Helpful in learning a second language.
Those all make a lot of sense, but I wanted to find some specific examples and research to back up those assertions. Here is what I found:
Increased Usability for Everyone
I don’t have hearing loss, but I always turn on captions when they are available and apparently I’m not along. In 2006, Ofcom (the regularity authority for the UK communications industries) published a report with the following blurb on the number of people who use subtitles:
In the UK adult population as a whole, over 7.5 million people (18%) are estimated to have used subtitling at least once, of whom over 6 million people would have no hearing impairment. 39% of those with a hearing impairment say that they have used it, equating to just over 1.4 million people. Amongst case study respondents with a hearing impairment, 49% said that they used it to watch all, most or some programmes, a figure that rose to 76% for those with a severe or profound hearing loss. (Section 2.20)
Muffled audio, thick accents or whatever– captions make audio easier to understand.
See Also: The hearing majority of captioning viewers from Joe Clark
Education and Literacy Benefits
I also try to turn captions on for my kids:
- Captions for Literacy is a website promoting the literacy benefits of captioning, include this page of relevant research on the topic.
- Same Language Subtitling A non-profit organization that promotes literacy through same-language subtitles (check out their research page).
Increased search engine traffic
While these benefits may occasionally be overstated as not all captioned video is indexed by all search engines, there are definite SEO benefits from captioned video for at least some services/search engines. If nothing else, posting the video transcript with the video will ensure that your video content can be indexed by search engines.
- In-Depth Look At YouTube Closed Captions – YouTube SEO and More
- Google Video Test Results: Captions Vs Description Vs Speech Recognition
- YouTube Captions Boost SEO
We can only hope that as search engines take advantage of captions to deliver more relevant video content to users I hope it doesn’t lead to a rash of captioned videos of video spammers yelling about cheap online pharmaceuticals and work from home opportunities.
Search Captioned Video to Find Specific Video Segments
This video from Hulu demonstrates this idea very well (ironically, it’s uncaptioned):
You can try it out for yourself by doing to the Hulu Captions Search page.
On a completely unrelated sidenote, there is a great story of how the husband of a Deaf woman had a brother with a friend who was a programmer at Hulu helped to get captions rolling at Hulu.
You can also see this functionality at the DO-IT Video collection., CaptionBox is a jQuery plugin that allows you do add some of this functionality to videos on your site.
Access to the audio information in a noisy environment.
I wish I could find some more validation of this oft-cited statistic that the number one use of captions is actually gyms, bars, language learning, etc… I don’t doubt that captions are useful in noisy environments, but after emailing a number of people who have cited one use or another as the top use of captioning I’ve yet to find any hard data on this. If you know of any research that validates this, I would love to hear about it.
Access to Audio Information in a Noisy Environment
I’ve often heard the face that the most common use of captions is when they are turned on for televisions in a restaurant or gym. I looked pretty hard and can’t find any hard data to verify that assertion, but I know that I appreciate caption being turned on when I eat out. Unfortunately it’s been awhile since I’ve been to a gym so I can’t speak to that. Also, those children I mentioned earlier who I turn on captions for the educational benefits? There are four of them and they can be noisy– captions are a godsend when my wife and I are watching a show with the kiddos in the room.
Helpful in Learning a Second Language
Here are a few academic articles on this topic with fancy words, complicated charts, the works:
- The Effects Of Captioning Videos Used For Foreign Language Listening Activities (PDF)
- Captions and Subtitles in EFL Learning: an investigative study in a comprehensive computer environment (PDF)
- Captioning and Subtitling: Undervalued Language Learning Strategies (PDF)
That’s It
What did I miss?
The Benefits of Captions
Christopher Phillips
Sat, 12 Nov 2011 00:17:46 GMT
AccessiWatch offers the following links for the week of November 4th, 2011:
- An introduction to inclusive design
- Assistive Technology Timeline
- Benefits of Web Accessibility
- Buying Power of Persons with Disabilities
- Enabling Full Keyboard Access on the Mac
- Google Apps Accessibility: A Light at the End of the Tunnel?
- Level of accessibility in public websites in comparison with legislative provisions and the deadline for implementation of WCAG 2.0
- Open-Captions, Using Closed Captions as Meta Data for ASL
- The Worst Thing to Put on Your Company Website
- Up close with iOS 5: Accessibility features
AccessiWatch - Advocating Web accessibility and social inclusion for people with disabilities on the Web. One link at a time.
AccessiWatch Weekly RoundUp #120
Fri, 04 Nov 2011 05:05:00 GMT
Inclusive Media and Design Inc
Inclusive is ready to caption and video describe all your video for web, DVD, and computer desktop. They can also assist you in understanding and implementing Ontario’s AODA Integrated Standards’ media requirements.
Visit www.inclusivemedia.ca to find out more.
—-
In this Issue
*Macy’s Diner Leads the Way in Restaurant Menu Accessibility
*IZ Adaptive Clothing: A Cut Above
*City Fails Human Rights Test
*Sarnia Improving Accessibility—-
For a long term strategy in meeting the AODA and Section 508, Accessibility News recommends Accessibil-IT Inc for all your accessible PDF documentation needs, info@accessibilit.com for more info or visit them on the web at www.accessibilit.com .
—-
ARTICLES:
Macy’s Diner Leads the Way in Restaurant Menu Accessibility
By Geof Collis
Some Restaurants offer Large Print or Braille menus, but what if you cant read either?
Others put it on their website, a PDF, but neither is accessible and still others think because they put it on Facebook that magically solves the issue, however Facebook is notoriously inaccessible.
Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=1546
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IZ Adaptive Clothing: A Cut Above
By Annette Sultana
For me, living with a physical disability and having to rely on others as much as I do, involves “compromise. lots of compromise.” I like fashion and while I have always done my best to look good, at times I have had to sacrifice style for convenience and practicality. Thanks to Izzy Camilleri
and IZ Adaptive Clothing, compromise is now a thing of the past!Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/?p=1857
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City Fails Human Rights Test
CORNWALL – Ontario’s human rights tribunal has found the city discriminated against an employee it fired rather than accommodate her disability.
Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=1554
—-
Sarnia Improving Accessibility
It just makes sense to create a city that caters to the disabled, says Susan Weatherston.
Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=1557
—-
Let Aaron Waxman and Associates handle your Disability Claims & Appeals for, LTD & STD Claims, CPP Disability Private (Individual) Disability Plans and Critical Illness Insurance Claims, visit them on the web at www.awaxmanlaw.ca/
—-CLASSIFIEDS
*2005 Dodge Grand Caravan Wheelchair Van with Braun Conversion
http://www.accessibilityclassifieds.com/?p=1000
EVENTS
*Audio Described Broadway Musical, Mary Poppins, at the Princess of Wales Theatre
http://www.accessibilityclassifieds.com/?p=995
——
THIS and THAT:
Be sure to visit us on the web at www.accessibilitynews.ca. While you’re there, have a look in the Search/Archive section for items you might have missed.
You can now get back issues of the Newsletter at www.accessibilitynews.ca/?page_id=9 beginning on November 20, 2010
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Note: The thoughts and opinions expressed throughout Accessibility News are not necessarily shared by the various organizations and individuals and are solely those of the author of the specific article or commentary.
Accessibility News, since November 8, 2006
Accessibility News November 12,2011 Update
Editor
Sat, 12 Nov 2011 15:17:59 GMT
Web Aaxe author Dennis Lembree gave an EASI webinar today about Twitter, accessibility and Easy Chirp. Here are the slides.
Twitter and Web Accessibility (EASI Webinar)
View more presentations from Web Axe
Slides from EASI webinar on Twitter and Accessibility
dennislembree@yahoo.com (Dennis E. Lembree)
Sat, 12 Nov 2011 19:51:17 GMT
