Innovation, Experimentation, Accessibility and Inclusivity
This past week saw an exceptionally high number of interesting developments in the area of inclusive design and digital innovation.
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20th Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Today marks the 20th anniversary of the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), described as the Emancipation Proclamation for people with disabilities.
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iPad Accessibility, Part Two
We just can’t get enough of the iPad. From every media outlet come mentions of the device as it pertains to our digital lives. Of particular interest to readers of this blog are the iPad’s applicability relating to digital accessibility.
Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Section 508
A free webinar tomorrow will go over changes to the technical provisions of Sections 508 and 255, covering how all can participate in the process to make sure that final regulations benefit current and emerging ICT.
Accessible Web Experience for MLB
In a week where my area saw two major snowstorms, I am comforted by the thought that pitchers and catchers report for spring training in just a few days. Baseball fans with disabilities may have additional reasons to rejoice.
“Virtually Inclusive” Presentation at Temple University
On January 25, I’ll be speaking at the Temple University College of Science and Technology as part of their colloquium series. The talk will cover ongoing and emerging trends in Web and digital accessibility.
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Defining “Public Accommodation” in Virtual Worlds
Two stories arose this weekend about the use of virtual worlds. Although wholly separate, the two threads are more related than they may appear at first.
Why Universal Design is Important
Developing products with Universal Design principles in mind is not a matter of catering to the “lowest common denominator,” but rather a sound strategy that benefits all your customers.
Why Web Accessibility Efforts Fail
According to a recent report, the accessibility of federal government websites continues to be an ongoing area of need. This brings to mind the reasons why a number of sites fail to comply with Section 508 standards.
NFB Files Lawsuit Against Law School Admissions Council (LSAC)
This past week saw the development of another web accessibility case in the state of California. The California affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) filed a lawsuit against the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) claiming that the LSAC Web site is inaccessible to the blind.
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Legal Developments in Web Accessibility
Two items of legal interest appeared in this morning’s feeds. The first is a new subscription product offering digital trends analysis for accessibility products, the second is an investigation of Title III of the ADA that perhaps redefines our idea of “public accommodation.”
Accessibility and Democracy 2.0
Some of the most interesting conversations regarding accessibility come from the UK. Urban Learning Space, a Glasgow learning lab exploring the educational use of emerging technologies, recently hosted a seminar about the state of e-democracy in Scotland. What resulted was an article by Greg Tosh for The Drum concerning the importance and use of digital media to increase social engagement.
First Target, Now Apple – iTunes Accessibility
At the insistence of Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley, Apple Inc. has agreed to redesign its iTunes software to make it more accessible for the blind. Coming at the foot of last month’s NFB v. Target Corp. settlement, this proposed action puts accessibility firmly in the spotlight of commercial interests.
Americans With Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008
Since October is National Disability Awareness Month, it makes sense to call attention to some news of significance. Rob McInnes of Diversity World reports that on September 25, Bill S.306 was signed as Public Law 110-325, also known as the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act. The amendment will go into effect on January 1, 2009.
Commercial Retailers Resist Accessibility Standards
With all the attention surrounding the recent NFB v. Target Corp. settlement, it makes sense that the National Retail Federation would take a moment to consider its global position on web accessibility. The outcome is less than desirable, as a spokesperson has announced that the class-action lawsuit is unlikely to provide the basis of online accessibility standards.
The Target Settlement – What Does It Mean?
Since the announcement earlier in the week that Target Corp and the National Federation of the Blind have settled their lawsuit, the topic of web accessibility has been very much front and center. But what does the settlement really mean in the wider scope of digital accessibility?
NFB vs. Target Website Accessibility Lawsuit Settled
Reports this morning via business wire indicate that the NFB class action lawsuit against Target Corp has been settled. While an important precedent has been set in California state law, the settlement does not establish a firm applicability of the ADA to websites.
Redefining the ADA
In a recent article on WebAIM, Cyndi Rowland calls for increased advocacy on behalf of Internet users to ensure that the Web is taken into consideration during upcoming discussions regarding updates to ADA Titles II and III.
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