Disability Rights advocate smashes celebrity birthdays record!

By Guinness World Records

Having sharpened her memory skills with months of rehearsing, when Heidi attempted the record for most celebrity birthdays identified in three minutes she was confident she would get a high number on her first go.

Using Emojis is so fun! But how to make them accessible? 

Do you think using just emojis without any text is accessible to all users?

Nope, it’s not. Avoiding text and using only emojis impacts users with cognitive impairments users when the emojis are not the commonly used ones they in fact are confusing for all users.

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Double amputee Everest climber pledges to work for benefit of people with disabilities!

By AP News

The first double above-the-knee amputee to climb Mount Everest returned from the mountain on Tuesday pledging to dedicate the rest of his life to helping people with disabilities.

Google Maps will now show wheelchair accessibility information for all!

By Metro

Google Maps is providing wheelchair accessibility information by default for over 40 million places worldwide, including on public transport, pubs and restaurants.

The feature can help those with mobility needs to plan their trips by checking if the shop or landmark they’re visiting has step-free access.

How to get started with Voice Access (Android)?

Speech Recognition has come a long way in recent years, and with the way it is being evolving will definitely only lead to more improvements. These features can make it easier for users with any disabilities to interact with their devices and perform a wide range of tasks using their voice.

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He didn't want his daughter, who has cognitive and physical disabilities, to feel left out. So, he built a fully accessible theme park!

By CBS News

After seeing his daughter excluded, Hartman started on a quest to create a space where no one felt left out. His idea: an inclusive theme park. This theme park isn't just for people with disabilities. It's for everyone. But he made sure every single experience and ride is what he calls "ultra accessible."

Accessible QR Code From Zappar Makes Packaging Talk To The Blind

By Forbes

Zappar, the venerable UK studio that was one of the pioneers in mobile AR, announced the launch of Zapvision, an Accessible QR code solution, which helps blind and partially sighted people access information related to items on store shelves and cupboards at home.

Busting Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction in Accessible Interactive Elements

As an accessibility expert, I have always come across a question – be it from my team or the clients. How can I make this interactive element accessible? Most of time my answer is simple, use native HTML elements over ARIA. But what about custom interactive elements?

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The Oscars Are Expanding Accessibility To The Red Carpet This Year

By Huffpost

For the first time in its 94-year history, the Academy Awards show is expanding its accessibility, both on and off screen, to the Oscars’ red carpet on Sunday. The Oscars’ red carpet will include audio transcriptions — provided by a team that includes a blind audio describer — and live captions to ensure access for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences.

Assistive tech to put you in complete control!

By Financial Times

Brilliant ideas can sometimes have unexpected and near-miraculous consequences. And if it is related to accessibility and people with disabilities, you know it is simply genius! Let's look at a super-powered all-terrain wheelchair, glasses with subtitles – and more.

Decoding WCAG 1.4.11 Non-text Contrast.

Let’s try & simplify the testing of contrast for non-text elements by logically dissecting & grouping its requirements. The article shall also address the dilemma while testing contrast requirements of the infamous focus indicator.

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Pro surfer and disability advocate Liv Stone talks disability inclusion, social media study in Adobe Q&A.

By Forbes

Adobe shared an interview with pro surfer, content creator, and disability advocate Liv Stone. Stone is a disabled person herself. She sat down with Adobe to discuss her life’s inspirational journey and her illustrious athletic career.

Neobank Papara debuts world's first talking bank card for people with visual impairments

By Trend Watching

Turkish Neobank Papara just introduced a world's first: a Bluetooth-enhanced debit card that provides visually impaired customers with audio prompts when they make payments.

HR Tech trends that are starting to make workplaces more accessible & inclusive!

The workplace is rapidly changing, and HR solutions are playing a big part in making it more accessible for everyone. From AI-powered recruitment tools to employee engagement platforms, plenty of new trends are revolutionizing the way HR teams work.

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New initiatives put accessibility on the big screen

By The Ithacan

Independent movies have been a part of Ithaca’s history since the inception of cinema, with many filmmakers moving to Central New York to produce their newest masterpieces as early as 1915. Now, a local moviegoing staple is trying to bring Ithaca residents back to the movies in a more accessible way.

ADP Settlement Offers Framework for Future Digital-Accessibility Agreements

By The Wall Street Journal

When a lawsuit alleged that human-resources software company Automatic Data Processing Inc. had failed to make its products accessible for people who are blind or have low vision, the case joined a growing body of litigation over accessibility in the digital world.

Are you ready for the European Accessibility Act?

The EAA required EU member states to adopt certain accessibility requirements into national law by June 28, 2022. From June 28, 2025 businesses will only be able to supply products and services in the European Market that comply with the Directive’s accessibility requirements.

Plan Now

Tennessee high school students build robotic hand for classmate!

By The Guardian

Students at a Tennessee high school have built a robotic hand for a classmate missing part of his, an act of friendship that he has called life-changing. They designed, 3D printed and sized a prosthetic hand for Sergio Peralta, whose right hand is not fully formed.

Why the GOV.UK Design System team changed the input type for numbers?

By GOV.UK

To provide users with a good service, government organizations usually need to collect data. Lots of data. The GOV.UK Design System team publishes patterns and components that let users enter their data in an easy and accessible way.

Become a BarrierBreak Trusted Partner!

Build inclusion by empowering your clients to build accessibility into their digital solutions and comply with accessibility standards & guidelines. Achieve digital accessibility at scale.

Apply Now

Making microservices accessible!

By Craig Abbott

Almost anything can be made accessible. But, depending on how you build your microservice will determine how much work you have to do! Weigh up all your options. Make accessibility a priority. Lead by example.

Disabled man joins European Space Agency's astronaut program

By BBC

The tight-as-a-drum labor market gives employers an incentive to maintain the remote-work benefit for disabled employees, which also helps companies diversify their workforces.

Accessibility is a journey and we are here to support you!

As a part of our CSR initiatives, we're pleased to announce our volunteering programA11y for Good is live! We support NGOs in their journey towards making their website accessible to all including people with disabilities. 

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Accessibility takes center stage as countdown to Qatar 2022 continues.

ByFIFA

Qatar 2022 will feature a number of firsts for disabled fans, including the availability of audio descriptive commentary in Arabic at all matches. Every match venue was built to exacting accessibility standards, including accessible parking, seating, bathrooms and concession stands.

Disabled Americans Reap Remote-Work Reward In Record Employment

By Financial Advisor The tight-as-a-drum labor market gives employers an incentive to maintain the remote-work benefit for disabled employees, which also helps companies diversify their workforces.

Web Accessibility for Speech Recognition Users - A Pragmatic Approach

Speech recognition technology has come a long way in recent years. This technology enables computers to understand and interpret human speech. There are many different applications for speech recognition, from voice-activated assistants to hands-free control of devices. 

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A ‘game-changer’ for millions of Americans: You can now buy hearing aids over the counter!

By CNN Health

Now, instead of getting a prescription and having a custom fitting with a hearing health professional, adults can buy hearing aids directly from a store or online. Some doctors estimate that 90% of the population with hearing loss could benefit from these over-the-counter devices.

DOE Releases First-Ever Plan to Advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility

By Energy.Gov The plan outlines Departmental actions to sustain an inclusive and accessible work environment by strengthening recruitment, retention and promotion, while removing inequitable barriers to advancement and development opportunities.

Why Mobile apps in India need to take Accessibility seriously?

RPWD mandates accessibility & CCPD on digital accessibility. In a recent order, the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD) stated that private establishments are also bound by the digital accessibility requirements under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 ( RPwD Act).

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This technology makes data accessible to blind and visually impaired people.

By NPR

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Mona Minkara, a professor of bioengineering at Northeastern University who is also blind, about a new way to present science data to blind and sighted people alike.