News

Practitioner heralds ‘new phase’ of digital learning for disabled children

Source: 
E-Access Bulletin

New technologies such as tablet computers and techniques such as online data analysis are heralding a new age of customised learning assistance for young people who are severely disabled, a practitioner has told E-Access Bulletin.

Is EPUB the most accessible format? One Voice launches debate

Source: 
E-Access Bulletin

The EPUB electronic book format is the most accessible digital document format, according to a new paper designed to open a debate on accessibility of all mainstream document formats by people with disabilities.

The debate – intended to lead to a further paper to be published in the summer – has been launched by One Voice for Accessible ICT Coalition, an umbrella group for organisations supporting access to digital technology by people with disabilities.

Firm in “revolutionary” move to give away £600 Windows screenreader

Source: 
E-Access Bulletin

In a deal described as “a huge step forward” for blind computer users, the developer of one of the world’s most sophisticated text-to-speech screenreaders has announced it is now giving away for free its previously chargeable software.

US-based software firm GW Micro has revealed it has reached a deal with Microsoft – on unspecified terms – to provide people who are blind, visually impaired or print disabled with a free licence to use its Window-Eyes screen reader.

Paralympics Effect ‘Challenges Perceptions of Disabled People’

Source: 
E-Access Bulletin

The impact of the 2012 Paralympic Games on public attitudes towards disabled people has been positive but some campaign groups have sought to “misuse” it for political ends, a leading activist told this year’s eAccess conference.

And disability consultant and campaigner Simon Stevens told delegates that while the London Games had raised the profile of disability issues, it would take some time before we could judge whether the effect will be lasting.

Standards Developers Urged to Support Older and Disabled People

Source: 
E-Access Bulletin

People working on technical standards for mainstream products and services must be more aware of the needs of older and disabled people, delegates at eAccess 13 heard in a closing session in speakers raised key points for the future of accessibility.

Online Campaigning Struggling for Focus, New Book Finds

Source: 
E-Government Bulletin
Online democratic campaigning is still in its infancy, with governments and campaign movements struggling to direct the large but unfocused support generated behind causes on social media, according to a new book by E-Government Bulletin editor Dan Jellinek. The use of citizen participation technologies by governments and official bodies continues to lag behind social media [...]

Digital Inclusion Charity Mounts Skills Boost for North East England

Source: 
E-Government Bulletin
An intensive programme to boost digital inclusion work in the North East region of England has been launched by UK digital inclusion charity Go ON UK with the aim of improving basic digital skills in the area by 25% in one year. It is hoped that individuals, small businesses and charities in the region will [...]

Open Innovation Platform ‘GitHub’ Expands into Government

Source: 
E-Government Bulletin
The whole of the public sector can be seen as “one giant open source project” whose development can take place collaboratively between citizens and officials, a former US White House official told a recent seminar hosted by social innovation company FutureGov. Ben Balter, a former Presidential Innovation Fellow in the White House, is leading development [...]

UK Ignoring British Sign Language Video Technology, Analyst Warns

Source: 
E-Access Bulletin

Most British companies and government departments are ignoring new ways of offering video links to British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters because they misunderstand the value of this to deaf customers, a leading practitioner has told E-Access Bulletin.

Access to the Internet by Older People and Mobile Tips at Heart of e-Access 13

Source: 
E-Access Bulletin

Access to the internet in homes for the elderly and developing inclusive services on smartphones and tablet computers are among topics on the agenda at e-Access 13, the UK’s leading event on access to technology by people with disabilities.

Delegates will hear about the Connecting Care project, looking at how care homes for older people can make the most of new technology to support their organisation, carers and service users. The project is run by Lasa, a technology support group for charities and public sector bodies, with funding from the Department of Health.

‘3D Search Engine’ Tested by Blind Tokyo Schoolchildren

Source: 
E-Access Bulletin

A voice-activated machine combining web search engine technology with 3D printing is giving visually impaired school children in Tokyo the chance to experiment with what could be a glimpse into the future for the creation of live tactile teaching aids.

Top e-Book Reader Makers Contest US Accessibility Law

Source: 
E-Access Bulletin

Three of the biggest e-book reader manufacturers – Amazon, Kobo and Sony – have petitioned the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ask for exemptions from US laws requiring products to be accessible to users with disabilities.

Accessibility Now Thriving in Mainstream Mobile Market, Campaigner Says

Source: 
E-Access Bulletin

Accessibility functions on mobile devices are becoming mainstream and mobile manufacturers are now competing to make their devices more accessible, the president of international digital accessibility body G3ict has said.

Speaking at the M-Enabling Australasia 2013 event in Australia, Axel Leblois said accessibility has become a driving force in the mobile market.

Paralympics Star is this Year’s e-Access Conference Keynote Speaker

Source: 
E-Access Bulletin

GB Paralympics star Hannah Cockroft MBE, winner of two gold medals at the London 2012 Paralympic Games in wheelchair sprint races, is this year’s inspirational keynote speaker at e-Access ‘13, the UK’s leading event on access to technology by people with disabilities.

A Long and Arduous Journey: the Fight for Equality in Canada and Worldwide

Source: 
E-Access Bulletin

By Donna Jodhan.

In 2000 I embarked on a journey to encourage the Canadian Government to work with blind Canadians to make their websites more accessible to all Canadians. At that time, my main objective was to raise awareness of the inaccessibility of government websites, and to convince officials of the importance of making their websites fully accessible as soon as possible.

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