Recent News & Blogs

Obamas Chance to Lead: Sign the Disability Treaty (Huffington Post)

2009-07-03

President Obama has made it a priority to re-position the United States as a leader in the global arena. One area where we are conspicuously silent--and could lead or at least participate more fully--is disability rights... Not signing and ratifying the [UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities] sends the message that while we protect our disabled, we don't care if the rest of the world does too. If we feel strongly enough that our own citizens living with disabilities should be protected, shouldn't we feel that those living in countries without such laws are entitled to rights and protection as well? [Read more about the article: Obamas Chance to Lead: Sign the Disability Treaty (Huffington Post)...]


Introducing the Parabasetec Paragolfer Machine (Video, 2:15)

2009-07-03

Video commercial for a hybrid wheelchair/golf cart that helps a golfer with a disability to 'stand up' to take his swing. [Read more about the article: Introducing the Parabasetec Paragolfer Machine (Video, 2:15)...]



A Declaration of Independence -- Inclusive Tourism (Video)

2009-07-03

This introductory section of one of my talks to the Carlo Besta Institute in Milan was just posted to YouTube. The clip ends with reference to the Waypoint Backstrom Principles reproduced below. Some of the themes of this clip are continued in the following presentation at the 2009 Carlo Besta Institute conference on travel and disability. [Read more about the article: A Declaration of Independence -- Inclusive Tourism (Video)...]


Canadian streets, prisons the asylums of the 21st century, former senator warns

2009-07-03

Former Liberal senator Michael Kirby is lashing out at this country for the way it has cared for its mentally ill. Kirby says health officials closed insane asylums across the country after deciding that institutionalizing or ``warehousing'' people was the wrong approach - promising instead to create community-based beds for the mentally ill. The problem, he said this week, is that those community beds didn't materialize. [Read more about the article: Canadian streets, prisons the asylums of the 21st century, former senator warns...]


The Joy Of Work: A Disabled Mans Quest For A Job (NPR)

2009-07-03

"The first response of the unenlightened employer is, 'No way. We have too many complex issues here, too many business processes that they will not be able to understand and execute,'" he says. But Kemp says there are bright spots. Large national chains including Walgreens, McDonald's and Safeway continue to create opportunities for people with developmental disabilities. [Read more about the article: The Joy Of Work: A Disabled Mans Quest For A Job (NPR)...]


Bringing Home a Child with Special Needs (NY Times)

2009-07-03

On the other side is six-year-old Rosemary, the little girl with special needs who the Johnsons have been trying to adopt from China. But foreign adoption — particularly at a time when borders are being closed for fear of swine flu — can feel like one step forward then several steps back, and for months the family has been trying to keep balanced while waiting. Today they all leave for China, to meet Rosemary for the first time. They will spend about three weeks there, and during that time Jenny plans to write for Motherlode, sending updates on how the journey is unfolding. Today she starts at the beginning: [Read more about the article: Bringing Home a Child with Special Needs (NY Times)...]


Study of Tourism Standards (Spain)

2009-07-03

To identify the existing Standards, Quality Norms, Laws and Minimum Requirements concerning accessibility in tourism in selected European countries; to evaluate the requirements and consequences of these instruments in terms of their effectiveness towards tourism providers; and in relation to the accessibility of destinations as experienced by visitors with disabilities and others who require good access conditions. [Read more about the article: Study of Tourism Standards (Spain)...]


Cells keep a memory of their tissue origin during axolotl limb regeneration

2009-07-03

During limb regeneration adult tissue is converted into a zone of undifferentiated progenitors called the blastema that reforms the diverse tissues of the limb. Previous experiments have led to wide acceptance that limb tissues dedifferentiate to form pluripotent cells. Here we have reexamined this question [Read more about the article: Cells keep a memory of their tissue origin during axolotl limb regeneration...]


WellAWARE of watching grandma

2009-07-03

WellAWARE is offering a system of sensors that track a patient’s movement throughout their residence, comparing their activities to a baseline of normality, and [Read more about the article: WellAWARE of watching grandma...]


International Paralympic Day Returns to Berlin

2009-07-03

Today, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) officially announced that the International Paralympic Day 2009 (IPD) will take place in Berlin on 11 July. [Read more about the article: International Paralympic Day Returns to Berlin ...]


Survey of User Needs (Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies)

2009-07-03

A survey to help us understand how people with disabilities use wireless products like cell phones and text messengers: The purpose of the survey is to learn about how people with disabilities use these products. It's also to learn about why some people with disabilities don't use these products. This information helps make wireless products easier to use for people of all ages and abilities. Since 2001 more than 1200 people with disabilities have taken this survey. THANK YOU for joining this group. [Read more about the article: Survey of User Needs (Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies)...]


DOTmed Industry Sector Report: Homecare/Rehab

2009-07-03

In the next 30 years, the U.S. population aged 65 and over will double to 70 million. About 80% of those over age 60 prefer to live independently. The most common medical conditions requiring home care are diabetes, heart disease, and cerebral vascular disease. While numbers vary depending on sources, even the lower estimates put the number of Americans with an acute illness, a long-term medical condition, a permanent disability, or a terminal illness, at 8 million individuals. That number is well above the past projections by many top medical experts. About 71% of the [Read more about the article: DOTmed Industry Sector Report: Homecare/Rehab...]


The womens movement must do more for disabled women (India)

2009-07-03

Disabled women are crowded out in both the disability movement and the women’s movement, says Anita Ghai. Feminists, she says, have failed to recognise the different experiences of disabled women in a sexist and able society [Read more about the article: The womens movement must do more for disabled women (India)...]


Railways to make 1500 railway stations in India accessible

2009-07-03

Accessible public places in India are often an after-thought, and more than that, a “favor”. It is rarely an integral part of the architecture, design and construction. Nonetheless, smaller steps lead to bigger changes. [Read more about the article: Railways to make 1500 railway stations in India accessible...]


Student design puts an end to abandoned crutches

2009-07-03

Lost crutches are the headache of hospital bosses everywhere, costing the NHS up to £50,000 a year to replace. But, a University of Sussex product design student has devised a solution which could stem the flow of haemorrhaging equipment costs. [Read more about the article: Student design puts an end to abandoned crutches...]


Rwanda denies sterilisation plans

2009-07-03

Rwanda has strongly denied reports that its parliament is considering a draft law which would forcibly sterilise people who are mentally disabled. [Read more about the article: Rwanda denies sterilisation plans ...]


Record Number of People With Disabilities Voted in 2008 Election

2009-07-03

New numbers released show Americans with disabilities voted in record numbers in the 2008 presidential election, according to the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the country's largest cross-disability membership organization. According to a study by Lisa Schur and Douglas Kruse, professors at the School of Management and Labor Relations, Rutgers University, who have conducted numerous studies on voting and people with disabilities, 3.8 million more people with disabilities voted in the 2008 presidential election than the 2000 presidential election. [Read more about the article: Record Number of People With Disabilities Voted in 2008 Election...]


Heart beat posting device lets your Twitter followers know youre alive

2009-07-03

It surely didn’t escape anyone’s attention Twitter is on track to becoming a mass phenomenon globally. The service is also growing nicely in Japan where it has been embraced by the geek community in particular (Japanese is the only alternative language Twitter is available in until today). And today a small group of those Japanese geeks, members of the so-called Koress Project, have announced the development of the Akiduki Pulse box, a device that automatically posts your heart rate to Twitter [Read more about the article: Heart beat posting device lets your Twitter followers know youre alive...]


Wheelchair steered using brain waves developed by Toyota

2009-07-03

A wheelchair that can be steered by brainwaves alone has been developed by Japanese car manufacturer Toyota. The company said it is among the fastest systems in the world for analysing brain signals. Current systems require several seconds to read brain waves, but the new technology requires only 125 milliseconds [Read more about the article: Wheelchair steered using brain waves developed by Toyota...]


Salamanders, regenerative wonders, heal like mammals, people

2009-07-03

The salamander is a superhero of regeneration, able to replace lost limbs, damaged lungs, sliced spinal cord — even bits of lopped-off brain. But it turns out that remarkable ability isn’t so mysterious after all — suggesting that researchers could learn how to replicate it in people. [Read more about the article: Salamanders, regenerative wonders, heal like mammals, people...]


Accessibility and You (Presentation & Notes)

2009-07-03

Today I am going to Richmond in South London to talk to the teams of Gumtree, Paypal, shopping.com and Skype (I think) about accessibility, open web development and a long Q&A session in the afternoon. Here are my slides of the talk which will be recorded by them as a video. [Read more about the article: Accessibility and You (Presentation & Notes)...]


National Federation of the Blind and American Council of the Blind File Discrimination Suit Against Arizona State University

2009-07-03

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and the American Council of the Blind (ACB) filed suit today against Arizona State University (ASU) to prevent the university from deploying Amazon’s Kindle DX electronic reading device as a means of distributing electronic textbooks to its students because the device cannot be used by blind students. [Read more about the article: National Federation of the Blind and American Council of the Blind File Discrimination Suit Against Arizona State University...]


Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009 (Introduced in House)

2009-07-03

Legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives that would require all mobile devices and internet based telecommunications to be fully accessible for people with disabilities. This legislation, introduced by Congressman Ed Markey (D-MA), seeks to increase access to broadband technology for people with disabilities by ensuring universal access for all. [Read more about the article: Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009 (Introduced in House)...]


50 government websites to be made disabled friendly (India)

2009-07-03

Disabled rights groups have approached the IT ministry with a list of 50 government websites like that of the Indian Railways, Central Information Commission and Income Tax Department which they want to be made disabled friendly. [Read more about the article: 50 government websites to be made disabled friendly (India)...]


Using NVDA to Evaluate Web Accessibility

2009-07-03

This article is designed to help users who are new to NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA) - external link learn the basic controls for testing web content, and to serve as a reference for the occasional NVDA user. NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA) is a free and open source screen reader for the Microsoft Windows operating system. It supports over 20 languages and can run on any computer entirely from a USB drive with no installation. [Read more about the article: Using NVDA to Evaluate Web Accessibility...]


Creation of Accessible Documents

2009-07-03

This is the first in a series of Market Updates on the creation of accessible documents. It concentrates on the creation of accessible PDF files from word processing and desktop publishing systems. [Read more about the article: Creation of Accessible Documents...]


Web Accessibility and the Law

2009-07-02

The state of legal requirements and protections concerning the accessibility of websites is far from uniform. Many countries have some form of web accessibility laws in place, but the extent of those laws is radically variable. Furthermore, as many websites serve multiple countries, the question of jurisdiction can become a tricky aspect of accessibility law. [Read more about the article: Web Accessibility and the Law...]


Human right to internet access?

2009-07-02

...the French courts have refused to uphold a new law allowing officials to cut off the internet connection of persistent online infringers. The Constitutional Court held that only a court could do that - on the basis that access to online services is a human right. [Read more about the article: Human right to internet access? ...]


Designing Accessibility Into Themes

2009-07-02

Because she is amazing, Ann McMeekin has prepared for us a guide to designing accessibility into themes - it’s useful far beyond this project so we’re sharing it here and pls feel free to pass it on to other who might find it useful. [Read more about the article: Designing Accessibility Into Themes...]


New Eye Tracking Software Offers Gaming To The Disabled

2009-07-02

New gaming software has been developed that uses eye-tracking to offer those with severe disabilities the ability to interact online. Programs that have been posted on the Internet for free download have been funded by the EU through the COGAIN network. As they use advances eye movement software to interact in online gaming platforms, new worlds are being opened up to those who are unable to control a mouse. [Read more about the article: New Eye Tracking Software Offers Gaming To The Disabled...]


Are we measuring up? (Whistler, B.C.)

2009-07-02

With a grant from 2010 Legacies Now, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) plans to review accessibility issues that go far beyond access ramps, wheelchair-enabled transit or priority parking. The “Measuring Up” program promotes inclusion for persons with disabilities and others including seniors, parents with baby carriages, tourists loaded down with luggage, and people with injuries. In a town that prides itself on being a tourist Mecca, yet one that needs to diversify its base of visitors, improving accessibility makes economic sense. [Read more about the article: Are we measuring up? (Whistler, B.C.)...]


The WAI-ARIA Windows screen reader shootout

2009-07-02

Firefox 3.5 has been released, and now it’s time to take a look at what features of WAI-ARIA are being supported by which Windows screen reader. Competition is healthy in this market, and two new screen readers have started supporting Firefox during the 3.5 development cycle: [Read more about the article: The WAI-ARIA Windows screen reader shootout...]


GW Micro - BookSense

2009-07-02

The new portable digital audio book player, BookSense, allows people to access information for education, information, and entertainment. Students can access school textbooks, people in the workplace can stay current with journals or business magazines, and anyone can enjoy newspapers, favorite novels, a bestseller, and even their favorite music. It plays audio files, DAISY content, and read documents. The media player supports a variety of formats, such as MP3, MP4, OGG, WAV, WAX, M4A, and WMA [Read more about the article: GW Micro - BookSense...]


13th World Conference of the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment

2009-07-01

August 2010, Jomtien, Thailand: Achieving Education for all Children with Visual Impairment: Strategies and Challenges [Read more about the article: 13th World Conference of the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment...]


More employment for persons with disabilities: EASPD agrees on Thessaloniki Declaration

2009-06-30

On 11-12 June, the EASPD conference on the theme of “Bringing people to work” took place in Thessaloniki, Greece. More than 150 interested sector leaders, EASPD members and persons with disabilities attended the conference and discussed strategies on how to include persons with disabilities into the labour market and how social service providers can contribute to this process. On this occasion, EASPD agreed on an initiative underlining its commitment to adapt to the challenges of the financial crisis and the 21st century: the EASPD Thessaloniki Declaration. The Thessaloniki Declaration will be launched in September 2009 in the European Parliament. [Read more about the article: More employment for persons with disabilities: EASPD agrees on Thessaloniki Declaration...]


European legal specialists debate the issue of legal capacity (.doc)

2009-06-30

The European Disability Forum (EDF) and the European Consortium of Foundations on Human Rights and Disability jointly organised a symposium on the legal capacity of persons with disabilities in light of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The symposium, held at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in Brussels on 4 June 2009, was attended by more than 100 specialists, including for the first time legal experts (from the Council of the Notariats of the European Union), representatives from the EU institutions (Commission, Council and Parliament), as well as from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working to defend the human rights of persons with disabilities. (Under Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Right of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the signatory parties are obliged to ensure equal recognition before the law of persons with disabilities.) [Read more about the article: European legal specialists debate the issue of legal capacity (.doc)...]


FIRST DEAF PERSON ELECTED AS A MEMBER OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

2009-06-30

EDF is pleased for the first ever Deaf person and Sign Language user elected to the European Parliament. According to EUD website, Ádám Kósa won his seat in the European Parliament as his party FIDESZ secured 56.37% of the votes nationally in Hungary. Through that percentage of votes, FIDESZ won 14 seats for the European Parliament and Ádám Kósa was 12th in the list. [Read more about the article: FIRST DEAF PERSON ELECTED AS A MEMBER OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT...]


Happy Birthday, Helen Keller, Blind and Deaf Author and Activist

2009-06-30

Helen Keller lost her vision and hearing before age 2. But with help from her tutor, Anne Sullivan, Keller learned how to speak, read and write. She graduated magna cum laude from Radcliffe College and fought tirelessly for the blind throughout her lifetime. She was also a passionate socialist and suffragette. [Read more about the article: Happy Birthday, Helen Keller, Blind and Deaf Author and Activist...]


Indias silent village of deaf-mutes

2009-06-30

Silence reigns in the sleepy village of Dadhkai, nestled high up in the Himalayan mountains in northern India and where the majority of residents are either deaf or mute. Each of the 47 families in this village in Jammu and Kashmir state have a least one member who can neither hear nor speak. The first reported case dates back to 1931 and now the numbers have swelled to 82. [Read more about the article: Indias silent village of deaf-mutes...]


Improving Access, Care For People With Disabilities

2009-06-30

In collaboration with Boston's disability community and the Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL), Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) have begun a comprehensive and landmark effort to improve access and care for people with disabilities. The initiative was announced this morning at MGH where the presidents of both institutions -- the founding hospitals of Partners HealthCare - joined individuals with disabilities to present the new collaboration. [Read more about the article: Improving Access, Care For People With Disabilities...]


Technology helps deaf adviser expand practice

2009-06-30

Videoconferencing allows Louis Schwarz's Washington-area advisory firm to serve deaf clients face to face [Read more about the article: Technology helps deaf adviser expand practice ...]


Vietnamese American returns to homeland to help disabled

2009-06-30

Some wounds never heal. At age 15 in 1968, Do Van Du lost a leg and part of an arm while serving as a combat interpreter for the U.S. Special Forces near the Cambodian border. He moved to the United States in 1971 and became a successful software engineer and systems analyst. Then, seven years ago, Du returned to his homeland to help found a college-level program run by Catholic Relief Services to train disabled young people to be software engineers and tech workers — a first for Vietnam. [Read more about the article: Vietnamese American returns to homeland to help disabled...]


Bennett dumps disability portfolio (New Zealand)

2009-06-30

Prime Minister John Key has shifted the disability issues portfolio from Paula Bennett to Tariana Turia. Mr Key said Ms Bennett had asked for the change so she could better concentrate on her main portfolio of social development and employment. "There are big challenges in this portfolio, especially given the increasing workload on the Ministry of Social Development from unemployment," he said. [Read more about the article: Bennett dumps disability portfolio (New Zealand)...]


High Court Nominee Appears Favorable, Disability Advocates Say

2009-06-30

President Obama recently nominated Sonia Sotomayor to the US Supreme Court much to the delight of some groups, while to the chagrin of others. Disability advocates are encouraged by the nomination saying that the current appeals court judge’s rulings show an understanding of disability and the rights of people who have disabilities. “Based on our preliminary analysis of Judge Sotomayor’s extensive record on the bench, [Read more about the article: High Court Nominee Appears Favorable, Disability Advocates Say...]


Record Number of People With Disabilities Voted in 2008

2009-06-30

Increase Due to Help America Vote Act, According to Jim Dickson of AAPD. New numbers released show Americans with disabilities voted in record numbers in the 2008 presidential election, according to the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the country's largest cross-disability membership [Read more about the article: Record Number of People With Disabilities Voted in 2008 ...]


Teachers, Parents in Kansas should know about IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

2009-06-30

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the law that outlines rights and regulations for students with disabilities in the U.S. who require special education. Many parents are not aware of this helpful information when they begin their journey through special needs and the education system. But, what's even worse is that many teachers are not fully aware of the IDEA either. [Read more about the article: Teachers, Parents in Kansas should know about IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act...]


Study Finds More Problems Accommodating Senior Voters

2009-06-30

Newly-released results of a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) study on voting accessibility for the elderly and disabled has found that recent changes made as a result of earlier critiques of the system have increased the ability of polling places to meet the needs of impaired voters, but it’s simply not enough. The majority are still not fully accessible. [Read more about the article: Study Finds More Problems Accommodating Senior Voters...]


Right of access Justice not charity (Sri Lanka)

2009-06-30

In early July, millions of people in the country, including thousands of disabled soldiers, may get the hearing they have been waiting for, when the Supreme Court hears a Fundamental Human Rights petition brought before it. It will be the opportunity to ensure access with dignity, like everybody else, to the country’s public buildings and spaces, and thereby, assist them to integrate productively into society [Read more about the article: Right of access Justice not charity (Sri Lanka)...]


PROMISES, PROMISES: Polling places lack access

2009-06-30

Despite high-profile promises over the past 25 years, many disabled Americans still are unable to fully participate in their democracy. Advocates say they field complaints from around the country from disabled people who have problems getting into polling places or can't independently and privately cast their votes. T.K. Small, who doesn't have the use of his hands because of a neuromuscular disorder, said a 2002 law mandating access to voting for the disabled feels like a broken promise. [Read more about the article: PROMISES, PROMISES: Polling places lack access...]


Verizon Statement on Introduction of 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act

2009-06-30

Representative Edward Markey late Friday (June 26) introduced the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (HR 3101), which ensures that individuals with disabilities have access to emerging Internet protocol-based communications and video programming technologies in the 21st century. The following is a statement by Peter Davidson, Verizon senior vice president of federal government relations: [Read more about the article: Verizon Statement on Introduction of 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act...]


Legislation Ensures Inclusion of People With Disabilities in New Communications Technologies

2009-06-30

The Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT) is very pleased that Representative Edward Markey (D-MA) has introduced the "Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009" (H.R. 3101). The bill would modernize the Communications Act by ensuring that new Internet-enabled telephone and television services are accessible to and usable by people with disabilities, and closes existing gaps in federal laws governing telecommunications access. Jenifer Simpson, of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), said, "The time is now to safeguard an accessible communications future for people with disabilities as the nation embraces new broadband and Internet technologies. AAPD applauds Rep. Markey for his leadership. We look now to the Senate for similar leadership in addressing accessible communications technologies." [Read more about the article: Legislation Ensures Inclusion of People With Disabilities in New Communications Technologies...]


First time outside the National Capital Region (Philippines)

2009-06-30

The whole month of July, the Philippines celebrates the 31st National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Month. Launching activities shall be held in various venues in Naga City on July 1, 2009-- the first time that NDPR launching events are held outside the National Capital Region. [Read more about the article: First time outside the National Capital Region (Philippines)...]


Budgetary funds for persons with disability insignificant (Bangladesh, DPCR)

2009-06-30

There is a government school for visually impaired children at Muradpur in Chittagong. Some 80 visually impaired children, who study in this school, have very insignificant number of Braille books and find it difficult to complete even the primary level education. But from now on these children will be able to know much about their rights as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) has been published in Braille. [Read more about the article: Budgetary funds for persons with disability insignificant (Bangladesh, DPCR)...]


Rehabilitating disabled girls engaged in begging (Bangladesh)

2009-06-30

Sumi Akter is a girl with physical disability. Project staff of CSID, a NGO, found her begging on the traffic point of Bijoy Sharani, Mohammadpur in Dhaka. Everyday with her mother, she comes to the traffic point in the morning and stay till night. When CSID staff identified her, she was very much reluctant to talk to them. As the project staff went to visit her, they often had to return failing to talk to her. Her father is a day labourer and it is difficult for him to maintain his five member family. So, he sent Sumi on the street for begging. Sumi's family also tried to prevent her from talking to the project staff. [Read more about the article: Rehabilitating disabled girls engaged in begging (Bangladesh)...]


Church-run center helps disabled children avoid exploitation (Bangladesh)

2009-06-30

Children born disabled and poor in Bangladesh can be rejected by their families and fall prey to criminal syndicates that force them to beg on the streets in all weather. Such rackets can bring the masterminds wealth, but provide barely enough food and shelter to keep the young beggars alive. [Read more about the article: Church-run center helps disabled children avoid exploitation (Bangladesh)...]


Paralympic Photo Exhibition on Display (Germany)

2009-06-30

From 18 June to 19 August 2009, the photo exhibition "Spirit in Motion – A Paralympic Photo Exhibition" is on display in the foyer of the City Hall in Bonn, Germany. "Spirit in Motion", as it is presented there, includes 40 images from the Paralympic Games in Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Salt Lake City 2002, Athens 2004, Torino 2006 and Beijing 2008 taken by Lieven Coudenys, one of the official photographers of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). In this exhibition, Mr. Coudenys presents images of different Paralympic sports and of athletes with different disabilities. He not only gives an insight into Paralympic Sport, but at the same time depicts true sporting heroes. [Read more about the article: Paralympic Photo Exhibition on Display (Germany)...]


When can people with disabilities make their own decisions?

2009-06-30

The European Disability Forum (EDF) and the European Consortium of Foundations on Human Rights and Disability jointly organised a symposium on the legal capacity of persons with disabilities in light of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The symposium, held at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in Brussels on 4 June 2009, was attended by more than 100 specialists, including for the first time legal experts (from the Council of the Notariats of the European Union), representatives from the EU institutions (Commission, Council and Parliament), as well as from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working to defend the human rights of persons with disabilities. [Read more about the article: When can people with disabilities make their own decisions?...]


Fate in fly sensory organ precursor cells could explain human immune disorder

2009-06-30

In an article that appears in the current issue of Nature Cell Biology, researchers at Baylor College of Medicine report that a new finding about the Notch signaling pathway in sensory organ precursor cells in the fruit fly could explain the mystery behind an immunological disorder called Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome... Funding for this work came from the BCM Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Center (http://mrrc.bcm.tmc.edu/) and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. [Read more about the article: Fate in fly sensory organ precursor cells could explain human immune disorder...]


Multimodal services from TravellingWave and Carnie Mellon University

2009-06-30

VoicePredict? This is special technology for the elderly and disabled. How? Basically this service combines the TravellingWave speech and text technology so users can switch between keyboard input and speech output. Because you can speak and or type it means that you are guaranteed more accurate results. [Read more about the article: Multimodal services from TravellingWave and Carnie Mellon University...]


Paraplegics will Stand, Walk and Climb Stairs Using Life-Changing Assistive Device

2009-06-30

The first female clinical trials patient and an experienced male user and soldier from Israel will demonstrate going from a wheelchair to performing ambulatory functions using the ReWalk suit. ReWalk is the first commercially viable upright device that enables wheelchair users to stand, walk, and climb stairs. ReWalk can be used by people with spinal cord injury-related disabilities and eventually by others with brain injury, stroke and other conditions that produce severe walking impairments. [Read more about the article: Paraplegics will Stand, Walk and Climb Stairs Using Life-Changing Assistive Device...]


Council of Europe: The right to housing is essential in a democratic society says Commissioner Hammarberg

2009-06-30

Among those facing major difficulties are Roma and Travellers, victims of domestic violence, people with disabilities, refugees, migrants, internally displaced persons, tenants without security, certain national minorities and other discriminated groups, as well as people on the lowest parts of the labour market.” The Commissioner stresses that the international obligations on the right to housing must be recognised in appropriate ways in domestic law. “Remedies or means of redress must be available to individuals or groups aggrieved by the denial of housing rights.” Furthermore, Commissioner Hammarberg calls for [Read more about the article: Council of Europe: The right to housing is essential in a democratic society says Commissioner Hammarberg...]


Landmark Case: A Decade After Olmstead, Progress Slow on Disability Rights

2009-06-30

May 1995: Federal lawsuit filed on behalf of Lois Curtis against Tommy Olmstead, commissioner of human services in Georgia. January 1996: Elaine Wilson joins the case. March 1997: U.S. District court rules in favor of Curtis and Wilson, finding that “unnecessary segregation of people with disabilities is discrimination.” State of Georgia appeals. November 1997: [Read more about the article: Landmark Case: A Decade After Olmstead, Progress Slow on Disability Rights...]


How Kenilworth woman Gill overcame her disability to become a roving reporter (UK)

2009-06-30

For many years Gill Bridge spent her days at home in Kenilworth with her mother, unable to get out and about. The 54-year-old suffered from Raynaud's Syndrome, which can cause the hands and feet to swell up in hot or cold weather, but her physical problems were also due to her own self-perception. It was only when she started to have help from Way Ahead Support Services for people with learning disabilities that things began to change [Read more about the article: How Kenilworth woman Gill overcame her disability to become a roving reporter (UK)...]


River & Rowing Museum recognised for accessibility (UK)

2009-06-30

The River & Rowing Museum is one of only four Oxfordshire attractions to secure a place in the Rough Guide to Accessible Britain – which shows the best places across the country for disabled people to visit. The inclusion rewards the Museum’s ongoing work offering a fully accessible, fun day out for all the family. [Read more about the article: River & Rowing Museum recognised for accessibility (UK)...]


Concern housing plan forgets disabled people (Australia)

2009-06-30

There is concern disabled people on the New South Wales mid-north coast will miss out on accommodation under the State Government's social housing plan. Almost 10,000 homes will be built under the Federal Government's Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan. The State Opposition's spokesman for disability services, Andrew Constance, says there is no indication people with disability have been considered. [Read more about the article: Concern housing plan forgets disabled people (Australia)...]


Modern technologies help people with disability (Australia)

2009-06-30

Telstra, in conjunction with the Telecommunications Journal of Australia (TJA) and the Hon Bill Shorten MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services, today launched the Telstra-TJA Christopher Newell Prize for Telecommunications and Disability. This new prize of $20 000 will be awarded for the best original paper offered for publication by TJA that demonstrates the tangible benefits that an innovative use of telecommunications technology can deliver in assisting individuals with disabilities. [Read more about the article: Modern technologies help people with disability (Australia)...]


Umpires overcome disabilities to officiate in GDFL (Australia)

2009-06-30

A team of disabled umpires will officiate in Geelong and District Football League’s under-18s clash between Inverleigh and Bannockburn on Saturday. Geelong Football Umpires League Chairman Brendan Beveridge said the initiative was designed to break down the barriers between disabled and able-bodied umpires. [Read more about the article: Umpires overcome disabilities to officiate in GDFL (Australia)...]


Postcard of a painting

2009-06-30

Yesterday I received notification of publication of a Web Accessibility Special Issue of the Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology journal... Copyright reasons prevent me from replicating the work published in the journal. So instead I’ve provided a brief overview of each of the papers that appear, with a link to the page where you can access a copy of the full paper. [Read more about the article: Postcard of a painting...]


The Accessible iPhone 3GS

2009-06-30

When the iPhone 3GS was announced on the 8th of June there was much excitement in the accessibility world. The new iPhone would sport significant accessibility features, including a built in screen reader, and these features were announced on stage at MacWorld alongside the “regular” features. That’s a great boost for the profile of accessibility in general, which is always a good thing. Accessibility features for the iPhone 3GS include: [Read more about the article: The Accessible iPhone 3GS ...]

July 03, 2009