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A UK committee report highlights that businesses need to consider accessibility for disabled customers right from the beginning of product and service design. The report stresses that accessibility should be standard across things like websites, product packaging, and financial services, making them usable for everyone. The committee is pushing for government regulations to require accessibility in private businesses, similar to current public sector requirements. This would ensure products and services are inclusive, making daily life easier for disabled individuals across the UK.

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Businesses must consider disabled customers ‘from the outset’ – MPs

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MPs have called for accessible product design, including for bank cards and websites, to empower disabled consumers ‘by default’.

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Last April, Walt Disney World, one of the most magical, majestic, and nostalgic childhood and adulthood theme parks made some important changes to their theme park to help accommodate visitors with developmental disabilities, autism, and more. This allows visitors to request their times for their ride in advance so they can avoid waiting in line which is very difficult for people with disabilities or people who need extra care. They are able to speak to Disney' employees from their accessibility team before they leave on their trip to help them have a smooth sailing time. Their commitment to making Disney a place for everyone to enjoy shows through their constant engagement with all their customers and always looking for a way to better campus.

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Disney is overhauling its disability access policies after seeing an explosion in abuse of a program meant to accommodate visitors with autism and other developmental disabilities.

The company said that it will implement new procedures soon at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort to ensure that people with disabilities are receiving the accommodations most appropriate for their needs.

The update comes as Disney said that its Disability Access Service, or DAS, program has become the most widely-requested service at its parks, with usage tripling in the past five years alone.

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The Disability Access Service allows visitors with disabilities to request return times for one attraction at a time in order to avoid physically waiting in line. Disney says that the program, which was introduced in 2013 to curb misuse of its previous system, is intended for those who "due to a developmental disability like autism or similar, are unable to wait in a conventional queue for an extended period of time."

However, the company now says that use of the Disability Access Service far exceeds the population for which it was intended meaning that people who legitimately need accommodations are having to wait longer and officials are laying out new steps to rein things in.

Disney is adding cast members and investing in specialized training to help people with disabilities understand and identify accommodations based on their needs. In addition, the company is working with Inspire Health Alliance which will provide certified health professionals trained in psychology or behavioral health to help Disney cast members determine if individuals qualify for the Disability Access Service program. Eligibility will be based on personalized conversations centered on questions about an individual's needs.

Guests who do not qualify for the Disability Access Service program may be advised to use other accommodations like the line-return option for those who need to visit the restroom frequently or wheelchair access and location return times for individuals using mobility devices, Disney said.

To seek approval for the Disability Access Service program under the updated approach, visitors are encouraged to use Disney's virtual video chat system to speak with a member of the accessibility team about their needs prior to arriving at Disneyland or Disney World. Alternatively, guests can have this conversation in person at Disneyland by visiting the designated windows at the esplanade between the main entrances. At Disney World, guests can do a virtual chat on-site.

Disney is extending the length of time that enrollment in the Disability Access Service program is valid for from 60 to 120 days. At the same time, the program will be limited to the immediate family of the person who qualifies for the Disability Access Service or up to four people.

"If it is determined that any of the statements a guest made in the process of obtaining DAS are not true, the guest will be permanently barred from entering the Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort, and any previously purchased Annual Passes, Magic Key passes, tickets and other park products and services will be forfeited and not refunded," Disney says on its website.

The new policies will take effect May 20 at Disney World and June 18 at Disneyland.

Disney is not the only theme park company to make changes to its disability access policies in recent times.

Last year, Universal Studios started requiring visitors seeking disability accommodations to apply for an Individual Accessibility Card prior to visiting its parks in Florida and California. To receive the card, which is issued by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, or IBCCES, people with disabilities must submit a photograph and documentation from a medical provider, government entity or education professional detailing the type of accommodations requested.

Disney officials said they considered partnering with several third parties for its access card, but decided against those options because many of them required visitors to plan in advance and provide records or documentation.

"Disney is dedicated to providing a great experience for all guests, including those with disabilities, which is why we are so committed to delivering a wide range of innovative support services aimed at helping our guests with disabilities have a wonderful time when visiting our theme parks," a Disney spokesperson said.

Read more stories like this one. Sign up for Disability Scoop's free email newsletter to get the latest developmental disability news sent straight to your inbox.

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Disney Revamping Disability Access Policies At Theme Parks

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Disney is overhauling its disability access policies after seeing an explosion in abuse of a program meant to accommodate visitors with autism and other developmental disabilities.

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The "My Own Voice" by Acapela Group is an innovative technology that allows individuals with speech impairments to create a digital version of their own voice. This is especially beneficial for those who are at risk of losing their ability to speak due to conditions like ALS or other degenerative diseases. This device works by recording their voice while they are still able, users can continue to communicate using a voice that sounds like their own, even as their condition progresses. This technology provides a highly personalized and emotionally comforting tool for effective communication.

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My-own-voice gives natural voices to those with ALS, CP

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This project is working to restore over 108 blocks of sidewalk. As it states in the article, this project aims to improve sidewalk accessibility for people using strollers, wheelchairs, and other forms of mobility aid. Today, the sidewalks have become safety hazards for those with mobility limitations due to overgrown tree roots and outdated design. In other words, with this project, the sidewalks of the famous Central Park will soon be friendly for all users.

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Central Park Sidewalk Restoration Project Balances Accessibility, Preservation

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The original tile and brick sidewalks now pose safety hazards and don’t fully serve modern accessibility and mobility needs.

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A current event is that Apple’s Vision Pro headset could benefit disabled users. These mixed-reality glasses were  designed for entertainment and productivity. However they also have potential to enhance accessibility for people with mobility and sensory disabilities. The Vision Pro uses eye tracking, voice commands, and gesture controls, which can make it easier for individuals with limited mobility to interact with the technology. People with disabilities would be able to access photos, videos, and practically do anything you would do on your phone by just using the headset. In addition,  those who can’t use traditional input devices to interact with technology can use this.  Its hands-free features provide independence for people making it a valuable tool for accessibility.

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The headset is already changing disabled users’ lives.

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The article is about a case before the U.S. Supreme Court involving hotel accessibility. Its main focus is how businesses disclose accessibility information online. Many hotels provide insufficient or misleading details about their accessibility features. This causes a big issue for people with disabilities. The case highlights the importance of transparency under the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure people can make their best choices when booking accommodations online. This reflects a much broader issue in enforcing accessibility standards.

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As a wheelchair user with multiple disabilities, travel is unpredictable at best and completely inaccessible at worst. In order to book my trips, I have to trust the accuracy of the websites run by hotels, airlines, car rental companies, and more to learn whether I can use their services (i.e., have the honor of paying them my hard-earned money.) The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires hotels to include enough of their accessibility features on their website that a person with a disability can judge whether their hotel would be safe and usable. Unfortunately, the features they include are often incomplete or inaccurate.

Hotels rarely identify what types of accommodations are available in their "accessible" rooms. At times, I will arrive to find my room is accessible for someone with an auditory disability, but not for a mobility disability like mine. While not necessary for me, having a visual or tactile fire alarm in their room could be the difference between life and death in an emergency for someone with an auditory disability. Hotels often take a kitchen sink approach to accessibility, throwing in a visual accommodation here and a mobility accommodation there, but failing to provide full accessibility to either group. This overlooks the point of accessibility, effectively making the room useless to many disabled travelers.

This "too little, too late" approach applies across the board with hotel accommodations. On three of my recent trips, I found that the shower in my room did not have a bench to transfer onto. Hotels ought to have shower chairs available in these scenarios; frequently, they do not, leaving me no choice but to lay or sit on the floor of a shower to clean myself. My friend Michelle, who uses a wheelchair, can't shower at all in these situations. On three of five recent trips, Michelle has found herself assigned to an inaccessible room despite booking an accessible one. Even in "accessible" rooms, beds may be too high for people to transfer out of their wheelchairs safely, leaving some travelers to sleep in their wheelchairs.

My friend Alex, who also uses a wheelchair, shared that she must rely on her husband every time she travels to fill in gaps in hotel accessibility, from assistance transferring to navigating the room itself. Furniture regularly crowds hotel rooms in a way that leaves little room to maneuver a wheelchair, scooter, or walker. When we have to ask the hotel to remove some of this furniture, it can result in the removal of the very amenities we paid for - a desk to work remotely, for example. Unreliable accessibility makes it challenging or impossible for people with disabilities to travel independently; we simply do not know what lies on the other side of the door, forcing us to plan ahead and rely on others in anticipation of barriers.

The law only requires hotels to make a small percentage of their rooms accessible, compounding the problems disabled travelers face. Twice in the last year, I have arrived at a hotel only to be told that, despite having paid for early check-in, I would have to wait several hours in the lobby for the room's current resident to depart. When pressed, it became apparent that it was the only accessible room available in the hotel, leaving me no choice but to wait. This problem often occurs because hotels will assign non-disabled patrons to their very limited number of accessible rooms to maximize profits - at the expense of disabled patrons' access.

The upcoming Supreme Court case Acheson Hotels v. Laufer illustrates how hotels often fail travelers with disabilities, and offers an opportunity to solidify our right to hold hotels and other public accommodations accountable for these failures. Deborah Laufer, a person with disabilities, sued Acheson Hotels, LLC for failing to make clear whether the hotel was accessible on their website as required by the ADA. Now, the issue before the Supreme Court is whether Laufer can sue Acheson even though she has not visited their hotels and is not likely to. She is what many call a civil rights "tester." Being a tester in civil rights cases is an honored and necessary role. It has evolved over the years, from Black patrons trying to enter a "whites only" waiting room, to women applying for typically male jobs, to families applying to "singles only" housing. In each case, the "tester" has no intention of taking the job or renting the housing - but, as a member of the class of people facing discrimination, can go to court to enforce civil rights laws.

As we outlined in a friend-of-the-court brief filed last week in the case, as a person with disabilities, Laufer is harmed, like any traveler with a disability, by Acheson's failure to provide equal access to its accommodations. Laufer has every right to assert disabled people's right to access knowledge of accessibility features; without it, how can we make informed decisions about where we will stay? How do we know the rooms will preserve our dignity by not leaving us to sit on the floor of showers or sleep in our wheelchairs? Allowing "testers" like Laufer to bring suit is a necessary component of enforcing disability law and promoting broad compliance with the ADA.

Travel may be a luxury, but accessibility is a necessity and a right. Until we make accessibility features widely and consistently available, travelers with disabilities will continue to face barriers and indignities where our non-disabled peers do not.

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Hotel Accessibility Reaches the Supreme Court | ACLU

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When a hotel fails to provide accessibility features on its website, prospective guests with disabilities can't know if it is safe and usable. This is discrimination.

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The article discusses recent developments in making air travel more accessible for passengers with disabilities. Airlines are introducing several improvements, new seating options that accommodate wheelchair users, Braille signage for blind passengers, and search filters to help people find flights that can safely transport their mobility devices. Delta Airlines  is working on a revolutionary seat design that will allow passengers to remain in their wheelchairs during flights, eliminating the need for uncomfortable transfers. United Airlines has added Braille signage to its fleet to make navigating the cabin easier for blind passengers. They also offer a new tool to help wheelchair users find flights that can accommodate their devices.

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Flying Is Becoming More Accessible For Passengers With Disabilities

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Airlines and advocacy groups have been working to make air travel more accessible for disabled passengers.

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Apple has done what they can to solidify themselves as the most accessible phone on the market. They have mixed creativity and technology to make there phones easier to use for more people. In there new IOS 18 update, they added a variety of impressive features. One of the features is eye tracking. As the name suggest, Eye tracking follows the eyes to control the phone. This is particularly helpful for people with physical disabilities but also has the potential to be helpful for people who want to use there devices hands free. Music haptics are another new feature that translates music into vibrations for those who are hard of hearing or deaf. There were also significant updates to the voice recognition software, which improves communication in general.

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A First Look at Apple’s New Accessibility Features in iOS 18

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Learn about the game-changing new accessibility features in iOS 18. Explore how Apple is transforming device interaction for all users.

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This article about Covid 19 pandemic exposure the significant health in qualities for people with disabilities who are faced with greater barriers to health care services. Many of the experienced disruptions to routine disability-related care, really challenges in accessing COVID 19 information in accessible formats and economic strain from the higher cost of private health insurance. This shows that there is a need for more inclusive health systems and highlights some solutions such as telemedicine that has helped mitigate these challenges. This underscores the importance of designing a accessible healthcare system especially during a crises to ensure that needs of people with disabilities are met.

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Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with disabilities and implications for health services research - PMC

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The COVID-19 pandemic significantly constrained health systems worldwide, exposing and exacerbating multi-layered health inequities. People with disabilities, about 16% of the global population, often experience worse health outcomes than people without disabilities due to multiple barriers to accessing health care.1 These inequalities have been particularly exposed during the pandemic, indicating a pressing need to strengthen health systems so that they are inclusive and responsive to the needs of people with disabilities including during crises.

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Around the world, there are over 2.5 billion people who would benefit from assistive products such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, and more. Sadly, there are over 1 billion people in low-income countries who do not have access to the assistive tools they need. One of the most intriguing stats throughout the article references the disparity between high and low-income countries. Low-income countries only provide about 3% of the assistive tools that are needed, while high-income countries are closer to 90%. There is a very compelling 10-step list at the bottom of the article that I would encourage everybody to read. Overall, there are way too many individuals with disabilities who do not have access to the tools they need. We can make great progress as a country by supporting lower-income countries with the funding necessary to benefit their citizens.

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A new reportpublished today by WHO and UNICEF reveals that more than 2.5 billion people need one or more assistive products, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, or apps that support communication and cognition. Yet nearly one billion of them are denied access, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where access can be as low as 3% of the need for these life-changing products.

The Global Report on Assistive Technology presents evidence for the first time on the global need for and access to assistive products and provides a series of recommendations to expand availability and access, raise awareness of the need, and implement inclusion policies to improve the lives of millions of people.

"Assistive technology is a life changer - it opens the door to education for children with impairments, employment and social interaction for adults living with disabilities, and an independent life of dignity for older persons," said WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. "Denying people access to these life-changing tools is not only an infringement of human rights, it's economically shortsighted. We call on all countries to fund and prioritize access to assistive technology and give everyone a chance to live up to their potential."

"Nearly 240 million children have disabilities. Denying children the right to the products they need to thrive doesn't only harm individual children, it deprives families and their communities of everything they could contribute if their needs were met," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. "Without access to assistive technology, children with disabilities will continue to miss out on their education, continue to be at a greater risk of child labor and continue to be subjected to stigma and discrimination, undermining their confidence and wellbeing."

The report notes that the number of people in need of one or more assistive products is likely to rise to 3.5 billion by 2050, due to populations ageing and the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases rising across the world. The report also highlights the vast gap in access between low- and high-income countries. An analysis of 35 countries reveals that access varies from 3% in poorer nations to 90% in wealthy countries.

Affordability is a major barrier to access, the report notes. Around two thirds of people with assistive products reported out-of-pocket payments for them. Others reported relying on family and friends to financially support their needs.

A survey of 70 countries featured in the report found large gaps in service provision and trained workforce for assistive technology, especially in the domains of cognition, communication and self-care. Previous surveys published by WHO note a lack of awareness and unaffordable prices, lack of services, inadequate product quality, range and quantity, and procurement and supply chain challenges as key barriers.

Assistive products are generally considered a means to participate in community life and in wider society on an equal footing with others; without them, people suffer exclusion, are at risk of isolation, live in poverty, may face hunger, and be forced to depend more on family, community and government support.

The positive impact of assistive products goes beyond improving the health, well-being, participation and inclusion of individual users - families and societies also benefit. For example, enlarging access to quality-assured, safe and affordable assistive products leads to reduced health and welfare costs, such as recurrent hospital admissions or state benefits, and promotes a more productive labour force, indirectly stimulating economic growth.

Access to assistive technology for children with disabilities is often the first step for childhood development, access to education, participation in sports and civic life, and getting ready for employment like their peers. Children with disabilities have additional challenges due to their growth, which requires frequent adjustments or replacements of their assistive products.

The report makes recommendations for concrete action to improve access, including:

1. Improve access within education, health and social care systems

2. Ensure availability, safety, effectiveness and affordability of assistive products

3. Enlarge, diversify and improve workforce capacity

4. Actively involve users of assistive technology and their families

5. Increase public awareness and combat stigma

6. Invest in data and evidence-based policy

7. Invest in research, innovation, and an enabling ecosystem

8. Develop and invest in enabling environments

9. Include assistive technology in humanitarian responses

10. 10.Provide technical and economic assistance through international cooperation to support national efforts.

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Note to Editors:
Assistive technology is an umbrella term for assistive products and their related systems and services. Assistive products can enhance performance in all key functional domains such as mobility, hearing, self-care, vision, cognition and communication. They may be physical products, such as wheelchairs, prosthetics or spectacles, or digital software and apps. They may also be adaptations to the physical environment, for example portable ramps or grab-rails.

People in need assistive technology include people with disability, older people, people with communicable and noncommunicable diseases including neglected tropical diseases, people with mental health conditions, people with gradual functional decline or loss of intrinsic capacity and many people affected by humanitarian crises.

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Almost one billion children and adults with disabilities and older persons in need of assistive technology denied access, according to new report

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A new reportpublished today by WHO and UNICEF reveals that more than 2.5 billion people need one or more assistive products, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, or apps that support communication and cognition. Yet nearly one billion of them are denied access, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where access can be as low as 3% of the need for these life-changing products.

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This article discuss how traveling can be of concern for those who have mobility issues. Especially in towns where not everyone has adapted or accounted for the possibility of having travelers who may or may not have disabilities. The writer focuses mainly on her experiences and the challenges her husband faces on trips. For example, last fall Eric and Jill visited several towns on the North Carolina coast with members from their Parkinson’s community. They were able to find a local beach house that had an elevator inside that allowed those staying there with Parkinson to be able to climb multiple stores, help with groceries, coolers, and suitcases. This made them feel included within the trip by being able to help out the others who do not face disabilities. Even though this particular house was able to accommodate to those who aren’t as fortunate as others, during one of there day trips, the town they were in did not adopt an ADA transition plan. This made Eric’s experience rather difficult as he was having to use his roller during the trip and moving around within the town presented several challenges for him. The owners could easily fix these issues by cleaning up entrances and making doorways and exits much more accessible for those who face walking impairments. The minimum requirement within retail stores in 36 inch and clutter free, which these stores were not abiding by these rules. ADA sets these particular requirements across different establishments in order to make all of those feel welcome. When these establishments do not abide by these regulations in rules, it creates a very exclusive environment which should not be the case.

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Accessibility is a necessity for those with mobility issues

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While traveling with her husband, Eric, who has Parkinson’s disease, columnist Jill Hammergren has encountered numerous accessibility issues.

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Tons of Americans are having trouble finding affordable pricing for houses and apartments, and it is even more troublesome for people with disabilities. While normal houses and apartments are already expensive, it is even more expensive/hard to find housing that accommodates people with disabilities. There are people that are finally able to find some sort of housing accommodations, but then everything in the house/apartment is inaccessible. Prices are getting so high that even people that get Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is a monthly benefit program that many people with disabilities rely on, cannot afford their rent. Overall, there is a housing crisis, and it is even tougher for people that have disabilities.

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Just off a light rail station stop in San Jose, California, a new apartment building offers an alternative.

The Kelsey Ayer Station is home to people with and without disabilities across various income levels.

Micaela Connery, Co-Founder and CEO, The Kelsey: Whether you're a person with disabilities, who SSI is your sole source of income and you have almost no money to pay rent, or you're middle-income making $100,000 a year, that this community meets that diverse level of affordability.

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People with disabilities face extra hurdles amid national housing shortage

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Millions of Americans are priced out of homes and apartments. For people with disabilities, finding an accessible place they can afford can be even more challenging. Judy Woodruff reports on the affordable housing shortage for our series, Disability Reframed.

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The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) released a report in July 2023 focusing on the voting accessibility issues faced by individuals with disabilities during the 2022 midterm elections. While voter turnout among citizens with disabilities increased slightly, they continued to encounter significantly more difficulties than non-disabled voters. For example, 20% of disabled voters experienced problems voting in person, compared to only 6% of non-disabled voters. Many of these challenges stem from inaccessible polling locations and insufficient poll worker training on the use of accessible voting equipment. The EAC stressed the need for continuous improvement in making elections accessible, advocating for better poll worker education and accessible tools to ensure independent voting for everyone

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New Study Examines Accessibility of Elections for Americans with Disabilities | U.S. Election Assistance Commission

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U.S. Election Assistance Commission Releases “Disability and Voting Accessibility in the 2022 Elections,” Conducted in Partnership with Rutgers University WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S.

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This article discusses construction of a new hotel in San Antonio, Texas. The big take away from this article is that this new construction is accommodating anybody with or without disabilities across all ages. The company in discussion, "Morgan's Hotel" has high hopes of success for its own business as well as aid motivation for other hotel companies to adopt Morgan's values in taking first priority in individuals with disabilities. This hotel is projected to be ready to host individuals sometime in 2026. What I think is so special about this new construction is that Morgan's Hotel is an early adopter for accommodating all types of individuals and has the potential of changing the narrative and setting the, hopefully, new standard of how hotels should be designed.

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Revolutionary Morgan's Hotel™ To Pioneer Ultra-Accommodations in the Hospitality Industry - Morgan's Wonderland

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For More Information: Leslie Mouton (210) 286-1795 or Lmouton@Morgans.org; Mary Martinez Worth (830) 860-0090 or Mary@Morgans.org San Antonio, TX - Branded an Ultra-Accommodating™ Hotel, Morgan's Hotel™ to be built near world-renowned Morgan's Wonderland theme park in San Antonio will go beyond regular ADA requirements to provide a thoughtful stay for visitors of all ages and ...

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AI is helping expand accessibility for people with disabilities

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AI is starting to help people with non-standard speech. Voiceitt is an accessible speech recognition technology company that uses AI and machine learning to assist people with speech impairments. It is designed to recognize non-standard speech patterns, which is particularly helpful for individuals with cerebral palsy, Parkinson's disease, and down syndrome. This technology can also transcribe speech into text and share it to social media. AI is also working to assist people with vision impairments. AI-powered imaging tools have the potential to convert visual data into various kinds of interpretable formats. Tools are designed to automatically decipher visual cues and convert them into text and audio-based responses. AI is also redefining hearing. AI-assisted hearing tools have allowed individuals with compromised hearing to obtain live captions, audio and video content transcripts. As AI grows and creates new technologies, people with disabilities will be able to explore this space to enhance their lives.

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This article explains how uber is making changes to make the use of the app for riders more accessible. The article explains that uber will be offering a way to identify yourself as blind or deaf on the app so that the driver can communicate with you in the most effective way possible. It also explains how uber will be educating its drivers on the use of service animals and that they cannot deny a ride from someone due to their service animal. This shows a big step forward from uber in their efforts to make sure that they provide a service that can be used by all people. This is helping people with disabilities to have more access to means of transportation and hopefully improving and making their daily lives as normal as possible.

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Uber Launches Improvements To Boost Accessibility

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Uber is rolling out new features to assist riders with disabilities and is adding training for drivers to help better accommodate them.

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This article focuses on the United Spinal Association's initiatives to make air travel more accessible for people with disabilities. They are partnering with airlines, particularly United Airlines, to improve travel experiences for those with disabilities. By collaborating with organizations like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Airlines for America (A4A), they are pushing for improvements in accessibility and safety measures and advocating for the adoption of new technologies and policies to ensure dignified and safe travel for wheelchair users and other individuals with disabilities. This includes updates to booking software that allows passengers to choose flights based on whether the wheelchair will fit through the cargo door. United Airlines is also testing better ways to handle situations when wheelchairs are damaged during transit. Key goals include advocating for accessible bathrooms, enhancing airline staff training, and encouraging regulatory updates to improve experiences for wheelchair users. These efforts aim to tackle long-standing challenges and make air travel more inclusive for all passengers. The advocacy efforts of United Spinal's members have led to significant legislative advancements, including the Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights, which clarifies the rights of disabled travelers under the Air Carrier Access Act. The U.S. Department of Transportation is also considering new rules to make boarding and exiting planes safer and to ensure wheelchairs are returned in the same condition they were checked in. These efforts to improve air travel for people with disabilities are highly relevant to what we have learned about everyday mobility and accessibility and reflect the broader efforts to create a more inclusive society where people with disabilities can more freely and with dignity in all aspects of life.

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We’re forging new partnerships to make flying dignified and safe

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United Spinal Association is forging partnerships with policymakers, airlines, and other key stakeholders to make convenient and safe flying for people with disabilities possible.

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After watching the video on architecture and its effects on deaf people, I was interested into how college campuses around the US are hearing out students with accessibility/mobility issues and making changes. Upon research, I found this article from Tulane University which gives first hand accounts from disabled students about the state of the campus. The article navigates some of their complaints which include the state of some of the ramps as well as some of the buildings not even having ramps or elevators. I found it shocking that some of the buildings have neither ramps nor elevators, as this completely disregards the disabled community on campus. Other buildings had a ramp to enter, but no elevator once inside. Students also gave accounts of how they were not only restricted from getting to class, but also restricted from hanging out with their friends because of the lack of infrastructure, making them feel disconnected from not only their life as a student but also their social life. For something that should go without thinking for most, disabled people can find it difficult sometimes to do these simple things. However, the article also highlights some improvements around campus. These improvements include new dormitories with more accessibility. Students were also happy with how professors and staff responded to their accessibility needs. From this article, I got insight into how simple things for most people can be challenging for individuals with disabilities. This article emphasizes the importance for universities to make this community feel seen and offer more support for their mobility and accessibility.

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Disabled students see challenges, improvements at Tulane • The Tulane Hullabaloo

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Tulane University, like many historic colleges, initially designed their campuses with only able-bodied students in mind, posing challenges for future students who use mobility aids such as wheelchairs and scooters. Tulane’s Goldman Center for Student Accessibility and the Office for Campus Accessibility aim to change that narrative. According to the Goldman Center’s website, they “seek to eliminate barriers, advocate for inclusion, and ensure access for every member of our community.”

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This article aligns with the unit's focus on mobility and accessibility, as it showcases how changed such as accessible drop off zones at the US Capitol support the principle of universal design. The article highlights the ongoing efforts to remove physical barriers, and install automatic doors, reflecting many of the principals of the ADA. Jim Langevin's experience as the first quadriplegic congressman, along with advocacy from fellow lawmakers speaks on the real-world impacts of accessibility challenges and the importance of inclusive desing. These improvements don't just help those with disabilities, but also the enhancements benefit everyone. Being such an important building and location for the nation, it is ever so important and impactful that the nation's capital is making the necessary improvements they can to improve everyday accessibility for all members of the nation.

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New ADA drop-off zones are coming to the Capitol, but barriers remain - Roll Call

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“With all the security barriers, it’s not easy to get picked up and dropped off at the Capitol campus,” said former Rep. Jim Langevin.

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A holistic approach to empowering lives: how AI redefines the accessibility landscape for people with disabilities.

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Most people are aware of the booming nature of the AI industry. AI is making strides in so many aspects of our lives and doing big things for the tech industry. This article highlights how AI is transforming accessibility for people with disabilities by improving communication, vision, hearing, and mobility. AI tools like Voiceitt help individuals with speech impairments by recognizing non-standard speech patterns. Other AI-powered systems convert visual data into text or audio for those with vision impairments and provide real-time transcriptions of conversations, making communication more accessible for those with hearing loss. The list of AI helping tools goes on and on. The article also highlights challenges, particularly around the privacy concerns associated with processing sensitive health data and the high costs of developing personalized AI tools. AI is transforming accessibility and mobility and this is only the beginning of its impact on improving quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

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When researching and learning about accessibility issues, it became evident that many college campuses aren't as accessible as one would think. This got me thinking about my own apartment and the campus of UGA. At my apartment, there are no elevators or ramps. The only way in or out is through the use of stairs. My grandpa has accessibility issues and isn’t able to come over to my apartment because he cannot get up the stairs. Not one singular person who can’t use stairs is able to live in the complex. In the article I found, it talks about multiple students struggling on their college campus because it meets the bare minimum for accessibility rules. Broken elevators and vague braille signs have led multiple students to miss class/end up in the wrong lecture room. Not to mention, some classrooms are so small there isn’t proper accessible seating for students so some students end up feeling like they are sticking out in a sea of people just because they struggle with accessibility.

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Kyle Cox was on his way to class during an ice storm in January 2019 when an outdoor wheelchair elevator at Texas A&M University malfunctioned.

For 30 minutes, Cox, a graduate student, was trapped outside with sleet pelting him on an unseasonably frigid day in College Station. Building staff draped him in blankets and coats while they worked to free him from the handicap accessible lift designed to help disabled students access the building with ease.

By the time he had cleaned up and composed himself, class was over.

Cox, 24, of El Paso, Texas, who is pursuing a master's in public administration, is hearing impaired and has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which requires him to use a wheelchair.

While school officials work to make Texas A&M accessible to people with disabilities, Cox says he still faces challenges navigating the campus.

"Problems like this do happen on campus and I end up missing class or getting there late even when I leave sometimes up to an hour before class to give myself enough time to make it." he said.

The school said in a statement that it strives to be welcoming to people with disabilities, saying it works to be "proactive in addressing accessibility needs as well as to respond as quickly as possible when individuals report problems."

But Cox says there's more to be done. "Yes, there's an elevator for wheelchair users but it doesn't help if it's broken, or if paths are blocked, or if I'm sitting in the wheelchair seating in the back during a speech which I can't hear because of my hearing impairment."

This year marks 30 years since the Americans' with Disabilities Act was enacted and while significant strides have been made to accommodate students with disabilities at colleges and universities across the country, some students and disability advocates say the law doesn't go far enough to meet the needs of the disabled.

The number of college students with disabilities has steadily increased over the years, and now makes up a significant population of the national student body. Nearly 20 percent of undergraduates reported having a disability in 2016, and nearly 90 percent of colleges and universities reported enrolling students with disabilities in 2011.

Under the ADA, public and private colleges and universities must provide equal access to postsecondary education for students with disabilities, but there is room for interpretation. If an institution can prove that making the accommodations and modifications would constitute an undue financial or administrative burden, the alterations aren't required.

Every institution of higher education provides disability services and accommodations in its own way, with its own interpretation of laws, said Wendy Harbour, associate executive director for programs and development at the Association on Higher Education And Disability.

"A student might be disabled at one college but not another, based on how they use documentation of students' disabilities," Harbour said. "Or one campus may offer tutoring or special programs for students with some disabilities, and others don't.

"There is no national training, certification or licensure for professionals providing disability services and accommodations," she continued.

Students with disabilities at several institutions across the country, including Princeton, the University of Maryland, the University of Georgia and the University of Minnesota, have reported a wide array of challenges.

NBC News spoke with over a dozen college students with various disabilities who said that they have faced significant difficulty with accessibility and accommodation beyond just physical barriers, and that this has affected their sense of belonging on campus.

Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore follows the guidelines of ADA by labeling room numbers in Braille to accommodate blind students, but freshman McClain Hermes says that without including the office names, the accommodation is of little help.

Hermes, who is blind as the result of a genetic disorder, said the signs are so inadequate that it's led to several "embarrassing mix-ups." She's walked into the wrong dorm room several times and once ended up inside the university president's office while looking for the campus counseling center.

"Am I expected to memorize every single room number and who is in them on the entire campus while my sighted peers can simply look at the sign and know where they are going?" Hermes said. "I'm very grateful that I live in a time period where ADA is a thing. But there's still so much advocacy that needs to be done for students with disabilities, and schools really should be going above and beyond the basic minimum."

The university maintains that it is in compliance with ADA. "The standards require that signs that designate permanent rooms and spaces, such as men's and women's restrooms, room numbers, floor numbers and exit signs, include braille," Loyola University Maryland said in a statement.

Harbour says that the problem isn't that schools aren't following the letter of the law but that they often don't go beyond compliance. Disabled students may have dorm rooms that are accessible, but they can't visit any other student on campus, or students in need of interpreters or notetakers might receive one of poor quality, or a building might have just one accessible bathroom or only one elevator.

"In all these cases, the campus is meeting the accommodation request and is in compliance, but they really aren't following the spirit of the law or helping students with disabilities feel welcome."

If you can't get to your classroom or you don't have an environment that is conducive to learning when you have a disability, it is a huge challenge, according to Beth Myers, a professor of inclusive education at Syracuse University.

"It's about going beyond compliance in terms of what the ADA really means and what it means in terms of disability and inclusivity," she said.

Colleges need to approach this not as a legal check mark but as a diversity initiative, otherwise schools are not providing a welcoming space for all students. Students need a wider range of support than was originally thought when the ADA was first implemented, Myers said.

"The ADA is an important law and it has come far, but there is still much to think about when it comes to true equitable access to a college space," Myers said.

Some students have taken matters into their own hands.

Anna Landre, a junior at Georgetown University, said she spends hours every week on meetings and emails with administrators to push for better accommodation.

Landre, who was born with spinal muscular atrophy and uses a wheelchair, said she has repeatedly dealt with broken elevators, inaccessible push plates and dilapidated ramps that would take her through dark alleys.

"Sometimes it's a real fight to get accommodations implemented," she said. "And even if changes are made, there continues to be a disconnect. It's really difficult for me from a standpoint of feeling like a part of this community."

The onus of navigating this has cost her countless hours of studying and socializing, she said. It becomes emotionally draining at times.

"Georgetown is committed to ensuring that our campus is accessible and inclusive. With a 200-year-old campus on hilly terrain, we have faced a number of accessibility challenges over the years, but we are continuing facility enhancements across campus to ensure ADA compliance," a university spokesperson said in a statement. "We have made significant progress expanding accessibility and it remains at the forefront of campus planning for facility improvements and construction."

Any barriers, physical or otherwise, can bring up feelings of exclusion, said Christa Bialka, a professor of special education at Villanova University.

"When you look at students with disabilities, even if they are feeling academically capable, if they are not feeling socially integrated that could cause them to feel withdrawn and could potentially increase the likelihood that they could drop out of school."

According to federal data, only a third of students with disabilities who enroll in a four-year college or university graduate within eight years. At a two-year school, less than 42 percent graduate.

Over the ADA's 30 years, the definition of disability has evolved, as have the needs of those with disabilities.

"We need to revisit what we see accessibility meaning and push back our initial understanding of what it means to have an accessible space," Bialka said. "It's understanding that it's physical and it's mental. It's invisible and visible, it's so many different things."

While Kyle Cox said he has seen improvements at Texas A&M University, he believes there is always room to do better for students with disabilities, not just at his school but at all schools.

"The focus should be making people feel more included, like they are a part of the larger society," he said. "Not about just helping them get by."

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30 years after Americans with Disabilities Act, college students say law is not enough

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Kyle Cox was on his way to class during an ice storm in January 2019 when an outdoor wheelchair elevator at Texas A&M University malfunctioned. For 30 minutes, Cox, a graduate student, was trapped outside with sleet pelting him on an unseasonably frigid day in College Station.

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This article discusses the impact AI can have on individuals with disabilities and aid them everyday tasks. For example, AI partnering with Be My Eyes an organization of volunteers aiding those with visual impairments. This article gave a real-world example of how the duo is helpful for many in big cities where most people with disabilities struggle with accessibility in transportation. This partnership helps those with tasks such as telling them when to raise their arm to hail a cab. Efforts like these can help individuals with disabilities find more accessibility in everyday necessities such as having a mode of transportation, in turn increasing their ability to live an independent, happy life.

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'We don't want to leave people behind': AI is helping disabled people in surprising new ways | CNN Business

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When Matthew Sherwood goes shopping for clothes, he needs help to ensure that what he's picking up is the color or style he's looking for.

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In March of 2024, Georgia State Parks took unprecedented action to promote accessibility and mobility for citizens and visitors of our wonderful state. They have implemented ADA cabins and expanded options and accommodations for hiking trails, horseback riding, paddle-boarding, and several other outdoor activities. Additionally, a key component of the Parks Department's effort has been to break down communication barriers as braille and sign language interpreters are more accessible to prioritize safety. Each individual deserves the ability to experience the natural beauty of the Earth, and the recent initiatives made by Georgia State Parks are certainly worthy of admiration.

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Georgia State Parks Promote Accessibility

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March is Disability Awareness Month and Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites is taking the opportunity to spotlight an often-overlooked aspect of the parks. Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites

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The NDEAM celebrates job opportunities for individuals with disabilities, and this October 2024 the theme is "Access to Good Jobs for all". Under the Biden-Harris administration, there has been infrastructure reformation with the use of more inclusive hiring when hiring managers utilize AI resources during their hiring processes. The focus has been to make sure high-growth sectors like clean energy can offer high-quality jobs for those with disabilities. There have been youth programs with Equitable Transition Model Grants to help youth with disabilities build the skills to develop several career tracks. Some promoted examples of accessible careers aside from high-growth sectors have been self-employment and entrepreneurial careers. The goal of NDEAM isn't to share the number of jobs available to people with disabilities, but finding stable high-quality jobs.

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The U.S. Department of Labor affirms its commitment to delivering on this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) theme: Access to Good Jobs for All.

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This article describes how there is an increase in the call for adult-sized changing tables for people with disabilities in bathrooms across the country. It focuses on a specific rest stop in Adair, Iowa that allows families who are traveling the necessary equipment. The push for these tables is part of a broader national goal which hopes to make public facilities more accessible. While current regulations under the ADA do not require adult changing tables, new laws will require them in airports, and various states are beginning to implement laws to include them in public spaces. The article emphasizes the role that adult changing tables play in enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities, helping ease travel, and ensuring that everyone can participate fully in community activities. People advocating for these changes hope to increase awareness among the general population.

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More Restrooms Have Adult-Size Changing Tables To Help People With Disabilities - KFF Health News

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Adults with disabilities and their caregivers are pressing governments and private businesses across the U.S. to help them avoid undignified public bathroom experiences.

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This article discusses the impact of the Apple Vision Pro on accessible technology. It includes the insight of a woman named Maxine Collard who has Oculocutaneous albinism and strabismus, which basically means vision impairments. The AVP allows her to manage all of her tasks and workspace with greater comfort than without the AVP. What allows Apple to come out with such accessible technology is by bringing in people with disabilities to help make the products. This idea stems from the disability rights mantra, "Nothing about us without us." The Apple Vision Pro offers hope of continual progress in the areas of accessible technology.

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The headset is already changing disabled users’ lives.

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This recent article discusses an ongoing Restoration Project in Central Park, New York City focused on fixing sidewalks to improve accessibility and mobility accommodations for individuals with disabilities. The project mentions safety hazards due to the almost-100 year old blocks that the walkways were built with. Throughout the years, tree roots have lifted and damaged the grounding, which has limited people using wheelchairs, strollers, and other mobility devices. The sidewalks were put in place in the 1930's when there were no scooters, or bikes, and now, natural hinderances have cropped up. With today's new advancements, it is time to repair 108 blocks worth of pavement. The project will take years as the team and workers hope to also preserve the park's historical features and natural growth of elm trees. Overall, this current event emphasizes the importance of considering a variety of users' abilities by making public areas accessible to all.

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Central Park Sidewalk Restoration Project Balances Accessibility, Preservation

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The original tile and brick sidewalks now pose safety hazards and don’t fully serve modern accessibility and mobility needs.

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Disney is implementing changes to its Disability Access Service at its theme parks due to concerns over program abuse. The DAS program allows individuals with disabilities to request return times for attractions to avoid waiting in line. However, overuse has led Disney to rework the system, focusing on those with developmental disabilities like autism. The company is investing in additional staff, specialized training, and partnering with Inspire Health Alliance to assess eligibility based on personalized conversations. Some groups, such as DAS Defenders, have expressed concerns that the changes will exclude individuals with other disabilities, like cancer or long-term COVID-19. Still, Disney is proceeding with the new policies. Enforcement will be stricter, with penalties for abuse.

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Disney Implements Overhaul Of Disability Access At Parks

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Despite pushback, Disney is pressing ahead with major changes to its process for providing disability accommodations at its theme parks amid concerns about rampant abuse of the program.

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This article comes from Brigham Young University and discusses how the campus plans on updating their campus for those with mobility impairments. BYU has worked the past few years to update their campus to become more inclusive to those with disabilities. They are seeking to add more ramps and create more inclusive walkways. With that being said, some areas of campus are still in need of updates and not accessible for those with mobility and accessibility issues. Former student Daniel Andersen discusses what barriers are still in place and where there is room for improvement. Andersen notes that there could be more elevators in older buildings and day to day conversations need to become more inclusive.

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University Accessibility Center strives to improve mobility options for disabled BYU students

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BYU has seen improvements to physical accessibility on campus in recent years but there is still room for additional mobility resources to be implemented.

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This ongoing project focuses on repairing 108 blocks of historic sidewalks to improve safety and accessibility for people using wheelchairs, strollers, and mobility devices. The original granite and asphalt walkways, installed in the 1930s, have become hazardous due to tree roots and uneven surfaces. The restoration aims to preserve the park's historical elements while making it more accessible to all, addressing concerns that have persisted for years. The project also involves planting new trees and ensuring minimal disruption to the roots of the park's prized elm trees, balancing preservation with the needs of modern accessibility.

This example highlights how urban infrastructure must evolve to accommodate various mobility needs, making public spaces more inclusive. It also demonstrates the complexities of maintaining historical features while ensuring that these spaces remain accessible.

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A 108-block sidewalk restoration project led by the Central Park Conservancy balances historical aesthetics with modern needs.

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Universal Studios has updated its policies for disability accommodations at its parks. Previously, visitors with disabilities had to obtain an Individual Accessibility Card (IAC) 48 hours in advance to qualify for assistance. Now, guests can request accommodations on-site. The purpose of this change is to streamline the process and improve access for those with disabilities. The update follows legal action against other parks, like Six Flags, which faced lawsuits over restrictive accessibility procedures by requiring people with disabilities to make arrangements for their accommodations before visiting the park.

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Universal Modifies Disability Access At Theme Parks

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Some of the nation’s most popular theme parks are quietly making changes to their procedures for accommodating visitors with disabilities.

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This article addresses Senate Bill 189, a recent Georgia law that facilitates voter challenges and may enable citizens to have their neighbors removed from the voter registers. Concerns over voter accessibility have increased as a result of the law since it increases the possibility that someone will lose their right to vote or have to defend it in court. These objections are frequently predicated on information and assertions concerning the 2020 election, even though there hasn't been any proof of extensive voting fraud. This law poses a threat to voter accessibility by spreading false information, intimidating voters, and burdening election officials. Voters who participate in mass challenges must appear in hearings to demonstrate their voting eligibility, which may be a discouraging and frustrating process, particularly for those who are falsely accused. Furthermore, addressing these uncertain objections requires election officials to devote an extremely long amount of time and money, taking away from real efforts to ensure election integrity.

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New Georgia Law Spurs Bogus Challenges to Voter Eligibility

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The law allows challenges that threaten to disenfranchise voters and distract election workers from doing their job.

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This current event touches on the issue of people with disabilities having trouble finding affordable and accessible housing. Although Ronald Raegan signed an extension for the Fair Housing Act in 1988 to prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities, many landlords across the country tend to ignore their tenants and any accommodations they may need. From not being able to afford rent/housing to "breaching" lease terms by having an aid living with them, people with disabilities are facing more hardships than others during this national housing shortage. This article portrays the neglect that people with disabilities endure in their homes and when finding homes. Paying high prices, there are many Americans out there who are not even able to access parts of their houses and are ignored when asking for help.

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Just off a light rail station stop in San Jose, California, a new apartment building offers an alternative.

The Kelsey Ayer Station is home to people with and without disabilities across various income levels.

Micaela Connery, Co-Founder and CEO, The Kelsey: Whether you're a person with disabilities, who SSI is your sole source of income and you have almost no money to pay rent, or you're middle-income making $100,000 a year, that this community meets that diverse level of affordability.

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People with disabilities face extra hurdles amid national housing shortage

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Millions of Americans are priced out of homes and apartments. For people with disabilities, finding an accessible place they can afford can be even more challenging. Judy Woodruff reports on the affordable housing shortage for our series, Disability Reframed.

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This event covers topics such as accessibility for all viewers who want to watch the first presidential debate. As stated in the article, "In 2016 and 2020, DPAN, an online-only Deaf streaming platform and American Sign Language captioning service, independently provided their own livestream of the debates with American Sign Language interpreters. DPAN’s website and social media do not indicate that they will be providing the service for this election cycle, and they did not respond to a request for comment." This was a significant concern as over 30 million adults have a disability, which may impact their voting decisions if they cannot access the debate how they need to.

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90 disability organizations call on CNN to make the presidential debate more accessible

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A letter to the network requests American Sign Language interpreters and that moderators ask about topics relevant to the disability community, like COVID-19 and special education.