This article discusses some of the pitfalls of technology design in meeting user needs and makes suggestings on how to improve your design by emulating your user's needs. 
I was a little perturbed by some of the suggestions such as "taping your fingers together, or trying to use an app one handed" to emulate someone who is physically challenged. This didn't sit well with me. Although the intention is trying to be positive, the suggestions are clumsy and insensitive and give a negative message. Surely product design and improvement should include input from actual users, not just someone taping their fingers together???

This piece turned up in my Twitter feed and even though it is a British piece I found it interesting as I have never noticed these panels in the sidewalks here in Ontario.
I grew up in the UK and have always thought these bumpy things on the sidewalk, were to prevent slipping. I had no idea that they served another purpose; to help those with visual challenges to interpret the sidewalk and crossing signals. This again ties into the social model as an example of the environment being designed to facilitate people, rather than presenting barriers.
Its a great idea apart from the fact that they are now designed to blend with the surroundings more, to make them more aesthetically pleasing. This evades the point of them serving people with little or no vision. I also learned that most people with vision loss, can still see to a certain extent, rather than being 100% blind.
I thought this was a great video for raising awareness of the environmental challenges facing people with reduced vision.
http://mashable.com/2017/01/10/british-pavement-markings-tom-scott/?utm_cid=mash-com-Tw-main-link#Rri1Q6fhpiq0

https://flipboard.com/@flipboard/flip.it%2FRxWpGs-the-dot-braille-smartwatch-is-finally-g/f-596c561df9%2Fmashable.com

This article caught my eye because of how cool this watch looks. It is clear that as much attention has been paid to design as to functionality. I think that this is evident of a growing trend in producing high quality, well designed, consumer products for people with disabilties and is an indicator of society's changing attitudes towards people with disabiltiies.

This article discusses a directive that has now been passed in Europe which will require all public sector websites and mobile apps to be fully accessible to people with disabilities. Currently 80 million Europeans have disabilities and it is expected that this number will rise in an aging population. 

This article appealed to me because it is about progress in the European Union, however, these laws already exist in Canada. It shows how progressive Canada is, but it is also promising to see changes like this are slowly beginning to happen internationally. I believe thisn article ties into  the political model of disability; a change in government policy to meet the needs of its citizens.

This BBC news article/video discusses the growing trend of self-employment among people with disabilities. It interviews a lady who set up her own consulting firm after realising that the company she worked for was holding her back because of her disability. She feels thats being self-employed allows her to plan her time more effectively and to be a more effective problem solver. She also indicates that she believes her own attitude towards he disability has held her back in the past, moreso than the actual disability. A very positive media portrayal of how this woman's positive attitude and pragmatic approach have made her successful in business.

I found this video of a students who has a disability and has been verbally as well as verbally abused. By not only one teacher/educator but two teachers were involved in this incident. From the video it seems like this is happening because the student wasn't doing what she was asked to do by the teachers. It also seemed like she was forced to do something she didn't want to be involved in. The student was not able to gain independence because this student had to stay close to the teacher. This video made me fee disgusted because of how they were treating someone with a disability. Not only because of the fact that this individual was being absued but the fact that she couldn't have her own independence or voice. This student had to so what she was told and being forced to do so. 

A young man with cerebral palsy was denied flight onto air Canada because of the size of his wheelchair. They were not able to accommodate for his wheelchair on his direct flight to Cleveland, they first stated it would not fit because it's too tall then changed their statement saying its too heavy. Rose has been using a wheelchair his entire life because his job requirement includes traveling by air frequently.
For a well known established airline, Air Canada should have better accessibility for individuals using a wheelchair. Rose had already paid his fair when he received an email stating they can't accommodate his wheelchair. This should have been visible for customers to see, giving them a choice to go with another airline.

http://www.citynews.ca/2017/03/09/teen-cerebral-palsy-makes-desperate-midnight-phone-calls-find-shelter/
This article speaks about a 17-year-old boy named Benjamin, an honor student with cerebral palsy who uses a wheelchair. He has been desperately searching for a homeless shelter to stay after he had to flee his family home because it was an unhealthy and toxic environment for him to be in. He has made dozens of phone calls to numerous amount of shelter but was denied access because the were not accessible and he wouldn't be allowed to have his personal support worker with him because of confidentiality reasons.Benjamin stayed up till midnight to make it on the waitlist the only shelter that could accommodate his wheelchair but he's only allowed to stay for 4 months after which he has to leave and find a new residency.
The wait list for accessible subsidized housing in York region is 15-35 years so he may never find anything.
This article really breaks my heart, no one whether or not you have a disability should be faced with such stressful situation. there need to be a better system in place when it comes to priority and waitlist, especially if your need is much more demanding than others.

March 15, 2017

A nice piece in the Toronto Star, about a French woman who lobbied, with the support of advocacy group Unapei, to present the weather news on national TV.  Melanie Segard challenged a number of television stations to allow her to present the weather report on their station. 
The story proves that anything is possible, for anyone, when you put your mind to it.
One thing that bothers me though,  is that this was a one off appearance, not a commitment to place Melanie Segard in a full time position on the weather channel. I hate to say it, but the sceptical side of me wonders if this was done partly for ratings, or for the emotional value. Her apperance on television drew record-breaking viewing figures and she received over 200, 000 supporters on Facebook.  So while I do think it was great that Melanie achieved her dream, which may well have been to only present the weather once; I can't help thinking that it would have had a greater impact if that opportunity had turned into some kind of career move for Melanie. 

January 13, 2017
https://www.thestar.com/life/travel/2017/01/13/travel-smart-accessible-accommodations-when-travelling.html

This article promotes new websites aimed at providing travel information and reviews for people with disabilities. Travellers with disabilities can use the websites to locate hotels and services based on the personal reviews of other travellers. Many hotels claim to be fully accessible but the reality is often very different. 
Accessible travel has never been more important as people with disabilities are now recognized as a significant consumer segment, and this article covers several different services offering travel advice and reviews. 
The website TripAble was developed by a frustrated traveller, in response to a number of barriers experienced at destinations that claimed to be accessible. 
I think services like this indicate the growing expectation of normalization by people with disabilities and their efforts to educate and advocate to make society more 'normal' for everyone. A very positive portrayal of people with disabilities with growing expectations of accessible travel.

http://globalnews.ca/news/3257755/theatre-project-fills-program-void-for-adults-with-disabilities/

A Theater Art program offers a creative and leadership outlet for adults ages 18-30 with a disability because they believe once individuals with a disability turn's 18 they have very little programming or support available to them. This program is designed to be accessible to people with different abilities. And within the program, they will work on building their confidence and work on their self-esteem.
I am impressed with this program and I believe it's a great idea, I've never really thought about life after schooling, or once they are not eligible for certain programs anymore.

Donald Trump the president of the united states removed the disability act section from the White House website, stating they are working on making it better. Individuals with a disability who depends on this information does not believe that's the case, they felt as if the president got rid of the site because of his obvious lack of respect and value for others. Because of this, individuals felt betrayed in some ways and felt as if they are not valued or equal to everyone else. 
Donald Trump has been dismissive and rude towards individuals with a disability in the past. these individual are living in fear for their future and their family. It's not a good feeling knowing that persons with a disability do not feel safe, especially in a country where human rights are so important. 

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/paralympic-athlete-wheelchair-wet-herself-crosscountry-train-no-disabled-toilets-anne-wafule-strike-a7505461.html
 
Paralympic athlete was forced to wet herself while traveling on a train because the only accessible washroom that on board was not in service. Anne a British wheelchair athlete was awarded an MBE for her achievement in sports and said she has never felt so embarrassed in her life She also stated she felt rob of her dignity. She had spent years building her self-confidence and self- belief, and it took one day to destroy it.
I truly believe Having access to a toilet is everyone's most basic rights and extremely respectively of the fact that she decided to share her experience so that she could highlight the daily struggles persons with disabilities are faced with due to poor accessibility.