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Accessibility News

This page is designed for the busy policy makers and decision makers. No need to browse accessibility news anymore! We will compile all stories on one page which your organization needs to know about. No technical jargon, no irrelevant information, just what you need.

Please note that this compilation is a collection of resources from other sites. Click here for Even Grounds press releases!

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Title Date Summary
Google takes steps to boost search result accessibility November 6, 2008

Google has launched a new experiment aimed at improving the accessibility of its search results for blind and partially-sighted web users.

The opt-in experiment, Accessible View, allows users to navigate through Google listings by only using the keyboard and is based on World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) specifications, as well as the Google-AxsJAX HTML DOM properties for AJAX-style applications.

WCAG 2.0 moves to last stage for expected final publication in December 2008 November 3, 2008

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Working Group announces the publication of WCAG 2.0 as a W3C Proposed Recommendation on 3 November 2008. WCAG 2.0 explains how to make Web sites, applications, and other content accessible to people with disabilities, and older users.

"Proposed Recommendation" means that the technical material of WCAG 2.0 is complete and it has been implemented in real sites.

Mumbai to host Europe's Biggest Technology Event to Promote Accessibility and Assistive Technology for People with Disabilities October 29, 2008

In a joint statement, Royal National Institute of the Blind (UK) and BarrierBreak Technologies today announced to bring to Mumbai Techshare - Europe’s biggest
technology event to promote accessibility and assistive technology for people with disabilities. Techshare India 2008, will be held in Mumbai on Tuesday,
4th November, 2008 on the premises of Ali Yavar Jung National Institute For The Hearing Handicapped, Bandra (West), Mumbai.

In a first of it’s kind activity in Mumbai, Techshare India 2008 will highlight the importance of implementing accessibility standards and complying to
different accessibilities laws. Techshare India 2008 will also showcase IT products and services that will allow visitors to browse through the latest in assistive technologies available. It will showcase the role of technology in the lives of people with disabilities, looking not just at web accessibility but also software accessibility and accessibility on the move for mobiles and PDAs.

Target Settles Website Accessibility Suit         October 29, 2008

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and Target announced that they have settled a class action lawsuit regarding access to the Target.com Web site by blind people.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "Access to Web sites is critical to the full and equal participation of blind people in all aspects of modern life. The National Federation of the Blind is pleased to have reached a settlement with Target that is good for all blind
consumers, and we recognize that Target has already taken action to make certain that its Web site is accessible to everyone. We look forward to working with Target in the coming months to help make additional improvements that will enhance the experience of blind visitors to Target.com. It is our sincere hope that other businesses providing goods and services over the Internet will follow Target’s example and take affirmative steps to provide full access to their Web sites by blind consumers."

Challenges for Future Web Bring Experts Together at W3C Global Plenary October 21, 2008

-- 21 October 2008 -- The World Wide Web Consortium, the leading organization that develops Web standards, is holding its annual
Technical Plenary week near its European host site in France.

More than 350 software engineers, developers, and other experts in a wide range of technologies such as HTML, XML, CSS, Mobile Web, Semantic Web, and Video in the Web, come together to address a variety of challenges in the development of Web standards. Through joint meetings, panels, and "hallway discussions," participants build shared understanding of these challenges, an important step in the design of standards that ensure that the Web remains open, interoperable,
and accessible for all people. W3C thanks Nokia, whose generous support as a Platinum Sponsor
has helped make this meeting possible.

Study: Visual aid retailers failing on accessibility October 10, 2008

A number of UK retailers of spectacles and other vision products are failing customers when it comes to website accessibility.

This is according to the latest accessibility study by Sitemorse for
Retail Bulletin, which found that factory outlet Direct Specs was one of the worst performing websites in September.

Increasing e-Government Efficiency October 2, 2008

Governments still have far to go in improving levels of accessibility and making government Web sites easier to find if they want to increase the efficiency of e-government, according to a new draft report from independent research and policy institute Brookings.

And Web designers should consider making available, or improving, foreign language versions of their Web sites to ensure government is accessible to all citizens and to interested foreigners.

Apple enhances iTunes accessibility features September 29, 2008

Apple is adding new accessibility functions to iTunes, including updates to allow it to work with software used by the blind for reading the Internet, according to the Associated Press. Tony Olivero, of the National Federation of the Blind, recently demonstrated the technology at the Perkins School for the Blind. Olivero showed how a voice would read out whatever the mouse pointer was slid over, including file commands and movie, music and TV titles in the iTunes Store.

WebWatch launched amid moves to improve website accessibility September 18, 2008

The Australian Human Rights Commission has, this week, added a publicly available WebWatch list on its website where government websites that post material that is inaccessible to people with disabilities will be named as they come to the Commission’s attention.

Tim Berners-Lee Announces Creation of New Foundation to Bring the Web to All People September 14, 2008

2008-09-14: Before a gathering of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation in Washington, D.C. (USA), Tim Berners-Lee announced today the creation of the World Wide Web Foundation. The mission of the Foundation is:

  • to advance One Web that is free and open,
  • to expand the Web's capability and robustness,
  • and to extend the Web's benefits to all people on the planet.
Target accessibility case 'could affect UK websites' September 10, 2008

The issue of website accessibility could be thrown into the spotlight in the UK following the settlement of a case in the US, it has been claimed.

Retailer Target was sued by a group of disabled web users who could not use the company's website with their usual screen-reading software.

U.S. Department of Labor Announces Two New Initiatives Aimed at Promoting Hiring of Veterans and Applicants with Disabilities September 2, 2008

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) unveiled two initiatives aimed at promoting the hiring of veterans
and protecting the rights of applicants with disabilities: The Good Faith Initiative for Veterans Employment (G-FIVE) and Ensuring the Accessibility of
Online Application Systems.

Target's $6m web accessibility payout is a warning to all US sites, says lawyer August 29, 2008

Target will pay $6 million to settle a lawsuit that accused the retail giant's website of breaking US anti-discrimination laws. Blind individuals in California
can claim up to $7,000 each if they tried to use Target.com and encountered barriers.

The class action, which was led by the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), ended on Wednesday without any admission of wrongdoing by Target.

W3C Publishes Accessible Rich Internet Applications Working Draft August 18, 2008

Some code and functionality used in web development may not be available to all users, especially those who rely on screen readers, or cannot use a mouse. The W3C addresses these accessibility challenges.

An updated Accessible Rich Internet Applications (WAI-ARIA) Working Draft, published by W3C, is designed to make web content and web applications more accessible
to users with disabilities.

Digital Discrimination August 15, 2008

In recent years, the Internet has become a digital commons of commerce and education. However, accessibility standards have often been overlooked online,
and the digital equivalents to curb-cuts and other physical accommodations have only rarely been implemented to serve those with print disabilities. (A
print disability can be a learning disability, a visual impairment, or a physical disability. Individuals diagnosed with a print disability cannot access
print in the standard way).

India to host UN meet on Internet governance August 14, 2008

NEW DELHI, INDIA: India will host the 3rd United Nation's Meet on Internet Governance.
The global mega event, with the theme 'Internet for All', is scheduled to be held in
Hyderabad from December 3 to 6, 2008, said an official press release.

Blind MBA girds for battle with Ottawa over issue of website accessibility August 10, 2008

TORONTO — A Toronto businesswoman who has been blind since birth is girding for battle with Ottawa over what she alleges is the federal government's failure
to make its systems for filing job applications online accessible to the visually impaired.

Donna Jodhan, president of Toronto-based Sterling Creations - a company that works with institutions to ensure that their software can be accessed by those with special needs - has been applying for positions with federal government departments since 2001.

Web accessibility 'still an issue for retailers' August 8, 2008

A number of the UK's biggest retailers still need to do more to improve website
accessibility for users with disabilities, it has been claimed.

Retail Bulletin commissioned a study to be carried out by Sitemorse
to examine the performance of the top 100 retail websites in the UK, with the findings suggesting that some sites continue to fail disabled web users.

Real-Time Text Aims to Improve Internet Accessibility for Deaf and Hard of Hearing July 30, 2008

The blossoming of multimedia content on the Internet in recent years has revolutionised personal interactions, business communications, and other online services. But for millions of Internet users with sensory disabilities, many of the communication tools remain frustratingly out of their reach.

Beijing unveils communication service for disabled July 30, 2008

Beijing has unveiled a communication platform for the disabled on Wednesday in a bid to help the city's nearly 300,000 blind or deaf residents to send digital signals in case of emergency.

Warning made over website accessibility July 29, 2008

Businesses could be missing out on a significant market if they do not ensure their websites are accessible for disabled users, an expert has said.

Graham Charlton, a researcher for
E-consultancy, noted that there are about 8.5 million disabled people living in the UK, with 3.5 million unable to make use of a traditional keyboard.

Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 2008 July 25, 2008

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has helped tear down barriers for millions of people living with disabilities. On the anniversary of this important legislation, our Nation underscores our commitment to ensuring that all individuals have an equal opportunity to realize their full potential.

IBM makes web accessibility for blind users a social effort July 8, 2008

IBM has launched a new initiative that it hopes will vastly improve the web browsing experience for visually impaired users. The Social Accessibility Project is a service that aims to make web pages more accessible for screen readers without altering the code of the page, the software for which is available in beta form today through IBM's AlphaWorks. If enough people participate in the project, then IBM's software could become integral to blind users' everyday surfing.

Web shoppers more aware of security But accessibility and attractive design rank higher than data protection concerns July 8, 2008

Web shoppers want security but are easily won over by accessibility and attractive design

The majority of UK consumers are becoming increasingly aware of security-related issues when shopping online, according to research.

Call For Review: Relationship Between Mobile Web and Web Content Accessibility Updated July 7, 2008

The Mobile Web Best Practices Working Group and the WAI Education and Outreach Working Group invite you to comment on the following updated draft technical report published 3 July 2008:
* Relationship between Mobile Web Best Practices (MWBP) and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Working Draft

Commission opens public consultation to improve website accessibility in Europe July 3, 2008

15% of Europeans suffer from some form of disability, and many face barriers such as reading a website's small text or even knowing how to access websites and online services. Despite repeated calls by the EU and government leaders to improve this situation, progress remains limited: by far the majority of websites fail to use universally accepted user-friendly solutions. On July 2nd the European Commission launched a public consultation on further measures to make websites in Europe accessible, starting with those of public administrations, and invites stakeholders to give their views. It also addresses other technologies like digital television. The consultation is open until 27 August 2008.

Update on the ADA June 27, 2008

There have been some confusing messages coming out recently regarding changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). WebAIM readers may want additional information so they can provide comments and feedback on an issue that continues to be conspicuously absent from the ADA, namely the Internet.

Accessibility Deadlines Set For UK Government Websites June 19, 2008

All new UK public sector websites must conform to at least ‘AA’ accessibility standards as specified by the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, according
to guidance published this month by the Cabinet Office.

Existing central government department websites must conform to ‘AA’ by December 2009 and all other government agencies and non- departmental bodies by
March 2011, according to the guidance.

 Department of Justice Issues Notices to Adopt New ADA Standards June 17, 2008

On June 17, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued proposals to adopt new design standards for facilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) based on revised
guidelines previously issued by the Access Board. Under the ADA, DOJ is responsible for maintaining standards for new construction and alterations that are consistent with the Board's guidelines. DOJ's standards apply to the construction and alteration of all facilities covered by the ADA except transportation facilities, which are subject to standards maintained by the Department of Transportation (DOT).

W3C eGovernment Activity to Help Empower Citizens June 3, 2008

Today W3C launches a new forum for governments, citizens, researchers, and other stakeholders to investigate how best to use Web technology for good governance and citizen participation.

Umbrella Specification For Web Standards Published May 28, 2008

An umbrella specification for website standards, including references to usability and accessibility standards, has been published by the British Standards
Institution. The Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 124, entitled ‘Defining, implementing and managing website standards,’ covers 11 separate categories of website
quality, of which accessibility and usability are two. It was commissioned from the BSi by website content management software provider Magus.

Councils Urged To Mix Technical Web Tests With User Tests May 12, 2008

Local councils should carry out both technical accessibility testing and user testing of their websites to minimise exclusion of people with disabilities, and not just take one or other approach, a new report from the local government Society of IT Management (Socitm) finds.

With 20 Ratifications, Landmark Disability Treaty Set To Enter Into Force On 3 May April 3, 2008

Ecuador today became the twentieth country to ratify the landmark Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which is now set to enter into force on 3 May. The Convention needed 20 ratifications to take effect.

Super-Regulator’ Sharpens Focus On Accessibility March 17, 2008

The UK government set up Ofcom in 2003 to be a ’super-regulator’ for the nation’s communications industries, merging five former regulatory bodies across
the television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications sectors.

Part of the body’s role includes ensuring equal access to communications technology for disabled people, and in its first five years of operation it has carried out various projects relating to access to television, telecommunications and radio by all users. People with disabilities have been involved for example in work by Ofcom’s Consumer panel, an advisory body representing consumer interests; its broadcasting Content Board, which looks beyond consumer issues to the broader ‘public interest’; and its Advisory Committee on Older and Disabled People.

Now, however, the pace of change in all its areas of activity including the convergence of internet services with television; the rise of digital radio; and the switchover to digital TV have prompted the regulator to give renewed priority to ensuring that all citizens are able to benefit from modern communications services.

Public Bodies ‘Face Assistive Technology Legal Action’ February 19, 2008

An increasing amount of research showing that large numbers of staff with dyslexia and other disabilities can benefit from assistive technology mean that
public sector bodies face the likelihood of legal action this year or next under the Disability Discrimination Act, a leading analyst said this month.

UN convention on disability rights reaches milestone in signatories July 11, 2007

United Nations officials say the global treaty to protect the rights of the world’s estimated 650 million people with disabilities could take effect by early next year after Qatar this week became the 100th country to sign the landmark pact.


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