Last week, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland signed a final rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure the accessibility of websites and mobile apps for people with disabilities. This final rule clarifies the obligations of state and local governments to make their websites and mobile applications accessible. Every day, people across the country use the web and mobile apps to access public programs and services, including emergency information, courts, healthcare providers, schools, voting information, parking, permit applications, tax payments, and transit up ..read more

Hawkesbury City Council has adopted its Hawkesbury Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2023-2026. It can be viewed at www.yourhawkesbury-yoursay.com.au/2023-2026-disability-inclusion-action-plan Council recognises that access and inclusion are fundamental to building a safe, connected, and cohesive Hawkesbury community. The Hawkesbury Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) 2023-2026 provides Council with a clear set of actions and strategies to be undertaken over the next three years to improve inclusion for the community. The DIAP is informed and guided by the local community with lived ex ..read more

A new sensory room at Optus Stadium, constructed at a cost of $190,000, has been opened today. The room, which was designed in consultation with the Autism Association of Western Australia and the Purple Hands Foundation, is located near aisle 149 at Optus Stadium and is available to all event patrons free of charge. It features several design elements including noise-reducing carpet, bean bag seating, sensory toys and visual and communication supports. Private booths with curtains offer a quiet retreat, while a softly lit, soundless TV allows guests to follow the event. Operation of the senso ..read more

Australians with disabilities are at risk from the impacts of climate disasters and emergencies such as bushfires, floods and pandemics because not enough resources are put towards accessible crisis communications, according to new research. The report, ‘Better acknowledging and resourcing the information accessibility sector in Australia’, brings to light the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in accessing timely, accurate and up-to-date accessible information in times of crisis – for example, information in Auslan, captions, Easy Read, Easy English and Braille. For an estimated 4 ..read more

In an age defined by scientific spreads, advancement isn’t just about ease and it’s about enhancing lives. The elderly population that often faces unique health challenges stands to benefit knowingly from the integration of technology into healthcare. From smart wearable to digital monitoring systems, technology gadgets are changing senior care and empowering older adults to lead healthier, more independent lives. Let’s delve into how these gadgets are reshaping the landscape of elderly health. Smart Wearables Attire technology has begun as a change in the field of old health. Smart watches an ..read more

A new Disability Confident guide for managers helping them recruit, retain, and foster the progression of disabled people and those with health conditions in the workplace has been published today by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) have published new guidance to help managers better support disabled people. Latest step by the Government to support disabled people to start, stay and succeed in work after hitting target of helping one million more disabled people into work five year ..read more

Disasters can strike suddenly, leaving communities weak and in vital need of assistance. Among those most at danger during such crises are the disabled elderly population. It is imperative to have healthy strategies in place to confirm their safety and well-being during emergencies. This article explores various approaches and starts aimed at saving disabled elderly individuals during disasters. Understanding the Vulnerabilities Disabled elderly individuals face unique challenges during disasters due to their limited mobility and necessity for others for support. Factors such as reduced vision ..read more

In today’s fast-evolving technological setting, the impact of technological progress on openness for individuals with disabilities cannot be highlighted enough. From the humble beginnings of smartphones to the details of assistive devices, technology has reshaped the world around us, providing new opportunities and breaking down blocks for people with disabilities. Let’s delve deeper into the transformative power of technology and its profound effects on inclusivity. Expanding Horizons with Assistive Technologies Assistive technologies represent a different array of devices and software design ..read more

Like spoken languages, sign languages evolve organically and do not always have the same origin. This produces different ways of communication and annotation. This is the subject of Manolis Fragkiadakis’s Ph.D. thesis. “Contrary to what many people assume, there is in fact no universal sign language,” says Fragkiadakis. “Sign language can be even more fragmented than spoken language: there can be multiple languages in the same country. The fragmentation makes it difficult to codify sign language or write about it academically. We want to change that.” “We have therefore created a tool for dict ..read more

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed the Tennessee Disability and Aging Act, legislation that merges Tennessee’s Commission on Aging and Disability (TCAD) and Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) on April 11, effectively creating a new Department of Disability and Aging (DDA). The bill received unanimous, bipartisan legislative support and was backed by numerous stakeholders. “When I became governor, I made a commitment to shrink the size of government, ensuring we efficiently and effectively serve all Tennesseans,” said Gov. Lee. “This is one example o ..read more