Americas, Built Environment, News, October 7 2019 CANADA: Ontario is making its education system more inclusive to help all students in York Region reach their full potential in an accessible and supportive learning environment. When the education system is not accessible, students are left out, impacting their participation  in the school experience. That is why Raymond […]

Americas, Universal Design, October 4 2019 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: One of your favorite card games just got a little more accessible. On Tuesday, Mattel unveiled UNO Braille with cards and instructions that make the popular game completely accessible to Braille-literate players who are blind or have low vision. A boy, adult woman and young girl play […]

Americas, Transportation, September 23 2019 BARBADOS: Government may be looking outside the Transport Board to provide optional transportation, possibly in the range of motorised scooters and wheelchairs along with other specially adapted vehicles for persons with disabilities. Minister in the Ministry of Finance Ryan Straughn today hinted that in light of the Transport Board’s resources challenges […]

Americas, News, September 16 2019 CANADA: The unemployment rate for people with disabilities is close to 50 per cent, and B.C. needs them as much as they want to work, the president of the B.C. Chamber of Commerce says. Val Litwin spoke Monday at an announcement by the B.C. government on its plan to help […]

Americas, Assistive Technology, September 9 2019 CANADA: Canadians with disabilities deserve the same opportunities to find good jobs, contribute to their communities, and build a better life for themselves and their families. Yet many Canadians with disabilities still face barriers to full participation in the digital economy. Today, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science […]

Americas, Universal Design, August 23 2019 UNITED STATES: When the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) passed in 1990, it set forth expectations around how buildings and public spaces should be designed to accommodate limited mobility. Over the years, the guidelines helped create more accessible parks, buildings, schools, and neighborhoods, but for many architects, the rules stop short […]

Americas, Assistive Technology, Universal Design, August 8 2019 MANITOBA, CANADA: Aiming to enhance patients’ lives, a team of University of Manitoba biomedical students has produced autonomous designs — including a wheelchair hand warmer for those living with muscular dystrophy (MD). The overarching goal during the University of Manitoba Biomedical Engineering Design (BMED) Team’s first year was to give students experience in design, public speaking, […]

MARYLAND, US: The National Federation of the Blind, the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans, today applauded the introduction of the Greater Access and Independence through Nonvisual Access Technology (GAIN) Act of 2019 (H.R. 3929) in the House of Representatives. The bill was introduced by Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), and Mark […]

Americas, Transportation, July 29 2019 A University of Minnesota researcher is trying to make streets safer for the visually impaired. Chen-Fu Liao, a researcher at the Center for Transportation Studies, is working to create an app that uses a Bluetooth system to help visually impaired pedestrians navigate city streets. Liao will be putting his work […]

Are you, or someone you know a person with a disability age 18-64, who lives in the tri-state area, is an innovative self-starter, has a great idea for a business/start-up, or simply has a deep desire to run their own business? If so, we have a new and exciting program that provides extraordinary tools and […]