Month: September 2013

Nominations for the City of Vancouver Access and Inclusion Awards are now being accepted. The Access and Inclusion Awards recognize individuals and organizations that demonstrate leadership and commitment to enhance accessibility, inclusion, universality, and the elimination of barriers for persons with disabilities. Winners receive a plaque and Certificate of Appreciation presented by the Mayor and… Continue Reading »

BRACKNELL, UK: Tobii Technology, a world leader in eye tracking and gaze interaction, has partnered with Dell OEM Solutions to launch the Tobii EyeMobile, an integration of its life-changing Eye Tracking technology onto a tablet platform. People with physical disabilities can carry out everyday tasks such as accessing the internet, using social media, calling their families, watching… Continue Reading »

SAN MATEO, CA: Babies can learn to communicate using hand signs before they can speak, but parents need the right tools to teach their children. Now, California-based app developer Selectsoft is pleased to announce the release of Baby Sign Language Deluxe for iPhone, iPad and Android, providing a fast way for parents and caregivers to learn useful… Continue Reading »

WASHINGTON, DC: The U.S. Access Board issued new accessibility guidelines for outdoor areas developed by the federal government on September 26. The Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines provide detailed specifications for camping facilities, picnic facilities, viewing areas, trails, and beach access routes constructed or altered by or on behalf of federal agencies. They also provide exceptions for… Continue Reading »

NEW YORK: The Global Alliance on Accessible Technologies and Environments (GAATES) took part in the United Nations General Assembly’s High-level Meeting on Disability and Development held in New York. The meeting was organized, on September 23, with the participation of representatives of several countries and civil society organizations, on the theme “The Way Forward: A… Continue Reading »

NEW YORK: She calls herself Crystal, because of her brittle bones, but Nguyen Phuong Anh is fast becoming known for her sparkling voice and for shattering stereotypes about disabilities. ‘Crystal’, who has osteogenesis imperfecta – wowed the New York crowd at the United Nations high-level meeting on disability with her singing. But, her main purpose… Continue Reading »

A report released today by the United Nations and its partners illustrates how information and communication technologies (ICTs) can help give access to resources to persons with disabilities. The report, “The ICT Opportunity for a Disability-Inclusive Development Framework,” contributes to a better understanding of the extent to which ICTs can enable the social and economic… Continue Reading »

New research by UK regulator Ofcom shows that young people with disabilities are taking advantage of the benefits of being online. The study shows that levels of internet access among the youngest age group (15-34) are broadly comparable, regardless of whether people have a disability or not (90% compared with 93%). This increases to 94… Continue Reading »

Watch how Nguyen Phuong Anh – ‘Crystal’ – is making her voice heard in the corridors of power at the United Nations and harmonizing messages with big names such as Stevie Wonder to get conventions ‘signed, sealed and delivered’ by all States. For more information, visit: http://www.unicef.org/. Source: UNICEF

In a move praised by disability advocates, the Venezuelan government signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the United Nations on Tuesday. Signed by over 150 countries, Article 1 of the convention states that the document’s purpose is to “promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human… Continue Reading »