INDUSTRY INSIGHTS YOUR PEERS ARE READING
The first time I really "got" the power of accessible technology (AT) to improve the lives of people with disabilities was when I saw the PBS documentary Freedom Machines. How Accessible Technology Computer Refurbishment Came About. How Accessible Technology Works. MORE
Editor’s note: A few weeks back, as we wrote about the thinking that went into our new website, we made an embarrassing admission—we’d overlooked the value of designing with accessibility in mind. This accessibility principle is true on the web as well as in the physical world. MORE
We take their files and convert them to the DAISY format which is a digital format designed specifically to create accessible materials for people with print disabilities. We're excited about this trend and the opportunities it creates for the commercial availability of mass market accessible books. Making these files available as part of the mass market product, O'Reilly is ensuring that EVERYONE who can benefit from accessible materials can actually get them. MORE
Rich Thesing, a long-time disability activist and fellow Fellow of the American Leadership Forum in Silicon Valley, has been thinking hard on how to make exercise equipment accessible. There are lots of exercycles that are in health clubs and exercise rooms around the world, but they lack minor accessibility features to make them usable. They are going to need access to exercise equipment they can use independently to ensure their long term help. MORE
Our commitment is to provide access to books for those who are unable to read a traditional print format and to do so without harming the economic interests of authors and publishers. The Problem with Traditional DRM Traditional “strong” Digital Rights Management (DRM) restrictions have traditionally been the most common way to control access to online books. However, strong DRM turns out to be an impediment to the commercial distribution of accessible ebooks. MORE
adults still don't have broadband Internet access at home. The June 2015 FCC proposal calls for an expansion of Lifeline to provide low-income households with a choice of subsidized phone service or broadband Internet access. Nearly a third of U.S. MORE
Literacy and access to knowledge underpins just about every social good, from education, to economic development, to health, to women’s empowerment, democracy and respect for human rights. To bring the power of books to everybody on this planet, we must make books truly accessible. MORE
This is totally the “how sausage and law are made” view, so don’t read this unless you want to know more about global accessibility in detail! WIPO has a mandate from its member states, and is working to address the need to change laws and get more accessible books flowing. MORE
Last week, the National Federation of the Blind and 22 organizations serving people with disabilities filed detailed objections to a petition from a group of makers of e-reader devices led by Amazon to be exempted from accessibility requirements under the relatively new Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act. We think the best long-term way to solve this equal access problem is, well, equal access. MORE
With a click, make client data entry easier for those with accessibility needs. Form Builder provides many options--and now among the navigation button options is an accessibility button which you can deploy or not with a click. So, deploy the accessibility button in the Form Builder and give your staff with certain needs a powerful view. MORE
Each year, Knowbility hosts OpenAIR (Accessibility Internet Rally). OpenAIR is an online event that provides mission-based organizations both with a new, professionally designed, accessible website that accommodates all visitors, and with expanded awareness about accessibility issues. MORE
For many people with disabilities, this is a daily reality when they encounter the common problem of non-accessible websites. In recognition of these challenges, May 21 is Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). Beyond the Shuffle: Data Accessibility in the Cloud by Kirsten Kippen. MORE
But others might say that equality is contingent upon access. This gathering is the biggest and most well-known conference to focus exclusively on assistive and accessible technologies for populations with special needs. This is the power of accessible technology. accessibility MORE
This includes accessible educational materials, such as e-books that can be used with computers, or mobile devices that display enlarged text or read the book aloud while also highlighting text. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) selected our successful Bookshare library as the provider of accessible materials to every student in the U.S. Bookshare has grown into the largest online digital library of accessible books and periodicals in the U.S., MORE
We have released a completely redesigned interface for public access to community resources, assets, and services. The interface offers a greatly simplified initial display for the public, with quick links to details and maps, and to an advanced searching module as well. MORE
It takes an editor through the entire process of operating and publishing a journal, with a heavy emphasis on open access journals (where the articles are freely available to everybody from the moment they are published). One metric that made a real impression: OJS users publish an open access article for around $200 per article, which compares to the typical number of $3000 that is frequently floated around in the open access field. MORE
One of their main challenges is that they do not have adequate access to educational materials that are necessary to learn and succeed in school. Accessible ebooks and Bookshare have helped sixth grader Kevin Leong overcome his reading challenges. MORE
Reproductive Health Access Project works at the crossroads of the medical community and the reproductive rights space to mobilize and train clinicians to ensure access to abortion, contraception, and miscarriage care. How did the Reproductive Health Access Project start? Reproductive Health Access Project occupies a unique space, right in the middle of reproductive rights and primary health care. MORE
The DIAGRAM Center team has also created an image data content model which will provide standards to define and enhance the efficacy and interoperability of accessible images as the project evolves. DIAGRAM stands for Digital Image and Graphics Resources for Accessible Materials. Our DIAGRAM Center is dramatically changing the way image and graphical content for accessible educational materials is produced and accessed. MORE
This month, I’ve been thinking about access barriers. Last week, I talked a bit about the structural issues inherent in our systems and how they may play a part in our access issues. What are some other access barriers? For example, many museums focus on issues like ticket prices or transportation as a way to remove access barriers. Simplifying diversity is a short-sighted, and ultimately unsuccessful, way to increase accessibility. MORE
Microsoft's latest operating system also delivers when it comes to its accessibility and assistive technology features, namely the Narrator and Magnifier. Watch this video demo from Microsoft to see the new accessibility features in action: (Please visit the site to view this video). MORE
We have been helping blind and print disabled people gain access to books for over 17 years. Two recent experiences underscored different parts of this struggle to deliver access. It's great to see someone still using one of our products to access books for this length of time. The goal of this repository is to ensure that students with print disabilities have easy access to textbooks. MORE
Twitter Enhances Accessibility with Alt Text for Images – ProfHacker - Blogs - The Chronicle of Higher Education : "Twitter Enhances Accessibility with Alt Text for Images" 'via Blog this MORE
Plenary Talk at the Eighth General Assembly of the World Blind Union Access to published information is an essential requirement for education, employment and full social inclusion. People with vision impairments and other print disabilities deserve equal access to that treasure of information. In my talk, I highlighted three global movements towards increasing accessible publishing. What can we do today to build that accessible future? MORE
HathiTrust, a unanimous three-judge panel concluded that digitizing books in order to enhance research and provide access to individuals with print disabilities is lawful on the grounds of fair use —that is, a limitation and exception to the exclusive rights granted by copyright law to the author of a creative work ( Section 107 of the U.S. As a non-lawyer, let me explain from the point of view of a technologist who cares passionately about accessibility for people with disabilities. MORE
Ever since the Independent Living Movement began to emerge in the 1960s to empower people with disabilities, more and more of the world has become accessible. Metro4All is actually a collaboration of people in different countries interested in addressing mass transit accessibility. MORE
There has been a major breakthrough recently on international copyright negotiations in Geneva around improved access for people who have print disabilities. Answer : • Countries should provide for a copyright exception in their national laws to allow nonprofit organizations serving people with disabilities to make accessible versions of inaccessible books and other content • Import and export of such accessible materials shall be permitted 2. MORE
Free Tools to Test Your Nonprofit''s Website for Accessibility | NTEN : "People generally associate the topic of web accessibility with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but I like to think of web accessibility as the practice of making websites with content, features and functionality that people of all abilities can access and use." ''via Blog this MORE
If you’re designing for the web or email, even the smallest understanding of web accessibility can help you raise more money and will definitely make you a better designer. Now, this is not where I spring a dusty and intimidating list of accessibility guidelines upon you. MORE
Healthcare is changing—and for the better—because of this immediate and remote access to data. For the best donor interaction, development staff needs information to be accessible wherever and whenever their conversation happens. MORE
To gain access to these resources, clients need to provide at least basic information about themselves. While our customers work to support those who need help, protecting their client records becomes critical. This gets interesting at the intersection of charitable or nonprofit support, and government sponsored support. MORE
Open Access: How A Nonprofit Is Giving Techies Without Tuition Their Shot | Fast Company | Business + Innovation : 'via Blog this MORE
The Goal The goal is pretty clear: insuring that every person on the planet with a serious print disability has access to the books and other printed material that they need to get an education, make a living and be included in society. They would permit import and export of accessible materials, and are crafted to avoid a significant financial impact on publishers. That could start the ball rolling with access right away. MORE
The FCC just did a series of four blog posts asking for feedback on their new accessibility plans. Comments on the FCC's Accessibility Plans (June 2010) My main recommendation to the FCC is to be more ambitious about accessibility. Although the Clearinghouse and Awards programs could be helpful to the cause of greater access for people with disabilities, I don’t think they truly take on the biggest opportunity for change. MORE
This month, we’ve been thinking about access barriers. This month I talked about two variables that are often ignored when we talk about access and equity: the way we do our work and the frames we use to judge our work. access advocacy visitors MORE
Cell Internet Access | Pew Internet & American Life Project : Nearly two-thirds (63%) of cell phone owners now use their phone to go online, according to a new survey by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project. We call them “cell internet users” and define them as anyone who uses their cell phone to access the internet or use email. MORE
Tags: accessibility volunteer donor gift books Bookshare MORE
The Google Cultural Institute and Arts Accessibility: Where Is It All Going? - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly MORE
This is an academic conference on access technology, full of researchers trying out new things that will help people with disabilities. My first day was hanging out at the Young Researchers seminar, which was organized by Professors Paul Blenkhorn (the UK's first professor of access tech) and the ICCHP host Klaus Miesenberger. The goal is to get more people working to make this happen: getting access tech to every person in the world who needs it. MORE
Last year, the National Federation of the Blind took on Amazon.com about the accessibility of their website, which NFB felt at one time had been quite accessible, but which had declined in accessibility. NFB got them to commit to work on accessibility. MORE
Brief Comments on Accessibility Concerns on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) The disability community should be concerned about ACTA for two reasons: At its core it’s an anti-piracy agreement. The digital measures designed to defeat piracy usually end up equating accessibility with piracy. We don’t know if it’s benign or hostile to accessibility. MORE
Chances are, you already know how important it is to have an accessible web site. I’ll spare you a lecture on that subject here by reminding you that your site should, most definitely, be accessible. I attended an awesome session on accessibility at the UPA conference and the folks over at Fidelity Investments shared some great questions to use to test out your site: Can you navigate your site using just your keyboard? MORE
As part of the celebrations around the first anniversary of the Marrakesh Treaty, WIPO launched the Accessible Books Consortium , to help increase global capacity to deliver books to people with print disabilities. MORE
We will always find it hard to implement equity and access, metaphorically throwing open the doors, if our leaders don’t spend time thinking about how we do our work. Leaders need to realize access and equity isn’t solely about visitors. MORE
Accessibility Related Topics Beneblog: Technology Meets Society
FEBRUARY 19, 2014
This is totally the “how sausage and law are made” view, so don’t read this unless you want to know more about global accessibility in detail! WIPO has a mandate from its member states, and is working to address the need to change laws and get more accessible books flowing.
Beneblog: Technology Meets Society
NOVEMBER 26, 2014
One of their main challenges is that they do not have adequate access to educational materials that are necessary to learn and succeed in school. Accessible ebooks and Bookshare have helped sixth grader Kevin Leong overcome his reading challenges.
Museum 2.0
SEPTEMBER 3, 2019
This month, we’ve been thinking about access barriers. This month I talked about two variables that are often ignored when we talk about access and equity: the way we do our work and the frames we use to judge our work. access advocacy visitors
Connection Cafe
SEPTEMBER 30, 2014
If you’re designing for the web or email, even the smallest understanding of web accessibility can help you raise more money and will definitely make you a better designer. Now, this is not where I spring a dusty and intimidating list of accessibility guidelines upon you.
Beneblog: Technology Meets Society
FEBRUARY 8, 2013
Plenary Talk at the Eighth General Assembly of the World Blind Union Access to published information is an essential requirement for education, employment and full social inclusion. People with vision impairments and other print disabilities deserve equal access to that treasure of information. In my talk, I highlighted three global movements towards increasing accessible publishing. What can we do today to build that accessible future?
Beneblog: Technology Meets Society
SEPTEMBER 8, 2013
Last week, the National Federation of the Blind and 22 organizations serving people with disabilities filed detailed objections to a petition from a group of makers of e-reader devices led by Amazon to be exempted from accessibility requirements under the relatively new Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act. We think the best long-term way to solve this equal access problem is, well, equal access.
Beneblog: Technology Meets Society
JUNE 12, 2014
HathiTrust, a unanimous three-judge panel concluded that digitizing books in order to enhance research and provide access to individuals with print disabilities is lawful on the grounds of fair use —that is, a limitation and exception to the exclusive rights granted by copyright law to the author of a creative work ( Section 107 of the U.S. As a non-lawyer, let me explain from the point of view of a technologist who cares passionately about accessibility for people with disabilities.
Idealware
NOVEMBER 4, 2016
Editor’s note: A few weeks back, as we wrote about the thinking that went into our new website, we made an embarrassing admission—we’d overlooked the value of designing with accessibility in mind. This accessibility principle is true on the web as well as in the physical world.
Museum 2.0
AUGUST 28, 2019
This month, I’ve been thinking about access barriers. Last week, I talked a bit about the structural issues inherent in our systems and how they may play a part in our access issues. What are some other access barriers? For example, many museums focus on issues like ticket prices or transportation as a way to remove access barriers. Simplifying diversity is a short-sighted, and ultimately unsuccessful, way to increase accessibility.
Beneblog: Technology Meets Society
JULY 9, 2018
Literacy and access to knowledge underpins just about every social good, from education, to economic development, to health, to women’s empowerment, democracy and respect for human rights. To bring the power of books to everybody on this planet, we must make books truly accessible.
VisionLink
MARCH 13, 2009
With a click, make client data entry easier for those with accessibility needs. Form Builder provides many options--and now among the navigation button options is an accessibility button which you can deploy or not with a click. So, deploy the accessibility button in the Form Builder and give your staff with certain needs a powerful view.
Beneblog: Technology Meets Society
JUNE 5, 2010
The FCC just did a series of four blog posts asking for feedback on their new accessibility plans. Comments on the FCC's Accessibility Plans (June 2010) My main recommendation to the FCC is to be more ambitious about accessibility. Although the Clearinghouse and Awards programs could be helpful to the cause of greater access for people with disabilities, I don’t think they truly take on the biggest opportunity for change.
Everyaction
FEBRUARY 12, 2018
Reproductive Health Access Project works at the crossroads of the medical community and the reproductive rights space to mobilize and train clinicians to ensure access to abortion, contraception, and miscarriage care. How did the Reproductive Health Access Project start? Reproductive Health Access Project occupies a unique space, right in the middle of reproductive rights and primary health care.
Beneblog: Technology Meets Society
SEPTEMBER 20, 2010
We take their files and convert them to the DAISY format which is a digital format designed specifically to create accessible materials for people with print disabilities. We're excited about this trend and the opportunities it creates for the commercial availability of mass market accessible books. Making these files available as part of the mass market product, O'Reilly is ensuring that EVERYONE who can benefit from accessible materials can actually get them.
Beneblog: Technology Meets Society
DECEMBER 30, 2009
Tags: accessibility volunteer donor gift books Bookshare
Beneblog: Technology Meets Society
AUGUST 14, 2010
Rich Thesing, a long-time disability activist and fellow Fellow of the American Leadership Forum in Silicon Valley, has been thinking hard on how to make exercise equipment accessible. There are lots of exercycles that are in health clubs and exercise rooms around the world, but they lack minor accessibility features to make them usable. They are going to need access to exercise equipment they can use independently to ensure their long term help.
Beneblog: Technology Meets Society
SEPTEMBER 21, 2011
This includes accessible educational materials, such as e-books that can be used with computers, or mobile devices that display enlarged text or read the book aloud while also highlighting text. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) selected our successful Bookshare library as the provider of accessible materials to every student in the U.S. Bookshare has grown into the largest online digital library of accessible books and periodicals in the U.S.,
Museum 2.0
AUGUST 20, 2019
We will always find it hard to implement equity and access, metaphorically throwing open the doors, if our leaders don’t spend time thinking about how we do our work. Leaders need to realize access and equity isn’t solely about visitors.
Beneblog: Technology Meets Society
JULY 7, 2008
Last year, the National Federation of the Blind took on Amazon.com about the accessibility of their website, which NFB felt at one time had been quite accessible, but which had declined in accessibility. NFB got them to commit to work on accessibility.
VisionLink
APRIL 27, 2011
We have released a completely redesigned interface for public access to community resources, assets, and services. The interface offers a greatly simplified initial display for the public, with quick links to details and maps, and to an advanced searching module as well.
NTEN
MAY 20, 2015
For many people with disabilities, this is a daily reality when they encounter the common problem of non-accessible websites. In recognition of these challenges, May 21 is Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). Beyond the Shuffle: Data Accessibility in the Cloud by Kirsten Kippen.
Beneblog: Technology Meets Society
JULY 27, 2011
There has been a major breakthrough recently on international copyright negotiations in Geneva around improved access for people who have print disabilities. Answer : • Countries should provide for a copyright exception in their national laws to allow nonprofit organizations serving people with disabilities to make accessible versions of inaccessible books and other content • Import and export of such accessible materials shall be permitted 2.
Beneblog: Technology Meets Society
NOVEMBER 15, 2009
Brief Comments on Accessibility Concerns on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) The disability community should be concerned about ACTA for two reasons: At its core it’s an anti-piracy agreement. The digital measures designed to defeat piracy usually end up equating accessibility with piracy. We don’t know if it’s benign or hostile to accessibility.
AFP Blog
AUGUST 27, 2013
Free Tools to Test Your Nonprofit''s Website for Accessibility | NTEN : "People generally associate the topic of web accessibility with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but I like to think of web accessibility as the practice of making websites with content, features and functionality that people of all abilities can access and use." ''via Blog this
Beneblog: Technology Meets Society
JANUARY 30, 2013
Our commitment is to provide access to books for those who are unable to read a traditional print format and to do so without harming the economic interests of authors and publishers. The Problem with Traditional DRM Traditional “strong” Digital Rights Management (DRM) restrictions have traditionally been the most common way to control access to online books. However, strong DRM turns out to be an impediment to the commercial distribution of accessible ebooks.
Tech Soup Blog
AUGUST 30, 2011
The first time I really "got" the power of accessible technology (AT) to improve the lives of people with disabilities was when I saw the PBS documentary Freedom Machines. How Accessible Technology Computer Refurbishment Came About. How Accessible Technology Works.
AFP Blog
JULY 24, 2015
Open Access: How A Nonprofit Is Giving Techies Without Tuition Their Shot | Fast Company | Business + Innovation : 'via Blog this
AFP Blog
SEPTEMBER 17, 2013
Cell Internet Access | Pew Internet & American Life Project : Nearly two-thirds (63%) of cell phone owners now use their phone to go online, according to a new survey by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project. We call them “cell internet users” and define them as anyone who uses their cell phone to access the internet or use email.
Connection Cafe
JANUARY 6, 2015
Healthcare is changing—and for the better—because of this immediate and remote access to data. For the best donor interaction, development staff needs information to be accessible wherever and whenever their conversation happens.
Beneblog: Technology Meets Society
MARCH 13, 2011
It takes an editor through the entire process of operating and publishing a journal, with a heavy emphasis on open access journals (where the articles are freely available to everybody from the moment they are published). One metric that made a real impression: OJS users publish an open access article for around $200 per article, which compares to the typical number of $3000 that is frequently floated around in the open access field.
Beneblog: Technology Meets Society
MAY 15, 2012
The DIAGRAM Center team has also created an image data content model which will provide standards to define and enhance the efficacy and interoperability of accessible images as the project evolves. DIAGRAM stands for Digital Image and Graphics Resources for Accessible Materials. Our DIAGRAM Center is dramatically changing the way image and graphical content for accessible educational materials is produced and accessed.
Tech Soup Blog
NOVEMBER 13, 2012
Microsoft's latest operating system also delivers when it comes to its accessibility and assistive technology features, namely the Narrator and Magnifier. Watch this video demo from Microsoft to see the new accessibility features in action: (Please visit the site to view this video).
Tech Soup Blog
JUNE 26, 2015
Ever since the Independent Living Movement began to emerge in the 1960s to empower people with disabilities, more and more of the world has become accessible. Metro4All is actually a collaboration of people in different countries interested in addressing mass transit accessibility.
AFP Blog
APRIL 5, 2016
Twitter Enhances Accessibility with Alt Text for Images – ProfHacker - Blogs - The Chronicle of Higher Education : "Twitter Enhances Accessibility with Alt Text for Images" 'via Blog this
VisionLink
DECEMBER 1, 2009
To gain access to these resources, clients need to provide at least basic information about themselves. While our customers work to support those who need help, protecting their client records becomes critical. This gets interesting at the intersection of charitable or nonprofit support, and government sponsored support.
AFP Blog
DECEMBER 15, 2014
The Google Cultural Institute and Arts Accessibility: Where Is It All Going? - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly
Beneblog: Technology Meets Society
JUNE 8, 2010
The Goal The goal is pretty clear: insuring that every person on the planet with a serious print disability has access to the books and other printed material that they need to get an education, make a living and be included in society. They would permit import and export of accessible materials, and are crafted to avoid a significant financial impact on publishers. That could start the ball rolling with access right away.
Tech Soup Blog
JULY 17, 2015
adults still don't have broadband Internet access at home. The June 2015 FCC proposal calls for an expansion of Lifeline to provide low-income households with a choice of subsidized phone service or broadband Internet access. Nearly a third of U.S.
Tech Soup Blog
AUGUST 18, 2017
Each year, Knowbility hosts OpenAIR (Accessibility Internet Rally). OpenAIR is an online event that provides mission-based organizations both with a new, professionally designed, accessible website that accommodates all visitors, and with expanded awareness about accessibility issues.
Connection Cafe
JUNE 18, 2009
Chances are, you already know how important it is to have an accessible web site. I’ll spare you a lecture on that subject here by reminding you that your site should, most definitely, be accessible. I attended an awesome session on accessibility at the UPA conference and the folks over at Fidelity Investments shared some great questions to use to test out your site: Can you navigate your site using just your keyboard?
Beneblog: Technology Meets Society
NOVEMBER 20, 2006
We have been helping blind and print disabled people gain access to books for over 17 years. Two recent experiences underscored different parts of this struggle to deliver access. It's great to see someone still using one of our products to access books for this length of time. The goal of this repository is to ensure that students with print disabilities have easy access to textbooks.
Tech Soup Blog
MARCH 28, 2017
But others might say that equality is contingent upon access. This gathering is the biggest and most well-known conference to focus exclusively on assistive and accessible technologies for populations with special needs. This is the power of accessible technology. accessibility
Beneblog: Technology Meets Society
JULY 17, 2008
This is an academic conference on access technology, full of researchers trying out new things that will help people with disabilities. My first day was hanging out at the Young Researchers seminar, which was organized by Professors Paul Blenkhorn (the UK's first professor of access tech) and the ICCHP host Klaus Miesenberger. The goal is to get more people working to make this happen: getting access tech to every person in the world who needs it.
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