Software/Website Design
RNIB Gets Tough With bmibaby Over Accessibility
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIBP) has sued the UK airline, bimbaby, over the accessibility of its website. People using screen readers or non-mouse navigation were unable to buy plane tickets online, and were instead directed towards buying tickets by phone, at times paying fees to do so. Customers were also concerned that they were missing out on the best deals, and up to date flight information.
RNIBP approached bimbaby in 2010, after receiving several complaints about the website. RNIBP was commissioned by bimbaby to assess the website, and supplied the airline with a report of their findings in 2011. However, as changes to the website have still not been made, RNIBP decided to take legal action.
Issues using the Walmart and John Lewis websites with the Jaws screen reader
This video from Ability Net explores the problems that keyboard users and screen reader users can face when attempting to navigate through an inaccessible website. Issues such as non-descriptive link titles, skipping over links, and no visual differentiation marking which link is currently selected can make navigation impossible for many users
Assistive Listening Calculator - Free Mobile App For iPhone and iPad Eases Installation of Assistive Listening Systems
The ADA Compliance Assistive Listening Calculator is a free mobile program for the iPhone and iPad from Listen Technologies. The company describes it as "a complete tool-set for understanding and calculating facility requirements to meet the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design." The app includes a calculator, e-mail capability, helpful ADA information links, product assistance and quote request button and is designed to take the guesswork out of computing for ADA requirements for assistive listening. The mobile app is based on Table 219.3 Receivers for Assistive Listening Systems from Section706: Assistive Listening Systems of the Department of Justice Title III of the ADA. The table outlines the minimum number of receivers/ALDS required based on the capacity seating of assembly areas; and the minimum number of receivers/ALDs that are required to be hearing aid compatible. The ADA Compliance Assistive Listening Calculator App is downloadable as a free app at the iTunes App Store from Listen Technologies Corp.
Smartphone Apps Address Autism
There are a growing number of smartphone apps designed to help children with autism work on establishing routines and make it easier for parents and caregivers to communicate with chidlren with autism. While there is some anticdotal evidence that the apps are helpful, actual research into the apps is only begining to take place. Autism Speaks is planning on posting ratings and user comments about the various apps at its website in the near future.
Manage Accessibility Options With Triple-Click
iPhone has a variety of video tutorials online demonstrating how to use their unique features. Accessibility options are the focus of this video, in which they explain to users how they can utilize their iPhone to best fit their abilities.
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Access Living
This project is an office building that models the intersection of universal and green design on an infill site in the River North neighborhood of Chicago. More +
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Ed Roberts Campus - The Essence of Universal Design
Ed Roberts Campus is a universally designed campus that brings disability services together into one building. More +
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Accessibility: Comparisons, Compliance, and Universal Design
When: July 25 - 26, 2012
Where: Cambridge, MA
The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design has introduced several new revisions to Titles II and III of The Americans With Disability Act of 1990. Discuss how to interpret and apply these new accessibility design laws with some of the industry leaders at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. MORE +
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