Apps That Aid the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities
A strange thing happened when the menus arrived at the table during Ilene Berman's 48th birthday dinner. It involved 10 women, five smartphones and an application called Mag Light. The dimly lit atmosphere at Cibo E Beve in Sandy Springs was momentarily interrupted as the women whipped out their phones to illuminate the very tiny light brown print on the cream-colored menus.
From http://www.ajc.com/lifestyle/apps-aid-aging-and-1326805.html, February 03, 2012
USA: JAN Adds Second Installment to a New Series of Just-in-Time Training Modules
JAN announces the second in a series of fully-accessible training modules. The second just-in-time module is titled "Understanding and Applying the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Amendments Act and Its Regulations." The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 significantly broadened the definition of disability, leaving many employers unsure of how to determine whether an employee has a disability. This 43 minute training module and accompanying transcript and handout provides an overview of the changes made to the definition of disability, a summary of the guidance provided by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's regulations, and practical ideas for applying the new definition in the workplace.
From http://AskJAN.org/training/library.htm, February 03, 2012
South African Blind Researcher Develops Notetaker Device for Blind People
A portable voice-based computer for blind people, developed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has been shortlisted in the South African Breweries (SAB) Foundation inaugural Innovation Awards. The notetaker device is the first invention of its kind in South Africa and was developed by Willem van der Walt, a blind researcher at the CSIR. Fellow researcher Gerhard van den Berg was also involved in the development of the product.
From http://globalaccessibilitynews.com/2012/02/01/south-african-blind-researcher-develops-notetaker-device-for-blind-people/, February 01, 2012
Cinema Opens Up for Morocco's Blind
As Aziz Bouallouchen walks into the foyer of a plush cinema in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh, he is given not a pair of 3D glasses that one can expect to find in many cinemas around the world but a pair of headphones. Mr Bouallouchen, in his 20s, is no ordinary cinema-goer and this is no ordinary cinema. Every seat is equipped with special devices to enhance the enjoyment of blind and partially-sighted film-lovers. The film being shown is Lalla Hoby, a popular Moroccan comedy about a man who crosses the Straits of Gibraltar in order to look for his wife who has left him for another man and gone to live in Belgium. Released in 1996, it is the only North African film to have been adapted to carry audio description.
From http://www.africareview.com/Special+Reports/-/979182/1317840/-/yspiqhz/-/index.html, February 01, 2012
USA: Campaign for Disability Employment Announces Nationwide Video Contest
The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation is looking for creative, fun, compelling videos of all genres that reflect the diversity of skills that people with disabilities offer, challenge misconceptions about disability and employment, and/or highlight employers’ inclusive employment programs and practices. The CDE will recognize winners in up to three specific categories (General Public, Youth and Employer), and the public will be encouraged to select a People’s Choice winner.
From http://www.spinalcordinjury-paralysis.org/dailydose/2012/01/31/campaign-for-disability-employment-announces-natio, February 01, 2012
USA: Stanford University Offers Course on Assistive Technology
Perspectives in Assistive Technology is aimed to "explore the broad spectrum of issues surrounding the design, development, and use of technology that benefits people with disabilities and seniors." The course consists of twice-weekly lectures from experts in the field, including designers, entrepreneurs, clinicians, and users. Beyond these lectures, students engage in a team-based design project experience that includes need finding, project identification, and design. Teams interact with users of assistive technology, design coaches, and project partners.
From http://www.spinalcordinjury-paralysis.org/dailydose/2012/01/31/new-college-course-on-assistive-technology, February 01, 2012
UK: Disability App Designed by London Terrorism Survivor
A severely injured survivor of the 7/7 bombings has created a smartphone app to help people with disabilities travel around London more easily. Daniel Biddle lost both his legs, spleen and left eye after a bomb exploded on a tube train in July 2005. His Ldn Access app details step-free access, ramps and usable toilet facilities at thousands of venues.
From http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16799242, January 31, 2012
Congolese Inventor Puts African Tablet on Sale
Africa has its first handheld tablet to rival the iPad and similar Western inventions, which went on sale in the Republic of Congo Monday, its inventor Verone Mankou said. "We have set up a team and logistics to sell the tablet since Friday. Today, anyone can buy one," if they are in the main cities of the capital Brazzaville and the oil port of Pointe-Noire, the 26-year-old told AFP. The tablet is called the Way-C - "the light of the stars" in a dialect of northern Congo. It measures 19 x 17 x 1.2 cm and weighs 380 grams (13.4 ounces) and has integrated Wi-Fi circuitry and a 4.0 GB memory.
From http://www.africareview.com/News/Congolese+inventor+puts+African+tablet+on+sale/-/979180/1316872/-/4od7yd/-/index.html, January 30, 2012
New Smartphone Technology Puts a Doctor in Your Pocket
When we are feeling under the weather a visit to the doctors' surgery or hospital is a necessary evil to find out what is wrong with us. But, if a team of scientists have their way, we may soon be able to get a diagnosis for our illnesses simply by using a mobile phone from the comfort of the armchair. Backed by government funding, South Korean scientists have developed new mobile-phone technology designed to diagnose disease.
From http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2093827/Doctor-pocket--How-smartphones-able-diagnose-diseases-just-drop-blood-saliva-screen.html, January 30, 2012
UK Charity Sues Airline for Inaccessible Website
Airline bmibaby is being sued by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) for allegedly "failing to ensure web access for blind and partially sighted customers". "Bmibaby Ltd has failed to make vital changes to its website to allow customers with sight loss to use their online services instead of being forced to search for flights or make bookings via a call centre", said RNIB in a statement. The charity said it had raised concerns with bmibaby in 2010 when RNIB was made aware of the problem through customers, no longer able to book flights through the bmibaby website.
From http://www.computerworlduk.com/news/it-business/3332901/bmibaby-sued-over-inaccessible-website/, January 27, 2012
