Video: Living with Disabilities in Europe
MEPs want to make Europe more accessible for the 120 million EU citizens with disabilities, particularly in terms of training and employment.
From http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=WCQNfIxhDbU, March 07, 2012
TechNews: Object Recognizer App Turns the iPhone Into a Visual Assistant
Being visually impaired can sometimes mean using special means to obtain specific items that are labeled for a largely sighted world of consumers. The LookTel Recognizer for iPhone aims to change that dynamic forever. The iPhone app does exactly what the name indicates—it recognizes specific brands of products in cans, bottles, packages, DVDs as well as identifies ID and credit cards. The one drawback is that you must first create a library of images to train the app to recognize. That sticking point may lose the app some usability points, but once that visual library is created (perhaps by a sighted friend or assistant), the power of the app is undeniable.
From http://dvice.com/archives/2012/03/object-recogniz.php, March 07, 2012
USA: Wireless RERC’s 2012 Invitation to Apply for Financial Support to Develop Mobile Applications
The Wireless RERC’s “App Factory” invites experienced developers to submit proposals for financial support to develop assistive and/or accessibility apps for either iOS or Android platforms. Developers may also request partial funding for apps that already enjoy partial support from other sources, or for adaptation of existing apps to additional platforms. The deadline for submission of app proposals for support in 2012 is March 12.
From http://wirelessrerc.org/RFP-Assistive%20and%20Accessible%20Apps_2012.doc/view, March 07, 2012
UNESCO Launches Meeting Report on Accessible ICTs for Students with Disabilities
UNESCO, jointly with Microsoft Corporation, launches the report on Accessible ICTs and Personalized Learning for Students with Disabilities at the International Conference on Assistive Technology and Persons with Disabilities in San Diego, USA.
From http://www.unesco.org/, March 06, 2012
European Commission Establishes eHealth Stakeholder Group
Following the recent call for expression of interest (closed in January 2012), the European Commission has selected 29 members to participate in its new eHealth Stakeholder Group. Members of the group, appointed for a period of three years, are expert representatives of European umbrella organisations active in the eHealth sector. The group is expected to contribute to the development of legislation and policy related to eHealth. Policy areas of specific interest include relevant actions of the Digital Agenda for Europe on eHealth and the forthcoming eHealth Action Plan.
From http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/health/policy/stakeholders_group/index_en.htm, March 06, 2012
USA: NYU Tops List of Most Disability Friendly Colleges
According to the new book \"College Success for Students with Physical Disabilities\" published in February, author Chris Tiedemann named NYU as one of the most disability friendly universities in the nation. He looked at accommodations beyond those required by the American with Disabilities Act and ranked NYU as one of the most accommodating.
From http://www.nyunews.com/news/2012/03/05/05ranking/, March 06, 2012
Ambient Assistive Living Launches Fifth Call for Proposals
The AAL Joint Programme launches its Fifth Call for Proposals: “ICT-based Solutions for (Self-) Management of Daily Life Activities of Older Adults at Home”, which encompasses important dimensions of the broad topic of Home Care. The Call was launched on 29 February 2012 and will close on 29 May 2012.
From http://www.aal-europe.eu/calls/call-5-2012, March 06, 2012
EU: SFB Launches MyWay App to Aid Blind People
Swiss Federation of the Blind (SFB) developed MyWay app for iPhone to aid people who are blind. MyWay is a GPS orientation aid which provides distance and directional information to a selected point of interest. These might include an address from your address book or a point on a self-defined route. Enter a name of the route first, for example “From Home to the bus stop” Then you can add a route point you think important whenever you want, for example at an intersection. The app offers many ways to define a route point. The simplest way to do this is to shake the iPhone.
From http://globalaccessibilitynews.com/2012/02/27/sfb-launches-myway-app-to-aid-blind-people/, March 05, 2012
USA: New Mobile App for Travelers with Disabilities
Bussani Mobility Team, a leading provider of mobility products and services for people with disabilities in the New York metropolitan area, has launched a mobile app. The new service allows anyone with a Smartphone (iPhone or Android), iPod touch or iPad to quickly and easily access important information and help.
From http://globalaccessibilitynews.com/2012/02/24/new-mobile-app-for-travelers-with-disabilities/, March 05, 2012
Ireland: Registration Open for 4th International Disability Summer School, NUI Galway
The Centre for Disability Law & Policy, National University of Ireland, Galway, Republic of Ireland is organizing the 4th International Disability Summer School, between 18 and 23 June, 2012. The focus of the course this year is 'The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – How to Use it'. The opening address will be made by President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins.
From http://www.nuigalway.ie/cdlp/summer_school/2012/welcome.html, March 05, 2012
