India: Microsoft Launches Products for People with Disabilities
On the occasion of World Disabilities Day, Microsoft India unveiled a set of 40 templates for most commonly used public information circulars, forms, gazettes and notifications. These templates when used will automate the process of creating accessible documents for people with visual, hearing and learning disabilities. With the aim of enhancing employability prospects through skill development, Microsoft also enabled Microsoft Office Specialist Certification for persons with disabilities through its partners.
From globalaccessibilitynews.com, December 07, 2011
UN Report Highlights Need To Make Television More Accessible To Persons with Disabilities
Television should be made more accessible to persons with disabilities, argues a new United Nations report released, which identifies different accessibility options that would enable users to fully access audiovisual content. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies, more than 1.4 billion households worldwide have a TV, representing 98 per cent of homes in developed countries and almost 73 per cent in the developing world. But people with audiovisual impairments are not able to make use of this channel for information, education and entertainment purposes.
From globalaccessibilitynews.com, December 06, 2011
Australian Government Announces Support to Improve the Lives of People with Disability Worldwide
Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd and Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas said the Australian Government will contribute $2 million towards a new United Nations Trust Fund to assist countries to implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
"The Australian Government is pleased to support this symposium—further discussion and action on the World Report on Disability will help us to improve the quality of lives of people with disability worldwide," Mr Rudd said.
From www.foreignminister.gov.au, December 06, 2011
USA: COAT Leaders Speak at International Wireless Conference in Washington DC
On December 5, 2011, the G3ICT group hosted the M-Enabling Summit 2011 at the FCC, an international forum focusing on mobile technologies and the needs of people with disabilities and seniors. The first panel addressed the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 and featured COAT members and friends as speakers.
From http://www.coataccess.org/node/10079, December 06, 2011
USA: Manufacturers Expand Information on Accessibility Features of Mobile Phones
To mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, mobile phone manufacturers have agreed to enhance their reporting of features on mobile phone models that can assist customers with disabilities. Following a recent review with stakeholders around the world, manufacturers have agreed a number of changes to their voluntary reporting scheme and will add details of 15 more features that are becoming more prevalent on mobile phones and which can help make a difference to people with limited vision, hearing, dexterity or cognition.
From globalaccessibilitynews.com, December 05, 2011
WIPO Completes 23rd SCCR with Movement on Treaties for Blind People and Libraries
WIPO’s Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) has completed a two-week session with progress in two areas in which advocates are seeking international agreements on limitations and exceptions to copyright. The Committee announced that it will consider input from library groups and delegations to the meeting and accept further comments from members until February 29 and produce a “Provisional Working Document” (SCCR/23/8) on limitations and exceptions for libraries and archives.
From globalaccessibilitynews.com, December 05, 2011
Austrian City Salzburg Wins EU Access City Award
The Austrian city Salzburg won the Access City award 2012, the European prize for making cities more accessible to people with disabilities. The annual honour aims to award efforts to improve accessibility in the urban environment and to foster equal participation of people with disabilities. The European Commission commended Salzburg’s long-standing commitment, coherent approach and excellent results in improving accessibility, achieved with the direct participation of people with disabilities.
From globalaccessibilitynews.com, December 05, 2011
USA: Institute on Disability and Public Policy Offers World's First Virtual Master's Degree on Disability Studies
As the International Day for Persons with Disabilities approaches this Saturday, one institution is working to remove some of the barriers that prevent disabled people from taking a leading role in policies that affect their lives. The Institute on Disability and Public Policy (IDPP), offering the world's first virtual master's degree on disability studies and public policy, is geared specifically toward those with disabilities, adapting innovative technologies to make the degree accessible.
From ipsnews.net, December 02, 2011
UK: Ministers Back New Bills Outlawing Job Discrimination Against People Suffering from Mental Illness
Current laws allow jurors, MPs, school governors and company directors to be removed from office because of past mental health problems. Crossbench peer Lord Stevenson, who has suffered from depression, described this as the “last significant form of discrimination in law in our society”. He has introduced a Bill, which has won Government support, to outlaw the “disgraceful” practice.
From www.express.co.uk, December 02, 2011
USA: AIA to Host Accessibility Forum at CSUN 2012 Conference
Accessibility Interoperability Alliance (AIA) - the technical & engineering division of the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA), will play host to “Taking Accessibility Mainstream - Making the Case for an International Society of Accessibility Professionals”, an accessibility forum, to be held on the second day of the 2012 CSUN Conference in San Diego, California. The forum aims to bring focus to the needs of the development community in achieving accessible technology. Sponsors for the event include Microsoft, Adobe, SSB Bart Group, textHelp, and The Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs.
From www.atia.org, November 24, 2011
