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
UN Welcomes Iraqi Ratification of Pact on Rights of Persons with Disabilities
“The ratification of this convention by Iraq marks a historic step in ensuring that persons living with disabilities enjoy full participation in the Iraqi society and can contribute to the community to their full potential,” said Francesco Motta, chief of the human rights unit of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Iraq.
From UN News Centre, 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
Ford to Study the Use of Digital Tools to Design Vehicles for People with Visual Disabilities
Ford has initiated a program to study visual impairment issues that come with an ageing society and the use of digital tools to better design vehicles for people with visual disabilities.
From http://globalaccessibilitynews.com/2012/01/06/ford-initiates-programme-to-better-design-vehicles-for-people-with-disabilities/, January 27, 2012
UK: Apps the Key to Revolutionizing Autism Learning?
Veronica is six years old and severely affected by autism. She has significant learning difficulties and finds many social situations very difficult. She lost all her speech three years ago. But in common with many other children like her, touchscreen computers have provided a way of learning and communicating that plays to her strengths. As a result, devices like iPads are fast becoming a 'must-have' for many families of children with autism.
From http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16534678, January 25, 2012
Australia: Government Inks Funding Deal to Support Education of Students with Disabilities
The Gillard Labor Government is providing an extra $47.9 million to support children in NSW Government schools under the national $200 million More Support for Students with Disabilities initiative. This important initiative is part of the Gillard Government’s commitment to making sure all Australians have the best opportunities to learn and get a job – regardless of their personal circumstances. The extra funding will be delivered through a new National Partnership that will allow schools to make the best choices for their students so they can learn more easily and engage with their classmates, teachers and support staff.
From http://www.pm.gov.au/press-office/helping-students-disabilities, January 24, 2012
