Canadian Museum for Human Rights Designed with Disabilities in Mind
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) is raising the bar for what some say should be the standard of all new public buildings being erected. Located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, CMHR is working with an Inclusive Design Advisory Council (IDAC), made up of a panel of eight activists, advisors, and experts in the field of disability rights. The purpose of these meetings is to strive to meet the needs of people with disabilities. From the building itself, to designing each exhibit to be universally inclusive, the museum is setting a new benchmark in accessibility, programming, and business practice.
From www.disabilityliving.ca, December 09, 2011
Merge Paralympics with Olympics, Say 65% of Disabled Britons
Almost two-thirds of disabled people want the Paralympics scrapped and merged with the Olympics, a survey has shown. Support for such a move is backed by 65% of disabled people and 62% of parents of disabled children, according to a poll for the charity Scope. More than half of all Britons polled, including those without disabilities, said combining the Olympics and Paralympics would help disabled athletes to be taken more seriously and improve society's views about disabled people.
From www.guardian.co.uk, December 09, 2011
Australia: New DisasterWatch Smartphone App Launched
Australians can now download a free Smartphone application to get quick and easy access to information about emergencies and disasters across the country. Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today launched the DisasterWatch app at the 12th Australian Safer Community Awards ceremony in Canberra. Mr McClelland said the DisasterWatch app, available in both Android and iPhone platforms, contains the latest public information about disaster events via direct feeds from a range of authoritative States, Territory and national sources.
From www.attorneygeneral.gov.au, December 08, 2011
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
