UNIC Moscow Release Russian Version of G3ict-ITU Research 'e-Accessibility Policy Handbook for Persons with Disabilities'
The e-Accessibility Policy Handbook for Persons with Disabilities is based upon the online ITU-G3ict e-Accessibility Policy Toolkit for Persons with Disabilities (www.e-accessibilitytoolkit.org) which was released in February 2010. This is the Russian translation of the same. The Toolkit and its companion handbook have contributions from more than 60 experts around the world on ICT accessibility and is a most valuable addition to policy makers and regulators, advocacy and research organizations and persons with disabilities on the implementation of the ICT dispositions of the CRPD.
From www.unic.ru, August 29, 2011
Video Description Rules Formally Adopted in USA
On 25 August 2011 the Federal Communications Commission formally voted in the requirements to deliver video description on a number of American TV and cable channels. These new rules flow on from the provisions of the 21st Century Video Accessibility Act and apply from October 2011 with full compliance required by July 2012.
From www.mediaaccess.org.au, August 26, 2011
WCAG 2.0: Text Resizing - Why Page Zoom is not Good Enough?
What do you need to do to ensure that users can resize the text on your web page? A quick look at WCAG's "How to meet 1.4.4 (Resize Text)" suggests that relying on browsers' page zoom is sufficient. Some experts share this view. The way we interpret SC 1.4.4 and the related failure F69, support of text-only resizing is still necessary.
From www.bitvtest.eu, August 25, 2011
Video: Cinema Subtitle Glasses Give Promise to Deaf Film Fans
People who are deaf or hard of hearing have long complained that going to watch a film can be an unsatisfactory experience, with subtitled films on at unsociable times and often suffering from technical problems. But a solution could soon available in the form of special glasses which allow the wearer to see subtitles directly in front of their eyes, giving them the freedom of choice afforded to hearing people.
From www.bbc.co.uk, August 25, 2011
mHealth: How The West can Learn from Mobile Health Experiments in Developing Countries
More than three-quarters of the world’s 5.3 billion mobile phones are located in the developing world. These increasingly powerful devices are proving to be a lifeline for people who need improved access to health services. The United States and other industrialized countries can learn from experiments in the developing world that use the humble cell phone as a platform for innovation.
From www.ssireview.org, August 25, 2011
Nepal: Right to Equality, But Only on Paper
Nepal has ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the country’s interim constitution also guarantees right to equal and inclusive education to all children including those with disabilities. But in practice, they face discrimination of all sorts. There is a lack of holistic approach and the government has failed to set up an education system for the disabled that is “available, accessible, appropriate and of good quality”, found a field research conducted by Human Rights Watch, a New York-based organisation, this year.
From www.hindustantimes.com, August 25, 2011
USA: Yellowstone Guide Available for Wheelchair Users
The nation's oldest national park has long offered volume-controlled public phones and sign language interpreters for its ranger programs. Even its newspaper, Yellowstone Today, is available in a Braille edition for those who need it.
From www.ctpost.com, August 24, 2011
Facebook's 'Like' Button Illegal in German State
A German state would very much like for its residents to keep their fingers--and other assorted pointers or cursors--away from Facebook's "Like" button. The state of Schleswig-Holstein has ordered all government offices to remove the button from their Web presence and shut down any Facebook "fan" pages, on the grounds that these things violate German and European data privacy laws. A release from the Independent Centre for Privacy Protection in the German state claims that information collected from German users' "liking" and other activities is sent back to the United States where Facebook uses it to create a profile, all of which runs afoul of Germany's uberstrict privacy laws.
From news.cnet.com, August 24, 2011
USA: Toys ‘R’ Us to Bring Autism Therapy Robot to Masses
A fuzzy yellow robot initially used for autism therapy is going mainstream this fall, with Toys “R” Us marketing a consumer version that very well could be the next must-have Christmas item. The robot known as My Keepon is just 10 inches tall and features little more than two big eyes and a black dot for a nose. But, it responds to touch and can turn and even sneeze.
From www.disabilityscoop.com, August 23, 2011
USA: Plans Emerge to Increase Special Education Funding
There may be two different bills on the table designed to fully fund special education when Congress returns this fall if one lawmaker follows through on plans announced this week. U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo. says he intends to introduce legislation in September to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
From www.disabilityscoop.com, August 23, 2011
