Dwell Control is how users of eye- or head-tracking assistive technologies control how they click, drag, and scroll items on the screen. Dwelling is holding the mouse still for a period of time which then triggers and action like a mouse click. The setting is somewhat hidden, but can be accessed by going to: Apple …
How common are disabilities
One of the most common questions we hear is usually "But, how many people have this…?" Many times it comes from people who are being informed about accessibility shortcomings. Yet many people asking the question have a disability and believe they are alone or only a few others share their concerns. So lets use some …
Seeing the fine print…
Trying to read the text on labels gets harder as we age, its a reality that frustrates many yet many have a -partial solution in their pocket—their smart phone. The best magnifier is just like the best camera, its the one you have with you. iOS 10 has an exceptionally well designed Magnifier that is …
Closing the Gap Scholarship
Scholarship opportunity for a parent, grandparents or siblings to attend Closing the Gap.
Agents of change, not recipients of change
Accessibility isn't about accommodations, its about being able to participate in shaping our society. It's Our Story champions that notion: In using the IOS content to develop media accessibility tutorials and best practices, two critical milestones are met. A people’s history is archived by incorporating 21st Century workforce readiness skills in making the Internet “Accessible to …
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VI User Group
NATRC and the NNCIL is offers a user group for people learning how to use iOS devices and to share resources on how to better utilize the most accessible mobile device available. See how using an iOS device can change how you things, allowing you to easily participate in a host of daily life activities. Even …
Making electronic and print materials accessible to all!!
There is no doubt that even within the disability field there lacks information and guidance on providing information in a way that is useable by everyone. Here is some decent information on how to actually disseminate things in a universally accessible manner. Note: It is from the UK but it is better than resources that …
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GN ReSound releases LiNX a smart hearing aid
Connecting AT devices to smart devices is a gateway moment—it opens many more opportunities for use of their AT devices as well as making them easier, cheaper and upgradable.
Enabled Nevada website launched
In a collaboration between the NATRC and the UNR Reynolds School of Journalism the Enabled Nevada website was created to highlight the lives of people that either have or work with disabilities. The goal, seeking to personalize disability rather than present statistics, involved numerous graduate journalism students and used newer media forms such as …
First bilingual voice for AAC
AssistiveWare released version 1.1 of their Proloquo4Text AAC app for iOS which adds the first ever bilingual American Spanish voices. The same voice is used in speaking both languages, allowing bilingual users to maintain voice identity. Voice identity is important developmentally for younger users and Proloquo4Text's two child voices (Emilio and Valeria) are particularly welcome. …
Best Kept Secret showing on PBS
Looking forward to seeing Best Kept Secrets documentary. The documentary features the efforts of educator Janet Mino at John F. Kennedy High School in Newark, N.J., helping students with autism open up to the world around them. The series will be shown on KNPB on the following dates: Wednesday, September 25, 7:00am Saturday, September 28, …
CSUN 2013
More than a third of the sessions are focused on accessibility on the web. Clearly people and institutions are waking up to this important need. In a session on 3rd party apps and VoiceOver. The bug issue is that developers are not doing the minimal accessibility steps as they develop the apps. Pity.
Leveraged Freedom Chair (LFC
Great story on leveraging design for the needs of many. Source : Global Research Innovation and Technology (GRIT) If you are a wheelchair user who lives in a rural area, there's not really a good mobility aid that allows you to travel a long distance on many types of terrains, but is also small and …
It’s not just Assistive it is Appropriate Technology
The NATRC has championed the idea that AT users need to have access to the appropriate technology not the cheapest. This idea has been embraced by more and more people, especially by the modern workplace. Appropriate Technology gets people involved and active in the modern world, socially and economically. The unemployment rate last year was …
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iOS’s impact on those with impairments isn’t just a marketing slide; it’s profound
The Magazine is a new media site that produces 5 mid length articles every two weeks. Well curated and thoughtful articles by respected writers grace its pages. The January 31 issue (9) has a feature on Apple's universal design creedo—the almost gentic drive to balance the user experience for the widest audience. The almost "zero …
