Digital Accessibility News

SoulCycle failed to design and construct its website in a way that would make it fully accessible and independently usable for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, a new class action lawsuit alleges. Plaintiff Daniel Rodriguez, a legally blind man, claims SoulCycle denies individuals who are blind or visually impaired the full and equal access to the goods and services it offers on its...

Microsoft has announced it will implement AI language technology — including ChatGPT — in some of its popular Microsoft 365 (Office) business apps, including Word, Excel and Powerpoint. The announcement follows the multinational technology company’s February debut of the integration of OpenAI GPT-4 language technology into its Bing search engine, OpenAI reportedly unveiled its GPT-4 language technology earlier this month while presenting it as an...

One of the things that excites me about tech is the ability to change people's lives for the better. Be My Eyes is a global community that connects people who are blind or have low vision with sighted volunteers through live free video calls to assist with daily tasks from choosing clothing of a particular colour to reading a label or navigating an outdoor space....

A clever project that makes it easier for people of all abilities to get out and enjoy the Sunshine Coast way of life, is being expanded. The initiative began a year ago as a trial where specially trained “pilots” backed by advanced technology tracked some of our busiest routes, providing accessibility mapping for those living with a disability, using wheelchairs or using mobility aids to...

Children’s magazine Highlights for Children failed to make its website fully accessible to and independently usable by individuals who are blind or visually impaired, a new class action lawsuit alleges. Plaintiff Rafia Lawal claims Highlights for Children’s website contains access barriers that deny individuals who are blind or visually impaired from having full and equal access to it, along with the goods and services it...

Like many museums and cultural institutions, the Amon Carter Museum of American Art has made a concerted effort to develop an online experience that is accessible and inclusive in recent years. And at the core of this project is a particular focus on alt (alternative) text that makes for a more effective digital presence. This initiative, which has so far seen more than 500 art...

The A.I. Root Company failed to make its website fully accessible and independently usable for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, a new class action lawsuit alleges. Plaintiff Seana Cromitie claims the website for A.I. Root — which produces and sells candles — contains access barriers that prevent individuals who are blind or visually impaired from being able to use screen-reading software to browse...

Blockbuster film Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, has had an Audio Description recorded by comedian and writer Sue Perkins. The film, which releases in UK and Irish cinemas on March 31st, will include the Audio Description option in all available cinemas. Audio description is a form of narration used to provide information on key visual elements, such as expressions, movements or body language, in...

In a world full of discrimination against disabled people that isn’t always obvious, much of the work focused on accessibility must call attention to issues that are often ignored. As he steps into his role as The Washington Post’s first accessibility engineer, Holden Foreman will solidify work that was already happening behind the scenes, taking accessibility out of the darkness and connecting the Post’s engineering...

As part of the new pharmacy accessibility options, Wegmans has added video remote interpretation services in American Sign Language and Video Relay Service to make and receive calls with customers using a customer’s video phone — a device that allows the customer to use sign language. The grocer has also added inductive hearing loops at one release-to-patient register/pharmacy payment checkout and one counseling area in...

For the first time in its 94-year history, the Academy Awards show is expanding its accessibility, both on and off screen, to the Oscars’ red carpet on Sunday. The Oscars’ red carpet will include audio transcriptions — provided by a team that includes a blind audio describer — and live captions to ensure access for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences. Additionally, American Sign Language interpreters will...

Imagine if Clippy didn’t suck and instead made genuinely helpful suggestions to ensure the content you create is accessible to as wide an audience as possible. That’s the idea behind a new tool Microsoft announced today at its annual Microsoft Ability Summit. The new “Accessibility Assistant” for Microsoft 365 office software is like a spelling or grammar checking tool that will instruct users on how...