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Welcome to the Weekly Reading Roundup! Stay informed with our latest selection of accessibility news highlights, curated for you!
DC NEWS
ABC 7 NEWS: Capital Area Food Bank provides free summer meals for kids in DC, Maryland and Virginia
As the school year draws to a close, the Capital Area Food Bank is kicking off their summer meals program this month to provide free meals for children across DC, Maryland and Virginia. Join Brian van de Graaff as he meets with Capital Area Food Bank’s director of Family Government Nutrition Programs, Alexis Lahr and District Manager for Harris Teeter, LeAnn Sek to talk about this important community outreach initiative with Good Morning Washington.
Operating through the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), the food bank’s summer meals program delivers healthy, kid-friendly meals to apartment buildings, public recreation centers, places of worship, and other locations across the region. During 2023, their summer meal sites provided more than 56,000 meals and snacks, and they expect to provide thousands more this year.
MICROSOFT NEWS: The most prevalent disabilities in Washington, D.C., according to data
espite 13% of the American population living with a disability, stigma and discrimination persist. With 44 million Americans living with some form of disability, it is more critical than ever to understand their needs.
To give Americans a better idea of accommodations needed in their communities, accessiBe charted disability statistics in Washington DC using Census Bureau data. This state-level story is part of a broader national analysis. Shares of state populations with certain disabilities are measured using one-year American Community Survey estimates for 2022 among the total civilian noninstitutionalized population.
USA NEWS
Locally produced Caroline’s Carts will be available at all Walmart locations in 2025, Walmart announced Friday. The carts, which are produced by Wanzl in Denver, North Carolina, have a seat built into the cart for adults and children with disabilities, seniors and those with limited mobility. The seat comes with a 5-point harness and can seat 35–250 pounds. Caroline’s Carts is named after Caroline Long, who happens to have Rett syndrome. Her parents, David and Drew Ann created the carts after seeing a need for accessible carts for families like theirs.
The Grand Strand, an area along the South Carolina coast that includes Myrtle Beach, is a popular destination for beach lovers of all ages, welcoming more than 19 million visitors every year, according to the Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
It’s also the “birthplace of the autism friendly travel initiative.”
“Champion Autism Network and Autism Travel Club, we serve the family by creating traditional family experiences, but modified for the person with autism so that everybody can come out and enjoy a supportive experience,” said Becky Large, CEO of Autism Travel Club (ATC) and executive director of Champion Autism Network (CAN).
UNITED NEEDS & ABILITIES INC: Feds To Enforce Accessibility Standards For Medical Equipment
The U.S. Department of Justice is finalizing a new rule aimed at dramatically increasing the availability of medical examination tables, weight scales and other diagnostic equipment that’s accessible to people with disabilities.
Federal officials said late last week that they would implement a regulation under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act adopting technical standards that must be met by certain hospitals and health care clinics. The announcement coincided with the 34th anniversary of the disability rights law.
“Thirty-four years after passage of the ADA, people with disabilities should not have to forgo needed medical care due to inaccessible medical diagnostic equipment,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This rule marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to ensure that people with disabilities can get the medical treatment they need.”
GLOBAL NEWS
YAHOO NEWS: Mattel introduces first blind Barbie, new Barbie with Down syndrome
The inclusive world of Barbie is expanding yet again — this time, with the first-ever blind Barbie doll and a Black Barbie with Down syndrome. Toy manufacturer Mattel announced the two new additions to its Fashionista line on Tuesday.
The company worked closely with the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) to ensure the blind Barbie doll accurately depicted individuals with blindness or low vision, while making sure that the doll was still accessible. "As we wrap up Disability Pride month, we believe this is an excellent way to make children worldwide feel included, regardless of their abilities," Tony Stephens of the AFB told CBS News.
With one month to go until the Opening Ceremony, French Para swimming legend Beatrice Hess hopes that the Paris 2024 Paralympics will be a big “celebration of sport” and leave a lasting legacy for Para sport in her home country.
“I am happy that France is hosting the Paralympic Games for the first time,” said Hess, who has 20 Paralympic gold medals to her name, the most of any French athlete. “I hope that this will be a celebration of sport and that the Paralympic Games will have the place they deserve in the hearts and minds of the people.”
Hess, who competed at five Paralympics, is relishing the opportunity to showcase the best of Para sports to the French public when the Games open on 28 August.
CULTURE NEWS
GOV TECH: Nonprofit Uses 3D Printing to Help People with Disabilities
Platt, with his New Orleans-based nonprofit, MakeGood, creates customized assistive technology to help people with disabilities solve problems they encounter in daily life.The nonprofit garnered national attention last year with their toddler mobility trainers — tiny wheelchairs made of wood and plastic that help small children move around — but their range of products is constantly growing, aided by open-source design, 3D printing and the input and creativity of those in the disability community. Some past designs include a plastic piece to hold a wheelchair buckle when it's not in use and a handle for a toothbrush or other utensils to aid with grip.
