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Welcome to the Weekly Reading Roundup! Stay informed with our latest selection of accessibility news highlights, curated for you!
LOCAL NEWS
John G. Leach School is the only school Khaiel's family has known. It has served Delaware children with varying degrees of ability and severe medical conditions for nearly 70 years in New Castle. Staff have long made use of the dated structure, but even the most resourceful minds have been running out of space, and options.
Now, new funding should change that.
Colonial secured about $37.5 million in state funds this year, setting in motion over three years of design hopes and planning for an entire school family. It will mark a new home for a piece of Delaware’s population historically fighting for consistent space, for public education itself.
“They deserve this and so much more, and so do our families,” Principal Virginia Schreppler said.
WAVY: Youngkin signs legislation to support Virginians with Developmental Disabilities
RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) — Gov. Glenn Youngkin recently signed 18 bills intended to improve support for Virginians with developmental disabilities.
The bipartisan legislation aims to foster inclusivity and accessibility in the critical areas of education, recreation, law enforcement and transitional services.
“For far too long, Virginia has underserved this community and as Governor, I committed to transform our level of care, support and resources available to Virginians with developmental disabilities. I will always advocate, champion and speak up for Virginians and I’m pleased this legislative package and our Right Help, Right Now plan has instituted life-changing impacts that will benefit Virginia families, this community, and transform our level of care for Virginians with developmental disabilities for decades to come,” said Youngkin.
USA NEWS
FORBES: Bite Execs Talk Technology And Accessibility In The Food Industry In Interview
“At Bite, we explore all the ways an in-store experience can be a turn-off or unsatisfying and develop technology to avoid them,” Barton said of the company’s raison d'être. “The end goal is to help our restaurant and [casual] store customers drive sales and operational efficiencies while dramatically improving the guest experience. Ensuring our technology drives accessibility for all is a massive part of that, empowering our customers with the solutions to serve every guest with ease.”
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
The notion of making furniture safer, more comfortable, and easier to use seems like a no-brainer. After all, about 61 million adults live with a disability, and the overwhelming majority of US adults plan to age in place. Yet, how many homeware brands offer accessible collections? Inarguably, not enough.
That's changing for Pottery Barn, who has collaborated with Michael Graves Design (MGD) to launch a collection of inclusive furniture that’s as stylish as it is functional. MGD’s mission is simple: enhancement. Their designs are celebrated for accessibility — earning them the title of Most Accessible Design Brand — without ever sacrificing elegance. Partnering with Pottery Barn, a brand known for elevating the everyday living, this collaboration is a match made in heaven.
HUFFPOST: Could The Olympics Be A Catalyst For Making Cities More Disability-Inclusive?
When Tokyo was selected to be the host of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the organizing committee aimed to ensure the Tokyo 2020 Games were accessible for all, regardless of disability. Not only did they want the events and venues themselves to be accessible, they aimed to enhance the whole city in this way. It seemed like a weighty endeavor — but it was fruitful, to an extent.
Built specifically for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo was designed with a number of accessibility features for people with disabilities. Experts hoped the stadium’s design would set a new standard for accessible design in Japan.
Along with constructing new facilities, Tokyo also worked to improve on what already existed in and around the city. Improving the city’s transport links meant providing barrier-free access to a number of key subway and mainline stations.These accessibility features continue to exist as part of Tokyo’s Olympic “legacy,” according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.
CULTURE NEWS
If you’ve seen an esports competition, chances are that there was a big stage with about 10 gaming PCs, each with a young person behind it wearing a look of intense concentration. They may have been competing for upward of a million dollars, and at the moment of victory, the winning team suddenly started screaming in joy.
Some of those esports players are people with disabilities. Today, esports organizations such as Permastunned and Para Esports shine a spotlight on the accomplishments of competitors with disabilities. They also attract industry support from big-name sponsors.
