Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI)’s Post

Today is #NationalDisabilityIndependenceDay and the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). While we have made great strides in improving physical accessibility - with ramps, accessible restrooms, and assistive listening devices - there is still much work to be done in the digital world. Shockingly, over 96 percent of websites and apps are not accessible to people with disabilities. As we celebrate the progress we have made, let us renew our commitment to making the digital world a more inclusive place for everyone. #InclusiveDesign #Accessibility #DisabilityInclusion

Google Maps will offer wheelchair-accessible walking routes. Much like the program already allows users to find step-free transit routes, users can now ask the app to generate walking directions free from stairs by toggling on “wheelchair-accessible” under route options. #AccessibilityMatters #Acessibility #Google

"Far too often, people with disabilities do not have access to information to find businesses and services that are accessible to them." Calla Devlin, Managing Director of Open to All This #DisabilityPrideMonth, we teamed up with Yelp to introduce searchable accessibility attributes and resources to help build welcoming and inclusive environments all year round. 📖 View our Disability Inclusion Toolkit: https://lnkd.in/e8AxN6cU 📌 Learn about Yelp's new attributes: https://lnkd.in/eMm_Mcug

New federal guidelines were proposed for web accessibility, particularly for government and public services. These guidelines will be set to ensure people with disabilities are able to navigate important websites and apps with ease. Read more: https://loom.ly/CThQh5Q #disabilityscoop #gatesway #usdepartmentofjustice #webaccessibility #disability

"Government websites are often riddled with accessibility challenges for people with disabilities—everything from small text, sites that are not mobile friendly, live audio that lacks captions, forms with hard-to-follow instructions and poor color contrast. These issues make it harder for users with disabilities to access services and interact with their localities. It’s a problem that has only grown more prominent in recent years as governments have moved more of their services online in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. People with disabilities are increasingly struggling to access information about services as varied as voting, health and safety resources, government benefits programs and mass transit. But last week, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland looked to rectify the issue with the signing of a new rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is the first time federal officials have ever clarified how the 34-year-old law should be applied online. The final rule provides standards and technical requirements designed to break down barriers that prevent people with disabilities from accessing government websites and mobile apps by requiring governments to comply with internationally recognized standards from the World Wide Web Consortium. " #technology #socialmedia #stategovernment #localgovernment #ada #diversity #disabilities #inclusion

In a groundbreaking move, the Department of Justice is spearheading a digital revolution for the disabled community. Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta announced a proposed rule that could transform the online world for tens of millions of Americans with disabilities. Imagine a world where court websites, public libraries, voter registration, and even parking apps are accessible to all. This is not a distant dream, but a reality that the new rule under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) seeks to bring to life. But your voice matters too! The rule is open for public comment for 60 days from its publication. So, join the conversation and be a part of this digital revolution. The future of online accessibility is here, and it's inclusive. https://lnkd.in/eykPthjR #A11Y #AccessibilityMatters #WCAGDesigns #ADA #AccessibilityTesting

Beyond ADA Compliance Expanding the library’s service to patrons with disabilities By Amy Holland | March 1, 2024 The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)—while a good framework—must be bolstered by our libraries. In 2020, staff members at Irondequoit Public Library (IPL) in Rochester, New York, began rethinking our approach to accessibility and inclusion. With reduced hours and services during the COVID- 19 pandemic, we had an opportunity to reenvision how we wanted to welcome patrons back. ADA guidelines provide for a minimum standard of service, but we knew we could do better for the thousands of people who live with a disability in our community. According to 2022 census data, nearly 16,000 Irondequoit residents either have a disability or are over age 65. Futher, a welcoming and accessible library is beneficial to everyone, as design features that improve accessibility for people with disabilities often improve usability for people without disabilities as well. Our director secured state aid that allowed us to hire consultants, provide training, and purchase equipment. However, you don’t need a big budget to commit to expanded accessibility and inclusion at your library. These steps can be scaled or modified to fit a variety of budgets and needs. https://lnkd.in/gbyPsVNv

According to WHO, people with disabilities account for approx 15% of the world’s population, yet unemployment rates can be as high as 80% in some countries. We all play a role in ensuring everyone has access to economic opportunity and is able to do their best work. In support of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we just launched Supporting Your Coworkers with Disabilities Learning Path on LinkedIn Learning. Check out this blog post highlighting some key takeaways, like how to: -assess the langugage you're using -focus on equity over pure equality -create clear channels for communication https://lnkd.in/gNdYfmsb #disabilityadvocacy #deib

This week marks the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and CLE is honoring and celebrating the profound impact it has had on our society. Generations of people with disabilities have been able to experience life more fully through inclusive practices and equal access to opportunities that were largely limited before the civil rights law was passed in 1990. Yet, we still have significant work to do to ensure meaningful inclusion, especially for students with disabilities in our public schools. Read our latest blog, "Inclusion Includes Everyone," co-authored by Jennifer Coco and Wendy Tucker, CLE's Senior Director of Strategy and Impact and Senior Policy Fellow respectively, about the impact of the ADA and the opportunities we still have to become a truly inclusive society. #disabilitypride #disabilitypridemonth #americanswithdisabilitiesact #equity #inclusion

"Anything is possible when everyone is included." 🌟 As we celebrate #Disability Community Month this December, it's a reminder of our year-round commitment to #inclusion. Take a moment to hear first-hand from employees as they explore our individual complexities, finding independence, and achieving balance at work. “At Microsoft, we believe that when we empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, we empower the world.  #Diversity and #inclusion are critical for realizing this mission.” – Satya Nadella At Microsoft, #accountability isn’t just a promise—it's action. Our initiatives aim to inform, empower, and include. Check them out at https://lnkd.in/dRwjwdW5 and join us in celebrating the disability community's impact at Microsoft. Thank you for building awareness, fostering understanding, and celebrating the invaluable contributions of the disability community. Together, we continue to shape a world where every voice matters. 💪 Learn more about our initiatives here: https://lnkd.in/dhV5SHVj #MicrosoftWE #InclusionIsInnovation #DiversityandInclusion #MicrosoftAdvocate #MicrosoftLife #inclusionmatters