As you ease into your holiday season or focus on wrapping up your year, we hope you can take a moment to catch up on some of the most interesting and important stories that have recently emerged in the accessibility space. Grab your cocoa and let’s go!
In my short video below, I talk about some stories that particularly struck me and share why I found them noteworthy. Even as the year is winding down, there are some exciting things happening, so make sure to watch today!
Do you have a story you think we should read? Please share it on social and make sure to tag us! You can also leave a comment on this post.
Featured articles
Here are some of the stories I’m interested in as we close out the year, beginning with something a great many people are familiar with during the holidays: travel.
Whether you’re visiting family and friends for some holiday cheer or just a world-weary frequent flier with one more trip to complete in 2024, travel can be hectic this time of year. One piece of good news we can celebrate is that barriers for travelers with disabilities are being broken down, as travel experiences are increasingly geared toward meeting a broader range of needs.
Here’s a big story that just dropped: The US Department of Transportation’s newly released final rule brings the most significant expansion of rights for passengers with disabilities in a generation! The rule includes new protections for people with disabilities in commercial air travel and ensures they can fly safely and with dignity.
Remember, though, that disabled travelers may need to do some extra prep before traveling this holiday season.
Meanwhile, in the digital realm, with the ADA Title II changes, the DOJ formally added new language that lays out specific technical standards for web content that public colleges and other government entities need to meet. This means that colleges must revise millions of web pages by the deadline of spring 2026.
A recent audit shows that state government websites also have a lot of work to do before the deadline, and the federal space is struggling as well: the GSA has said that limited staffing and resources are key drivers of agencies’ ongoing challenges with digital accessibility and Section 508 conformance.
If you have not already done so and you are someone whose job primarily focuses on making technology or digital products accessible and usable to people with disabilities, please take a moment to complete the GAAD Foundation’s first annual Global Digital Accessibility Salary Survey (GDASS).
To end this edition, let’s bring you a story that has all the feels: Meet Finley McKeag, a 12-year old Boy Scout and avid sports enthusiast who is traveling across his home state of Texas to live his life to the fullest.
More stories
Below, I’ve gathered some additional links to compelling stories that I think are well worth exploring:
‘NHL in ASL’ to return, beginning with Winter Classic
The National Hockey League (NHL) and P-X-P announced today that NHL in ASL, an alternate telecast dedicated completely to the deaf community using American Sign Language (ASL), will be returning for season two, beginning with the Discover NHL Winter Classic® on December 31 between the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues—marking the first time the NHL Winter Classic will be broadcast in ASL.
An Artist Who Has Something in Common With Her Subjects
Rachel Handlin is possibly the first person with Down syndrome to receive an M.F.A., and one of just a few to hold a bachelor’s. Her first solo show “strangers are friends I have not met yet”—which features her portraits of others like her—are hung at the prestigious White Columns gallery in New York City. The gallery has supported artists with disabilities for over 20 years.
G.M. Will Stop Developing Self-Driving Taxis
The company said it would now focus its efforts on developing fully autonomous vehicles for personal use.
What’s Next for Accessibility in Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Community Hub
By prioritizing accessibility, we not only address the needs of individuals with disabilities but also enhance usability for all users. Feedback from people with lived experiences is vital to this process, helping us create solutions that promote equitable access and provide meaningful experiences for everyone.
Insights: The state of online shopping for people with disabilities
Over the last 20 years, online shopping has become one of the driving forces of the retail economy. Fable recently surveyed our community of assistive technology users in order to get a sense of what the online retail shopping experience is like for people with disabilities, and how they make online shopping decisions.
Baroness Grey-Thompson to lead new expert group to ‘break down barriers’ to air travel for disabled passengers
Aviation Accessibility Task and Finish Group will drive change to ensure that flying is an accessible, safe and enjoyable experience for all.
Android’s Expressive Captions uses AI to bring emotion to captions
The new Live Caption feature gives you the full picture of emotion in what’s being said on your device.
New Lego characters aim to represent hidden disabilities such as autism
The company says it hopes sunflower lanyards will help people ‘embrace diversity, value inclusivity and remove stigma.’
Deloitte: Disability Inclusion @ Work 2024: A Global Outlook
A Global Outlook explores the workplace experiences of people with disabilities, who have chronic health conditions, or who are neurodivergent. The findings offer a comprehensive look into challenges faced in the workplace and the steps employers can take to create inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive.
EA pledges 23 more accessibility patents and open sources more tech
The EA’s ongoing commitment to accessibility and open-source tech continues, adding 23 patents to their accessibility patent pledge.
Updating design skills in the Government Digital and Data Capability Framework
Heads of design across government came together to update the design skills in the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework.
This week’s recommended read
If you read just one thing this week, I recommend the following, which is the very first article I’ve seen that explicitly broadcasts how an organization plans to meet the requirements of the European Accessibility Act (EAA):
Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres World Tour:” Accessibility At Wembley Stadium, London – 2025 | Exposed Magazine.
Bonus content!
For this episode, we have a holiday-inspired bonus for you!
The 2024 Festive accessibility quiz is a lighthearted, accessibility-focused quiz from Kelly Clarkson of the UK’s Government Digital Services and Samantha Merrett of the UK’s Ministry of Justice.
Conclusion
Thank you for joining me for Accessibility Reads, and for all you are doing to bring equality to the digital world.
Please stay tuned for our next edition, which is coming to you again in 2025. And for a New Year’s message from Deque CEO Pretty Kumar, please visit her recent LinkedIn post about how the new year holds great promise for the cause of digital accessibility.
From all of us at Deque: Happy New Year!
Please visit deque.com to learn more about how we’re advancing digital accessibility and inclusion across the globe. Is your business ready to elevate your digital accessibility efforts? Schedule a free strategic consulting session today!