Deaf and hearing impaired

ACCAN funds Media Access Australia’s social media accessibility project

no

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) today announced that Media Access Australia’s social media accessibility project will be among six to receive funding under the ACCAN Grants Scheme for 2011.

The Media Access Australia project will provide practical resources for people with disabilities on how to overcome accessibility issues with social media and effectively use social media for a variety of purposes.

Media Access Australia CEO Alex Varley said, "This project is much needed. Everybody wants to engage in social media and this is especially important for people with disabilities, some of whom are restricted in social opportunities."

Taxonomy:

Practical web accessibility

Top of page

Read more about ACCAN funds Media Access Australia’s social media accessibility project

US non-profit group sues CNN.com for uncaptioned online video

no

A Berkeley-based non-profit group has filed a lawsuit against Time Warner for allegedly discriminating against the Deaf and hearing impaired by not providing captioned online videos on CNN.com.

CNN.com provides video-on-demand news content to millions of people via their website. The lack of captions means that those who are Deaf or hearing impaired are denied access to this service, instead being forced to wait for news to be aired via traditional television broadcast.

The Disability Rights Advocates who are representing the Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness and three individual plaintiffs are calling the lawsuit the first of its kind.

Taxonomy:

General

Captions

Deaf or hearing impaired

Web

News

Top of page

Read more about US non-profit group sues CNN.com for uncaptioned online video

Vodafone Foundation Accessibility Awards promote apps for disabled and elderly

no

Vodafone Foundation has launched a competition to promote the development of software applications that improve the lives of people with disabilities, and older people.

The Vodafone Foundation Smart Accessibility Awards, supported and co-organised by AGE Platform Europe and the European Disability Forum, will award the best Android 2.2+ application based on four criteria: social participation, independent living, mobility and wellbeing.

Each entry will be assessed on effectiveness, availability and affordability, user friendliness, usability and accessibility, and universal design.

Taxonomy:

General

Captions

Blind or vision impaired

Deaf or hearing impaired

Digital technology

Web

News

Top of page

Read more about Vodafone Foundation Accessibility Awards promote apps for disabled and elderly

ACCAN Standing Advisory Committee members appointed

no

Media Access Australia Project Manager Dr Scott Hollier and board member Victoria Rubensohn have been appointed to the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) Standing Advisory Committees for 2011-2013.

ACCAN is the peak body that represents Australian consumers on communications issues, working towards the availability, accessibility and affordability of communications.

Dr Hollier has been reappointed to its Standing Advisory Committee for Disability Issues (SACDI), which assists ACCAN in identifying communications issues faced by people with disabilities and planning strategies to address them.

Taxonomy:

Top of page