Assistive technology

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Social media for those with a disability gets 2016 update

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The ground-breaking 2012 ‘SociAbility’ review into social media for those with a disability has had a much anticipated update. The Media Access Australia website now includes important new information on the varying accessibility challenges and practical fixes across all popular social channels. Project leader Dr Scott Hollier believes that it is destined to be the go-to resource on social media for people with a disability and those who provide care, support and advice.

Social media icons with a magnifying glass on the words ‘social media’

Taxonomy: 
Web
News
Practical web accessibility
Disability
Blind or vision impaired
Deaf or hearing impaired
Solutions
Inclusion
Digital media and technology: 
WCAG
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
Techniques
Social media
Twitter
Skype
Facebook
Assistive technology

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Accessible media preview from CSUN

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The annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference (commonly known as CSUN) starts on 21 March in San Diego, California. This year there is significant coverage around accessible media. Media Access Australia’s CEO, Alex Varley, previews some personal highlights.

Seated audience attending a conference

Taxonomy: 
Video
Digital technology
Web
International policy and legislation
News
Practical web accessibility
Audio navigation
Disability
Blind or vision impaired
Deaf or hearing impaired
Solutions
Captions
Inclusion
Audio description
Digital media and technology: 
WCAG
Techniques
Technologies
Assistive technology

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First NVDA screen reader update for 2016 now available

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NV Access has launched the 2016.1 update of its NVDA screen reader for Microsoft Windows, adding a new option to lower the volume of external sounds, additional support for braille displays, significant fixes for using Microsoft Office and improvements to browsing the iTunes Store.

Woman using a laptop with headphones outdoors

Taxonomy: 
Web
News
Practical web accessibility
Disability
Blind or vision impaired
Solutions
Inclusion
Digital media and technology: 
WCAG
Web browsers
Assistive technology
NVDA
Microsoft Windows

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Microsoft reveals accessibility goals for Windows 10 and Office 365

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Tech giant Microsoft has revealed its roadmap of accessibility features to be introduced in Windows 10 and Office 365 over the course of 2016. The announcement comes after a number of public statements outlining an increased commitment to inclusion of people with disabilities in its product offering and services.

Laptop running Windows 10

Taxonomy: 
Digital technology
Web
News
Disability
Blind or vision impaired
Deaf or hearing impaired
Solutions
Captions
Inclusion
Digital media and technology: 
WCAG
Techniques
Technologies
Assistive technology
Microsoft Windows

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Accessibility in the cloud – benefits, issues and trends

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As a new survey shows an increase in the use of the cloud in 2016, the impact of this on people with disabilities and impairments becomes ever more important. Media Access Australia has produced a white paper, Accessibility of Cloud Computing – current and future trends, which provides valuable insights into cloud accessibility.

Left hand holds a smartphone with floating squares emerging from the screen

Taxonomy: 
Research & policy
News
Practical web accessibility
Policy
Disability
Sensory impairment
Blind or vision impaired
Deaf or hearing impaired
Mobility
Solutions
Captions
Inclusion
Audio description
Digital media and technology: 
Accessible gaming
WCAG
Techniques
Technologies
Web browsers
Social media
Assistive technology
Mobile operating systems
Operating systems
Devices
Smartphones

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Professional Certificate in Web Accessibility promotional video out now

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A new video produced by Media Access Australia has been created to promote the upcoming Professional Certificate in Web Accessibility (PCWA). It’s designed to underline the main points and key benefits of enrolling in Australia’s only university-accredited web accessibility certificate for digital professionals.

Five students accessing technology via a laptop and a tablet computer.

The PCWA course highlights video runs for one minute and thirty seconds. In addition to the standard video, an audio described version of this video is also available.

Taxonomy: 
Web
Australian policy and legislation
International policy and legislation
News
Practical web accessibility
Disability
Blind or vision impaired
Deaf or hearing impaired
Captions
Inclusion
Audio description
Digital media and technology: 
Standards
WCAG
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
Techniques
Technologies
Web browsers
Assistive technology
Mobile operating systems
Operating systems
Devices
Tablets
Smartphones

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Digital Gap pushes for change by 2017

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The call for improvement to digital accessibility for people with disabilities moved to Parliament House in Canberra with a call for significant change to happen by 2017, which is the 25th anniversary of the Disability Discrimination Act.

Two glass jars of peanut butter. Smooth on the left and crunchy on the right.

Taxonomy: 
Digital technology
Web
Australian policy and legislation
News
Practical web accessibility
Policy
Disability
Blind or vision impaired
Deaf or hearing impaired
Solutions
Inclusion
Digital media and technology: 
WCAG
Techniques
Technologies
Web browsers
Assistive technology
Mobile operating systems
Operating systems
Devices
Smartphones

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Be involved with Print Disability Round Table 2016

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Information access for people with print disabilities is an expanding and evolving area for development of services, advocacy and promotion. This includes different formats (such as large print, braille, e-text), services (through education, government, libraries and websites) and types of access (such as tablets, mobile phones, laptops, televisions and specialist devices).

The entrance of Bayview on the Park at night

Taxonomy: 
General
Australian policy and legislation
News
Disability
Sensory impairment
Solutions
Inclusion
Digital media and technology: 
Techniques
Technologies
Assistive technology

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Blind Citizens Australia wraps up successful convention in Perth

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The Blind Citizens Australia (BCA) annual convention was held over the weekend at the Mercure hotel in Perth, with approximately 120 attendees discussing a range of issues.

Much of the focus related to the 40th anniversary of BCA with presentations and discussions relating to how products and services for people who are blind or vision impaired have progressed over that time, current issues both locally and internationally, and the significance of BCA in the future.

Taxonomy: 
Digital technology
Web
News
Practical web accessibility
Media Access Review
Disability
Blind or vision impaired
Solutions
Inclusion
Audio description
Digital media and technology: 
App reviews
Standards
Techniques
Technologies
iTunes
Assistive technology
Screen readers
NVDA
VoiceOver
iOS
Android
Operating systems
Microsoft Windows
Mac OS X
Devices
Android tablets
iPad
Smartphones
Android smartphones
iPhone

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Accessible India Campaign to greatly improve access to media

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The Accessible India Campaign is set to launch on December 3, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, with a strong focus on improving access to information and communication technology in the region.

Accessible India Campaign. Accessible India - Empowered India. Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

Taxonomy: 
General
Research & policy
International policy and legislation
News
Practical web accessibility
Policy Terms
Policy
Review of access to electronic media
TV access
Disability
Blind or vision impaired
Deaf or hearing impaired
Mobility
Solutions
Captions
Inclusion
Audio description
Digital media and technology: 
Techniques
Technologies
Assistive technology
Screen readers

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