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Organisations receive Emmy awards for internet caption standards

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The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) and the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) were honoured at the 67th Annual Technology and Engineering Emmy Awards held in Las Vegas on 8 January for developing standards that allow closed captions to be provided for online videos.

Members of the W3C Timed Text Working Group holding an Emmy. Image credit: Cashman Photo, Las Vegas, NV & The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences

Taxonomy:

TV & video

Web

News

Practical web accessibility

Deaf or hearing impaired

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Disabled gamer impresses at Awesome Games Done Quick 2016

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A disabled gamer known as Halfcoordinated, who plays with one hand, has again impressed and inspired the games community by speedrunning (playing as quickly as possible) the new Transformers: Devastation game at this year’s Awesome Games Done Quick (AGDQ) event.

Close-up of an Xbox One controller

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Digital media and technology:

Accessible gaming

Technologies

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CES 2016 accessibility round-up

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The annual International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which was held in Las Vegas, USA last week, is generally considered the world’s largest showcase of consumer electronics. With products ranging from futuristic prototypes through to things we’ll see in stores soon, it’s a good opportunity to see what some of the accessibility implications are for 2016.

Man holding a smartphone with desktop, laptop and mobile devices emerging from the screen

Taxonomy:

Blind or vision impaired

Deaf or hearing impaired

Digital media and technology:

Technologies

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Researchers seek feedback on video-on-demand accessibility

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A new Australian research project is asking people to take part in a survey about the use of video-on-demand sites by people with disabilities.

Left hand touching a floating video thumbnail

Taxonomy:

Blind or vision impaired

Deaf or hearing impaired

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The most popular accessibility stories of 2015

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As the year comes to a close, here’s a look back at some of the most popular articles and events regarding consumer accessibility across the web, digital technology, education, TV, video, cinema, arts, policy and research in 2015.

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Web

Coles web accessibility case settled

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Microsoft announces philanthropic initiative to improve digital access

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Microsoft has announced an increased commitment to digital accessibility through Microsoft Philanthropies, an organisation within the company aiming to boost the global economy by providing the benefits of technology and access to more people around the world.

Young child using a Windows-based laptop

Taxonomy:

Blind or vision impaired

Deaf or hearing impaired

Solutions

Inclusion

Digital media and technology:

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Choosing accessible movie sessions

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With so many big movies being released for the Christmas season, including Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Jurassic World and Arthur Christmas, it’s important for people with a hearing or vision impairment to find out the most accessible way to experience them, in a cinema session offering captions or audio description.

People watching a movie in a cinema

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Blind or vision impaired

Deaf or hearing impaired

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Accessible live events conference

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Making live events accessible is a growing area. Whilst captioning of live events such as theatre, sports and television programs has been available for many decades, live audio description is a much more recent service, especially outside of arts performances.

Audience seated in a theatre

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Blind or vision impaired

Solutions

Inclusion

Audio description

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Interest in mobile accessibility continues to increase: report

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The Mobile Manufacturers Forum (MMF) has released a report suggesting that there has been an increased interest in the availability of accessibility features on smartphones and tablets.

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

The MMF released statistics related to its Global Accessibility Reporting Initiative (GARI) on the International Day for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December.

Taxonomy:

Digital technology

News

Disability

Blind or vision impaired

Deaf or hearing impaired

Solutions

Inclusion

Digital media and technology:

App reviews

Technologies

Mobile operating systems

Devices

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Sydney Festival expands accessibility

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The innovative program of events to be staged at the upcoming Sydney Festival is set to be more accessible and inclusive than in past years. The festival runs throughout January 2016 and will feature many performances with specific accessibility components for those with vision, sensory, hearing and mobility impairments and disabilities.

Image of the sensory-friendly ‘Sunny Ray and the Magnificent Moon’ show.