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New Microsoft accessibility tools are now working smarter

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The latest version of the Microsoft Office 365 suite will include some important new accessibility features, using cloud-enabled ‘intelligent services’ that help point users in the right direction when creating written content.

Accessibility symbol and button on a keyboard

Accessibility symbol and button on a keyboard

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Online Census accessibility review - Pass or Fail

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Dr Scott Hollier, Media Access Australia’s ‘Specialist Advisor, Digital Accessibility’, undertook an accessibility review of the 9 August Census… conducted before, during, and after that fateful night. Unfortunately, the 2016 Census was a total debacle from go to woe… but did it pass or fail in terms of accessibility, in its online form? Find out in this fascinating podcast article.

Image of Census 'This site can't be reached' message

Image of Census 'This site can't be reached' message

 

Listen to the complete interview where Dr Scott Hollier chats to Philip Jenkinson about the accessibility of the online Census.


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Transcript of Dr Scott Hollier's review into the accessibility of the online Census

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Introduction

You're listening to a podcast from Media Access Australia. Inclusion through technology.

Philip

I’m speaking with Dr Scott Hollier, Media Access Australia’s Specialist Advisor, Digital Accessibility. Today’s focus is on his recent accessibility review of the 9 August Census that Scott conducted before, during and after that fateful night. So, Scott, as we all know, the 2016 Census was a total debacle from go to whoa but did it pass or fail in terms of accessibility in its online form?

Scott

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Air Canada to make their in-flight entertainment accessible

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Following a human rights complaint, Air Canada has promised to make its in-flight entertainment systems accessible to visually-impaired passengers.

Air Canada Airbus A-380

Air Canada Airbus A-380

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New initiative to improve disability access in the workplace

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Access and inclusion in the workplace is a hot topic in Australia and Media Access Australia wholeheartedly applauds and supports initiatives that assist this through innovation. A good example is a new management tool launched by the Australian Network on Disability.

Logos of AND and AAII

Image: AND and AAII logos

The Australian Network on Disability (AND) has launched a new tool – the Access and Inclusion Index – with the aim of enabling people of all abilities to participate in all aspects of society.

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Australia adopts accessible ICT procurement standards

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Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, Standards Australia, and ACCAN have jointly announced that Australia will be the first country outside Europe to adopt the European standard for the procurement of accessible ICT. It will be known in Australia as Accessibility requirements suitable for public procurement of ICT products and services.

Image of fingers on computer keyboard

Fingers on a computer keyboard

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Minister ‘not unsympathetic’ to AD on TV

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Appearing on the ABC’s Q&A program on 22 August, Communications Minister Mitch Fifield gave a positive response to a video question about Audio Descriptions (AD) on TV for people who are blind or vision-impaired. He reminded the audience that as the former Minister for Disability, he was familiar with the AD trial conducted by the ABC. It was something that, he said, ‘people during the trial thoroughly enjoyed, having access that they hadn’t previously had.’

Communications Minister Mitch Fifield on Q&A

Communications Minister Mitch Fifield on Q&A

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Gaming is growing more accessible

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Video gaming hasn’t always been notable for accessibility, but as the medium grows and matures, accessibility features are becoming more available. This is a welcome development in an industry that – at $90 billion a year – is now larger than movies and music combined.

Accessible gaming control pad

Accessible gaming control pad

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New Zealand gives go-ahead for data-driven disability plan

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The New Zealand government is committed to developing a Disability Plan in order to ensure that government agencies have the necessary digitally-delivered data to make informed, evidence-based policy decisions on New Zealanders with a disability.

A sign with the word 'Planning' on it

Improving the availability of quality information about those with a disability or impairment in NZ will lead to better decision-making by government agencies, say both the Statistics Minister Craig Foss, and the Disability Issues Minister Nicky Wagner.

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