Deaf or hearing impaired

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Read more about More than 2,300 people have signed to legislate closed captioning in NZ

5 ways to experience digital accessibility on Global Accessibility Awareness Day

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As today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), we thought that we would encourage some involvement amongst the community so that you can gain a first-hand awareness of accessibility. We hope this is an eye-opener and maybe a little bit of a mid-week challenge.

A young woman holds a smartphone in her hand

Taxonomy:

Digital technology

Web

Practical web accessibility

Digital media and technology:

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Read more about 5 ways to experience digital accessibility on Global Accessibility Awareness Day

Apple Store adds new access section in time for Global Accessibility Awareness Day

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Individuals with impairments can now find third party accessible accessories for Mac, iPad and iPhone devices to suit their specific needs under the newly launched ‘Accessibility’ section on the online Apple Store.

A selection of Apple’s accessibility accessories with the word ‘Accessibility’ in the centre

Taxonomy:

Digital technology

Web

Practical web accessibility

Affordable

Sensory impairment

Digital media and technology:

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Read more about Apple Store adds new access section in time for Global Accessibility Awareness Day

ACCAN calls on networks to use windfall to improve accessibility

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The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) has called on the free-to-air networks to use some of the windfall from a 25% cut in licence fees announced in this year’s budget to increase captioning levels and introduce audio description.

A woman holding a remote control pointing at a TV

Taxonomy:

TV & video

ACCAN, Australian Communications Consumer Action Network

Sensory impairment

Captions

Closed captions

Audio description

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Read more about ACCAN calls on networks to use windfall to improve accessibility

Uber's new accessibility features create job opportunities for Deaf and hearing impaired drivers

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Uber has recently improved its app’s accessibility for drivers who are Deaf or hearing impaired, removing communication barriers so that they can have an equal opportunity to become an Uber driver.

A man holding a phone with the Uber app displayed, standing in view of a busy road

What is Uber?

Uber is an online transportation network that allows consumers with smartphones to submit a trip request which is then routed to Uber drivers who use their own cars.

Taxonomy:

Professional services

Digital technology

Inclusion

Digital media and technology:

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Read more about Uber's new accessibility features create job opportunities for Deaf and hearing impaired drivers

BBC publishes research on improving live caption timing

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The BBC has released details of experiments it has undertaken which prove that it’s practical to reduce the delay in live captions appearing on the screen.

Young woman watches the TV with captions

Live captions, which are created as a program goes to air, are often frustrating for viewers because there is a delay (on average around 5 seconds, but sometimes much longer) between the audio and the captions appearing.

Taxonomy:

Captions

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Read more about BBC publishes research on improving live caption timing

Australia’s first disability-focused tech accelerator launched

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Australia’s first disability-focused impact accelerator, Remarkable, held its official launch event on 31 March at the University of Sydney. The Remarkable Accelerator program aims to work with inclusive start-up companies by using technology in innovative ways to improve the lives of people with disabilities.

Remarkable logo

Taxonomy:

International policy and legislation

Mobility

Solutions

Inclusion

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Read more about Australia’s first disability-focused tech accelerator launched

U.K. Government fails to act on video-on-demand accessibility

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The organisation Action on Hearing Loss has expressed disappointment at the U.K. Government’s failure to set targets or introduce legislation for the provision of access services (captions, signing and audio description) on video-on-demand (VOD) services.

Left hand pointing a remote control at a Smart TV displaying a Video on Demand app

Taxonomy:

TV & video

Video

Ofcom, Office of Communications

Television

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Read more about U.K. Government fails to act on video-on-demand accessibility

Snapchat adds closed captioning support for Discover videos

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Social messaging app Snapchat has added closed captioning support for videos shared within its Discover section, allowing major publishers to share accessible video content with broad communities of smartphone users without access to audio content.

Right hand holding an iPhone 6 with Snapchat Discover displayed on screen. Image credit: Snapchat

Taxonomy:

Web

Disability