Other News

February 12, 2013 — Web Accessibility in Mind (WebAIM) has launched two new surveys that focus on the use of screen readers: a Survey of Users with Low Vision and a Survey of Users with Motor Disabilities. The data collected from the surveys will be made available to the public and used to provide guidance and recommendations on the design and development of accessible web content. All individuals with low vision or motor disabilities are invited to take the surveys, which will remain open through March 15, 2013.

The Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) annual Student Design Competition (SDC) provides teams of students with the opportunity to present creative and innovative assistive technology designs that can help people with disabilities function more independently. Students from a variety of disciplines are able to participate, including: mechanical, electrical, biomedical engineering, computer information science, architecture, and physical and occupational therapy. The designs are evaluated based on originality, quality and usefulness.

January 25, 2013—The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services of the Department of Education released three proposed priorities [FR Doc No: 2013-01418] regarding the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) research agenda. The three priorities focus on community living and participation; health and function; and the employment of individuals with disabilities. The proposal requires that research conducted within one of these priorities must focus on at least one of the four stages of research.