Community Living

The W3C Web Accessibility Initiative Research and Development Working Group (RDWG) invites researchers, professionals, and users with disabilities to participate in their online symposium on Accessible Way-Finding using Web Technologies, scheduled for December 3, 2014. Accompanying the invitation is a call for papers encouraging contributors to examine issues, technology, applications, and solutions that will assist people with disabilities when navigating the web and the world.

September 2014 – IDEAL Group Apps4Android, the world’s largest developer of Android accessibility apps, released an update for the “IDEAL Currency Identifier” app this month. Created to enable non-visual identification of currency note amounts, the app’s new features allow users to identify currency more quickly and recognize the redesigned $100 note. Developed with support from the Wireless RERC’s App Factory and NIDRR, the app is free and available for download at the Google Play Store.

September 2014 – The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is currently accepting nominations for the 2015 Migel Medal, an honor for professional and humanitarian achievements associated with the provision of services to people with vision loss. Named in honor of the first chairperson of the AFB, M.C. Migel, the Migel Medal honors professionals and volunteers who have made strides to improve the lives of visually impaired and blind people. Migel Medal Award nominees will compete in the Professional Award and the Lay/Volunteer Award categories.

August 2014 – In preparation of the 2014 Congressional Elections, the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is compelling states to make online ballot-marking systems accessible to voters with disabilities. The Uniformed and Overseas Citizen Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) requires all states allow certain U.S. citizens to vote by absentee ballot in federal elections.

Featured in this month’s Special Needs App Review, the Smart Steps mobile app helps to support users with cognitive challenges through guided decision making and individualized feedback. Assisting individuals with autism, Down syndrome, and other developmental disabilities, the app helps users regain their independence in the community, classroom, and workplace by assisting in everyday decision-making. Some features include: 24/7 support options, decision trees, and the ability to personalize an account. The Smart Steps app is free of charge and can be found in the iTunes App Store.