Publications / Reports

October 2014 – The World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) update to Working Draft of HTML5: Techniques for providing useful text alternatives was published this month. The document is a working draft and contains best practice guidance for authors of HTML (HTML5) documents on providing text alternatives for images. The update incorporates changes and corrections from as early as October 2012 and addresses common issues related to accessible web browsing.

August 2014 - Media Access Australia, Australia’s only non-profit organization devoted to media accessibility for individuals with disabilities, released a report discussing the uses, benefits, and accessibility challenges of cloud computing for individuals with disabilities.

Wireless RERC researchers John Morris, PhD and Jim Mueller authored a book chapter titled Blind and Deaf Consumer Preferences for Android and iOS Smartphones, to be published by Springer London in Inclusive Designing: Joining Usability, Accessibility, and Inclusion. The abstract for their chapter follows:  Access to and use of mobile wireless technology has become critical to social and economic participation for people with disabilities.

April 2014 — RespectAbility has released a report entitled “America at Risk: Job Crisis for People with Disabilities – Views on Solutions from 3839 People on the Front Lines.” The report compiles data from a nationwide survey and focus groups of people with and without disabilities to highlight the current attitudes and practices regarding employment of people with disabilities. Findings from the report highlight that despite the disparity seen in the low employment of people with disabilities; approximately 71% of survey respondents noted the importance of employment and independence.

February 2014 — The Pew Research Center released a report marking the 25^th anniversary of the World Wide Web. The Report highlights that since 1995, internet use has risen from 14% to 87% in 2014.  Today, many devices are considered essential, with 46% and 44% of individuals noting that it would be difficult to give up the internet or their cell phones respectively. Also noted were many positive outcomes of the internet, including the impact of online communication, which was said to generally strengthen relationships.