Newsletter

Mit Domingos de Oliveira (netz-barrierefrei.de):

As in any profession, there are authorities in digital accessibility, the gray eminences, whose mere mention of their names is enough to inspire awe. These people, however, are not only highly experienced; they are often stuck in outdated ways of thinking. A recent example is the widespread rejection of AI or increased automation in accessibility. One can certainly be critical of these topics. However, what we find lacking is a fundamental openness to new approaches.

We believe that authority must be questioned. What we never want to hear is: X is right because Y said so. What we want to hear is: X is right or wrong for these and those reasons.

Good news of the month

Deaf Member of Parliament Heike Heubach delivered the first speech in the Bundestag in sign language.Heike Heubach delivers first Bundestag speech in sign language

Ein aktuellles Programm soll die Gesundheit von Frauen fördern. „WomenX Collective”: Finanzielle Förderung für Frauengesundheit von UNFPA und Charité

Die EU hat einen weiteren Schritt hin zum EU-Behindertenausweis gemacht. European Disability Card

Microsoft is collaborating with BeMyEyes to improve AI for blind people.Microsoft Expands Collaboration with Be My Eyes to Improve Accessible AI

Uganda wants to support blind students with a new app.Uganda just unveiled one of the best apps for visually impaired students

United Airlines offers a digital service for wheelchair users.Digital service for wheelchair users successfully

A vodka brand claims to be the first company to introduce accessible QR codes on its products.

How Tech And Vodka Converged To Make 'The World's First Spirits Brand' To Use Accessible QR Codes

The English startup FLOWSENSE aims to make it easier for blind women to manage their menstruation. Few health products are accessible, thus limiting women's independence in particular.

GO WITH THE FLOWSENSE

Interesting articles

Automatische PrüfTools sind für die digitale Barrierefreiheit unabdingbar. Aber wo sollten sie eingesetzt werden, was sind ihre Stärken und Schwächen? Automatische Prüftools für Barrierefreiheit: Was sie können und was nicht

Demand is rising, and so is the self-marketing of agencies. But how does one actually find a competent service provider for digital accessibility?How to find a competent service provider for digital accessibility

Gerade am digitalen Arbeitsplatz wird Barrierefreiheit bislang nicht ausreichend beachtet. Das meint der Experte Stefan Wilke in einem Interview. Interview mit Stefan Wilke über Barrierefreiheit in der digitalen Arbeitswelt

Der Deutsche Bibliotheksverband hat eine Erhebung zur Barrierefreiheit in deutschen Bibliotheken durchgeführt.

In­klu­si­on und Bar­rie­re­frei­heit

Die Agentur Denkwerk hat ein schönes Tool entwickelt: Wenn Sie eine URL eingeben, wird anhand von Personas gezeigt, auf welche Probleme Menschen mit verschiedenen Behinderungen stoßen könnten. a11> AI

Continuing in English: A theoretical approach will show how accessibility can be implemented in the metaverse.Accessible Metaverse: A Theoretical Framework for Accessibility and Inclusion in the Metaverse

One article shows how research and development (R&D) can become more inclusive.Inclusive R&D: Can it Become the Rule, Not an Exception

This article isn't entirely up-to-date, but it's still interesting. For the first time, international data on assistive technologies is available.Global report on assistive technology

The WAI has published a recommendation on how to apply WCAG to non-web technologies.

Guidance on Applying WCAG 2 to Non-Web Information and Communications Technologies (WCAG2ICT)

A draft of the new EN 301549 standard, containing the criteria for WCAG 2.2, is now available. It's better hidden than the treasure in Silver Lake. If the link is no longer working, search for en_301549-24-09-16.docx. ETSI Drafts

More articles

• This AI tool could help cities improve accessibility at intersections
• Revealing the Hidden Costs of Inaccessible Websites: Key Takeaways
• Stop Recreating the Wheel: Local Government Organizations Sharing Accessibility
• Prioritize Accessibility In Procurement For Better CX And EX
• New research from the Valuable 500 reveals three-quarters of businesses are better positioned to provide digital accessibility
• The Accessibility Metrics Scorecard template for scalable business Impact
• Inclusive Mindset Workbook by Project Lima
• Empowering Users: Developing Accessible Mobile Apps using React Native<&/a>
• Native mobile app accessibility – choice of platform is essential
• A Systematic Survey of Automatic Image Description Generation Systems
• Putting Accessibility on the Map
• Time to Address the Skills Gap in the Accessibility Industry
• Developing anti-SLAPP policies for A11y Slack with Harvard Cyberlaw Clinic
• A11y at Work: When Team Opinions Differ
• From Novelty to Necessity: How AI Could Open Up a World of Accessibility for Everyone
• Agile Accessibility: Building Inclusivity into the Product Roadmap

Since there wasn't much new on this front this month, we would like to highlight three interesting surveys from the last 12 months:

1. Survey on Inclusion and Accessibility in Thuringia 2023: This study shows that slightly more than a quarter of the 1,000 people surveyed in Thuringia in November 2023 were able to name an example of a functioning inclusion measure or good accessibility. Of the examples given, 25 percent concerned accessibility in everyday life, and 23 percent referred to accessibility in public institutions. Statista: Can you give me an example of effective inclusion measures or good accessibility in your environment?
2. Youth Inclusion Barometer: Aktion Mensch published a comparative study on the participation opportunities of young people aged 14 to 27 in Germany. The results show that young people with disabilities have significantly worse chances of participation in all areas of life examined, experience discrimination more frequently, and are more likely to have concerns about the future. Aktion Mensch: Youth Inclusion Barometer
3. Statistics on accessibility in housing 2022: According to data from the 2022 microcensus, there were approximately 39 million households with their primary residence in Germany. Of these households, 14.7 million lived in apartments where all rooms were accessible without steps, and 29.5 million lived in apartments where the front doors were sufficiently wide. Level access to the shower was the least common feature in these households. Statista: Number of households in apartments with barrier-reduction features in Germany in 2022