PEAT and Our Partners Brief U.S. Senate on Website Accessibility
Last month, PEAT was excited to join a U.S. Senate staff briefing on “Improving Website Accessibility for Individuals with Disabilities,” which was sponsored by Senators Bob Casey and Amy Klobuchar. In collaboration with the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and partners, we provided Senate staff with concrete ideas for how to improve the accessibility of their websites and digital tools for visitors and employees. […]
Survey on Accessibility Procurement Job Tasks
The International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) is seeking your input on a new study. IAAP plans to better define the knowledge and skills required of a procurement specialist responsible for acquiring accessible information and communication technologies (ICT). They are looking for insights from professionals who are actively involved in procuring accessible ICT goods and services. The results of this survey will help to guide the development of the certification of Procurement Specialist in Accessibility. The survey will close on December 31, 2019. […]
Discussions on Artificial Intelligence Dominate HR Tech 2019
The HR Technology Conference & Exposition (HR Tech) is one of the top global events showcasing emerging technologies and tools transforming the human relations (HR) industry. This year, platforms utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) continued to trend at HR Tech. The conference also infused a new focus on mitigating bias and ensuring that AI tools can align with corporate goals for diverse and inclusive hiring. […]
MAVRIC Conference Spotlights XR’s Potential
X-Reality (XR) is an emerging technology that has frequently come across PEAT’s radar this year. XR, an umbrella term, comprises virtual, augmented, immersive, and mixed reality technologies that can critically shape how we perform activities in workplaces and other life settings. Thinking about the potential impact of XR, consider how it will afford greater opportunities for virtual training, telepresence, and object visualization for work tasks. PEAT is thus excited about the promise of XR and passionate about ensuring its usage supports full accessibility for people with disabilities. […]
U.S. Department of Transportation Seeks Public Comment on Options for Electric Car Warning Sounds
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is currently seeking feedback about whether drivers should have the ability to choose between a pre-set list of sounds that alert pedestrians to the presence of electric and hybrid cars when traveling at low speeds. The notice of proposed rulemaking also asks whether NHTSA should impose limits on the number of sounds that manufacturers may install. […]
Teach Access Study Away Engages Students to Help Build a Better Future
As I boarded the plane back to Seattle with my University of Washington classmates, I came to an important realization. During the past week of indelible conversations and uplifting activities, our thoughts about accessibility had shifted. Thanks to the Teach Access Study Away program, we had reframed our view of accessibility as a core root component of products when developing solutions, rather than an afterthought. […]
W4A Accessibility Hackathon Sparks Awareness among Developers and Improvements to Key Tools
This year’s expanded 2-day Accessibility Hackathon at the Web for All (W4A) Conference was bigger and better than ever. PEAT hosted the event at the San Francisco LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired in partnership with the DIAGRAM Center, a federally funded Benetech Global Literacy Initiative, and sponsorship from Microsoft. The event advanced workplace inclusion for people with disabilities by enhancing workplace tools with an accessibility mindset. […]
CSUN 2019: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Accessible Work
The PEAT team recently joined thousands of technology industry executives, entrepreneurs, end users, government officials, educators, and others at the 2019 CSUN Assistive Technology Conference. As always, this yearly event offered keen explorations into technology’s potential to break down barriers for people with disabilities in workplaces, community life, and other settings. This year’s CSUN sessions highlighted the sharp rise of artificial intelligence (AI) into everyday life, charting both the challenges and great potential that AI holds from an accessibility perspective. […]
Survey on Workplace Tech for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
The Center for Leadership in Disability (CLD) at Georgia State University is conducting a survey to examine considerations for workplace technology and its use by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), such as autism and Down Syndrome. Individuals with I/DD and their family members, employers, and rehabilitation service providers (vocational rehabilitation counselors, transition coordinators, job coaches) are invited to respond. […]
