News and Articles

Accessibility Culture

Posted on Updated on April 26, 2019
Digital accessibility means disabled people can use and interact with technology and digital content.  It is about good design, development, and coding; appropriate testing and training; an inclusive workforce, and a host of other details. It’s an ongoing commitment to including all users in all technology. Mistakes and back sliding are less likely with a culture of accessibility. Read more… Accessibility Culture

More than Mickey: Digital Accessibility Law in Anaheim, March 2019

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Anaheim California is best known as the home of Disneyland, that place of childhood wonder and crass commercialism. In March 2019 Anaheim will be the site of something else: Lots of learning and conversation about the digital accessibility legal space. On March 12 Lainey will be speaking at the first ever Digital Accessibility Legal Summit.… Read more… More than Mickey: Digital Accessibility Law in Anaheim, March 2019

Fear is a Poor Motivator for Accessibility

Posted on Updated on November 26, 2018
For a recent keynote delivered at the third annual ICT  Accessibility Testing Symposium I included the slide pictured with this post.  If social media is any indication, it was far and away the most popular slide in my talk. The slide image was developed by Jared Smith  of the accessibility consultancy WebAIM and is titled “WebAIM’s Hierarchy… Read more… Fear is a Poor Motivator for Accessibility

First Accessibility Agreement in U.S. to Use WCAG 2.1: Reached With Structured Negotiation (Alameda County accessible voting case)

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On November 2, 2018 Alameda County California, three blind residents, and the National Federation of the Blind announced a settlement designed to protect the rights of blind voters to participate fully in the county’s voting program. It is the first agreement in the United States to include WCAG 2.1 as the accessibility standard. The parties used Structured… Read more… First Accessibility Agreement in U.S. to Use WCAG 2.1: Reached With Structured Negotiation (Alameda County accessible voting case)

Asking about compliance? You may be asking the wrong question

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During a recent presentation about the digital accessibility legal space I was asked a question. It was about a word that pops up with increasing frequency as fear of lawsuits drives too much of the digital accessibility world. The “C” word — compliance. The question was this: If the captions on online videos are 65% accurate do you think that would comply with legal responsibilities?audience question This is the kind of question that arises when people are driven by fear. When people forget what accessibility is about. Even forget what the law is about. Read more… Asking about compliance? You may be asking the wrong question

E*Trade Accessibility Agreement Amendment

Posted on Updated on July 12, 2018
The Settlement Agreement Amendment posted here extends the digital accessibility settlement agreement reached between E*Trade and two blind investors in Structured Negotiation. In extending the agreement, E*Trade continues its leadership role in making its website, mobile applications, and trading platforms available to investors and members of the public with disabilities. Read more… E*Trade Accessibility Agreement Amendment

Union Bank of California Press Release

Posted on Updated on May 20, 2018
The Union Bank press release was issued as a result of the Union Bank settlement agreement negotiated by Lainey using Structured Negotiations on behalf of California blind advocate Margie Donovan. In the agreement, the bank agreed to install Talking ATMs at all its locations and implement a comprehensive alternative format policy. Subsequently, the bank also committed to make its website accessible. Read more… Union Bank of California Press Release

Building Accessibility into Technology Vendor Contracts

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Want to make sure that accessibility becomes — and stays — part of your organization’s way of doing business? Want to stay ahead of the legal curve and make sure the technology you purchase works for everyone, including your disabled students, customers, patients, employees and members of the public? A key component is having technology vendor contracts that include accessibility. The article posted here offers smart practices for this important aspect of technology procurement. Read more… Building Accessibility into Technology Vendor Contracts

Sue Ammeter, Blind Disability Rights Champion, Dies at 69

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The list of Sue Ammeter’s advocacy roles could fill this post.  Board member (and often officer) of the American Council of the Blind, the Washington State Council of the Blind, and the National Braille Press are just some of the organizations Sue Ammeter volunteered with on top of her paid work. Organizations that will miss the talent, commitment, and unstoppable advocacy of the Washington state resident who died on April 7, 2018. Read more… Sue Ammeter, Blind Disability Rights Champion, Dies at 69