DevOps
Automating Accessibility Testing of Web Applications
IBM has released a new solution that is designed to allow developers and testers to integrate automated accessibility testing within Chrome browser development tools to help deliver an optimized user experience and conform to industry standards. IBM AbilityLab™ Dynamic Assessment Plugin, a browser extension that quickly identifies accessibility issues, and evaluates and recommends potential fixes, including those […]
DevOps
Open Source Accessibility Tools Help Streamline Inclusive Development
IBM is embarking on a new era of open source accessibility by releasing tooling, samples and design patterns to help streamline the development of inclusive web and mobile applications. IBM has released two new projects on the developerWorks/open community, AccProbe and Va11yS, to help alleviate accessibility roadblocks during the agile development process, strengthen the user […]
Aging
Transforming Transportation for the World’s Aging Population and People with Disabilities
The earned privilege of driving tethers us only as far as the road, fuel, and our physical and cognitive abilities can take us. And, we all know what waits for us on the horizon as we age – losing the freedom to safely operate a vehicle. By teaming with the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) Foundation […]
Combating Loneliness is Everyone’s Business
Loneliness, by its very definition is an individual experience. It’s also having a significant impact on society, and a challenge that will take an entire “new village” to solve. According to research from Campaign to End Loneliness, 9 in 10 people believe loneliness in older age is more likely now than ever. However, 67 percent of […]
Impact of New Accessibility Standards on Authoring Tools
There are new provisions in the 2017 revised U.S. Section 508 standards, as well as European requirements, that are creating additional focus on the accessibility of authoring tools. We wanted to provide guidance for anyone seeking to understand how the new standards define authoring tools, and requirements for helping ensure accessibility. What is an Authoring Tool? […]
Maximizing Impact with Personalized Accessibility Training
There are many outstanding accessibility tutorials online. Yet, I’m finding that designers and developers are reluctant to go through them. I always wondered why? As I travel to many different IBM offices around the world training product design and development teams and understanding their needs, I believe I have found what makes them more interested […]
Enhancing the Reasonable Accommodation Process in the Workplace
At the recent USBLN Conference in Orlando, the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) offered two half-day workshops focused on disability in the workplace. Led by Lou Orslene, the co-director of JAN, the workshops offered participants the opportunity to learn from JAN’s experience as the leading national source of expert and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and […]
Changing Perspectives of Autism in the Workplace
There is a wealth of technical talent available in the population of high-functioning autistic individuals, but it often goes untapped for the want of proper accommodations that could make any workplace – with or without people on the autism spectrum – a better place to work. Currently in the United States, only 14 percent of […]
Virtual Reality: Not for Millennials Only
Interview with Gina Saunders, Maplewood Senior Living, and Kyle Rand, Rendever Decline in mobility, lack of transportation, and financial constraints are just a few of the common challenges faced by older adults who long to participate in community events or experience new places. For some residents of retirement and assisted living communities, social isolation and […]
What I Learned about Accessibility During My Summer with IBM
Guest post from Cynthia Chen, a senior at Lexington High School in Lexington, MA I don’t think I quite realized the importance of accessibility until I started my summer study at IBM. It is amazing what technology can do for people with disabilities. It’s also quite easy to forget that real people use these same solutions […]
Technology Equality for People with Disabilities
The year 2017 will be remembered as a major milestone in the relationship between technology and equality for people with disabilities. Earlier this year, updates were finally approved to the Section 508 Amendment of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The Revised 508 Standards and 255 Guidelines have transformed turn-of-the-century accessibility for procurement and services […]
Connecting the Dots to Make Austin an Age-Progressive City
Interview with Teresa Sansone Ferguson, Executive Director, AustinUp The recent IBM study “Loneliness and the aging population – how businesses and governments can address a looming crisis” noted that any solution designed to mitigate loneliness must involve wide range of stakeholders – family, caregivers, healthcare practitioners, social workers, and more – all of whom want […]