Digital Technology Accessibility

International News

Sony Wants to Make VR More Accessible for Deaf Gamers (Oct, Game Rant)

Introduction to Extended Reality (XR) Accessibility: “key considerations for designing and developing inclusive XR experiences”. (Sep, TetraLogical)

Xbox Unveils Four New Accessibility Offerings “Three new accessibility devices and 3D printable files for adaptive thumbstick toppers will join our current lineup.” (Aug, Microsoft)

Empowering navigation for the visually impaired through Augmented Reality. A device that helps users recognise the environment and avoid obstacles. (Jun, Tech Xplore)

Apple announces new accessibility features “including Eye Tracking, Music Haptics, and Vocal Shortcuts”. (May, Apple)

Xbox launches new resource to help developers add inclusion into their games. “Xbox has launched the 'Gaming For Everyone Product Inclusion Framework', a series of resources and information on how to make games more inclusive.” (Mar, Games Industry.biz)

How people with disabilities can use Alexa to help them lead more independent lives (2023, Amazon)

Guided Frame on Google Pixel With Lachi: built-in guidance to guide blind people in taking pictures on their phones. (Short video, 2023, Google)

The iPad was meant to revolutionize accessibility. What happened? “For people who can’t speak, there has been depressingly little innovation in technology that helps them communicate.” (2023, MIT Technology Review)

Google Project Gameface: A new hands-free AI-powered gaming mouse (2023, Google)

Life is About to Come with Subtitles “Automated live captions used to be terrible. But they’re becoming transformative for people who can’t hear.” (2023, The Atlantic)

Xbox lead dev talks about the future of video game accessibility (2023, Polygon)

Not robots; Cyborgs Furthering anti-ableist research in human-computer interaction. (2023, First Monday)

Inclusive AR/VR: accessibility barriers for immersive technologies. (2023)

Sony Releases Its First Accessible Controller. “The company unveiled Project Leonardo, a fully customizable, accessible console game controller, built with the help of the disabled community.” (2023, Wired)

The accessibility charity helping Xbox and PlayStation: SpecialEffect. (2023)

What does accessibility in the metaverse look like? (2023, Vogue)

Virtual Reality Accessibility: 11 Things We Learned from Blind Users (2022, Equal Entry)

The Hidden History of Screen Readers: For decades, blind programmers have been creating the tools their community needs. (2022, The Verge)

For people with disabilities Consumer Electronics Aren't There Yet (2022, PCMag)

Android gets enhanced accessibility features (2022, Chrome Unboxed)

Disability Inclusion Is Coming Soon to the Metaverse (2022, PC Mag)

Microsoft’s Adaptive Accessories: Buttons and mice that you can adapt for your body and needs (2022, The Verge) See also a short introductory video.

Accessibility Virtual Reality Meetup: What Is It Like in Spatial? See also an interview on how a blind person can use virtual reality. (2022, Equal Entry)

Apple previews innovative accessibility features (2022, Apple)

Virtual Reality Is Here to Stay – It's Time to Make It Accessible.

"VR’s reliance on physical movements can be a deterrent for many players with motor disabilities. Beyond that, the headsets and screen resolution can lead to numerous barriers for low-vision users, so much so that games without appropriate features or accessible design are completely unplayable." (2022, Wired)

Virtual Reality Accessibility: The Importance of Comfort Ratings and Reducing Motion (2022, Equal Entry)

Windows 11 is making it easier to control your PC with your voice (2022, ZD Net)

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United States

“I Know What the Apple Vision Pro Is For” The headset is already changing disabled users’ lives, with “unprecedented control” over their visual environments. (Jun, Intelligencer)

Javier in Frame Google Pixel Super Bowl Commercial 2024 of their guided frame feature. (Feb, Google)

Who’s in Charge? Information Technology and Disability Justice in the United States. 'Can disabled people be called “users” or said to “have access” to technology if they are regularly denied agency over how they use technology?'

"Disabled people in the United States are surrounded, defined, and, to some degree, controlled by data, technology, and information—from medical technology and therapies to educational systems to social and government services and policies that shape their lives. The extent to which they can access and use technologies to accomplish their own goals is less clear. This review discusses access to data and technology for people with disabilities, focusing on agency and digital transinstitutionalization—the extension of institutional frameworks, such as surveillance and control, from state hospitals into community settings via data-driven technologies." (2022, Just Tech)

Navigational Apps for the Blind Could Have a Broader Appeal (2021, NYT)

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Pacific

Capturing Vision Through Sound and Touch Disability Justice Project Fellows Harness iPhone Technology to Spotlight Climate Crisis in the Pacific. (Jan, Disability Justice Project)

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