DisABILITY Accessibility Information Resources
January / February 2010
Number 51
What's new on e-Bility.com?
We are planning a few changes to herald in the new decade. In 1998 when e-Bility.com was launched, its goal was to provide an accessible destination where people with disability, their carers and health professionals could independently find information they needed, and to offer an affordable option for small groups in the disability and community sector to have an accessible presence on the web at a time when the web was not yet mainstream but full of potential.
Almost 12 years on and the internet has become a way of life, information is abundant, most organisations in the sector now have an online presence, accessibility is not perfect but much improved and the new Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, WCAG 2.0, are a formal W3C Recommendation. Our plans for 2010 are to do a major update and revision of e-Bility.com to reflect these changes. We'll keep you informed along the way and would be happy to hear your feedback or suggestions.
Brochure stand
Queensland Braille Writing Association
A recently updated catalogue of QBWA's extensive free library of books in Braille is now available for download.
ARATAS 2010
Speaker and exhibitor information for the ARATA National Conference, titled "Assistive Technology, The Tip of the Iceberg" is now online.
Biennial SPEVI Conference
The South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment have announced details for their 2011 conference. A brochure and call for abstracts can be found on their website.
Disability classifieds
Second hand accessible vehicles for sale
January has seen a surge in vehicle listings and there is currently a wide choice of wheelchair accessible cars and vans available.
Second hand equipment for sale
Recent updates have included several adult/child, manual, push and powerdrive wheelchairs.
Travel
Solo Travel with a Disability
Scott Rains, an avid traveller and well known blogger on inclusive tourism shares his unique insights on traveling solo with a disability.
Access Africa
An African Safari is many people's ultimate adventure holiday and one that's increasingly suited to people with limited mobility. This new access publication by Bradt Travel Guides is written by Gordon Rattray of Able Travel and covers accessibility of the six most visited countries south of the Sahara.
What's new on the WWW?
Games evaluation research results
Results of a research project evaluating games and games devices (X-Box, Playstation, Wii, PC) for their suitability for (young) people with brain injury. The research was conducted by Ability Technology to provide guidance about the complexity, speed and cognitive requirements needed to play a range of popular contemporary electronic games.
Webcam Game
Educational and rehabilitative games that take advantage of the webcam to maximise accessibility. All software is free of charge and may be distributed freely. The developer, Giuseppe, is also freely available to collaborate with associations, teachers or parents, for the development of new webcam games.
InterACT
A free downloadable resource kit designed around the Powerhouse Youth Theatre's Mixed Abilities Ensemble and developed in collaboration with Accessible Arts to assist those who want to work in integrated performance settings.
One Switch Music Creativity
A new fun resource that provides a variety of switch accessible applications for making and performing music, listening to music and playing musical games.
Scoog music
An initiative of The Tapestry Partnership in England, Skoog music's tactile musical interface offers accessibility and expressive control over the sound of traditional musical instruments using cutting edge "musical play" technology. The Scoog can be played on its own or in groups, by teachers and children with or without musical training. The interface is highly intuitive and can be customised to meet individual needs, offering accessibility, scope for progression, musical depth and learning.
AT Magic
AT Magic is ILC NSW's new online Assistive Technology subscription service available exclusively to health professionals and service providers. Subscribers can search the ILC's AT database to help find the best AT solutions and their suppliers for clients. Products can be compared side-by-side and virtual clipboards can be created for individual client information.
3RPP radio show - The Disability Shop
Each week 3RPP Radio Port Phillip airs a one hour show, live online on Mondays 10am-11am, about all aspects of disability, featuring guests and field interviews, recorded music by well known performers with disability, and the latest news and media information. For example, a recent program featured a discussion about accessible housing. For information, phone Keith Horner on 03 5978 8200 or email thedisabilityshop@hotmail.com
Source: Warringah Disability Information Service, DisNews
Arts For All
Creative New Zealand in partnership with Arts Access Aotearoa has published "Arts for All: opening doors to people with a disability". This guide provides practical and long-term ways for artists and arts organisations to enhance their access, market their events to the disability community and build new audiences. Their website also includes checklists, guidelines, information sheets and other useful resources, complementing this publication.
Source: Arts Access Australia e-news January 2010
Take Me There
A new service offering a range of wheelchair accessible excursions out of Sydney, catering to the needs of people with disability and their carers.
Can-Do-Ability
"Jo-Blogs" works for NOVA Employment, an Australian Government funded organisation that helps people with disability find employment. Jo is 25, uses a wheelchair herself, and blogs about her personal experiences, disability news items and stories from inspirational people she meets.
Ability Books
An online Australian bookstore specialising in disability and healthcare publications.
Moms in Common
For parents especially mothers of children with disability to share their stories.
International Peer Support Chatroom for People with Brain Injury
BrainInjuryChat.org is a web-based peer support group set up to provide people who are living with brain injury a safe place to meet and share information. Participating is free, chat room rules and community standards apply.
Source: BIA NSW 2009 E-Bulletin 8 - 2 October 2009 via the Warringah Disability Newsletter 218 - 26/11/09
