Higher Ed Prepares for New Era of ADA Looming federal regulations update the ADA to make web content and mobile apps more accessible to people, including college students, with disabilities. But universities are scrambling to comply by the April deadline.

Higher Education Is Facing A Turning Point For Digital Accessibility

Institutions that delay risk far more than compliance challenges — they risk exclusion, litigation, and reputation damage.

Check the Inside Higher Ed article out now to learn more:

Conference - Assistive Technology Industry Association Gather with practitioners, teachers, caregivers, persons with disabilities and more to learn, network and share on the best in assistive technology.

G3ict is attending the ATIA conference in Orlando, Florida.

If your team is attending, please connect with us so w can work to advance the fundamental human rights of persons with disabilities to digital access. 

Learn more about ATIA by visiting: https://www.atia.org/conference/

#a11y

Conference - Assistive Technology Industry Association Gather with practitioners, teachers, caregivers, persons with disabilities and more to learn, network and share on the best in assistive technology.

We're being represented by our VP of Institutional Relations, Francesca Bianchi, at the upcoming ATIA conference in Orlando, Fl.

If you're attending, we'd love to connect to learn how we can work together to advance digital access. 

Register now: https://www.atia.org/conference/
#a11y

Practical Framework and Toolbox – Digital Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities – Inklusion leben Supporting the Standardisation of Inclusive Approaches in Development Cooperation Digital transformation holds enormous promise, but only if it is  inclusi

The GIZ & BMZ Practical Framework & Toolbox for the Digital Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities gives guidance to ensure that digital initiatives are inclusive by identifying gaps, improving collaboration & embeding accessibility.

Access the Toolbox: https://shorturl.at/Q7228
#a11y

Digital Empowerment Foundation urges stronger focus on inclusion in WSIS+20 Zero Draft - CADE – Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment Through its recommendations, the Digital Empowerment Foundation calls for a digital future that is inclusive, rights-based, and fair. It emphasises that connectivity alone is not enough - people also need affordable devices, local content, accessible technology, and opportunities to participate in shaping digital policies.

India’s Digital Empowerment Foundation submitted recommendations to the WSIS+20 Zero Draft for stronger attention to accessibility, affordability, & participation in digital development.

Learn why this focus matters for the draft: https://shorturl.at/p97us

#CRPD #Accessibility

State of Digital Accessibility Report | 2025-2026 Discover how more than 1,600 professionals are scaling digital accessibility with AI and leadership support. Explore our annual market research report.

The 2025-2026 State of Digital Accessibility Report brings insights from 1,600+ digital experience professionals and shows how accessibility is foundational in the digital environment (while also identifying gaps).

Explore the report now: https://shorturl.at/xDqw3

#A11y #SODAR

Dovile Juodkaiteė alongside members of the UN CRPD Committee inside the chambers at the UN in New York City.

During the 18th session of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD, Lithuania presented Dovile Juodkaiteė as its candidate for the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities for 2027–2030.

Learn about Lithuania’s candidacy: https://shorturl.at/D12D9

#CRPD #a11y

UN China Strengthens System-Wide Disability Inclusion Through Landmark UN China Strengthens System-Wide Disability Inclusion Through Landmark Capacity-Building Workshop

In Nov., the UN in China concluded a system-wide workshop to improve implementation of its Disability Inclusion Strategy across leadership, strategic planning, programming & more.

Learn more about the important work the UN is doing: https://shorturl.at/f7D7f

#Accessibility #CRPD

In 2025 G3ict further contributed to promoting technology innovation in support of digital accessibility rights frameworks — positioning accessibility not just as compliance, but as a strategic driver of innovation, economic and social development, and global cooperation.

#G3ict

LinkedIn: Log In or Sign Up 1 billion members | Manage your professional identity. Build and engage with your professional network. Access knowledge, insights and opportunities.

The EAA is officially enforceable, new commentary highlights a growing area of impact: accessibility expectations for events and public experiences.

Learn more: https://shorturl.at/OZm5m

Explore our ongoing insights through the EAA Q&A page: https://shorturl.at/QF5qH

#EAA #A11Y

Govt proposes online portal to streamline certification, access to assistive technology - The Economic Times The Indian government has proposed new rules to improve access to assistive devices for people with disabilities. A planned online portal will manage certification, purchase, and complaints. The draft rules set standards for device types—essential, specialised, and emerging—ensuring safety, qual...

The Government of India has published the draft “Assistive Technology (Standards & Accessibility) Rules, 2025,” marking an important step toward establishing a comprehensive national framework for assistive tech access and oversight.

More: https://shorturl.at/jAZyu

#A11Y #IAAP

Universal Design for Learning and Digital Accessibility: Frameworks for Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education for Students with Disabilities in Higher Education - G3ict: The Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs Universal Design for Learning and Digital Accessibility: Frameworks for Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education for Students with Disabilities in Higher Education Posted on September 19, 2025 Tamar Makharashvili Social Scientist | PhD Candidate (UDL) | Accessibility Audit & Inclusive Tourism Exper...

New G3ict Blog: Advancing Inclusive Higher Education in Georgia Through Accessibility and UDL

Access full blog: https://shorturl.at/h9I3u

The analysis explores the persistent gap between Georgia’s international commitments and the reality. 

#Accessibility #HigherEducation #G3ict

UNDRR logo, featuring the UN emblem and text: "UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction" on a blue background.

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) emphasized a clear message for 2025: “Fund Resilience, Not Disasters.”

Learn more about UNDRR message: https://shorturl.at/4SgjH

#A11Y #UN #IDDRR

Canada champions accessibility and inclusion for all Government partners with youth and communities to boost workplace access for people with disabilities

The Government of Canada has announced more than CAD $35 million in new funding through the EAF, a significant investment in building more inclusive workplaces and communities for everyone.

Learn more about new funding through EAF: https://shorturl.at/KeBE7

#A11Y #G3ict

ACL logo with three abstract figures in blue, red, and yellow, and the text "Administration for Community Living" below.

ACL has announced three new discretionary grant awards under its Assistive Technology Alternative Financing Program- an important step toward improving access to essential assistive tech for all.

More about ACL grants: https://shorturl.at/THL80

 #A11Y #ACL

3 ways we’re helping make classrooms more accessible Learn more about Google’s efforts supporting National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Google announced more than USD $1.2 million in new grant funding to strengthen inclusive AI and computer-science education for K–12 learners with disabilities.

Learn more about new Google commitments:

New IAAP membership benefit. It features two logos side by side. On the left, the DARE Resource Guide logo includes a stylized globe with an orange upward arrow and the text: “DARE Resource Guide – Digital Accessibility Rights Education.” On the right, the G3ict logo reads: “G3ict – The Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs. Advancing the Rights to Digital Access for Persons with Disabilities.” Above both logos is the heading: “New IAAP Membership Benefit.”

In Case You Missed This: Dare Resource Guide — Free For IAAP Members

The Digital Accessibility Rights Education (DARE) Resource Guide, now available exclusively as an IAAP membership benefit.

Full guide: https://lnkd.in/e7MGz5Nb

Membership: https://lnkd.in/eabv8pHd

#G3ict #DARE

IAAP United in Accessibility podcast featuring Andres Balcazar and Christopher M. Lee discussing inclusive design, architecture and policy on Episode 55.

In Case You Missed This | Build for Everyone Podcast

Tune into  the full episode and access the transcript: https://lnkd.in/g2354HqJ

#CRPD #IAAPPodcast #InclusiveDesign #BuiltEnvironment

Partners unite to launch WHO Disability Health Equity WHO has launched the WHO Disability Health Equity Initiative, a landmark global initiative to advance health equity for over 1.3 billion people with disabilities.Unveiled on 10 June 2025, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York during the 18th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the initiative marks a bold step toward achieving health equity for all. The initiative aims to guide governments, health institutions, and communities in addressing barriers to care, promoting inclusive policies, and strengthening data and research on disability and health. Over 150 participants—government leaders, civil society, academia, and persons with disabilities—gathered in person, while many more joined online.Darryl Barrett, WHO’s Technical Lead on Disability presented a bold vision for the initiative. He discussed persistent systemic failures – political inaction, underinvestment, fragmented collaboration, and the exclusion of organizations of persons with disabilities – as critical barriers to progress. “Health systems are not fit-for-purpose,” Barrett said. “If we agree on Health for All, then we must agree that services must be inclusive and accessible. Right now, we can’t say that with confidence.”The Initiative is built around four strategic pillars:Leadership by persons with disabilities and their organizationsPolitical prioritization of disability-inclusive healthInclusive health systems and service deliveryStrengthening data and evidenceBarrett also outlined how this new initiative will facilitate strategic engagement with key partners to advance health equity for persons with disabilities, including through a multi-stakeholder network, partnerships with the private sector, technical guidance development, and support for country-level implementation. He emphasized that WHO’s work has been shaped by years of collaboration with diverse partners, including organizations of persons with disabilities. “We at WHO haven’t done this by ourselves,” Barrett noted. “The strong presence of partners – both in the room and online – reflects the shared commitment needed to drive meaningful, lasting change.”David Duncan, Special Olympics athlete and Chair of the Global Athlete Leadership Council, delivered a powerful testimony about the discrimination people with intellectual and developmental conditions often face in health care. “Invisible, unknown, disrespected... but I know it’s possible to do better – and that’s something everyone deserves,” Duncan said.Norway’s Minister of Culture and Equality, Lubna Jaffery, issued a powerful call to action, urging governments to close health access gaps and uphold the rights of persons with disabilities. Emphasizing access to health services, reproductive autonomy for women with disabilities, and expanded availability of assistive products, Jaffery affirmed Norway’s leadership in disability-inclusive development. “Inclusion is not just a policy, it is a principle and we are committed to making it a reality for all.”Sweden’s Director-General of the Agency for Participation, Malin Ekman-Aldén, echoed this commitment, stressing that advancing health equity for persons with disabilities is a human rights imperative. She highlighted Sweden’s continued investments in inclusive development and welcomed the WHO initiative as a key driver of accountability, better data, and systemic change.Dirk Platzen, Director at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, underscored the need for political leadership in building inclusive health systems. Introducing Australia’s new International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy, he called for recognition of health as a fundamental human right, not a privilege.Representing Germany, Michael Schloms of the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development emphasized international collaboration, sustainable financing, and shared responsibility. Reflecting on Germany’s experience hosting global disability events and co-leading the Global Disability Summit, he reaffirmed support for the initiative and the Amman-Berlin Declaration.Speakers from civil society, funding agencies, and academia highlighted the importance of funding, civil society engagement, and academic research in sustaining momentum and ensuring accountability. Ola Abualghaib, Director of the Global Disability Fund, emphasized the Fund Strategy’s alignment with the new WHO initiative. Hannah Loryman, Co-Chair of the International Disability and Development Consortium UN Task Force, stressed the vital role of civil society in advocacy, technical input, and accountability. Bonnielin Swenor, Director of the Disability Health Research Center at Johns Hopkins University, highlighted academia’s responsibility to advance disability health equity through inclusive research, education, and community engagement. She called for a paradigm shift from “living with a disability” to “thriving with a disability,” driven by data and implementation science.This initiative offers a pathway to making better choices - choices that ensure dignity, autonomy, and the right to health for all persons with disabilities.Jarrod Clyne / Deputy Director of the International Disability AllianceAudience members raised critical issues including the need for sustainable health system funding in humanitarian crises, the inclusion of Deaf people and persons with a psychosocial condition, the importance of training health professionals, digital health acccessibility, and support for independent living – highlighting the diverse and intersectional challenges that must be addressed to achieve true health equity for persons with disabilities.Jarrod Clyne, Deputy Executive Director of the International Disability Alliance, closed the event by stressing the importance of persistence, partnership, and shared responsibility. “This initiative offers a pathway to making better choices – choices that ensure dignity, autonomy, and the right to health for all persons with disabilities,” he said.

WHO Disability Health Equity Initiative Launched

https://www.who.int/news/item/27-06-2025-partners-unite-to-launch-who-disability-health-equity

#HealthEquity #DisabilityRights #InclusiveHealth #WHO #CRPD

PDFs are the tip of the spear for Code for America's new AI studio | StateScoop A new project at Code for America aims to help state and local governments make their documents more accessible in time for a 2026 deadline.

Code for America´s AI Support for Accessible PDFs

Access more information about the new project AI Code for America: https://statescoop.com/code-for-america-ai-pdf-accessibility-2025/

#AccessiblePDFs #AIForAccessibility #A11y #WebAccessibility

Building an accessible Smart Nation: Inclusive design in Singapore’s digital services GovTech's guide to digital accessibility and inclusive design. Explore examples of inclusive design and how we foster digital inclusion in Singapore.

The Government Technology Agency (GovTech) is embedding accessibility into digital services.

Learn more about Singapore's GovTech: https://www.tech.gov.sg/technews/building-an-accessible-smart-nation-inclusive-design-in-singapore-digital-services

#InclusiveDesign #DigitalAccessibility #GovTech

Xbox's 'Accessibility' Tags: How Do They Provide a Better Overview of a Game? All digital Xbox games are getting accessibility tags from Microsoft to tell you what features to expect.

Microsoft Xbox Introduces Accessibility Tags for Games

https://www.player.one/xboxs-accessibility-tags-how-do-they-provide-better-overview-game-161052

#AccessibleGaming #GamesForAll #Xbox #Microsoft

China strengthens disability support systems in 14th Five-Year Plan period BEIJING, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Millions of people living with disabilities have seen their lives improve as China made major strides in accessibility, inclusion and...

China: Disability Support Achievements and Future Innovation Through the Five-Year Plans

Access the full article about China's Five-Year Plan: https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/278460792/china-strengthens-disability-support-systems-in-14th-five-year-plan-period

#DisabilitySupport #AI #China

Help shape the future of inclusive disaster risk reduction and climate action for assistive technology users UNDRR, in partnership with ATscale, has led a global study on inclusive disaster risk reduction and climate action for AT users. The findings have informed the development of a draft policy brief, now available for public consultation.

Global Study by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and ATscale on Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction for Assistive Technology Users

Full article: https://shorturl.at/EUEky

#DisasterRiskReduction #AssistiveTechnology #UN #ATscale

United Nations logo featuring a world map surrounded by blue branches, with the text "United Nations" on the right.

In his message for World Youth Skills Day (15 July 2025), UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the critical need to expand access digital & AI skills for all young people, regardless of gender, geography, or background.
 
https://press.un.org/en/2025/sgsm22723.doc.htm
 
#YouthSkillsDay

How Title II Shapes Digital Accessibility Issue 3: Unlocking Equal Access in Higher Education through Digital Accessibility (July 2025). Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires state and local government entities, including public universities, to provide equal access to their services, programs, and activities, which now includes a specific standard for digital content as the result of a [...]

Under a 2024 DOJ rule, Title II of the ADA now explicitly requires public universities to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards for all digital content—by April 24, 2026.
 
Full article: https://www.wisconsin.edu/compliance/2025/07/07/how-title-ii-shapes-digital-accessibility
 
#HigherEd #ADACompliance

How AI can enhance digital inclusion and fight inequality Ensuring the digital economy remains accessible to all is vital in counterbalancing tech-driven inequality, and AI could be a powerful driver of inclusion.

The World Economic Forum warns that as AI adoption accelerates, now at 78% globally, its benefits must be distributed equitably to avoid deepening inequality.
 
Full article: https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/06/digital-inclusion-ai/
 
#DigitalInclusion #EthicalAI #FourthIndustrialRevolution #AI

Fair ground rules for artificial intelligence The FAIR Forward initiative is strengthening technical know-how on AI and increasing digital participation through AI bootcamps, local language files for AI solutions and more.

Through the FAIR Forward – AI for All initiative, GIZ and BMZ have now reached over 100,000 learners with AI skills training, focusing on gender equity, local relevance, and open data.

Full article: https://www.giz.de/en/mediacenter/AI-FAIR-Forward.html?
 
#AI #DigitalInclusion #EthicalAI

New IAAP membership benefit. It features two logos side by side. On the left, the DARE Resource Guide logo includes a stylized globe with an orange upward arrow and the text: “DARE Resource Guide – Digital Accessibility Rights Education.” On the right, the G3ict logo reads: “G3ict – The Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs. Advancing the Rights to Digital Access for Persons with Disabilities.” Above both logos is the heading: “New IAAP Membership Benefit.”

We are proud to present a vital new resource shaping the future of digital inclusion, the DARE Resource Guide, now available exclusively as an IAAP membership benefit.

Access: https://shorturl.at/0iKd8

Membership: https://lnkd.in/eabv8pHd

#DARE #CRPD

IFAP Advancing Collaborations for Ethical AI and Inclusive Digital On 5 June 2025, a Special Session titled “Digital Inclusion and AI Ethics: Building Human-Centered Digital Futures” brought together global experts to explore the intersection of artificial

At a special session in Paris, UNESCO’s Information for All Programme (IFAP) convened global experts to explore how AI governance, open data, and inclusive design can shape human-centered digital futures.

https://shorturl.at/Nm9JR
 
#EthicalAI #AI #GlobalImpact