ACCESS & TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS

Blind Community Presses for Right of Access to Technology

The Olympics & Braille:A complaint has been filed against the Sydney Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games, stating the Committee is discriminating against blind people by not providing the complex Olympic Ticket Book in braille. Details: sandy_hollway@socog.com.au

Accessible E-Commerce in Australia:Blind Citizens Australia has released a comprehensive discussion paper detailing explanations of the issues surrounding E-Commerce and accessibility. Covers situation in various countries and concerning several disability groups. To read or download: www.bca.org.au/ecrep.htm

California announces first "talking ATMs" in USA:In November 99, automated teller machines featuring touchscreens that provide audio information to users were introduced in California. The five pilot machines were installed following an agreement between the California Council of the Blind and Citibank. Details: Elaine B. Feingold, tel 510 848 8125.

Blind Citizens Sue America Online:On November 4 nine blind citizens joined the National Federation of the Blind in a lawsuit against America Online (AOL), the world's largest Internet service provider. The Federation's position is that the inaccessibility of AOL is illegal according to the Americans with Disabilities Act section requiring public accommodations, such as businesses, to make reasonable efforts to be accessible.

"Iliad" browser from NASA, new search tool for blind web surfers: a product of the U.S. National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) that is provoking a buzz in the blind computer users community is the Iliad. This browser can search the web for text and some graphics and return it via email to blind users upon request. The free service of the Iliad web site is located at the University of Texas in Austin and at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. Details: iliad@msstate.edu or ilias@prime.jsc.gov ; leave the subject line blank and type "start iliad" (without the quotes) in the body of the message. You will then receive a return email explaining how to use the system. Iliad was featured by John Williams in his regular assistive technology column in BusinessWeek.com and Williams can be contacted as follows: JMMAW@aol.com

Other Access & Technology Briefs

Buses for All: a website tracking the introduction and use of accessible buses around the world. Recent reports focused on Australia where Adelaide has 172 new accessible buses and a new one coming on line every week, comprising about 20% of the total fleet. The author credited accessibility complaints lodged since 1994 under the Disability Discrimination Act. Contact: buses.for.all@grads.globalnet.co.uk or check out previous briefings: www.disabilitynet.co.uk/groups/busesforall/index.html

Accessibility Campaign in Thailand:An advocacy group, Disabled People International-Thailand carried out a pervasive international media campaign in 99 to convince the Thai government to make the new mass transit system, the Bangkok Skytrain, accessible. After street demonstrations and media saturation, agreements were reached to make key stations accessible and to connect these stations to other systems, such as the Bangkok Subway. In August the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority launched 4 wheelchair-accessible buses. Contact: Mr. Topong Kulkhanchit, Access Officer, DPI-Thailand, dpith@loxinfo.co.th

BRIEFLY/ACCESS & TECHNOLOGY

Portugal leads European Union efforts to make web accessible:The Portuguese Group for Accessibility Initiatives (GUIA) is in the vanguard of European Union efforts to make the web accessible to disabled users, coordinated by Francisco Godinho. The campaign is expected to be greatly strengthened by the Portuguese presidency of the EU, which began in January. Details: www.digital-forum.net/noticias.asp?n=1796

New British Internet sites:new British web sites on accessibility & technology have been established to cover Guidelines for the Design of All Government Web sites (www.iagchampions.gov.uk/guidelines/websites/websites.html) and to launch the new National Mobility Center web site (www.mis.org.uk) The center has been established by volunteers to provide information on accessibility and mobility initiatives on an international basis.

Independence 3000 Promises to Revolutionize Wheelchairs:an investigational device now being field-tested is the Independence 3000 IBOT Transporter. With major investment by Johnson and Johnson, this third millennium wheelchair is being constructed to traverse a variety of terrain, including curbs and stairs and sand and gravel. Once clinical evaluations and product safety testing is complete, the results will be submitted to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Details: www.indetech.comand email at inquiries@indus.jnj.com

SoreButts 2000 Cushion Design Competition:We are pleased to announce SoreButts 2000, an international design competition to encourage the creation of inexpensive seat cushions for the prevention of pressure ulcers in people with disabilities living in developing countries or impoverished areas of the world. Everyone is encouraged to participate. Past entries have included cushions made from pinto beans, bicycle inner tubes, buckwheat hulls, and packing foam. Entries must be received by 9 JUNE 2000. Judging will occur at the RESNA Conference in June 2000 in Orlando, Florida. Up to $2,000 US in total prize money will be awarded. Contestants do not need to be present to win. For contest rules, instructions, and entry forms, contact: Denise Chesney, denise@beneficialdesigns.comInformation will also be posted on the SIG-17 Web site which can be found through the RESNA Web site, or directly at www.egr.msu.edu/~haddow/sig17/ps.htmlThis competition is sponsored by RESNA (Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America) and Beneficial Designs, Inc.