IBM Human Ability and Accessibility Center - United States

IBM feature article: Cross-industry panels at CSUN 2013 address mobile accessibility challenges. Accessibility experts share their thoughts.

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

At the 28th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference California State University, Northridge (CSUN) conference, IBM brought together accessibility experts from government, major enterprise IT (information technology) providers, mobile OS (operating system) providers, mobile device providers, and industry standards efforts to bring focus and direction to addressing accessibility in one of the most liberating opportunities for people with disabilities in the last decade.

Innovation for the People of a Smarter Planet: IBM Human Centric Solutions Center is making a difference for Italian seniors aging at home in Bolzano.

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

An IBM Smarter Cities team led by the IBM Human Centric Solutions Center partnered with Bolzano city planners to answer the question "Can we use technology to guarantee a good quality of life for our aging population?" And the answer is a resounding "yes."

Healing the world: A surgeon’s quest. Creating a universal translator with IBM collaboration, captioning and translation tools.

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 03:00:00 EST

Dr. Steven Schwaitzberg is a man with a mission. He wants to teach surgeons around the world the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) so that they can perform minimally invasive surgery and he wants to do it using sophisticated collaborative tools

WGBH/NCAM receives FCC Chairman's Award for Advancement in Accessibility for Mobile Applications.

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 09:00:00 EST

IBM advocacy partner, the Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family National Center for Accessible Media at WGBH (NCAM) received the FCC Chairman's Award for Advancement in Accessibility for Mobile Applications for their development of the Media Access Mobile (MAM) solution. MAM is designed to serve visitors to entertainment venues and cultural institutions who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, blind or visually impaired, or who speak languages other than English.

Daily dose of inclusive Social Business. Discovery Channel Canada interviews IBM HA&AC Advocacy and Outreach Program Manager Peter Fay.

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 09:00:00 EST

The Daily Planet team from the Discovery Channel Canada is hip. They highlight cool new technologies and explore interesting people, places and things. So, when their FutureTech team wanted to get a first-hand look at the New Mobile Workplace, they came to IBM.

Valuing every voice. Inclusive social business hits the blogosphere.

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 09:00:00 EST

By definition, social business is people business. As such, it can and should value every voice, which is why IBM set out to enable more inclusive social business.

The Conversational Internet. A project that enables people who are blind to 'talk' with web pages.

Mon, 03 Sep 2012 09:00:00 EST

The Conversational Internet is an inspiring project developed by a team of Extreme Blue interns throughout the summer at the IBM Hursley Lab in the UK. The Royal London Society for Blind People approached IBM with the aim of creating improvements in the way that people who are blind interact with information on the Internet and the team is working towards a smart solution.

HTML5 accessibility. Coming soon – are you ready?

Mon, 30 July 2012 09:00:00 EST

HTML5 is the fifth version of the World Wide Web Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). HTML5 accessibility is a work in progress with many details still under development.

City of Bolzano honored by Computerworld. Socially-enabled 'aging in place' solution wins high marks for innovation.

Wed, 20 June 2012 09:00:00 EST

The City of Bolzano's Living Safe Project was one of the top five Laureates, or nominees, in the "Innovation" category at the ComputerWorld Honors program, and was recognized publicly at the Laureate Medal Ceremony and Gala Evening.

COGNO 2.0 — Designed for the human mind. The next generation of technology design.

Tue, 29 May 2012 09:00:00 EST

The ultimate goal of the COGNO 2.0 initiative is to develop technology that leverages patterns of human cognition to become smarter with every use and experience.

IBM Researcher, Dr. Dimitri Kanevsky, honored as White House Champion of Change

Thu, 10 May 2012 09:00:00 EST

On Monday, May 7, 2012, the White House honored fourteen individuals as Champions of Change for their efforts to advance access to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) for people with disabilities.

Putting inclusive learning to work in Philadelphia

Tue, 17 April 2012 09:00:00 EST

A Smarter Cities approach to closing the workforce skills gap

Check out our checklists. Questions and answers about the IBM accessibility developer guidelines

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST

IBM has been a leader in making IT accessible to many people, including those with disabilities. IBM is committed to creating accessible and easy-to-use technologies that enhance the overall workplace environment and contribute to the productivity of all employees.

Feeling Fine in Sao Paulo, Brazil. IBM wins $3.2 million contract to develop accessible platform for vocational training

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST

IBMers from all over the world collaborated to win a grant from FineP - Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos – the Brazilian government agency tasked with funding educational and scientific projects that will have lasting impact on the country's social development.

Véronique Doux-Marot — Our French Connection

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST

New profile: Insights on accessibility from working professionals

Five issues to avoid for accessible presentations. Learn how to duck them with these techniques

Tue, 01 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST

Five common accessibility presentation problems — the frustrating five — can thwart your attempts to enlighten your listeners. Rest easy. This article identifies these troublesome issues, then details the techniques you can use to avoid the issues, whether you are using IBM® Symphony® or Microsoft® PowerPoint®.

Cloud desktop accessibility: A look at how assistive technologies work in the cloud and virtual desktops

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST

As cloud technology evolves to seamlessly configure, integrate and deploy applications, IT of the future will be able to focus higher up in the software stack to deliver business value. This article explores what we know thus far with how assistive technologies work in this environment, As cloud technology evolves to seamlessly configure, integrate and deploy applications, IT of the future will be able to focus higher up in the software stack to deliver business value. This article explores what we know thus far with how assistive technologies work in this environment.

100 years of doing business; 100 years of doing good. Human Ability and Accessibility Center employees "doing good" for the IBM Celebration of Service.

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST

As IBM turned 100 in June of 2011, the corporation embraced its history of service to the communities in which it does business. IBM encouraged employees to participate in the global IBM Celebration of Service. The IBMers who make up the Human Ability and Accessibility Center found many memorable ways of including accessibility as a focus of their participation in the Celebration of Service.

10 steps for making your meeting accessible. How to design your meeting and include everyone.

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST

Many talented, creative clients and colleagues have physical limitations, such as blindness or visual impairment, deafness or limited mobility. When you schedule a meeting, do you take potential disabilities into consideration? These 10 steps should help you design your meeting and include everyone.

Facebook Expert Hour on November 10, 2011 at 12 pm EDT

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 09:00:00 EST

Have questions about "Low Vision and Aging?" Join experts from the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) on the IBM Accessibility Facebook page, and learn more.

Making small visual displays accessible to people wih vision loss. AFB to develop consumer report on small screen access.

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 09:00:00 EST

The ability to read small visual displays (SVDs) affects successful functioning at home and in the workplace. SVDs can be found in products as diverse as cell phones, personal digital assistants, photocopiers, fax machines, kitchen and laundry appliances, home entertainment devices, exercise equipment, and diabetes self-management technology. Individuals with vision loss face severe limitations in using such products safely and effectively because the visual displays lack accessibility features.

A Testament to Accessibility

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST

Seth Bravin testifies before US Senate about higher education and employment for people who are deaf and hard of hearing

Accessibility in the City — New York City

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 09:00:00 EST

IBM is piloting a first-of-a-kind prototype application, called AccessMyNYC, for a limited time in New York City to study accessible travel solution requirements for Smarter Cities.

Eclipsing expectations. New Eclipse support for IAccessible2 makes code more accessible than ever

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST

Eclipse now contains additional support for IAccessible2 application programming interfaces that makes accessible coding easier than ever.Eclipse contains additional support for IAccessible2 application programming interfaces that makes accessible coding easier than ever.

The art of accessibility. Knowing art when you 'hear' it.

Wed, 27 July 2011 09:00:00 EST

The Lille Metropole Museum of Modern, Contemporary and Outsider Art (LaM) has a new Smartphone application called "Tag My LaM" — that describes nearby sculptures when visitors are strolling the extensive outside sculpture garden.

Accessible Analytics - Complex Charts, Large Datasets, and Node Diagrams

Mon, 04 July 2011 09:00:00 EST

Our world is becoming increasingly intelligent, interconnected, and instrumented, resulting in massive amounts of data being collected. This data is a treasure trove of information that can be mined to improve service, increase sales, determine risk, or make operations more efficient.

Analysis of such large amounts of data, often called analytics, is increasingly desired by governments and businesses alike.

Social media sites get down to business

Wed, 15 June 2011 09:00:00 EST

Social networking has literally transformed the way the world communicates. What began as entertaining online forums for reconnecting with old friends and former colleagues has also morphed into real-time virtual hotlines for job posters and seekers, political compatriots and natural disaster survivors.

Let's get mobile. Advancing mobile usability for everyone.

Tue, 24 May 2011 09:00:00 EST

For many people, accessibility and disability are philanthropic efforts that represent requisite components of every company's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) portfolio.

More and more users are adopting the mobile platform. It is predicted that the tipping point will be reached in 2013 with mobile devices surpassing the desktop computer as the most common Web access device

The WAI forward for accessibility. How IBM is making its Web applications more accessible

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 09:00:00 EST

Learn how IBM is how incorporating WAI-ARIA techniques and examples into: IBM accessibility guidelines, product accessibility reviews by the IBM Accessibility Architecture Review Board, and automated accessibility testing via IBM Rational Policy Tester.

A new vision for 'social security'. Home healthcare smart sensors help keep Italian seniors living in place.

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EST

Faced with a stagnant, 10-year budget forecast, restricted resources and the need to address healthcare and safety needs of a rapidly growing percentage of healthy citizens over the age of 70, city leaders got creative. Partnering with IBM, TIS Innovation Park, the technological park of Bolzano, and Dr. Hein GmbH, the city sponsored the Secure Living project to help seniors safely 'age in place' at home.

Creating business advantage with workforce diversity and inclusion

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 09:00:00 EST

For many people, accessibility and disability are philanthropic efforts that represent requisite components of every company's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) portfolio. Well, that is one point of view. At IBM, we've traditionally viewed these issues from a more out-of-the-box perspective that asked: What if accessibility was a REAL business? How could including people with disabilities in the workforce create an additional business advantage for companies?

Lotus Connections 3.0 – Accessible Social Software for Business

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 09:00:00 EST

Designed with business people in mind, IBM Lotus Connections 3.0 software gives you fast access to everyone in your network - your colleagues, customers and partners.

Toward a Smarter Planet: Minding the Digital Gap for Our Aging Population

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST

Given enough attention, a browser that closes the digital divide between us and our older generation could soon become a reality.

IBM mobile web application helps City of Nettuno, Italy become smarter. Visitors and residents with disabilities can navigate historic city more easily.

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST

The City of Nettuno worked with IBM Human-Centric Solutions (HCS) to develop an interactive service providing real-time accessibility information via a smartphone application. Called "Accessibility City Tag" (ACT!), the service allows residents or visitors with disabilities to view accessibility information about Nettuno points of interest, filtered by their particular disability type, on their smart phone.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. IBM honored with award from USBLN

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST

The USBLN 2010 Annual Leadership Awards highlighted employer achievements in seven categories, including supplier diversity and market share. IBM was among those honored, receiving the "Employee Resource Group (ERG) of the Year" award for exemplary strategies to advance disability inclusiveness in the workplace, marketplace and supply chain.

Opening doors for Web 2.0 accessibility with WAI-ARIA

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 09:00:00 EST

With Accessible Rich Internet Applications (WAI-ARIA), developers can make advanced Web applications accessible and usable to a broad range of people with disabilities.

The Linux Foundation Delivers New Licensing Terms, Testing Tools for Accessibility Interfaces

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST

In early July, the Linux Foundation announced new licensing terms for IAccessible2 (IA2) and the availability of AccProbe, a new desktop application testing tool for the development community.

Easy Web Browsing - customized

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST

A team from IBM Research in Tokyo presented a study they conducted to determine if it was possible to customize an existing product, Easy Web Browsing, to each individual user, and presented their findings at the California State University at Northridge (CSUN) 25th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference.

Better city, better life. China charts a course to a smarter (more inclusive) future

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:04:00 EST

In the six years since Shanghai won its bid to host the 2010 World Expo, China has appeared to be on a mission to revitalize the Fairs' faltering image. Critics of the nearly 160-year tradition claim that technology has rendered the experience obsolete. Why travel to explore humankind's latest achievements when you can get all the insight you need from a quick Google search? Allow the leaders of China's second-largest city to enlighten you: this Expo isn't focused on nature, or the world's oceans or any number of previously selected topics that may or may not be of interest to the average global citizen. It's about you. Where you live. How you live. And the many ways in which governments, businesses and individuals can work together to transform cities into smarter environments that contribute to an overall better quality of life for everyone.

Live Virtual Classrooms: Making the grade in accessibility

Wed, 12 May 2010 13:23:00 EST

Learn about virtual classroom solutions and best practices that instructors can follow to deliver the most accessible online course despite the limitations of virtual classroom tools.

India advances towards accessibility

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 12:39:00 EST

In February, IBM was a gold sponsor of Techshare India 2010. Read about the conference and IBM's participation.

CSUN sets its sights on San Diego in 2010

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:31:00 EST

This year, after more than two decades in Los Angeles, the world's largest conference on technology and people with disabilities is pulling up stakes and taking the show south to the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego, California.

Making inclusive travel and tourism a reality in Georgia. IBM co-leading public-private partnership.

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:31:00 EST

Recently, a public-private partnership - the Georgia Alliance for Accessible Technologies - has been formed to help make inclusive travel and tourism a reality in Georgia. Over 60 Georgia-based companies, research and academic institutions, NGOs and public sector organizations have been involved in the initiative, which IBM is co-chairing.

Speaking of Awards: IBM India Research Lab honored with National Award for Technological Innovation.

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:50:00 EST

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in India recently presented its National Award for Technological Innovation to the IBM India Research Lab for Project Spoken Web.

Accessing the Future. IBM and IEEE 'boldly go' where no one has gone before...

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST

150 cross-disciplinary leaders from university, government, industry and advocacy organizations came together with IBM and IEEE in July 2009 and generated a list of ten accessibility recommendations to help ensure digital inclusion for current and future generations.

2009 Deaflympics. IBM supplies on demand sign language interpretation

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST

IBM researchers at IBM made improvements to IBM Easy Web Browsing to try and help people with dyslexia and learning disabilities use the Internet more effectively.

Changing the game: IBM brings on demand sign language interpretation to 2009 Deaflympics

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST

IBM and the Chinese Deaf Association teamed up in 2008 to deliver a smarter communication solution in time for the September games at the 2009 Deaflympics in Taipei, Taiwan.

A More Perfect Union - Obama marks 19th Anniversary of ADA

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:55:00 EST

On the 19th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) President Obama proclaimed July 26 the official anniversary of the ADA, and announced that the United States would become an official signatory to the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

Out of Africa. IBM helps develop an e-Accessibility Policy Toolkit for Persons with Disabilities

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 3:25:00 EST

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the Global Initiative for Inclusive Information and Communications Technologies (G3ict) unwrapped a first-of-a-kind toolkit that addresses the needs of policymakers and regulators across a broad range of government agencies and ministries in countries that are implementing the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

FutureSpeak: A Preview of the 2009 IEEE Accessing the Future Conference

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 3:25:00 EST

First-of-a-kind conference developed to identify the next generation of accessibility challenges—challenges arising from the increasingly pervasive use of technologies such as 3-D Web, online collaboration, shared medical records, and advanced systems for transportation and communication.

Fortune Favors the Bravin.

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 3:25:00 EST

IBMer Seth Bravin wins Employee of the Year Award from Careers & the disABLED magazine.

IBM Symphony No. 1. Be free. Work smart. Create accessible documents.

Thu, 21 May 2009 3:25:00 EST

Learn how to create accessible documents with IBM Symphony.

Accessibility innovation via standards, governance and training services.

Tue, 30 April 2009 2:11:00 EST

IBM can help your company make it happen.

IBM Accessibility is now on Facebook

Tue, 30 April 2009 2:11:00 EST

IBM Accessibility is now on Twitter

Tue, 30 April 2009 2:11:00 EST

2009 IEEE Accessing the Future Conference

Tue, 14 April 2009 12:18:00 EST

A global collaborative exploration for accessibility in the next decade.

WCAG 2.0 and the future of Web accessibility

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:18:00 EST

IBM interviews Judy Brewer from W3C about the new WCAG 2.0 guidelines and the challenges her group faced in developing the new principles.

For CSUN 2009 attendees

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 12:18:00 EST

More information about IBM accessibility solutions and IBM presentations.

Cathy Laws: The laws of accessibility

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:34:00 EST

The first law of accessibility: consider the needs of disabled people as early as possible when you are designing a product. Cathy Laws is one person who sees that this rule is followed at IBM.

Small displays get big-time attention.

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:34:00 EST

AFB TECH Director Mark Uslan talks about how how an existing mathematical model for large digital displays might apply to measuring small-display quality, making them accessible to the nearly 21 million Americans who suffer from vision loss.

A letter from Helen Keller. IBM commended by American Foundation for the Blind.

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:34:00 EST

IBM Senior Vice President and Director of Research John E. Kelly accepted the AFB’s 2008 Helen Keller Achievement Award in Accessibility on behalf of IBM.

E-learning: A lesson in accessibility

Tue, 11 Jul 2008 10:16:00 EST

Accessibility in e-learning is an emerging awareness.

On Board with Accessibility. President Bush Appoints Phillip D. Jenkins to the U.S. Access Board

Tue, 11 Jul 2008 10:16:00 EST

IBM's Phill Jenkins recently was appointed to serve a four-year term on the U.S. Access Board.

IBM accessibility services and technologies client wins ComputerWorld awards

Tue, 11 Jul 2008 10:16:00 EST

At a gala event in Washington D.C., TD Bank Financial Group was selected as a ComputerWorld Honors Award laureate and finalist for accessible IT.

The future is now. Web 2.0 mashup accessibility

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 05:02:27 EST

For all of their promise, mashups introduce a number of accessibility and usability problems stemming from inaccessible services, inconsistent keyboard navigation and other issues.

Andi Snow-Weaver: Closing the gap with open source

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 05:02:27 EST

When you're all about standards, there's a tendency to set your own pretty high. At least that's the way it worked out for IBM's Andi Snow-Weaver. And apparently that's how Sun Microsystems saw it, too, when it awarded her one of its very first Innovation in Government Technology Awards.

The need for accessible self-service travel kiosks

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:59:27 EST

The IBM approach: Make air travel easier with accessible self-service travel kiosks

Accessibility-related articles: Dojo

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:59:27 EST

Dojo: an accessible JavaScript toolkit

Human Ability and Accessibility Center

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:59:27 EST

IBM can deliver solutions that address end-to-end accessibility requirements facing organizations today.

Newsroom

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:59:27 EST

By enabling human capability through innovation, IBM strives to help all people maximize their potential, regardless of age or ability.

Newsroom: W3C aims to boost web accessibility (wnunet.com)

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:59:27 EST

Updated accessibility news

Newsroom: Software opens up workforce to people with disabilities (New Zealand Herald)

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:59:27 EST

Updated accessibility news

Newsroom: Focus on diversity: Assistive technology helps propel career success

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:59:27 EST

Diversity/Careers in Engineering & Information Technology

Newsroom: Students with disabilities are making headway

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:59:27 EST

Diversity/Careers in Engineering & Information Technology

Headline: Introduction to OpenDocument Format

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:59:27 EST

Featured accessibility news

Newsroom: IBM to Help Colleges Make Software More Accessible for Disabled and Aged

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:59:27 EST

U.S. Department of Education Applauds Effort; Congratulates IBM Programming Contest Winners

Newsroom: Canadian schools collaborate on more accessible interfaces

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:59:27 EST

University of Toronto leads project for adaptive Web applications

Headline: New series profiles the potential of human ability

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:59:27 EST

Featured accessibility news

Headline: Four IBM accessibility clients recognized at ComputerWorld Honors Program Awards

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:59:27 EST

Featured accessibility news

Series: Profiles of human ability

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:59:27 EST

Bill Huber: Advancing accessibility innovations at IBM

Terms of use

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:20:58 EST