People with disabilities often struggle to find appropriate housing.  There are many different barriers and issues people have to consider when looking for housing.  Disability.gov put together a great list of people should know about housing.  It includes tons of excellent resources too!

Check out the list!

The Federal Communications Commission is trying to make it easier for people with disabilities to communicate over the phone.  They proposed a rule that would require wireless phone networks to recognize real-time text starting in December 2017.  Real-time text would allow people to send and receive messages as they're being relayed without a separate device or translator on the line.

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We thank the Great Lakes ADA Center for providing us with the following information about how a new technology section was added to ada.gov.

New Accessible Technology Section Added to ADA.gov

The Department of Justice has launched a new Accessible Technology sectionfor ADA.gov, its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Web site, to further assist covered entities and people with disabilities to understand how the ADA applies to certain technologies, such as Web sites, electronic book readers, online courses, and point-of-sale devices.  Covered entities have longstanding obligations to make their programs, goods, services, and activities accessible—including those they provide online or via other technology.  The new Web pages compile in one place the Department’s technical assistance and guidance about accessible technology, as well as information about the Department’s accessible technology enforcement efforts, regulation development, and other federal accessible technology resources and initiatives.

As self-driving cars  become more of a reality, many people with disabilities see a new opportunity coming.   Advocates are urging manufacturers to make sure that people with disabilities are included in planning and development of this new technology.  They want to make sure the disability community's needs are incorporated into the original designs rather than being introduced later or only as special modified models.

Manufacturers  and project managers point out that unfortunately expectations of self-driving cars are unrealistic at this point.  They say that each person's situation is different and determining who can use which car will  be a "nightmare of complexity." Federal guidelines are now being drafted for automated vehicles that are expected to include the needs of those with disabilities.

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Multiple states have joined together to work to create ABLE Accounts (accounts  that will allow people with disabilities to save up to $100,000 without jeopardizing their Social Security and other government benefits).  Currently 40 states (plus Washington D.C) have approved legislation to create ABLE accounts, but no state has made the program available yet.  By working together, state officials hope to offer better quality investment products at lower cost.  

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Over the past decades, attitudes towards people with disabilities have dramatically changed.  Changes in legislation and services have improved people's lives.   A charity in London recently held an exhibit called "Crippled, Handicapped, Disabled: Living Beyond Labels" which opened up the charity's archives to explore attitudes towards people with disabilities over the last 80 years.

Check out some neat photos from the exhibit

Google is spending millions on technology that will increase independence for people with disabilities through its "Google Impact Challenge: Disabilities" initiative. The grants  will go to various disability organizations to enhance technology for people with disabilities.  Each organization that received a grant  has committed to sharing their technology which will encourage innovation from other sources.

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