News archivos - Accessibilitas

The UNIVAC project analyzes sensory accessibility in Spanish universities

Sensory disability includes, among other conditions, deafness, hearing loss, blindness and low vision. The UNIVAC research project, led by the Pompeu Fabra University (Barcelona) and financed by the Ministry of Science and Innovation, the State Research Agency and the European Union, has the objective of analyzing the response that the Spanish university gives to the needs accessibility of people with these profiles, in order to carry out a diagnosis of the current situation and specify what measures are necessary to guarantee their access to quality university education in a context of growing digitalization.

To this end, a team made up of researchers and technicians specialized in inclusion from the Pompeu Fabra University, the University of Córdoba and the University of the Basque Country is carrying out different research activities to obtain information based on the experience of students, university staff . teacher and researcher, and administration and service personnel, with and without disabilities. These activities include focus groups, interviews, and follow-up diaries.

The research team points out that the studies carried out to date often relate accessibility to physical barriers for people with reduced mobility. However, they do not delve into the analysis of the implementation of communicative and digital accessibility services that are key for people with sensory disabilities, such as subtitling, the use of sign language, audio description, magnetic loop, transcriptions. . or audio guides, among others.

The project is based on the premise that these interventions must be carried out in the environment; “The origin of the barriers is not people with disabilities, but an inaccessible society, which is not prepared for a digital transition that takes all people into account,” says Blanca Arias (UPF), principal researcher of the project.

In this sense, they point out that the digital transition process in the university environment should incorporate the different communicative and digital accessibility services so as not to leave people with sensory disabilities behind and distance them from the university system due to lack of accessibility.

The UNIVAC project provides evidence for the development of accessibility policies, which contribute to reducing inequalities and guaranteeing quality education for all people, she concludes.

More information and publications about the project on the UNIVAC website.

How to do inclusive marketing? Physical media

The adaptation of accessible content according to media includes:

OOH: Use clear and simple language, and ensure the accessibility of materials and facilities.
Events: Inform attendees about available accommodations, designate a person responsible for accessibility, and ensure accessibility of materials and facilities.Inclusive marketing
Radio: Use clear and simple language, and provide subtitles for people with hearing disabilities.
Stands: Use clear and simple language, and guarantee the accessibility of materials and facilities.
Packaging: Use clear and simple language, and provide information in braille or in accessible formats for people with visual disabilities.
Point of sale: Use clear and simple language, and guarantee the accessibility of materials and facilities.
Physical documents: Use clear and simple language, provide textual alternatives for images and graphics, and ensure the accessibility of forms and links.

In summary, the adaptation of accessible content includes the use of clear and simple language, the provision of textual alternatives for images and videos, ensuring the accessibility of materials and facilities, and the use of subtitles and tags suitable for structuring the content. These practices seek to guarantee accessibility for people with disabilities.

The adaptation of accessible content includes the use of clear and simple language, the provision of textual alternatives for images and videos, ensuring the accessibility of materials and facilities, and the use of appropriate subtitles and labels to structure the content. These practices seek to guarantee accessibility for people with disabilities.

In the Marketing and Communication Guide Inclusiva from ILUNION addresses diversity from the audience we target and how they consume the content so that it reaches them in the appropriate way.

Source: DISCAPNET

The Henry Viscardi awards recognize the work of Jesús Hernández in favor of accessibility

The prestigious American institution Centro Viscardi has announced the Henry Viscardi Achievement 2023 awards, among which it has distinguished the director of Accessibility and Innovation of the ONCE Foundation, Jesús Hernández.

The Viscardi Center is a pioneering institution committed to the education, employability and empowerment of people with disabilities in the United States. As recognized by the institution, these awards are intended to honor people with disabilities who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication to improving the lives of people with disabilities and have made significant contributions to their communities.

In the case of Jesús Hernández, his leadership in “pioneering” projects in Spain and Europe stands out. Under his direction, Fundación ONCE has reached a significant number of agreements with numerous entities that have allowed the promotion of projects that improve the autonomy of people with disabilities. Additionally, he has played a key role in the formation of the European Accessibility Centre, AccessibleEU. The Center is supported by the European Commission and its objective is to harmonize accessibility policies in the European Union. Its commitment lies in making society inclusive, guaranteeing accessible environments, products and services.”

It also highlights its commitment to “user-centered technology, exceeding the limits of robotics, medicine and everyday tasks, ultimately improving the quality of life of people with disabilities.” And it ends by highlighting how “accessibility is not just a concept but a tangible reality, which reduces the gap for people with disabilities and promotes an inclusive society.”

Together with Jesús Hernández, the work of Pakistani Afshan Afridi, from the Collective Alliance for the Rights of Young Girls with Disabilities, has also been recognized; Alex Elegudin, Advocates for Children; Mindy Henderson, Muscular Dystrophy Association; Peter Thomas, of Powers Law Firm, and Constantine “Gus” Zografopoulos, of Z Life.

Source: SERVIMEDIA

The domotic apartment at the Toledo Paraplegic Hospital will help train patients

In collaboration with the ONCE Foundation, the National Hospital for Paraplegics of Toledo has launched a 40 square meter apartment completely automated. This apartment will function to train patients for daily living in housing when they leave the center, and even if they will live alone. The technological equipment has been carried out by collaborators who have been involved in the project, among others Ugari Geriátrica, Simon, Samsung, Qvadis, Adom, Fama, Pardo and Carpintería ELIT. The objective of this initiative has been to create a functional apartment of reduced dimensions to show that you can have an adapted home without needing many square meters. The apartment is equipped with control systems, using both products available on the conventional market and other specific ones that allow access to different elements of the home for people with great motor limitations. This environment provides a space for training in basic and instrumental activities of daily life, is a showcase of accessibility solutions in the home that enable the independence of people at home and creates an environment for conducting evidence-based research. related to independent living. Regarding the technology included in this apartment, the lighting and home automation systems from Simon, the smart phone from Qvadis, and the kitchen appliances and television from Samsung stand out, which can be controlled through the company’s application. Likewise, the apartment has countertop lifting systems and height-adjustable toilets thanks to Ugari Geriátrica, while the ceiling crane, the shower channel and the home automation systems have been provided by Adom. For its part, Fama has provided the sofa and the auxiliary tables in the living room; Pardo has given up the bed and Carpintería Elit has installed the kitchen furniture. In the selection of each of the elements, not only functionality, but also its aesthetic component has been taken into account. Source: CASADOMO

Free courses with open enrollment in accessibility

The ONCE Foundation, the Royal Board of Trustees on Disability and the UNED come together to produce open, free, quality educational resources accessible to all people. Each student can also obtain recognition or accreditation for the merits achieved. The offer will gradually cover all disciplines in which Universal Design has implications.

The Channel offers training in the knowledge and skills necessary to design products, environments, systems and services from a universal design perspective.

Courses with open enrollment at this time are:

How to train in design for all people:

Society would be more inclusive if each professional thought about how all people function, before designing and offering their services. From the educational field, future professionals must be trained so that they become aware and work also taking into account, on the one hand, limitations in functioning and support needs, and on the other, the rights of people with disabilities. To achieve this, teachers also need training and support. This course offers information and resources on aspects related to inclusive education and reasonable adjustments, on Design for All and Universal Design for Learning, also offering tools to implement this training in classrooms, that is: how can Teachers train on design for all people, on disabilities, in their subjects.

Accessible housing

The home must be a place adapted to the needs of all its inhabitants. The coexistence in the same family unit of children, the elderly, adults, among whom there may be people with disabilities, requires that the spaces be adapted to the needs and activities of each of the family members.

This course offers alternatives to consider renovating the interior of a house or purchasing its furniture taking into account all its inhabitants.

Disability and Active Legal Defense (in collaboration with State CERMI)

Legal security allows us to live with the peace of mind of being protected by laws and institutions, which guarantee the defense of our rights. Although all citizens are equal before the law, people with disabilities see their rights violated more frequently. In this sense, this course is aimed at helping students learn to identify situations of discrimination and violence, and know the tools and rules for reporting them.

The goal of the course is for students to obtain a broad vision of Human Rights and in particular the rights of people with disabilities and their families. Also of the legal, advocacy, and communication instruments and tools to claim these rights from a legal and social point of view.

Accessibility in healthcare public

Currently, customer service and the general public do not meet the necessary conditions to satisfy the diversity of user needs and preferences. This creates inequality and means that many people are left without resolving problems or doubts they may have regarding the service offered. In addition, it produces dissatisfaction and reduces customer loyalty. Likewise, it can cause the organization to receive a high number of complaints or reports of discrimination and this can affect loyalty.

This course offers a description of the various profiles of clients and users, paying particular attention to people with disabilities who have certain accessibility needs. Likewise, it presents the guidelines for effective attention to the public with disabilities.

All these courses can be taken until March 24, 2024.

More information: ONCE Foundation Channel at UNED

How to do inclusive marketing? Digital media

The adaptation of accessible content according to media includes:

Social networks: Use simple language, avoid the use of capital letters and italics, and use hashtags with the first letter of each word capitalized. Also, place hashtags and references at the end of the posts to avoid interruptions when reading.
Web Accessibility: Use appropriate HTML tags to structure content, provide textual alternatives for images and videos, use clear and simple language, and ensure the accessibility of forms and links.
Email marketing: Use clear and simple language, provide textual alternatives for images and videos, and avoid the use of special characters that may make reading difficult. Presentations: Use clear and simple slides, provide descriptive alternative text for images and graphics, and use subtitles for audiovisual content.
PDF: Use appropriate tags to structure content, provide textual alternatives for images and graphics, and ensure accessibility of forms and links.

In the Marketing and Communication Guide Inclusiva from ILUNION addresses diversity from the audience we target and how they consume the content so that it reaches them in the appropriate way.

Source: DISCAPNET