
It is time for good news!
In only five months, all EU-citizens will wake up to an accessible world. Maybe. More probably, quite a few organisations will try to shape up their digital accessibility as the magic date of 28 June 2025 approaches.
With the new legislation pushing new sectors to start fixing problems, accessibility experts are already busier than ever. Even though stress is of course not something to aim for, the fact that demand is rising fast must be seen as positive. More organisations wanting to learn about accessibility means a potential for better access.
The super commercial gaming industry ended 2024 in a positive way, when Electronic Arts expanded its accessibility initiative by releasing 23 new technology patents for free use by anyone. These solutions include tools for speech and audio generation and recognition, benefiting players with speech disorders or communication difficulties. The company also introduced a new plugin for their photosensitivity analysis technology to help developers identify potentially harmful frames for photosensitive players. More free tools pave the way for more studios to implement accessibility features, which will eventually lead to more accessible games.
At New Years eve, a Sensory Activation Vehicle was stationed outside Times Square, offering a calm space for neurodivergent individuals, featuring dimmed lighting, noise control, and calming tools. Broadening physical inclusivity efforts to make life easier for people with sensory impairments is still quite new, but on the raise. More visibility to hidden disabilities makes more people aware, which is a prerequisite for successful inclusion.
Not a news item, but the coolest accessibility feature guaranteed to make you smile is the effort of AstroAccess. This not-for-profit organisation is aiming for inclusivity in space exploration by integrating disabled crew members in missions. They are developing protocols and technologies to accommodate various disabilities in space, emphasizing that making space accessible can lead to transformative changes in accessibility on Earth. Not only cool, but also research, which may well foster innovation and result in increased accessibility.
There you go. Not all news covers negative and scary things.